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Mastersound Reference 845 Amp

156.146.43.198
Posted on December 10, 2020 at 00:41:20
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001








I'm hoping someone here might be able to help me. I've been using the Mastersound Reference 845 SET Amp, you see shown above -{the top pic is of my actual amp}- for the past 20+ years and in the past month or so the sound has become extremely strident and bright sounding. Is this the typical sound of a tube amp that needs to be recapped? Or is it indicative of another problem? I know something is definitely wrong and to replace it with Mastersound's present Evolution 845 would cost $18K, which I cannot afford! What do you guys think I should do?


Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

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RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 02:36:10
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9181
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 Did you try retubing? Is it manual bias or "auto" bias? If a bias resistor has failed and the bias points are way off then it could also change the sound significantly.

Do you have a tech you can take it to in order to have the bias of the tubes checked out? YOu can probably get this info from Mastersound.

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 05:18:38
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 11689
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
 When did you last change the tubes? My 845 SET monoblocks tell me -- yes, with "strident" sound if I wait too long -- that they need new tubes. Those aren't the original 845s are they?

 

My thoughts exactly..., posted on December 10, 2020 at 06:06:22
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Anyone selling new tube amps for $18K ought to offer a bit of support on their older stuff.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 12:02:32
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 No, Dave, and I'm sorry because I should have mentioned that I completely retubed the Mastersound when this problem started to become noticeable. So it's definitely not a tube problem.

Do you have any other ideas?







Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 12:23:16
rivervalley817
 'I completely retubed the Mastersound when this problem started to become noticeable'

that seems like a clue right there ... this probably already occurred to you, but if you still have the old tubes put them back in & take notes ... might be tube 'run in' related or you just became accustomed to the old tubes with old getters, relatively abrupt changes in the qualities of what you're hearing can usually be attributed to you rather than the gear if the only changes were incremental

why did you retube in the first place?

regards,



 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 13:16:54
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hello, my friend! As I told Dave up above I completely re-tubed the Mastersound and the problem remains. I haven't been able to find anyone who's willing to work on the Mastersound locally and so I haven't been able to have the bias settings or bias resistors checked. I've called a local fellow who said, he doesn't want to work on amps this heavy (135lbs). So until I can find a tech that will at least check it out I'm at a loss. It's absolutely killing me to let a $14K amp just sit around collecting dust...


Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 13:17:11
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 11689
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
 Sorry, no, but the tubes shown in your pic do not look like premium ones. What variant are they?

 

In the second photo that you supplied, the bias voltage and text points...., posted on December 10, 2020 at 17:28:43
viridian
 ....appear to be called out. The resistors will be at the test points. Rather than trying to read the codes, you may want to just measure them with your multi-meter to see the variation in values, or if there is an outlier.

I can't understand why, with the voltages involved with 845s they would have you take off the bottom to bias the tubes. Seems dangerous to me. Keep one hand in your pocket at all times and be sure not to spill your glass of bourbon while taking the measurement.

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 17:39:14
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hello River!

The ONLY reason I re-tubed the Mastersound was I noticed the music wasn't engaging me as it had for the past 20+ years. After owning the amp for 20+ years, I became quite very familiar with its sound. Thus I now wondered why the music wasn't engaging me as much as it previously had. To try and resolve the problem I took out 10 of my favorite CDs and listened to them closely while taking detailed notes.

The first and most blatantly obvious problem was the treble sounded very bright, etched, and strident. But as I continued listening I noticed another problem! The soundstage was now shallower than I'd ever heard it before, and it also lost much of its width! Previously my soundstage depth extended from about 3 to 4 feet behind the speakers to about 2 feet in front of them and the soundstage width stretched about 3 to 4 feet to the outsides of both speakers. But now the soundstage was like a sheet of glass placed between both speakers! It didn't extend behind or in front of the speakers and it stretched from the inside of the right speaker to the inside of the left speaker.

As I was just about finishing listening to my 10 favorite CDs --as well as some cuts from other CDs-- it seemed to me that the bright, etched, strident sounding traits I associated with the treble at the beginning were now coming down to the midrange as well. I simply didn't enjoy listening to my system anymore, at all.

The beautiful, glorious sound that my 135lb, 40W/ch, Mastersound Reference 845, SET amp had been making for the past 20+ years, was gone!!!!!!!!!!!! After talking with a few knowledgeable people online, including Don Sachs of Don Sachs Audio in British Colombia, Canada, whose SP14 preamp I recently purchased. We were convinced replacing the tubes would be the quickest, easiest, possible fix. So hoping to fix my problem as cheaply as possible I retubed the amp! But alas the problems remained.

