Emission Labs 2A3

[Doc B]

Thanks for the sanity check Paul. IIRC, somewhere you mentioned designing an Ultimate Amp kit for around $10,000. Would a large chunk of that price be in the transforms?

Well, that and the 1/2" front panel. Actually a lot of it would be boutique parts that we think work best - $80 switches with coin silver contacts, tantalum resistors where they are useful, spendy film and foil caps, turret posts, etc. And the addition of the balanced connections that so many well meaning but perhaps not design-experienced audiophiles want add a lot of cost when done in such a way that they don't take away from the sound.

Regarding transformers, we rejected samples from an awful lot of winders that didn't really stand up over the years before we decided we could do as well or better ourselves. This certainly does not include MQ, Mike's output iron is still the reference standard in a lot of ways. But remember that Mike and PJ have worked together on several designs. Thus the magnetic design philosphy is much the same, the difference is often in the hand vs. machine stacking and the occasional complex layer winding and/or exotic materials that Mike use in some of his transformers.

 

[Thoburn]

Wow. Thanks Dan and Paul. One can only dream of a system like that.  :  I'm sure it would be the be all end all of SET.

 

[xcortes]

Paul,

As to the film caps. Assuming one finds a way to fit them in a Paramount. Am I right assuming the pegging order is cathode reistor bypass, last ps caps and other ps caps?

Also, there's the 100uF 630v Solens and Axons. Any other candidates?

Thanks

 

[Paul Joppa]

Paul,

As to the film caps. Assuming one finds a way to fit them in a Paramount. Am I right assuming the pegging order is cathode reistor bypass, last ps caps and other ps caps?

Also, there's the 100uF 630v Solens and Axons. Any other candidates?

Thanks

The cathode bypass is in series with the last PSU cap, with respect to the signal current loop - so I'd guess them to be equally important. But the main reason is long-term reliability; the parafeed circuit is arranged to minimize their importance.

I would probably use smaller caps, and replace the 270 ohm resistor with a choke. I have not worked on optimal values though.

 

[xcortes]

I have the 2A3 version so no 270k ohm resistor to replace

Thanks

Ooops. Didn't realize this discussion was in the Stereomour section. Mine are Paramounts.

 

[jrebman]

Toby,

I agree that the EMLs will be worth it, but I don't believe the report on the JJ 2a3-40s is accurate.  They too are great tubes, but you really do have to buy them from Eurotubes.com.  What pertais to the 300b does not necessarily pertain to the 2a3-40.

Still, I think you'll just get more loveliness out of the EMLs.

-- Jim