Matching power amp?

[Flyin_V]

Any word on when the power amp to match the Smash will be available and will it be stereo or a pair of monos?

Lary

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I have the second prototype on the bench, but at the moment we are dialing in the power transformer and the layout. 

-PB

 

[marantzfan]

Such a tease. 

 

[wullymc]

Hi Paul,

Like others, anxiously awaiting this amp and the details.  Doc said in the near future...could that mean a few months or later this year?  I would really like to get going on an amp now that my speakers are almost complete.

All the best...Dave

 

[Paul Birkeland]

It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect presale in the next month or two.

-PB

 

[Cary]

Hi Paul,

Can you give us an estimate of roughly how much the amplifier would cost?

Thanks,

Cary Chin

 

[Paul Joppa]

I am not involved in the pricing calculations, but the goal was always to have something less expensive than Stereomour with at least as much power. Otherwise anyone would just go for the DHT magic.

 

[ALL212]

Rumor has it that this will have EL84's?  ;D

I've got two matched quads of those hidden away...tell me it's true?!!  How many on the amp?

What advantages do those have over other tubes you've used?  What disadvantages do they have?  Not looking to determine whether I'll buy or not as that's a given (I'm IN!) but none of the BH amps run what appear to be common in the non-kit world (300b's excepted).  Lot's of EL34's and EL84's products running around out there.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

PJ is going to be frothing at the mouth to answer your questions, but we'll have to get the final OK from the commander in chief before we let any cats out of the bag.

I had hoped to wrap up the last prototype on the 21st, but ran out of time, then headed out of town for a few day. 

(In other words, you won't be waiting too long for your answers)

-PB

 

[marantzfan]

Can't wait!!!  I want one  and a smash!  8)

 

[aragorn723]

2 questions:

1)  Will this amp work well with the Quickie
2)  How often do power amp tubes need to be replaced?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Paul Birkeland]

2 questions:

1)  Will this amp work well with the Quickie
2)  How often do power amp tubes need to be replaced?

Yeah, the Quickie will work well. 

I'm not sure how long the tubes will last, but I suspect 50,000+ hours from the driver tube, and 10,000-50,000 hours for the power tube (depending on brand used).

 

[aragorn723]

Thanks.. One more question, does Bottlehead use solid-state rectification or tube rectification?

Dave

 

[Paul Joppa]

We have never used tube rectification. There are risks and benefits either way. We have chosen to take the benefits of solid state and address its potential problems. We feel this gives us better performance with a simpler circuit and at lower cost to the customer.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Time to take a leak...er, time to leak a product shot?

(Don't tell Doc B.)

 

[ALL212]

You a bad ol' putty tat... :'(

But I like it ...I LIKE IT!!!  ;D 8)

 

[Stedes]

Time to take a leak...er, time to leak a product shot?

(Don't tell Doc B.)

Hmmm....EL84s?

Doc B. promised an announcement yesterday in one of the smash build thread so I don't think you'll be in trouble much for the picture. You might be in trouble for putting it in the toilet though...

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Doc B. promised an announcement yesterday in one of the smash build thread so I don't think you'll be in trouble much for the picture. You might be in trouble for putting it in the toilet though...

Well, it didn't go in the toilet.

You are correct, those are indeed EL84's.  We had an announcement planned for today, then got seriously off topic in a planning meeting... oops! 

This new design is quite different from anything we have ever released, and more information will be forthcoming shortly.

-PB