Now for those who wonder how and why I didn't hear this change occur in my Mastersound occurring until now, the answer is threefold:

a) My wife is now working from home due to COVID-19.
Unfortunately that started the first week of Feb 2020 and has prevented me from using the audio system before 7 pm Mon-Sat due to work-related calls she might receive from that first day in FEB. up until now!

b) I've had a series of health problems.
I had excruciating pain resulting from both my spine-related disabilities and my need to have my left knee replaced --which is now literally bone-on-bone-- no cartilage remains and that kept me literally glued to a recliner for almost 4 to 6 months. Finally, I ended up contracting a case of bronchitis that got so bad, my C.O.P.D. had me coughing and gasping for air to the point the hospital quarantined me for 2 days before they'd run any other tests to ensure the coughing wasn't caused by COVID-19


3) Finally I changed my speakers from 102dB, Beauhorn Virtuosos speakers loaded with a single full-range Lowther PM5 driver to using 92dB, Reference 3A Taksim speakers loaded with a single cap on the Beryllium dome tweeter and running a wideband driver full-range.
This change of speakers further complicated things because a) I wasn't sure if the Beryllium tweeter wasn't broken-in or not, and b) I wasn't sure if there wasn't a mismatch between the speakers and speaker wires or the speakers and the amp.

I've since obtained a solid-state T+A AMP 8 from a great guy named Randy and since installing it in place of the Mastersound in my system. It resolved many issues for me. I now know the problem is the Mastersound and it's not the tubes. So River I'm back to my original questions is this the typical sound of a tube amp that needs to be recapped? Or is it indicative of another problem?





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 17:55:25
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Dave,

Which tubes, the 845s? If so that's an old photo and I don't recall what 845 tubes those were. I have a quad of 845B and WE845 tubes but I just wanted to try a brand new quad of 845s, however, just in case the tubes weren't the problem --and they weren't-- I didn't want to spend a lot of money and yet another quad of 845 tubes. So I purchased a quad of PSVANE 845 HiFi Series. These are actually an upgrade or improved version of the 845B tube.







Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 18:17:33
rivervalley817
 I'm going to proffer that no, that's not a 'typical' sign of needing a recap, but we all hear things differently & expressing what we hear is both difficult and unique to the listener

IME it manifests as 'weak' sound ... the dynamic range seems curtailed, the soundstage shrinks ... you'll hear a faint 'crackle' in transients, but I've not heard any particular emphasis of frequency, BUT your description might be that tell tale loss of range as you've described whatever you're hearing drifting lower into the mid-range ... at 20 years on the original guts it probably could use a refresh no matter what ...

sorry to hear of your medical problems man ... I was going to suggest that several meds, particularly pain & BP can wreak havoc on your hearing if you're on scripts [sometimes permanently] but as you've stated that an amp change cleared up most issues your main squeeze probably needs a check-up

c'mon ... 20 years is a hell of a run for most gear ... and all marriages!

best regards,




 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 21:24:41
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17304
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 Your old speakers will do with 40 what you will now need 400 watts to do.

Just something to keep in mind.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

PLEASE, PLEASE Help Me!?!?!, posted on December 10, 2020 at 21:38:35
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 River,

You're absolutely 100% correct! Nobody can complain and I mean nobody, after getting 20+ trouble-free years from an amp. All I ever had done was I had the diode bridges replaced --{I did that voluntarily}-- after I heard another Mastersound Reference 845 using 6900 tubes instead of 5687 as driver tubes! I just couldn't believe how much better the dynamics, grunt, timbre, and overall sound was. So I asked the fellow what he did and I had my local tech do the exact same thing to my amp --{unfortunately, that shop has since closed down}-- but at least I had my original diode bridges replaced for ones that could handle the slightly more current the Bendix 6900 tubes required to drive the quad of 845 tubes instead of Tung-Sol 5687 tubes.

It turns my --{then}-- local tech was communicating with the tech the other fellow had used on his Mastersound amp up in the Jacksonville, FL area and the reason the original fellow knew you needed to replace the original diode bridges was that after rolling various 5687 tubes in his amp he remembered reading the Bendix 6900 was referred to as the "Super 5687 Tube" and he decided to give them a try --{which he did}-- and he not loved what he heard, but he decided to keep them in! And that's what he did until approximately 4 to 6 months later when they blew his own diode bridges. However, after he had his diode bridges replaced he had no further problems! Information that helped me greatly and all attained because the local tech here called the tech he apparently knew in Jacksonville, FL.

