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In Reply to: Boarding the Fostex band wagon, and some vintage single-ended tetrodes. posted by rodney on December 29, 2003 at 09:40:33:
I've been using the FE207E for about two years. It too have a surprising amount of bass and a well balanced mid and treble. It does sound unbelievable with tube gear and not to bad with SS too. Actually sometimes I use it with my Marantz 18 and the sound is outstanding. Have you considered the bass reflex plans available for that model.
Follow Ups:
Charles,You are the one that tipped the balance towards the Fostex.
Yes, I looked at the recomended enclosure. Unfortainately, the rather coll box with integrated stand would require me to finish my sub woofers. I do not see that happenning anytime too soon. I may try a simple 0.55cu ft box (Parts Express). The cabs I have them in now are not too bad though. They are tuned about 10Hz too low for the speakers, but I think my room placement is helping the bass some, boosting the -1 to -3 db roll off from 100Hz to 50Hz. There is a little lack of presense, but not as much as the simulations predicted.
By the way, you are also the reason why I posted the single ended 6L6 info. Definately a change of pace, definately NOT a latteral step.
One thing I did find with the fostex is they do have a LONG breakin period. I was VERY impressed with how the sound with most tube gear. But I was also surprised that it didn't sound as good with my Scott 299B. The Scott sounds better with a less efficient 3 way.Thank for the complement. And yes I've been looking at SETs. I think Bottleheads has one, the Paramour (?). Any experience with it???
charles
Well, I built the original Bottlehead SEX kit, and then I converted it to parallel feed with active loading on the driver. I went on to build some 300B SET amps based on the Bottlehead paraBees, but without the parallel feed. I have done a number of output experiences on these amps and will probably go with parallel feed eventually.My one comment about the Bottlehead stuff is "great." I have thouroughly enjoyed all their products. They have really put the effort into the circuit and one can easilly hear it. Though I have no experience with the Paramour, I would expect it to be of the same vein. One comment though, I really think parallel feed has some distinct advantages and would encourage you to have an upgrade path in mind that includes it.
Another, cheaper option would be to build the paraSex amps from the VALVE article. These are really cheap and you could probably get Doc to help you source the parts. I am guessing parts and tubes would come in under $300. However, you would need to find a chasis.
Also if you can find some of the lessor know SET vintage amps. Langevin made some 6V6 line amps that have 4, 8, and 16 ohm outputs (as well as 600 ohm). RCA made similiar amps using 6L6's. I also have a Newcomb SE ultralinear EL84 amp. It is comparable in sound to the original SEX amps. Indeed, this would be a great scratch project. All you need is one half of a 12AX7 (I would actively load or diode bias it) and an EL84. The iron should be cheap, and I suspect the project would be under $250.
Hope this helps,
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