ECP Torpedo III [indexed in first post]

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by FlySweep, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    That looks great! I really was more concerned with the proximity of the caps to the tubes than with the ambient temp. But still, it looks terrific. Just keep an eye on the temps :)
     
  2. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Hey Doug (and Tom if you're lurking) - just want to say, this is one hell of an amp! Forget about price; the more I listen to TIII, it's clear that this amp is a rare, unique circuit. Just stellar!
     
  3. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Thanks for the kind words, Doug, appreciated. Yes, the hotspot was definitely roughly in the center between the tubes and the two closest caps. With this overkill ventilation the hottest parts of the caps don't go above 115 degrees F. Some extra ventilation directly above that spot would probably have been enough.

    MisterRogers, completely agree. I find myself picking my jaw up off the floor on a daily basis with this amp. I'm not typically one to say differences between audio components are that large (even if I spend that way, sometimes!), but this thing really is incredible.

    Curious to see your impressions on torp3do with belleson vs stock when you have two side by side.
     
  4. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    So I have mine built (first major soldering project) and it sounds pretty good so far. I have a ground hum problem somewhere. What's the best way to sort out the problem?
     
  5. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    Did you connect the ground hook to the case? Did you scratch the case before making that connection? Did you connect the ground wire for the volume pot? Did you solder the two SMD parts? I'd start there, but others are probably more informed.
     
  6. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Those are all solid suggestions and are a good place to start. Confirm those basics then go from there.
     
  7. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Thanks! I'll give those a check when I get back home. I did all those things, but I haven't double checked them.
     
  8. badf00d

    badf00d Friend

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    I installed some socket savers and a pair of vintage RCA 12AY7 (circa 1957) tubes. They sound very different from the stock tubes Tom ships with the amp. The bass is a bit more reserved, but some brightness is also toned down - this is based on trying with my HD800.

    The stock tubes probably need more burn-in; I have maybe 30 hours on them currently. I wonder if I could find tubes with the bass of the stock pair but with a slightly softer high end. Pair of RCA 12AV7 on the way, so I'll report back here with results from trying them out.
     
  9. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    Fellas.. what's the output impedance on the low gain setting? I'm wondering if it can drive custom IEMs with low gain tubes (i.e. 12AU7) without effin' up the wild impedance curves (that many multi-BAs possess, i.e. UERM).. hope the noise floor is low enough, as well..
     
  10. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    I would look for a bad solder joint.

    It is almost entirely a result of the transformer winding -- the circuit Z is quite low. You can just measure across the OPT secondary with a meter for that. Different tubes won't change the Z.

    On the low Z setting it is probably okay at listening levels.
     
  11. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Ok. Spent quite a bit of time over the past few days comparing identical amps / chain (mine & FlySweeps), same tubes; the only delta being my amp having the Belleson installed. The stock amp/reg has a very organic, pleasing presentation. You can hear all instruments and voices, but the depth / images collapse onto each other, and presents a slightly mid-centric image. You can hear distinct riffs easily on the 'leading' and 'trailing' runs, but otherwise they're somewhat merged.

    Belleson blows the back wall out, providing a very deep stage. It adds to the width too, but the depth is more perceived. While the image is complete, you can pick any vocal any line, and follow it. Room acoustics are scary; pinpoint. Truthfully, some may prefer the 'stock' presentation - and this is with stock tubes; lots of latitude there to tweak the sound. The Belleson pushes TIII a bit farther in the direction of my musical preferences - which suits me very well. It's not a cheap upgrade, but the benefits are very clear / noticeable via A/B.

    Difficulty level of Belleson upgrade: experienced but not ninja.

    The performance of this amp triggered another moment of lunacy; with the 25% discount, I ordered a quad of the EVO caps.
     
  12. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    I think you'll be pleased. Thanks so much for the belleson impressions.

    Will you still have both torpedos tres when you get the caps?
     
  13. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Probably not - I was planning on sending FlySweep his amp in the next few days.
     
  14. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    I finally just got mine built last night (cinemags with stock EH tubes). First impressions: I expected it to be good, but the sound coming out of this amp is jaw dropping.

    Using Yggdrasil>Torpedo>HD650 it seems incredibly neutral and a significant step up in resolution compared to my Ragnarok. I would assume it will only get better after some more burn in.

    Big thanks to dsavitsk for inventing this wonderful device!
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2015
  15. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Been running with a matched pair of RCA 6072's 3 mica black plates. Very nice.
     
  16. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    Still sounds fantastic, but I noticed that there's a bit of mechanical buzz coming from the power transformer. Doesn't seem to intrude on the signal at all, the only hum I've picked up is near max volume at low impedance with my UERM. Is this typical or should I go back and check my solder joints again?
     
  17. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    All power transformers make mechanical noise, but it should be at a level that is not obtrusive. If it is, we can arrange for a replacement.

    A tiny bit of noise pickup at max volume is not surprising, particularly with IEMs. You might knock it down a touch by replacing the 50K pot with a 10K pot.
     
  18. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply Doug! I can only hear the mechanical noise from a couple feet away, so it's not enough to intrude on my enjoyment of the amp in the least. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't the result of improper construction on my part.
     
  19. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    It is not likely due to improper construction, but a couple of feet seems extreme -- especially in a headphone amp that you are rarely more than a couple of feet from. If it gets annoying, let us know and we'll get it taken care of.
     
  20. Animaniac

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    Could I put 6N1P tubes in this?
     

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