Then about two years ago, I finally --{NEEDED}-- to have some work done on my Mastersound. It seems the one place Mastersound skimped on parts was on the 9-pin tube sockets they installed. After 18+ years of usage, of what many of my friends called "The BEST Sounding Tube Amp They've Ever Heard! The 9-pin tube sockets were all melting and changing shape. Thankfully a friend replaced the four 9-pin tube sockets for me, with some really high-quality, Teflon units. These 9-pin tube sockets bite down hard and don't want to let the tube go.

Guys if it hasn't gotten across yet, I love my Mastersound amp. I can use it as an integrated amp or better yet as an amplifier with my Don Sachs Audio preamp. I no longer have anyone that can or will work on my amp. Does anyone here know anyone in the central Florida area that can and will work on repairing my amp? I've made a bet with the Mastersound i.e., "Who's going to die first?" It's not dead it's only sick, just like I've been in the hospital 2X since that bet was made. Can anyone PLEASE help me out by recommending a friend you can/will repair the Mastersound? PLEASE? Thanks...













Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 21:41:27
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Tre',

My old speakers are gone. So that's a non-issue these days...





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: My thoughts exactly..., posted on December 10, 2020 at 21:47:15
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Ivan,

I couldn't agree more...



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: PLEASE, PLEASE Help Me!?!?!, posted on December 10, 2020 at 21:56:37
rivervalley817
 I got nobody ... hope you find someone though ... and soon!

you seem to have some connections listed in your sign off, hit 'em up

it's easy to tell that's THE amp for you

handsome looking amp too, wish I could hear one

good luck and I sure hope you get your medical issues behind you soon

with regards,

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 22:02:57
rivervalley817
 do you know of any technicians near him?

come to think of it he'll have to ship it

know of any specialist in gear shipping?

regards,

 

I'll Have To Keep Looking..., posted on December 10, 2020 at 22:30:09
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 I've hit all my connections, why do you think I'm asking here?




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I'll Have To Keep Looking..., posted on December 10, 2020 at 22:46:36
rivervalley817
 I lack imagination? tired and can't brain no more?

I'll try and help if nobody steps up

your post hasn't been up that long so ...

I won't forget about you Tom, promise!

gotta Z now, g'night

best regards,





 

RE: I'll Have To Keep Looking..., posted on December 10, 2020 at 23:13:13
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Goodnight brother, God bless....




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 23:50:13
Paul Joppa
Industry Professional

Posts: 7296
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: April 23, 2001
 I don't think it's a non-issue, though there's no evidence whether or not it's the main issue.

With 10dB increase of power, the 2nd harmonic distortion is increased by a factor of 3, 3rd harmonic by 10, 4th harmonic by 30, etc. With a 40 watt amp on very sensitive speakers, these harmonica are at very low levels, but the ear has sensitivities that we don't fully understand, and perception of distortion spectrum shape is likely to be one of them.

I'm not talking about clipping, or getting anywhere near the maximum available power - just the nature of the mathematics of harmonic distortion.

If your solid-state temporary replacement had lots of feedback, as they usually do, the actual distortion components would be much lower, which might (or might not) confirm the above speculation. Another test would be whether the amp still sounds goo when turned down 10dB. Hard to assess of course due to the confounding effect of loudness, though!

Good luck, and be well!

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 10, 2020 at 23:54:12
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 37333
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000
 You should search for a good tube amp technician..... Local if you can..... It could be that "re-capping" is needed, or some other components have drifted out of spec.....

Owning an amp like this is like owning a really nice car, a good auto mechanic would be needed to do the exact same thing. These are pieces for a lifetime, they should be serviceable over a long lifespan.

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 11, 2020 at 07:54:48
Retsel
Audiophile

Posts: 1239
Joined: April 17, 2000
 I am curious why you ditched the Lowthers in Beauhorns? Were you unhappy with the sound, or did you just want to change things up?

Just because you change the tubes, I would not automatically assume that the new tubes are not also the problem - even new tubes can be a problem (many of them are made with using poor quality controls, and even good quality control can let lemons slip through), although unlikely so.

Yes, recapping is in order. Old caps can make the sound flat and distorted.

I have 300B tube amps which I have modified over and over again. I recently had issues with my higher frequencies and after changing out the older driver tubes, which helped, I figured out the batteries used for the battery bias of the driver tube were getting old and may be in need of change. I changed out these batteries with the exact same type of batteries and some distortion and harshness which was creeping into the sound was gone.

Did you check the bias?

Were these amps sitting around for a while unused or were you using them the entire time?

Retsel

 

Don't know anyone in Orlando but, posted on December 11, 2020 at 14:11:25
Atwood
Audiophile

Posts: 527
Joined: October 10, 2001
 you might give this guy in Jacksonville a call:
Audio 3000 904-557-8413

He might be the guy your tech talked with. He does or did all the work for the House of Stereo here plus for musicians, etc.

