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In Reply to: RE: Doc or PJ: New Bottlehead 45 amp(s) posted by dth31 on January 03, 2008 at 19:17:56
There are many things that could be done with a Paramount (or other amp) as a starting point. Very few of them become "products", i.e. with detailed instructions on the conversion. Many of these ideas are thrown out in case some advanced experimenters want to play with them. Occasionally one will get so much enthusiasm and questions that Doc will decide it's worthwhile to make an actual product.
Right now, the Paramour II can be converted to run 45s, as described in the manual. And the Paramount 2A3 version (direct coupled) can be modified to run 45s by simply changing the cathode resistors. So we do have two 45 amps already, for those who want them. In addition, Doc did a run of semi-kits for a shunt-regulated 45 built on the Paramour chassis; IIRC a project outline is on the web but there is no detailed manual. Doc built a pair and likes them a lot. I have not heard that there is a groundswell of interest in another run, so that may be as far as that design goes.
It is also possible in theory (i.e. within the capability of the power transformer and chassis) to make a fully shunt regulated 2A3, a fully shunt regulated 45, or a current-source-loaded 2A3 or 45, on the Paramount chassis. But we have not made any detailed designs, much less built them or thought about a parts kit. None of these ideas seems to have generated a lot of interest. Doc may eventually build one or more of them since he's quite enthusiastic about the possible sonic benefits, but they may wind up being one-off custom designs, possibly for use in studio applications. Ain't going to happen before 2009 at the earliest, in my opinion.
We also continue to explore ideas and possibilities for higher-power amps, but have not yet found anything that makes sense to us as a product. The best idea so far is the "tower of power" speaker for VSAC - a line array with a Paramount for each driver.... I'm sure after the show they will be available for anyone with $200K to throw away :^) like I said, does not make sense as a product!
The stereo "Paramour III" (if that is the name) is a real project - I am about to submit the first draft of the power transformer design to our supplier. It will probably be the standard Paramour circuit, with a single 12AT7 shared between channels, and I hope some new and better plate chokes and output transformers (which I am not yet ready to submit to the supplier). It will be easily converted to 45s, like the Paramour II, and will probably look like an overgrown SEX amp. Much as I would like to get it done before my vacation, I doubt it can come out before VSAC at the end of May.
Clear as mud, right? :^)
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