Eddie Current Super 7

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Luckbad, Aug 19, 2017.

  1. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I have a EC S7 SN #12 and I am trying to figure out which transformers are in this. I opened it up to get the lay of the land. It appears everything is stock. I searched through the old threads on Changstar and HF. I am assuming this an Mk2 since it has the EC badge and speaker/headphone selector on the front. Any assistance would be helpful, thanks.
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  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's the mk2 with the double C-core.
     
  3. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I followed the advice here from Hands and going through threads back on Changstar.
    I upgraded the feedback and interstage capacitors to Audyn true copper for 0.1uf, and CDE motor run oil caps for 10uf. I also upgraded the volume pot to the eBay DACT-type stepped attenuator. The headphone-speaker switch also needed replacing.

    I am happy with the increased smoothness (less grain) in treble and there seems to be better bass definition too. I need to listen much more before writing anything meaningful.

    I now need to start the tube rolling part of this adventure.
     

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  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I really like the sound of those cheapy stepped attenuators, and they fit about anywhere unlike the usual, large stepped attenuators. But a major downside is dialing in the exact volume you might want. It's a tough trade off.

    Good work on the mods! Don't go too crazy with tube rolling. The S7 can drive a man mad.
     
  5. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I haven’t seen much written about the use of S7 as a speaker amp.
    I finally got the S7 moved into my “big” system and for fun I hooked up my Overnight Sensations MTM speakers.
    I have to crank the volume up but it powers the speakers nicely! Initial listening shows excellent imaging, smooth treble and sweet, sweet bass!

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  6. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Hands mentioned in my status comments that his recommendation for 10 uf caps are the CDE SCRN224R-F. I previously had the smaller CDE caps installed mentioned in this thread, while they improved clarity and bass over stock, they weren’t “powerful” sounding. I found the CDE SCRN224R (non-RoHS compliant because they have Pb) on eBay for $20 each and just installed them tonight. The wise Jedi master Hands speaks the truth! The S7 is now powerful especially in the lower octaves and really drives the hell out of my HD800SDR.
     
  7. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I’m looking for advice about the next step for modding my S7. So far, I added Audyn True Copper and CDE Motor run caps. I recently got a BW2 and love the clarity, slam and micro-dynamics that it brings. Would upgrading the transformers on my S7 bring the clarity up to that level or should I be looking at upper tier EC stuff for that? Does something like Af have the combo of clarity and slam of BW2 with soundstage of S7?
     
  8. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    I've not heard the S7, but compared to the BW2, the Af does sound very similar with a little more slam and a lot larger stage than the BW2 and maybe a touch less warm.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Upgrading the transformers would help with clarity, microdynamics, and resolution. The Af isn't as bassy or warm compared to S7, but it's better in every other way.
     
  10. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    You could try swapping out those true copper caps too. I liked the tone and density they brought to the table, where as the Jupiter caps I used in there sounded kind of laid-back and grey in comparison?

    I'm talking that you might want to go big, i.e. something like the Duelund caps.

    Otherwise, yeah, you're looking at rolling transformers.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Nonsense! The Jups you got were knockoffs or old-stock that melted next to a non-stock high-heat output filament voltage regulator.

    But seriously, none of this boutique cap rolling stuff will help when a good OPT costs less.
     
  12. gaspasser

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    Since I haven’t purchased or installed transformers, I am in need of assistance if possible. I found the post below, but short of retracing @Luckbad footsteps; does the below seem reasonable? It looks like a mic output transformer?

     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Don't know about CM-13111. Can't find the part @ on the Cinemag site. Might need a custom deal. I believe you would be looking for a 5k primary to 8 ohm output should be what you are looking for. Output is just a few watts. Ask Craig for the bias current. You can try calling David Geren at Cinemag or Edcor might even have one available.
     
  14. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Hmm, I hope they weren't knockoffs. I guess I will never know for sure...

    I would assume I had plenty of time to hear them before they melted. But, yes, the melting did not help. That's when the humming and buzzing kicked in hard. Prior to that, though, they sounded kinda grey, hazy, warm but boring. Lacked the blackness and punch I wanted. And what I heard may not have been representative of their true sound. Poop!

    I assumed a good OPT would cost way more than caps, but you would know best here. The undertaking sounds more painful to me than the money. Lord knows working inside the S7 is a chore at best.

    Maybe easier to do the sell S7 Mk2, buy Mk1 mod. :)
     
  15. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    How many of those are even in existence? I’m debating to just sell my S7 and maybe go after an Af or something. Changing transformers may be above my pay grade.
     
  16. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    If this is a stupid question, I apologize.

    Why not find transformers that match the stock specs as below?

    764BFB2A-5C86-4E3D-85B3-6872CFA07AA6.jpeg
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Those aren't specs. They are instructions for wiring the outputs to different taps on the secondaries. Headphones will do best from the 8 ohm tap.
     
  18. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Wayback machine says they are 4.5k. Which means 5k should work too.

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  19. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Entry level, lol.

    I want an EC Super 3!
     
  20. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Necro-ing this thread with a configuration question.

    I've been listening to the Super 7 (SN #17) for a couple days with headphones and am now going to try to integrate it into my 2-channel setup. I'm trying to sort out how to integrate my subs. Right now my chain is sources -> Schiit Saga (passive) -> F7 clone / sub amp (it only takes variable RCA input, thankfully the Saga has 2 variable RCA outputs.) -> speakers / passive subs.

    Given the S7 doesn't have variable RCA outputs, could I feasibly swap it in place of the F7 and run the pot wide-open (or wherever unity gain is), using the Saga for attenuation? I'm wondering if this would tax the trafos for any reason or otherwise yield operational issues. I suppose feasibly I could still use my headphones this way with the Saga as the volume control too. Saga has a low enough output impedance I'm not concerned about any mismatches on that front.

    Anyway, I was thinking about posting a review but it seems somehow frivolous to do so when these amps can't really be easily found. And I have no idea what a stock Super 7 sounds like. Also @Hands asked me to pester him for shots of the internals, but I know he's a busy guy. I'm not keen on taking this thing apart unless I absolutely have to. Regardless, sonically it's the perfect amp for my tastes.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2020

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