EC Studio

Discussion in 'Eddie Current' started by Negura, Oct 17, 2015.

  1. Negura

    Negura Friend

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    Thread for anything EC Studio related.


    Hey Marv,

    Silly question perhaps, but is the team also auditioning / testing the Studio with speakers? I'd assume so, but it would be good to know. I intend to use it for dual purpose, the same as my current 2A3x4.

    Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2015
  2. knerian

    knerian Friend

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    I was going to start a thread about Studio tubes, but might as well post it here if Negura doesnt mind. We should discuss what tubes to use on this amp, and I guess also the 2A3x4 amp as well.

    I am a toob noob, so any advise is appreciated.
     
  3. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Additionally, I read somewhere that Shuguang 2A3C are a bit different from 2A3B, and that it's advised to check with the manufacturer if it might be a problem. Any serious pov on this for 2A3 EC's amps ?
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    1. Any vintage 2A3. RCA grey plates, black plates. KenRad. Sylvania. They tend to have a more similar sound to each other than not. Tend to be bright if not used for a while. More resolving, lively, and exact than most new production 2A3s. The 2A3 black plates are supposed to be the best of the bunch for "affordable" vintage.
    2. EML Mesh 2A3 is nice. More of a SS sound with great bass quality.
    3. Psvane Replica WE275 if you want new production has similar sound to vintage, but less rich harmonically and not as lively. Mable Audio is a good place to get them. I don't trust Grant for some reason - I think they might be spewing BS to get max dollar from people.
    4. Psvane Replica WR2A3 is bloomier version. Like bloom city if you populate both sockets with them (I would use at most one in an output pair).
    5. The cheapy Shuguangs for less than $100 a pair are decent enough to get you by. Supposedly the black base are better than the white base. They all sound close enough to me.
    6. Those big bulbous bottle Sophia Princess 2A3s. Wet limp-dick sound. I hate these. But don't let me discourage you, a lot of people like them. They seemed to be on every other DNA Stratus I've seen at meets. (I've always preferred the Stratus with the EML Mesh 2A3.) I suspect the popularity of the Sophia Princess because some random dude posted them on HF and said they were super awesome tubes and because people are afraid of buying old tubes from eBay, which they probably should be to some extent.
    7. Psvane 2A3-TII. Grey glass. Super smooth. Like overly smooth. I hate these too. But you may like them.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2015
  5. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    So no problem with any shuguang cheapy then. Cool, thanks Marv'.
     
  6. Negura

    Negura Friend

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    This is with the 2A3mk4:
    I had a quad of RCA black folded plates and I am quite convinced that even if they were looking the same construction wise, they sounded a bit different between the pairs. There was a considerable differences in the production dates between the pairs too. I ended up mixing one of each pair per channel for what I thought were the best results sound wise.

    Compared to my EMLs the RCA sounded a bit warmer with a bit more liquidity, a smaller stage, and more upfront in terms of mid-range imaging. I did not particularly care for any of these traits. The EML solid plates had a larger stage, more precise imaging, were more resolving and had better overall clarity and focus.

    I ended up returning the RCAs, because I was never going to use them given the SQ and cost. Was it my luck? I don't know.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2015
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Sounds like some or all of the RCAs were worn out. That's the risk of old-stock. I'd say I've thrown out 33% of old stock tubes. EML 2A3 solid plates are nice, but I have not heard them on the Studio. I expect them to the warmer than the mesh. There's also variance between the same type of tubes. Some WE417s I have sound warmer than others.
     
  8. Negura

    Negura Friend

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    Yes agree about this regarding the WE or any NOS tubes really. There definitely are variances.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2015
  9. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    What speakers have you used with this amp?
     
  10. nonamodnar

    nonamodnar Friend

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    Has anyone tried military NOD RCA 2A3? How is your experience with them? I've dug thru the web and there was one review saying that they are not suitable for audio use.
     
  11. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Hey, just wondering if we could get a production update. Of course I know these things take a while, but just wondering how good I need to be at being patient :)


    For speaker specs, here's from the CS Page: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2365.0.html
     
  12. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Dude is there anything we can't go to your paradise ranch to listen to? Gratz on the purchase btw.
     
  13. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    @drfindley Delivery is expected by March 2016 if im not mistaken.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    • Good News: Ancillary parts are in. Metal is done. Currently being silk screened. Production / assembly will being in 7-10 days.
    • Not So Good News: Six pairs of transformers that we expected to be delivered by now have not been delivered yet. We are hoping that we will get them by the time we start assembling amps #7 to #12. #1 to ~#6 should be done within eight weeks from today.
     
  15. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Thanks for the update Marv. That's great news! Sooner than I was expecting.
     
  16. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Also, for speakers, any idea on the output impedance?
     
  17. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    @MisterRogers did you see/read this 8 week shipment timeline?
    woo hoo! :D

    all SBAF in Colorado are eager to hear yer Studio once burned (baked?) in. ha!
    :bow:
     
  18. knerian

    knerian Friend

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    Thanks for the update Marv, does that mean that they'll be ready for the Bay Area Xmas meet? That would be awesome to have a couple of Studios laying around for that meet, both Adam and I are in the top 6 spots.
     
  19. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    That IS great news - thanks for the update Marv!
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    2-3 ohms.
     

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