Amplifier on tubes "Bachelor"

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Zampotech, Oct 9, 2019.

  1. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Thanks for the table. Downloaded for as important reference information.

    The amplifier gain for the High output will be exactly 4, for the L output exactly 2.

    I measured the highest possible level at the High output. It turned out +12.5 dB on a load of 100 ohms.

    [​IMG]

    I tested with an external generator whose THD is unknown to me. Therefore, the maximum voltage was determined by the absence of visual distortion of the sinusoid shape.

    [​IMG]

    I assume that at this level, THD will be more than 1%, but less than 3%.

    Of course, such a high level will not be used in real life, but the power reserve will not hurt, especially on dynamic musical compositions.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  2. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    A sample of the "Bachelor" amplifier changed to 230 volts to 115 volts, got a face and is preparing to travel to the United States.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    The preliminary order form for the "Bachelor" amplifier can now be completed online. I present a screenshot. If you need to add or change fields, please let us know.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    Do people who already contacted you need to fill out the form?
     
  5. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    No, don't. I will use the old list.
     
  6. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Are there more impressions out there for this amp, especially in comparison to the SW51? I know AtomicBob has some and Ogodei had the amp, but I can't seem to find more impressions. Maybe not enough people have heard it?
     
  7. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I just haven't had much time to dedicate to it, but if I had to give a high level, oversimplified summary based on what listening I have done, I'd say it's more akin to the ZDT Jr than it is the SW51.
     
  8. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    Well that calls for a listening session... paging @fraggler

    [​IMG]
     
  9. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Interested! Too bad you sold the SW51 so quickly. Could have done a complete inexpensive tube amp Russian roulette.
     
  10. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    Yeah... I'm not real happy about selling :( but I do have the Bachelor here to make up for it.

    My initial impressions are positive on the amp, I always hate to put stuff in print until I listen a while and run through my 'review' tracks.

    Just got in GE 8136, TUNG-SOL 6CF6, SYLVANIA 5654 to try out. Will need to schedule some attention time.
     
  11. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I have one on the way, but it is stuck in Moscow. It will eventually make it stateside, but looking more like mid-September.
     
  12. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Just received this amp. Still part of the first batch of 12. Serial #006. The only difference in looks is that the volume knob is the same as the ZDT Jr. and not the mostly round looking one.

    Initial impressions are pretty great so far. Especially for the price.

    [​IMG]

    Source: Theta DS Pro Basic II
    Headphones: HD650, LCD-C

    First off, it is interesting having separate jacks for Low and High gain. I am sure it is because this is easier and probably better than a switch. It works, and that is fine.

    Let's also remember that the Low gain is 2, High gain is 4. This is perfect for a desktop amp. Gives you plenty of resolution in the volume pot, and the volume feels so nice and smooth with that Alps pot and the vintage knurled knob, and it is just at the right stiffness too.

    There is a slight warm tilt, yet the top is very clear. It is not as dark as a Crack, yet not as bright as the Valhalla 2 or the Lyr 3. It still sounds warmer and less peaky than my Cavalli Liquid Carbon. The Carbon top end is more dynamic, but sounds more harsh and distorted compared to the Bachelor. Going back the Carbon sounds just as open, but brighter, harsher, and slightly more aggressive, albeit there are some fine details that I am probably missing in the Bachelor. There is just a sweetness and clarity to the Bachelor's midrange that just opens up the space between instruments. I would not call this a fast amp, maybe quick for a tube amp. It kind of has a softness to the sounds and transients. Tons of clear separation and it never sounds strained or congested, and this is with HD650s and the LCD-2C's.

    There is not a HUGE change between Lo and Hi gain. High is more preferable to me as it seems to capture more details and not sound as "lazy" and smoky. And the distortion is so low on this amp and the gain already so low, why not?

    So far I have few complaints about this amp. Some might think this amp does not have any heft because they might have to turn the volume higher than they are used to with other amps and there are these 6Z1P miniature 7 pin tubes (yes, they are smaller in diameter and slightly shorter than a standard 9-pin tube).

