• Re: Paramour Upgrade Path? Paul Joppa 11:32:45 10/10/00 (0)
  In Reply to: Paramour Upgrade Path? posted by Hank Murrow on October 09, 2000 at 20:07:21:

  Yeah, I did mention the possibility. I actually worked out 118 different upgrades for the Paramour while I was working on the circuit...

  The main problem is development time and effort. To make a product out of an idea is a lot of work - developing a layout, prototyping, re-doing the above until it actually sounds good, writing the manual (major effort!!), sourcing the parts, etc... So any real (supported) product has to be so mainstream that it will sell enough copies to recoup the investment of time and effort.

  Now I think there is a good potential for the 300B version of a Paramour. It would use the PGP8.1 power transformer, and add probably $100 to $150 to the cost, plus tubes - there are no really cheap 300Bs that I know of. I'll see if I can get a prototype made up in the next few months so we can find out if the iron, and driver stage, is adequate. It won't be an 8-watt amp, probably more like 6 watts (due to the constraints of inexpensive iron). I haven't talked to Doc about it much yet, because the RIAA preamp seems to be the next product, hopefully by the end of the year. I have a couple ideas that might speed development of the 300B Paramour, which I will talk to Dac about in the next couple weeks.

  The other upgrade path is better audio iron - output transformers and plate chokes. I will play with at least one variation pretty soon, and let you all know how it works out. But first I have to get some power transformers for myself - the first experimental batch sold out so fast I only got a couple prototypes, of which one has too much B+ and the other has too little - not exactly a stereo pair!

  The goal has always been to make it upgradeable to any of the other Bottlehead amps, and these intermediate upgrades will hopefully fit in with that.
  
  

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• Me seeing as follows: Quest 21:56:10 10/09/00 (0)
  In Reply to: Paramour Upgrade Path? posted by Hank Murrow on October 09, 2000 at 20:07:21:

  Hi Hank!

  It is possible to follow the component upgrade path and go to the ultimate: e.g. 300B path.

  While I remember that Doc's B-Glow uses Magnequest PGP8.1 power transformer,thus it is definitely possible (provided you substitute your power transformer that came with the PAramour kit with PGP8.1 and many other things) to go with it. But then you will need another parafeed choke (300B can go as hot as 100mA), another parafeed output (This you will need TFA2004). Staying with the original Paramour parafeed choke and PAramour parafeed output transformer will leave you with too many compromise.

  I think we need to clarify on the upgrade path a bit:

  I know the potential is limitless but, I'm absolutely sure that with component changes you can go from Paramour into DC'ed PAraGlow with PGP8.1 and so on. You can even use 6N1P direct coupled into 2A3!

  Unfortunately it is not possible, even with PGP8.1 as power transformer, to do direct coupling into 300B with 6N1P due to insufficient potential (you'll need at least 360V +220V =580V filtered DC to do so). In other words, you are limited to cap-coupling only.

  Also be very careful about botique type 300B. Unlike 2A3 which is pretty much standard in the filament voltage and current requirements, depending on manufacturer, 300B can go as little as 1.2A and as much as 1.9A @ 5V!

  Hope these info helps.

  Quest ;^>

  p.s. Have you ever consider getting a pair of ParaBees or B-Glows instead of following the upgrade paths?
  
  

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