 

RE: Don't know anyone in Orlando but, posted on December 11, 2020 at 14:28:09
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Thank you for that info and help...




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 11, 2020 at 14:51:25
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Todd,

I'm in complete agreement with you. I have 20+ years of my life invested in this audio component. Like you said, owning a Mastersound is like owning a Maserati --{they're both Italian luxury items}-- and unless you're very wealthy it's an extremely difficult audio component to upgrade from. So this is the type of audio component you purchase and own with the intent of owning for a lifetime. At that point, I'm just looking for a tech, who's somewhat local, because having to ship a 135lb amp any distance, fully insured isn't cheap and I don't really need adding shipping costs both ways to what I believe will be a somewhat expensive repair bill. So if anyone knows a good tube repair tech, PLEASE let me know, ok?








Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 11, 2020 at 15:04:54
rivervalley817
 I'm tracking the responses Tom

my mind keeps coming back to Blackdog

I was hoping he'd post to the thread

with regards,

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 11, 2020 at 15:20:47
rwiley
Audiophile

Posts: 1050
Location: Southeast
Joined: February 20, 2001
 You might try Tom Tutay. Haven't talked to him in several years so he might've retired...but if anybody can fix it he can.

Tom Tutay
Transition Audio Design
24 Elm Avenue SE
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548-5622
Phone-850-244-3041

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 11, 2020 at 22:29:00
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Thank you very very much for this info...




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 11, 2020 at 23:05:34
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Thanks my friend. How could I ask for more...



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 12, 2020 at 11:00:38
rivervalley817
 I could be in the neighborhood and recap it myself

these could be normal times, I catch a cheap flight and recap it while you bought the scotch

you could have had the foresight to marry a drop dead gorgeous blonde solder slinger: she recaps it while you buy the scotch

you could find a bottle with a knockout blonde genie in it that could fix it with a nod of her head, AND conjure some good scotch

there seems to be a theme here and it involves scotch, solder, and blondes

this seems pretty small minded in the grand scheme of things though

I mean, why waste a wish? actually, I've got access to all three but only enough energy for one per day! the spirit is willing and I'm young enough to tackle all three until I shave and the mirror calls me a liar

damn mirrors

best regards,

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 12, 2020 at 19:49:01
Ed Sawyer
Audiophile

Posts: 2595
Joined: November 3, 2000
 have you tried switching out the 5687s to be sure those are not a factor in the difference in sound?

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 12, 2020 at 19:51:23
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Well, River, we both like:

1) Music.
2) Tube audio gear.
3) I believe you said you like SET amps in one of your posts.
4) I don't know how you guessed this one but I'm also a scotch drinker.

Heck if we drink enough scotch, we wouldn't care if it's a one-eyed, eye-patch wearing, one-legged, 60-year-old, stripper, as long as she can actually solder well and recap the Mastersound.



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 12, 2020 at 20:12:19
rivervalley817
 'a one-eyed, eye-patch wearing, one-legged, 60-year-old, stripper'

that would be pretty eerie except the first wife is a year older than me

you made the hair stand up on the back of my neck there for a second

*whew* so you don't know her!

she can't solder either so we're both safe

now, where's that drink!

best regards,



 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 12, 2020 at 20:26:05
rivervalley817
 hm ... I didn't even go there, I assumed 're-tubed' meant re-tubed

his description of the problem IS closer to tube wear

if he hasn't, he had best try your suggestion first, good call Ed!!

but with a 20 year old amp he should line something up for a refresh

sure don't want any smoke letting the magic out

regards,



 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 13, 2020 at 00:33:19
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hi Ed!

No that's the one thing I haven't done. I replaced the 845's for new tubes and the 12AU7's for new tubes and I even replaced the 6900's for another pair of 6900 tubes. I have at least 10 pairs of new 5687WA and 5687WB tubes. So tomorrow I'll try replacing the 6900 tubes for 5687 tubes and see what happens. I'll let you know either way what the results were. Thanks for the idea Ed...





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 13, 2020 at 01:35:52
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 River,

Ever try Monkey Shoulder Scotch? Monkey Shoulder is a mix of three different Speyside single malts, that I find to be very smooth, maybe a little sweet, and quite easy to drink. I don't know how anyone could possibly drink Johnnie Walker Scotch again after trying Monkey shoulder Scotch. My friend's wife who a bit of a Scotch connoisseur --{NOT a snob}-- and drinks $100/bottle single malt Scotch whiskey. Gave my friend some of her Scotch to try, and yes her $100/bottle single malt Scotch was obviously better, but it wasn't a huge difference and I had no problem going back to my $52/1.75L bottle Monkey Shoulder Scotch!