    Overall I am impressed by the open clarity in this tube amp and still having some of that tube warmth and sweetness without overdoing it or having an overly dull top end. I still think it might have all the microdynamics or detail that some would crave. It just does not have that "oomph" or uber detail that some may want, however, for a desktop amp, I think it can compliment a large variety of sources and headphones that is quite pleasing.

    PS - I have not heard the SW51 or SW51+, so please don't ask. I am not going to speculate here.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2020
  13. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I also will include this. Here is a picture of a normal 9-pin tube next to one of the tubes in the Bachelor.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    The Low Z output on my SW51 is quieter, so I guess has lower gain than the High Z output. But I think the separate outputs are intended to be Low/High Z rather than Low/High gain.
     
  15. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I thought the same thing too until I found this at the top of the page. If you look earlier you will see Zampo lowered the gain. I am only guessing for lower distortion and better overall sound.

    This amp would be killer with some Grados or D2000/5000/7000 or even HD600's or other headphones that need some of that tube warmth.
     
  16. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    So I basically can't/won't do a real review of anything because I haven't really put in the time to train to hear micro differences in amps and dacs, but I can give overall impressions and gut reactions since that is how I listen.

    My gut reaction to the Bachelor is "Wow!" Not that it is the best amp I have ever heard, but that when I listen, I am finally getting almost exactly what I want. The nicest amp I have recently had was the ECP L2, and it was almost perfect. It had a silky smooth and sweet sound, resolved detail and spatial cues very nicely and matched up very well with my HD800. It didn't sound as spacious as the best I have heard (Eddie Current amps are still king in that regard as far as I can remember), and it didn't have quite the bass impact that I prefer (definitely not bass light, though). I wouldn't say I am a true bass head, but I definitely like a very healthy bottom. I swapped through a few dacs to get better bottom, but soon had spent more than I wanted chasing a certain sound. Just using an iFi iDSD Micro BL as the DAC, I am getting the bass and textural details that I love, with a pretty neutral presentation with enough space and spatial detail to keep me immersed. I am sure there are plenty of amps that are better at nearly everything, and I'd still say the ECP L2 was a better amp, but especially for the money, I can't help but say "Wow!" about the Bachelor. I want to try better DACs just to see how well this can scale.

    As a very quick aside, I have a Schiit Asgard 3 and it is very much a baby ECP L2. Laid back, sweet, slightly mid centric. It doesn't resolve spatial cues or details as well, and the L2 was a bit more dynamic, but the overall character is definitely reminiscent. I am impressed with the Asgard 3 for the price, but the Bachelor is an obvious step or two above for me.

    I am lucky to have this amp for a couple more weeks and have some tubes to roll, so I will do my best to flesh this out with more details.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2020
  17. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    For those with this amp, they are Russain 6ZH1P tubes, same as the front loading tubes of the SW51.

    Equivalent to:
    • 6AK5
    • 5654/6096/6AK5W (military or rugged version of the 6AK5)
    • EF95 (Mullard-Phillips)
    Just posting for reference.
     
  18. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    After having this amp for a week or so now, I can say that I agree with @fraggler that the ultra bass slam is not there. It is a warm amp, but it will not dive into tubby or bass bloat or even hard bass impact.

    I am not sure, but it seems like the top end has opened up some as well after many hours. It seems less contested and clearer when switching form my Dynalo amp. High gain/high impedance does give some more top end clarity and sweetness without getting into harsh categories.

    Still silky smooth and still won't have those sharp blasty peaks as your turn the volume knob, it just gets more meaty as the output transformer gets more saturated as the volume goes up. So I really have to control this an not turn it up too loud as the sweetness and softness will kind of fool you. Very enjoyable for it's laid back and yet wide and rich sound.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2020
  19. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    You can use the 6Z38P tube or equivalents:

    6CF6, 6DK6, 6DE6, 6CB6(A), 6BH6, E90F, EF190, 6265, 6661, 6676, 7056, 7693, 7732, 8136.

    A few of which, I think, @fraggler has at his disposal to try. ;)
     
  20. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I don't know shit about tubes, but are these 6Z1P the same as the SW51 tubes (6Z51P = EF184/6EJ7)?

    I thought they were slightly smaller.
     

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