[IC] EU 230V Garage 1217 Sunrise III amp loaner

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by MrButchi, Apr 4, 2018.

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  1. MrButchi

    MrButchi Gear Master Europe

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  2. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    The Sunrise is the latest version (3.1), with all-metal (non-acrylic) casing. The only imperfection is ON/OFF switch that stopped working but the included LPS has an ON/OFF switch on its own, therefore this is a non-issue in practice.

    The following will be included with the amp:
    • Original power supply
    • Dedicated Linear power supply unit
    • Several tubes for some tube rolling (EH 6922, GL ECC81, JJ E88CC)
    • Several gain resistors for some gain rolling
    The following will not be included with the amp:
    • Screwdriver
    • Power cord (standard one will work)
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    IMPORTANT INFO BEFORE YOU START USING THE AMP:
    • Current manual: LINK
    • Default setup of the amp:
      • Mid gain/impedance (best-effort compromise between powerfullness of low gain/impedance and refinement of high gain/impedance)
      • Caps bypassed (more concrete, cleaner sound - adjust only if pot scratching is too intense in your particular scenario)
      • Setup for 6V tubes, biased specifically for EH6922 (read the manual before inserting any other tube!)
      • Default gain resistors (best-effort compromise between SQ of bypassed resistors and comfortable pot travel of high value resistors)
    • Note on tube-rolling:
      • The three included tubes cover a middleground between truly warm and truly bright signatures well.
      • The amp can be made even warmer-sounding with tubes like Sylvania 6CG7 or 6N6P
      • The amp can probably be made even brigher-sounding but you would need to seek advice elsewhere
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2018
  3. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    I'm stuck on the Southern end of Africa but have an airline pilot buddy that could carry it here and back ... If the logistics can be sorted out I'd love to try it out.
     
  4. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    I personally have no issues with the amp being shipped around the world. Just do not want to deal myself with issues associated with exporting outside EU (customs clearance/inspection). Such issues can be skipped by declaring lower than true value of the package but some risks are introduced as part of that.

    Again, I personally dont mind (as I simply do not need the amp anymore) as long as nobody else finds such procedure against SBAF policies. If needed, I would try to ship to Africa using EMS package which is tracked, fast and reliable based on my experience so far.

    MrButchi or anybody else behind these loaner programs, feel free to chime in whenever needed to make sure we are on the right track with this loaner.
     
  5. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    @MrButchi

    Nobody else interested in the loaner? If not, guess I should start preparing shipment to South Africa so that @Scubadude can try the amp out?
     
  6. MrButchi

    MrButchi Gear Master Europe

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    I'm afraid so... thanks for your offer nonetheless!
     
  7. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Conceding interest, but I'm based in the Philippines and aside from the risks involved shipping to here, cost of shipping parcels outside is absolutely extortionate ($40 or so min for a < 1lbs. package).

    I'm not aware whether this might be in violation of forum policy, but I've quite a few enthusiast friends local who might be interested in demoing this amp (Garage 1217 stuff not common fare here). Thinking I might do a mini-tour round these parts and have everyone chip in for shipping to back to EU, Africa, or the US afterwards? That'd probably mean an extended stay round these parts with me accountable for the amp.

    Eh, I trust these blokes so if this gets a pass I'll go and set things up my end?
     
  8. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    I'm also interested, Garage is one if the options I had my eye on when I started last year. But I'm in Hong Kong- easy to ship things in, but it seems like shipping out from here to the rest of the world people get hit by customs fees or have to resort to under reporting value shenanigans.

    Totally managed not to see this thread until tonight.

    Edit: also wondering how much additional bulk and weight a separate LPS adds. When I was pricing shipping of a Black Diamond (just under 3kg iirc) costs to Europe and US were ~$60.
     
  9. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    ^This guy knows my pain :))

    Would there be anyone based in eastern (or south-eastern :3) Asia who could organise a tour here? I'm certain there's more than a bit of interest in less common gear like this.
     
  10. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    Honestly, as already said to MrButchi, the only thing I care about is not seeing the amp anymore once I ship it out ;) I mean, it is pretty much the most versatile and agreeable-sounding budget amp I have ever heard (regardless of tech) but since moved onto full tube amps. It is a big waste to have the amp here unused.

