EC Studio

What pot do you have installed MisterRogers?

 

Heh. Mine has a P&G Pot.

 

Really digging the final aesthetics of the Studio. Especially the knob. I think it would be cool to see similar design principles applied to more affordable EC products in the future. I know the ZDS already has the two tone body. The knob just kind of ties it all together, so to speak.

 

Early this morning, first chance to just sit and listen to Studio. Feeding it now with a DIY DAC (4490, discrete IV, balanced). This amp is stupid good - even fed by a 'lesser' DAC. Staging is precise - wide and deep. tonality is spot on. Everything's there. Everything. I'm hearing subtle harmonies I haven't noticed before. Presentation is balanced, bottom to top. Tonality is neutral - just enough tube goodness for it not to be dry / lean.

I do not find bass to be light at all. I'm running a quad of RCA 2A3 black plates, WE417A drivers.

I'm uploading some music for other Studio / Yggdrasil owners to try - see if they're getting distortion. I've ordered some in-line balanced attenuators to cool Yggdrasil's signal a bit. Question though for Marv / Dr; I've never need to go beyond 10O'clock for any album, and that's pretty loud. Obviously this will vary a bit depending on your DAC / Headphone (Yggdrasil, other DAC's, HE1K). What's your experience?

 

Yep, that's exactly the issue; haven't had a chance to to try and measure Yggdrasil output, but attenuation downstream of Studio addresses the issue. I'll be sending you and Dr. a link to music that clips to test, but I'd be very surprised if it'll distort for you. Worth a check though. I'm not a fan of dithered attenuation, so I ordered some quality in-line attenuators to bring down Yggdrasil's output level.

 

Yeah, I've never had a problem, balanced or otherwise with the volume turned all the way up. I've even had the volume turned all the way up and a pre-amp feeding it so it'd get louder and didn't have any problems.

 

I know some of you know that I just sold all my gear because I don't use it enough, which I still think was a good choice.

But I am only human, and I have been lusting after an EC445 ever since Marv first mentioned it(it's basically a "mini" Studio right? So therefor thread relevant? )

So this is tempting me entirely too hard...someone buy it before my tax returns come in so I don't accidentally do so. It would absolutely be end game for my 650s...it even comes with the WE 417As

http://www.head-fi.org/t/793274/ic-eddie-current-445

 

JUST DO IT.

I would have been all over those if they were 230v or shipping internationally.

 

At this rate, we might need to get 6 each, the 445, 2A3 and 300B with either Tributes or Monoliths.

 

...Now we're getting into WA 234 territory...

 

Or even better there's that Moth 2A3 on the classifieds too, but in France and selling for $4,300

http://www.head-fi.org/t/786553/moth-2a3-second-version

 

I'm not sure that would be better though...its not transformer interstage coupled(I think the 445 has cinemag interstages?) and it doesn't have the cinemag OPT with the tertiary winding that I'm pretty sure the 445 has as well. Nor does it have the paralleled output tubes.

I guess Marv can correct my knowledge of the transformers in the 445 if I'm off base haha

 

The lack of choice is all the more appealing to me, no need to tube roll that way haha


Alas my wallet crisis has been averted, I guess he's recovering from an injury and doesn't want to ship USPS to an APO, and he also isstill in the fence about whether he wants to sell it at all.


Edit: JWahl, I also don't think that Moth would have the high frequency heaters either?

 

Could be worse, it could be those Eimac monos Moth made back in the day.

 

Is Craig a member of our BBS? We always mention him but he never shows up...someone should invite him to join us (maybe he has too much work).