ANK AudioKits Forum

ANK AudioKits support forum

Return to ANK AudioKits Forum

Audio Note Kits Forum

RE: Interstage Monoblocks

86.74.83.78

gillougillou

In Reply to: RE: Interstage Monoblocks posted by gillougillou on November 06, 2012 at 05:34:58

A very quiet sound....

Gilles ;-)

Follow Ups:

RE: Interstage Monoblocks - DougE 08:35:35 11/12/12 (6)
Hello Gilles,

I built one of the first pairs and have written here about them. To summarize, my experience is positive and if you've heard other AN amps and want to get something similar that you can tweak or just build and forget, these are great. My kit1 is a different sounding amp with its ie core tx and copper AN coupling caps. The kit1 is ethereal sounding with a light and life that is beautiful. The interstage monos I built and have upgraded several times from stock so my memory of how it sounded originally is pretty old. The current version uses c core output tx from AN and also interstage from AN. Brian makes high quality tx for the kits so I would think they compare favorably to what I have and are less costly. Anyway, my amps are totally black gated and have a big, robust sound with less airiness than the kit1. They have more control than the kit1 even though they use the same tubes. More control means they can play both louder and softer with a greater grip with pure tone and wonderful mid and micro dynamics.

The monos I built are the single 300b, mostly as I use western electric 300b and finding and buying a quad gets pricey. The 8 or so watts is plenty for my ANE or altecs so power isn't an issue. For reference, I also compare the monos to a mcshaned eico hf87 I rebuilt and there is a large difference. Oh, and another favorite to compare is my ampex 6973 stereo amp. So, I have a lot to compare to. Overall, the monos are terrific performers and give superb sound.

Best,
Doug
- RE: Interstage Monoblocks - gillougillou 08:06:41 11/13/12 (5)
  Hi Doug,
  
  Thank you for the answer.
  
  I suppose you took the 10ma interstage trans ?
  
  Did you find some good way to avoid all hum ?
  
  I got about 2/3 mv hum.
  
  Thanks, Gilles.
  - RE: Interstage Monoblocks - Vincin 09:30:33 11/14/12 (4)
    Hi,
    
    I highly recommend that you get a pair of filament chokes and do a passive CLC or LC supply for each 300b filament, using the existing 8V AC supply.
    
    Or even better like what I have in my mono block now: a separate filament transformer -> Schottky bridge -> LCL filter which is 200mH 40,000uf 200mH. No hum at all. The 6sh7 is fine to be run on AC.
    
    The stock voltage regulator sounds quite inferior to both of the above passive filament supplies. I mean quite a big margin: I did not know the piano sounded so wrong until I get the filament supplies right for my amps.
    
    Search in the Tube DIY and/or diyaudio. There are many technical posts by the regular technical people there.
    
    And also try the 6sh7 capacitor coupled to 300b like in Brian's Legend Mono Block. You could like it better! this is not a complicated mod. The sound is very typical of the famous WE91 (300b driven by a pentode).
    - RE: Interstage Monoblocks - gillougillou 23:47:50 11/18/12 (3)
      How to do the monoblocs more silent ?
      A little noisy with hight efficiency speakers...
      Use of Tenlab heater modules for the 300B ?
      
      Need advice, regards, Gilles.
      - RE: Interstage Monoblocks - douge 20:21:16 11/20/12 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Interstage Monoblocks posted by gillougillou on November 18, 2012 at 23:47:50
        
        Gilles, when I wrote my reply above I did not realize you owned the monos. What is your experience with how they sound?
        
        I see you are having a hum issue. While I have not measured the hum in mine, I run through both ANE HE (98db) and Altec Valencia (100db) and the hum is neglible. For comparison, my kit1 has audible hum from the listening seat but only with the Altec. So, have you followed the grounding scheme from the plans? What changes have you made to wiring routing?
        
        Before adding a filter stage (cap or choke) I'd recommend the above. If you do add another stage, let us know what you find!
        
        Best,
        Doug
        
        RE: Interstage Monoblocks - gillougillou 23:27:59 11/20/12 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Interstage Monoblocks posted by DougE on November 20, 2012 at 20:21:16
        
        Hi Doug !
        
        I found the hum problem, it was a bad connexion in the heaters board, the same main transformer winding for the two boards !
        
        I now use s�parate transformer windings for each heater board.
        
        One problem remain, sound is a little harhs and I suppose some ringing with the interstage.
        
        When I tried the monoblocks whith pentode mode and cap instead the interstage trans, the sound was more easy on ear.
        
        I will investigate with a scope soon and let you now.
        
        Need advices.
        
        Gilles.
        
        RE: Interstage Monoblocks - gillougillou 11:33:28 11/21/12 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Interstage Monoblocks posted by gillougillou on November 20, 2012 at 23:27:59
        
        I did scope investigation and found nothing bad.
        No ringing.
        I have to look around the amplifier and not in the amplifier ! ;-)

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Signature Sound

[ Signature Sound Lounge ]