    The above means that in case the amp or any of the accessories get damages/lost, I do not really care. Therefore low-cost shipments (or claiming lower than realistic value) is a possible option if necessary. The above also means that the amp can stay on-tour as long as necessary. Of course, I expect a fair approach from all potential participants to make sure everyone interested hopefully gets a chance to hear the amp.


    Anyway, the interest so far has been:
    • South Africa (shipment from my location possible via standard as well as EMS package)
    • Hong Kong (shipment from my location possible via standard as well as EMS package)
    • Phillipines (shipment from my location possible via standard package)
    Standard = cheap and IME reliable but end-to-end tracking not always guaranteed
    EMS = very pricey (think 60-80 USD) but reliable, fast and with end-to-end tracking

    Weight of the package should by up to 3 kg. I am willing to ship even via EMS (despite the large expenses).


    @Scubadude was first to show interest but a logical prerequisite for kicking off the tour in South Africa is to make sure Scubadude is then able to ship the amp to any of the other nominated locations. How does that work for you, Scuba?

    Anybody else interested?
     
  11. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Incidentally, and the people I've bought stuff from on here can attest to this, I can provide a few addresses in the USA where you can have the parcel delivered. It's this third-party courier service I've relied on for the past few years, and though they add quite a bit to the cost (I had to pay them $50 extra to process a Bifrost Multibit I purchased from @Elnrik earlier this month— scared to see how much they'll charge for a 3kg package), they've a much better track record than the local post.

    There may be anywhere from a week's to a month's delay depending on, well, luck, but I think there may no issues if the item isn't highly in demand afterwards and if we were placed tail end on the wait list, @Magnetostatic_Tubephile?
     
  12. Imraan

    Imraan Friend

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    Thank you @Magnetostatic_Tubephile + @MrButchi - If not too late I would be interested.

    I'm based in Dubai, and also have a forwarding service (Similarly to @Lyer25's) but they're very fast and efficient.
    Approx 4 days from EU/USA to DXB. Cost would be between 35USD and 60USD. However onward shipping would probably have to be EMS or similar. I'm looking into alternatives, but it's not straightforward.

    Seeing as I'm mid-way I'd be happy to work out some sort of transit point thing if that helps?
    Happy to be on the tail end of the loan of course, as I chimed in late :)

    @Scubadude - does your buddy route through DXB?

    Cheers all!
     
  13. Imraan

    Imraan Friend

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    @JustAnotherRando - Yep, I know. //EDIT - post above was deleted, keeping below info in place for clarity!

    I did say EU/US! But I see how that could be confusing. And also we price online/shipping/other random things mostly in dollars here for some unfathomable reason. We have a local currency which works just fine. Boggles the mind.

    My thinking was to include the US as an origin in case it's useful, especially if non-voltage specific gear (like cans :) ) needs to come over from there.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2018
  14. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    LOL, I like how this was supposed to be a European loaner... but so far only people from other continents are subscribing. Antarctica, anyone? I think it could actually be a fine experiment to run this as (the first official?) global SBAF loaner, dont you agree? Plenty of things could go wrong, lets have some fun!

    OK, lets start working on a precise order of participants (work in progress, order to be adjusted as necessary):
    1. Me (Czech republic; able to ship direct to US as well as all the locations mentioned below - especially EMS to SA/UAE/HK I would consider safe)
    2. @Imraan (UAE; to be shipped in via EMS; shipment out?)
    3. @JustAnotherRando (Hong Kong; can be shipped direct to HK; shipment out?)
    4. @Lyer25 plus other locals (Philippines; forwarding service from US may be required; shipment out?)
    5. ...uncertain period of time...
    6. @Scubadude (South Africa; pilot buddy could probably help with delivery in; shipment out?)
    NOTES:
    • Once I ship the amp out (see the above list), wont be accepting the package back under any circumstances. (Well, unless local customs stop the package for some strange reason that never happened to me so far - that would be a showstopper indeed.) Therefore it is unclear what happens with the amp after the tour - maybe somebody would want to donate some money to SBAF so that he/she can keep the amp, maybe the amp will broke / get lost on its way around the globe.
    • Would be nice to have the list of participants (including their order) confirmed by 15th May so that I can finally ship the amp out.
    • The above means participants should report in case they are unable to ship to (or accept from) some countries listed above. Alternatively, they should suggest a workaround aka forwarding services/people unless already done above).
    • Length of loaner per person is 7 full days (from package delivery) - who knows how much time it will take to ship from country/continent to country/continent, nobody would want this tour to take many many months, right?
    • Claiming 100USD value when shipping the package is fine, see explanation here. End-to-end tracking is strongly desired unless very expensive and/or not available.
    Now awaiting feedback:
    • Scubadude: Some dedicated arrangements required, Scuba to come back to this thread with updates once available. The tour to be kicked-off without him.
    • Lyer: All answered for now.
    • JustAnotherRando: All clear for now.
    • Imraan: All answered for now.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
  15. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    @Magnetostatic_Tubephile I've got two other people interested in joining the loaner, maybe three. Trying to get more interested so shipping isn't too heavy for any one person, so I'm fine being pushed back to the bottom of the list. I'm thinking the amp should definitely go through the forwarding service in Woodside just to be on the safe side. That'll be at no additional charge to whomever is shipping to there, of course.

