Eddie Current Super 7

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

  1. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Edit: Updating the context of this thread (was: how much do these go for?). Repurposing it to be a general Super 7 as I seek information on mods since I just found one!

    Howdy! For those of you who pay more attention to the used market than me, do you know how much used Super 7s tend to go for, as well as how frequently you see them go up?

    I know at one point these went for under $1000, but I don't know what I should expect if/when I start looking around for one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2017
  2. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    wot!? under $1000!? when was that?
    should I ever sell my EC Uber7 (with internal upgrades) no way it gets pried away for less than $1400 with a tube set included.
     
  3. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Let me know when you're tired of your Uber7. :p
     
  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Frequency is almost never. Be prepared to have the DIY chops or a friend that can mod one to it's full potential or fix any issues on it. Seems a number of used ones had some minor but correctable issues for those with a soldering iron, for whatever reason.

    Price somewhere between $1100-1500 depending on tubes, condition, and possible mods. This is what I would consider bargain price though for the sound capability.
     
  5. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Word. Not worried about having to DIY. I'm also not likely going to be in the market for one legitimately for at least 4 months, but I'm starting to watch and might purge enough gear to buy one if something comes up.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2017
  6. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    4 months is probably (super) optimistic. But when they do pop up, they're so worth it.
     
  7. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    @JoeDoe spotted a Super 7 for sale shortly after I discovered I might have been scammed on a Liquid Crimson... serendipity?

    I got it at a great price. I believe it's the gen 2 version with the different transformer.

    It's time for me to plan the upgrades to bring it up to Uber7 standards. @jexby @Hands What should I get ordered up so I can mod it (I'll do the mods myself. No problem)? There was also mention of overheating issues. Could this be solved with an additional heatsink or two?

    1633665-eddie-current-super-7 (1).jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2017
  8. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    First thing is to swap the feedback and interstage caps. Details in an old Changstar post.

    I use Audyn true copper, 0.1uf, and large motor run oil filled caps, some particular type I can't recall off the top of my head, for 10uf. I don't remember which cap is for which stage. The right motor run caps seem to help with slam. They can be mounted to the bottom of the case. Keep the wires as short as you can. You'll have to get creative with hooking it all up.

    We also have our driver tube voltage regulator swapped for a Belleson regulator and some upgraded cap along with that. May not be totally necessary. Again, this is detailed in some other Changstar post. I can't recall the exact regulator part myself.

    We also upgraded our volume pots and some internal wiring. I went for the solid core Airlok whatever copper wire, smallest gauge, from VH audio and one of those $12 small stepped "DACT Type" attenuators. You may not like the stepped nature. Stuff like the Tocos Cosmos can sound good but have channel balance issues in many units and can be a hair grainy sounding. Stock pot should be fine, but wiring is a good candidate.

    Heat can be managed by adding vents to the two side panels at least. Any way you can think to prevent heat from building up inside is worth considering.

    I can recommend tube combos in private.

    Sometimes the transformer mounts come loose, usually the wrap around tie part. Some have had to add shims to reduce transformer vibration and hum.
     
  9. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Dug around a bit and found this is likely the motor run caps you used: CDE motorrun 10uf (like these).

    I'll probably try Audyn True Copper and Jantzen Superior-Z caps for 0.1uf.

    If anyone can recall what kind of Belleson regulator and cap you used (or any other brands etc.) that would be awesome! I'll keep digging in the Changstar thread(s) for more info.

    More for me than anything... Wire: UniCrystalâ„¢ OCC Copper Hookup Wire with AirLokâ„¢ Insulation

    Any pics of the sides of your unit? I'm not afraid to pull out a tool or two to add holes. I used to mod my own PC cases back when they were all piles of junk that didn't have proper ventilation.

    If this amp is the one I keep for the long haul, I'll probably have the casework powder coated or something.
     
  10. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    The Audyn I like on the Mk2 because those OPTs are more neutral sounding, i.e. not very bassy. The Audyns seemed to help without breaking the bank, yet sounded pretty clear. Note that the leads on the Audyns are thick, so I couldn't directly wire then through the PCB.

    The CDE motor run caps I use have screw terminals. Not exactly the same. May or may not matter.

    Don't worry about regulator unless you feel it necessary. That's the hard part to mod. @MisterRogers helped me out.

    Note that wire I use is kinda hard to work with and more stiff and fragile than stranded core. But I like how it sounds. Again, may not be necessary. I only redid wiring from pot to PCB, I think it was.

    I haven't cut more vents in my case yet. I also don't tend to have enough time to listen for long sessions. It's the 2+ hour sessions that worry me. Hot enough to melt the wax out of my Jupiter caps over a few hours. Forgot amp was on. I ended up preferring the Audyn copper caps there anyway. :)
     
  11. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    @Marvey This is a lot of effing 6SN7 tubes. Also, this is what I was hoping to hear from the Torpedo III. This is the later version of the Super 7 with no modifications (yet). Less than 30 minutes with it and I'll already be very sad if I have to let this go.

    Thank you, @Hands, for the recommendation.

    I'm not even using great tubes in here yet and it's already outstanding!

    [​IMG]
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Knowing your preferences, this might be the perfect amp for you. There are enough tube rolling possibilities to get the sound that you want. All of the tubes contribute to the sound. And there's nothing stopping you from rolling transformers.
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Yeah, I recommend starting with tube rolling first. If you find something that really makes you happy, STOP. But if you must, mods are beneficial.

    Also, please be careful and don't fall down a black hole of obsessive tube rolling and buying. Buy smart! (rebrands, lightly used, lesser known tubes, etc.)
     
  14. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Andy at Vintage Tube Services does 26 different tests and sands all pins, even on used tubes and accurately matches things - prices I think are pretty fair given the current shitshow the tube world is in. Very happy with the products and chatting with him on the phone - he's pretty old school (right down to the receipt you get lol).

    Don't forget our resident tube slut @Changeling , Gustav's the man.
     
  15. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    How is it going with the Liquid Crimson? Did you stop the money transfer? Did you hear back from the guy at all?
     
  16. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Not well. I don't expect to see the money, which is why the JVCs are for sale. Might end up having to put the MHDT Orchid up for sale for real.

    Not planning on letting the Super 7 go. Too hard to get to offload it for a bit of cash.

    Alternatively, I can convince my wife to let me keep my Orchid because the pairing is pretty magical... I'd just have to spend roughly zero dollars for quite a while to convince her to let me.

    We'll see.

    The Liquid Crimson purchase is a lost cause. I'm not getting it, I'm not getting my money back, the guy is almost certainly going to get away with it and do it to someone else. I've learned my lesson.

    But at least I got the Super 7. It's entirely possible that it is even more to my taste than the Liquid Crimson. So maybe I should just pretend I spent $2k+ on this and call it a day. It's probably worth that much, to be honest.
     
  17. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Mate you know I am happy for you but WTH I have been looking for one for 2 freaking years! Hahaha

    If that was 230V I would be so depressed right now.

    Enjoy that unicorn :)
     
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The funny thing is that the Super 7 sold poorly in back in the day, hence it's cancellation. I tried telling people about it in HF. Oh well.

    The stack of c-core OPTs, for the later runs, they all got dumped ob eBay over a year ago.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2017
  19. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Sorry not sorry!

    The soundstage on this thing... shouldn't be possible with headphones. I kept checking to make sure I wasn't running Waves NX to give me false stage depth.
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2017
  20. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    I'm inevitably going to look inside the Super 7. Any gotchas/caveats/advice when I try to pop the top? Pull the tubes and undo just the top screws, or do I need to take off the sides as well?
     

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