Oh Sh#7! Eddie Current Studio B

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Aug 15, 2020.

  1. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    My guess is red wire may be B+.
     
  2. CharlesM

    CharlesM New

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    I can't say.
    Also I wanted to thank Craig, who replied to my email on a Sunday. That's very comforting when your amp has an issue and you don't really have a clue about the problem.
    I know that some cable maker will put glue all over the solderings in the connector. It may be more solid but it's impossible to repair if something breaks. Here you can repair any connection.

    Btw here is the type of connector for the ombilical cord:
    https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/plan...6-pin-silver-plated-300v-5a-o7mm-p-10116.html

    I'm posting this if anyone wants a longer/shorter/DIY cable.
     
  3. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    I have decide to change my studio b from 300b to 2a3 output tubes. Craig has sent me what needs to be done and I have a good friend who is an electrical engineer who is going to do it. I love the amp as it is and I think that changing the power tubes will provide a little less bloom with increased clarity in the mids. Will post results after its done
     
  4. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    I believe others have said transformers play a big role in EC amp sound. any chance you sought out an Aficionado in trade? perhaps some Af owner is looking for a bit more bloom….
     
  5. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    I did not. I have never heard the AF so have nothing in my experience to judge it by. the transformers are different so I imaging the tonal balance is different . Have you compared them tonally to see how they compare even with the different output tubes?
     
  6. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    AF is alot dryer in tonality vs the Studio B. Studio B is still on the dry side of the spectrum, but AF is by far more dry, but offer a larger staging experience.
     
  7. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    I use the Focal Utopia and Schitt Yggdrasil Lim with my studio B, I see dncnexus you also use the utopia, have you heard the AF with the utopia?
     
  8. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    Yes I used to own the AF. I found it much too dry. Felt lifeless and boring. Staging was the largest I have heard but it did nothing to help the timbre of Utopia. I found it to be an okay combo, but I wouldn't recommend an AF over a Studio B (and I wasn't even a big fan of my Studio B, hence why I sold it.)
     
  9. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    Thanks for the advice. What EC amp do you have that you feel is a better match with the Utopia. I love the Studio B, I think with changing it to 2a3 tubes I will gain clarity and have slightly less bloom, this is what I'm hoping for. I would love to have an EC 45 amp I think that would be the one I would love the most.
     
  10. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    I do think the older EC amps such as the 2a3mkiv and 445 and Studio T are the better of EC amps. They are very hard to find though. They are much better matches with the Utopia and even Sennheisers imo. I agree on the swap to 2A3 over 300B. I'm personally a bigger fan of 2A3 sound over 300B.
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2021
  11. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    my memory is fading when owning the Utopia if I had the Black Widow 2 or not….but should take that info to another thread.
     
  12. Empyah

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    My Studio Junior 2A3 is by far the best I have heard the Utopia with - and the best I've heard period.
    I have owned several budget Schiit amps, an AGD NFB28, Wa7d, V281, Wa22 and now a Violectric v226 - the Junior with 2A3's is a class or two above all of them.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2021
  13. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    Question with the studio b
    how would I run a sub and speakers with neutrik connectors? do not want to run the speakers out of the sub for sound quality reasons.
     
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  14. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    Question has anyone done upgrades to the caps and volume pot in the Studio B? If so what did folks do and what were the results?
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Jupiter copper foil 0.1uF. Neutral transparent open. Probably less warm and thick compared to stock caps, which are pretty good.

    Otherwise Dueland, but size of hockey pucks and $500 each.
     
  16. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    thanks , doing change to 2a3 tomorrow , will see how many caps are needed to replace the stock ones
    which voltage is best?
     
  17. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    decided to not due the 2a3 change at present keeping 300b, doing the Jupiter caps and TKD volume pot change tomorrow, will post changes to sound in a week or so.
     
  18. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    changed the pot to a tkd, last week and change the interstage caps to 0.1 Jupiter's today. Has been playing for 5 hours since change. Already can hear increased clarity and air, the bass is good a little tight and the top end is very expended without any harshness or being strident. It is if a layer of grain has been removed. Will report as the caps break in more.
     
  19. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    Okay about 10 hours on the caps. Its like a grainy blanket was removed from the bottom all the way up, really impressive. Clarity without any harshness especially up top, this is so good, will report in as it changes.
     
  20. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    Changes with the Jupiter caps 0.1 600v and the TKD Pot 50k 2cp-2511.
    I now hear less grain, greyness. Did not notice this until I made the change. Tonal quality is the same excellent with greater air around each instrument and vocals. Attack seems about the same. The high end has really improved, any flatness/harshness that would happen sometimes is gone. I want to say everything is more natural( to vague) I think this is related to added depth and air, it feels/sounds less stressed. Sorry for the poor reporting I'm not skilled at this. If you would like please ask any questions and I will try and answer them. I have about 100 hours since the changes.
     

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