    I agree that seven days per person sounds reasonable. I'm tentatively interested in keeping the amp for myself depending on if and how I like it, though I've got my eye on four others. Thinking the best bet would be to sell the amp after the tour and donate the proceeds to the SBAF coffers.

    I understand that under-declaring the value of the amp, though beneficial in the short term, is illegal and could potentially screw you/SBAF over should anything happen to it. I'm going to be declaring at full value, though of course I can be a bit ballsier about that since I won't be shouldering costs all on my lonesome :rolleyes:

    Frankly, this is cool. I've always been a tad jealous of the members who get to participate in loaner tours, though given my location I'm aware that looping me in would be a logistical nightmare. I do get to demo some very nice gear at meets, but I trust home-listening impressions far more for obvious reasons.
     
  16. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    OK, disclaimer for global customs officers: Sunrise III amplifier costs 215USD (dont mind the fancy metal top). Considering it is already in used condition (the on/off switch), its actual value can be considered somewhere around 50% of the original pricing. The included LPS, gain resistors and tubes are just accessories. Therefore claiming 100USD value of the package is more or less right.
    :cool:|{
     
  17. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    As much as I dont like admitting this, meets are pretty much useless for any gear evaluations. Dont trust meet impressions. You need the gear at home, to ideally have a week (or month) to evaluate. Alternative option (still better than regular meets) is to agree with a local distributor to give you few hours on your own for listening at their studio. Must be a direct comparo with your personal gear though, otherwise again useless.

    Nice to have you aboard, dont sign off this loaner! :)
     
  18. Imraan

    Imraan Friend

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    Hey guys, on my phone so can't quote or format too prettily.

    @Magnetostatic_Tubephile - lol yeah this escalated. Thank you for being so gracious! Would be nice if this was the first official global loaner tour, and echo @Lyer25 with being jealous of the others!

    Notes on my part:

    1. I'm happy with any place in the queue that helps logistics. @Lyer25 should be final destination for obvious reasons of course.
    2. I'm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, not India :)
    3. EMS tracked will work for in and out of Dubai. It's just slower and usually requires me to go pickup at the post office as they never even attempt delivery. The freight forwarding I have would allow you to ship to an EU address (Germany or UK) making it faster, and maybe cheaper. I would bear some cost there both in and out though. EMS may end up the best overall.

    This is going to be fun!
     
  19. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Welp, $100 for the lot means we won't have to worry too much about added costs when declaring value upon shipping. Of course, I'll not have to worry about that if someone my end claims dibs on the amp, haha (with permission from @MrButchi?).

    I would argue that the tubes, LPS, and resistors should factor into the cost somewhat, but if it means people save money then I'm game.

    Also, reluctantly agreeing that meet impressions aren't the most reliable, especially when demoing DACs or open-backed cans; the quietest meet I've ever been in was still a good deal louder than my room, even with the AC on at full blast, plus DACs are subtle enough, at least at my current audiophile level, that I need a couple days at absolute minimum to draw reliable impressions, maybe a bit longer to get rid of the new toy syndrome.
     
  20. Magnetostatic_Tubephile

    Magnetostatic_Tubephile Friend

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    I was actually pretty good in geography at school but some mysterious part of my brain likes to think Dubai = India. This is definitely not the first time that exact association occured to me, seems like some mental reprogramming will be required. Still feeling embarrassed though, apologies!

    EMS is the cheapest to your country so far from my place (only about 40USD), I like it! You are now my favourite candidate to be shipping the amp to. :D (That forwarding service may also work just fine since its within EU but I really have good experience with EMS - fast and reliable.)
     
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