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 13, 2020 at 10:33:42
rivervalley817
 I've not had it ... we're fans of most Speyburn though, accessible price and pretty smooth ... going to the coast, my favorite is the Isle Of Jura Superstition, that replaces their 12 year old expression at the top of my list, though if you could find it from their 2006 bottling it is a revelation, but of course that would be a rare find in any retail channel

a revelation has been the Japanese single malts such as Yamazaki 12 year old [that I think isn't shipping for some reason] and there's a few non-year expressions from their other distilleries that are nice

most any single malt starting with 'glen' treats the nose well and goes down smooth though ... I do admit to trying some I thought belonged in a highball rather than neat ... a sacrilege to be sure, but ....

back to your amp ... did you just change out the finals or, as Ed Sawyer brought up last night, the 5687's too? the more I reflect on your description the closer it sounds to a tube problem, which is the reason I stated it didn't seem to have the signature of a capacitor problem

consider this, but you should still line up someone to go through it considering it's age ... keep the forum posted, there's way more experienced SET heads here than I ... scotch too I would imagine considering the tightwad that I am

best regards,


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 17, 2020 at 02:02:30
morricab
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 9181
Location: switzerland
Joined: April 1, 2005
 Hi Tom,
I would be surprised if it needs a recap but who knows. I had a KR Audio amp a few years ago that blew some bias resistors couldn't achieve the right bias. THat amp though had a circuit that shut it down if the bias was outside the right range.

Get it to a competent technician and save that beautiful amp from a life on the dustbin. BTW, I have a little Mastersound amp in my second system, the Dueundici (2 x 11 watts) that is an excellent sounding little SEP (it uses a single EL34 per channel). Not competition for my mighty Aries Cerat Genus but surprisingly good for what it costs.

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 26, 2020 at 06:03:17
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hi River!

Sorry about the delay in responding to your post, but to answer your question, YES! I replaced the front 12AU7 tubes with 3 different brands, I replaced the 6900 driver tubes with another pair of 6900 tubes as well as with 5687 tubes, and finally, I replaced the existing 845 tubes with new 845 tubes and then with a used set of 845B's I had as well. So yes, every tube has been replaced and unfortunately for me, this didn't resolve the problem...







Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 26, 2020 at 09:46:35
rivervalley817
 ah! ... and a belated Merry Christmas to you!

I wondered what had happened to you and was going to start chasing you down today! anyway, with the tube issue answered, several inmates offered some suggestions; have you had a chance to explore any of those recommendations?

best regards,

 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 30, 2020 at 10:10:05
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hey River!

Truth is I've located a real nice guy named Russ down in Port St. Lucie, FL. He runs a place called Florida Tube Audio, which according to "maps" will take me somewhere between 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours to get to depending on traffic!

Russ said he'll completely troubleshoot the Mastersound amp -{just to make there's nothing else that needs to be repaired}- but River, the way I see it, the Mastersound will be 20 years old in 2021, so while it's open and being troubleshot, it just makes good sense to have it completely recapped at the very same time, no?!?

Heck, River if I'm really, really, lucky, just being recapped is all the Mastersound will require, but should other repairs be required, I still believe recapping it while it's open and at the repair shop that's a 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 round-trip away from my home, is the perfect time to have it recapped, don't you agree my friend????







Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 30, 2020 at 10:42:02
rivervalley817
 THAT sounds like a plan ... there's just not that much that can go wrong with their stuff except caps drying out and resistor drift

it's worth the road trip to protect it and you'll have a chance to 'take the measure' of Russ by meeting him in person ... of course, bring a nice list of pointed questions along, and ask to hear and see some the pieces on hand to get an idea of what the shop's all about

I'm actually a bit excited for you about getting her fit & trim!

enthusiasm can be contagious and I for one can use the uplift!

something to think about while I move the latest snow dump ... which is really nothing, 'bout 5" on top of the 4" I didn't feel like cleaning up before ... that chuckle you might hear in the background is AA member alaskahiatt laughing at me for being a snow wuss

anyway, thanks for the positive update!

best regards,





 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 30, 2020 at 11:58:41
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 River,

I've caught the dream of the Mastersound being repaired but, being that I'm 67 next month, have C.O.P.D., an extremely bad back, and two knees that need replacing, plus my two "go-to" friends, Phil A. or Steve B. -{who are both older than me}- just had a triple by-pass! I'm running out of options to get the Mastersound down to Port St. Lucie. Then once I get it down to Port St. Lucie. how do I get it into the Florida Tube Amp repair shop? Ah, the things that healthy, young folks take for granted, huh? Oh yeah, I added a second look at Russ' Florida Tube Amp, shop...






Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on December 30, 2020 at 15:31:27
rivervalley817
 sounds as if the best way is to hire that out .... go to the link and get a quote ... follow up with a phone call ... ask if they can bundle moving the amp on an LTL [less than loaded] move, where they pick up and move items from different customers in your area down to Port SL ... I see they offer packing / crating services, so tell them what you need for shipping out and a return ... ask Russ at the shop if they're set up to re-use and repack the unit into the crate / palette it arrives in, you'll notify the movers on the pick up return ... you'll be the logistics coordinator

generally when you hire movers they're 'slaves for a day' or hours as the case may be, they'll muscle the goods both coming and going

the only caveat is giving them the impression of a secured domain ie: security cameras, guard dog etc. ... this helps as a just in case measure

this shouldn't be too costly, give it a shot, see what's what

with regards,

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 4, 2021 at 13:25:21
deafbykhorns
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Location: Florida
Joined: October 17, 2003
 you can also call me at 904-three three 8 4teen seventy
I do this as a hobby and would be glad to help.

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 4, 2021 at 13:43:53
rivervalley817
 that's the spirit!

I told him I'd try to help but we're several hundred miles apart

everything I propose will cost an arm & leg I don't think he can spare

best regards,

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 5, 2021 at 06:37:53
deafbykhorns
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Location: Florida
Joined: October 17, 2003
 I have all the equipment to troubleshoot including tube testers, distortion analyzers, scope, cap testers, LCR, etc...
Just turned 60 myself and do this for fun. Designed and built several amps over the years and confident with my skills. I used to buy, sell, repair years ago but don't need the money and giving back to the audio community for helping me over the years.




 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 5, 2021 at 09:03:40
pehare
Audiophile

Posts: 12
Location: N. Fla
Joined: September 19, 2012
 Hi deafbykhorns I just left you a voicemail thank you from Gainesville!

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 5, 2021 at 09:39:18
rivervalley817
 I'm not sure who 'pehare' is, never having conversed on-line with him, but the fellow I was trying to assist is tubeguy1954 ... he accepts email, so maybe drop him a line? if he still wants help he SHOULD have contacted you already, so hopefully he's OK ... in fact, I'll email him and see what's up

I for one appreciate your sense of community and offer, good man!

best regards,

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 6, 2021 at 22:29:51
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hi Deaf! By KHorns, huh? That's probably the best way to go deaf, if it has to happen that is! Thanks for your very kind offer, I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner, but I'll give you a call by either the 1/7 or 1/8. Thanks again for your very, very generous offer...



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 6, 2021 at 22:58:02
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hi Arny! I hope I got the name correct. I'm so happy how things have suddenly turned around for me. That's because of everyone's wonderful, positive, words of encouragement! In fact, I was just sharing with another audio friend Randy M. on the power words have even when they're not spoken with any intent, be it good or evil, behind them!

So imagine how much more powerful the words were when you and other audio friends sent them with the good intentions of wishing me good luck and other words of encouragement that things will work out, concerning getting the Mastersound fixed! So truth-be-told, I'm not at all that surprised how things have turned around, although I am a bit surprised at the speed at which it happened.

I want to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to all who tried to help and sent words of encouragement and well-wishes to me!. And now I want to extend back to you all my words of encouragement and good wishes to every one of you. My sincerest wish is that something you've deeply desired to happen or perhaps something you've desperately wanted to obtain will come true for you this year. Let me end by saying; "May God bless you all this 2021 by providing you with the very best year of your life so far..."



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 6, 2021 at 23:24:27
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 That's very impressive my friend. I will definitely be giving you a call by this weekend. Thank you again for your very kind, and generous offer to help me. God bless you, I didn't know if I was going to be able to afford to have the Mastersound fixed. After 20+ years I would have missed her dearly. This has in many ways "world-class" sonic reproduction.

Sure like many if not almost all SET amps, it could be improved in its sonic reproduction of the bass tautness and impact, but its timbre, harmonics, pitch, attack, and especially the decay of sound that would go on and on until you'd have to wonder if it was still dying or the decay had finally ceased. Add to that a glorious presentation of vocals -{women in particular}- acoustic instruments and the soundstage's width, depth, and height and I truly don't know what I'd do if it beyond repair, especially if the reason it was beyond repair was that it was beyond my financial means of paying to have it repaired.

But my friend you have given me a lot of hope, and a big smile is on my face yet once again! As I've no doubt said to you a few times now, I will definitely be calling you before this weekend...



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 6, 2021 at 23:50:06
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Arny, thanks for reaching out to me. It was a combination of the holidays and the cold-weather hitting Orlando. The cold-weather affects my myriad of spinal disabilities -{cold weather takes my pain-level which sits somewhere between 6 to 8 even when taking my very, very, strong pain meds and put it up to 9 to 10+}- by jacking them to their max settings.

It can get so bad, I've literally gone to the hospital begging for a pain shot to help make the pain bearable, but because I was honest and told them what I was taking they simply told me to take another one of my pain pills.

In any event that's why you haven't seen me. Like you, I don't know who "pehare" is, but I will be contacting our friend "deafbykhorns" by this weekend. Strangely it's not because of what he owns or his offer to help --at least from how he spoke-- at a rate I believe I can afford, but rather I get this feeling of well-being when I read his posts.

We'll see how our conversations go, but I have a gut feeling they'll go well. Thanks again for all your help Arny. You've been a real blessing to me. Perhaps when things finally turn back to normal, you'll get a chance o come to Orlando, FL and I'll invite you over for a listening session...



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Mastersound Reference 845 Amp, posted on January 7, 2021 at 00:11:56
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Brad,

Thanks for your words of encouragement! Right now I'm using my Don Sachs SP14 preamp with a little 80W/ch, solid-state, T+A Amp 8 and that combo makes surprisingly beautiful music. NO! It's not the Mastersound, which is definitely getting fixed, but for what it is, I'd place this little solid-state amp against any 80W/ch to 150W/ch solid-state amp out there. The original owner of the T+A amp also owned a First Watt F6 and he said the T+A Amp 8 sounded a lot like the First Watt amps, but with some balls!

I have a friend who'll be one of the first in our area to get the Covid-19 vaccine -{it's because his wife draws blood in the hospital and he had a triple by-pass on his heart a couple of years ago, which places him at a very high mortality rate if he gets the virus}- so after he gets the vaccine he wants to do a head-to-head shot out of his Pass XA25 vs the T+A Amp 8. If we get around to it -{I say if because even though I'm also in the high mortality class if I catch the virus I've read too many bad things about the vaccine and want to wait at least 6 months to a year to see how people react after getting the virus, before I get one}- I'll let everyone know what the results are. After listening to the Don Sachs SP14/T+A Amp 8 combo for a while now I can say I'm pretty impressed with this little solid-state amp.





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 7, 2021 at 10:35:12
rivervalley817
 despite the wonderful sentiments expressed in your post there's something missing

what's the status on getting the amp squared away?

with regards,

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 7, 2021 at 10:55:44
rivervalley817
 a most kind offer '54 ... though I despise air travel who knows?

take care and keep 'us' posted ...

don't wait too long reaching out to 'deaf' since the cat's out of the bag

if you know what I mean

best regards,

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 8, 2021 at 16:03:25
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Hi Arny!

I spoke with John aka DeafbyKhorns. He's a great guy that was very easy to talk to. I cannot believe I guy like this is "ONLY" 2 hrs away. But it's a lot better than either having to drive many more hours or having to ship the Mastersound away for repairs. Heck, he even said he might take a ride down to my place. I haven't met a person I didn't know that's treated me this well in my entire life! I want everyone to know that DeafbyKhorns is a truly amazing fellow, who if you don't already know is worth taking the time to get to know...



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 8, 2021 at 16:13:56
rivervalley817
 'the journey of a thousand miles is begun with one step'

[my Mom telling me to walk to school when I missed the bus]

onward and upwards!

best regards,

 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 8, 2021 at 16:40:46
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Arny! We agreed that since another fellow recommended a place in Orlando, called Central Florida Speaker Repair and they'll do a complete check-up and testing of what's wrong for only a $65 diagnostic fee. It's would probably best to find out what's wrong by letting them do the determination and then let John know what the problem is. After all, it doesn't make much sense to make a 4+ hour round trip drive just to discover the amp is either unrepairable, or beyond my financial means to repair.



Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 8, 2021 at 17:20:22
rivervalley817
 plan your work and work your plan TB'54 you've got this!

with regards,



 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 15, 2021 at 22:32:08
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Arny, I want to thank you and everyone who offered to help me find someone to help me fix my Mastersound or just provided words of encouragement. You cannot imagine the power of words and to be encouraged to keep looking is what kept me looking until with Arny's help I found John in Jacksonville Fl.

Now as soon as I can find someone to give me a ride 2.5 hours north, I'll be bringing the Mastersound to John, and for those of you who are saying "Why doesn't he just drive the amp up himself?" The answer is easy; I take about as strong painkillers and muscle relaxers as you can take and that causes two big problems:

1) Should I get in an accident -{even if it's not my fault}- if the officer should notice my pupils are little pinpricks, I could be charged for driving under the influence and I'd be treated no differently than if I was a drunk driver. The funny part is I've been on these meds for almost 15 years and the little pinprick pupils are all the cop would notice. I know that's true because I've driven around town and to my doctors that are 30 to 40 mins away with a problem for all these years, without a single problem.

2) Now this one can be a problem because taking 60 mg of Oxycontin, 4 mg of Dilaudid, and 350 mg of Soma, every 8 hours if I don't have someone to talk to I start becoming "mesmerized" by the lines in the highway after a while and I get very drowsy. I feel 100% confident of my actual driving ability, but sadly not of my ability to stay awake after 1 to 1.5 hours of driving! Hence the need for a ride.

So as soon as one of my friends is able to provide that ride for me the Mastersound will be waiting for John! Thanks again to everyone...






Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 16, 2021 at 08:21:30
rivervalley817
 you're very welcome

get your amp fit and work on the source[s] causing you so many problems

that's a pretty extreme pain management regimen you've described

I'd wager that you'll need help backing away from it in an of itself

no judgements here, but in the meantime, have a tune

it's not entirely apropos but ... well, it is a great song

one of the most massive sounds from a trio you'll find with a two string slide bass player ... actually the only one I know of

take care,





 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 19, 2021 at 14:09:50
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 Arny, I have spinal spondylosis or as it's sometimes called: degenerative spinal arthritis or spinal osteoarthritis. This condition can often come on as we age. Most people don't have symptoms, but some, like myself, experience extreme pain and muscle spasms that are so bad my arms and legs lock up! The problem for me is my condition didn't develop slowly from age's wear, but unfortunately, mine developed when I was just 29, from a nasty fall down 27 steps with a fully-loaded hand truck, when I was a UPS driver!

The injuries from that fall caused me to develop accelerated spine spondylosis which has been rapidly degenerating my spine for some 38 years and is classified by my orthopedist --{who told me just before I hit 60 that my spine looked worse than many in their 90's}-- as severe spinal spondylosis. My entire spine from where my skull meets the spine all the way down to my tail bone is essentially rotting away. Add to that budging discs, bone spurs, sciatica that runs down both legs, and probably worse of all spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of your spinal canal and that narrowing of the spinal canal limits the amount of space for the spinal cord and nerves. I believe that is what causes most of the pain. Hence the need for levels of pain medications and muscle relaxers that would be deadly for anyone who didn't have some tolerance to the medications! Sadly I'll have to take these meds to the day I die unless of course, Father God intervenes with divine healing.

Hey, what song are you talking about..




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: I live up in Jax. if you need some help, posted on January 19, 2021 at 16:02:47
rivervalley817
 I've great sympathy and empathy for your situation Tom

try and keep your head about you and hang in there

take courage that there will be an advancement coming along to help

be very careful with your pain management

as you know resistance to the drugs increases but toxicity stays the same

best regards,


 

RE: Repaired, posted on April 21, 2021 at 18:36:13
deafbykhorns
Audiophile

Posts: 1067
Location: Florida
Joined: October 17, 2003
For the curious, Tom's amp had following issues
5 bad cathode resistors (parallel 620ohm) at the 845
4 resistor way out of spec (various plate and bias)
Bad caps at 10v supply
Some leaky cathode caps at the input tubes


 

Thanks John~, posted on April 24, 2021 at 11:46:16
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 John's an amazing guy that I feel blessed for having had the opportunity to meet. After the first 30 seconds of listening to the gorgeous ---{gorgeous both to the eyes and ears}--- audio gear, John built for himself, from scratch! I knew this was the man I wanted to work on my Mastersound, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

John let me know today, the work is completed and if I understood him correctly a couple of small mods have been done as well! IIRC one was to tighten up the bass response, but I. In my heart-of-hearts, I know the Mastersound Reference 845 I'm picking up from John will be better internally and sound better than I ever remember! Thanks and God Bless you, John S. my life is better for having met you.





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Thanks John~, posted on April 25, 2021 at 08:09:08
GEO
Audiophile

Posts: 4749
Joined: April 7, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 9, 2000
 Fantastic! Should have splurged for some CuTFT coupling caps!

 

RE: Thanks John~, posted on May 7, 2021 at 16:46:57
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
 GEO, my friend if I only knew what that meant. You see I have a great ear and can tell what sounds the most realistic at least 90% of the time, but I know absolutely nothing about the technical side of audio. What I can tell you is this amp NEVER sounded better...





Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

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