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In Reply to: Need help choosing a new 45 SET. posted by chopper87 on July 22, 2005 at 18:04:29:
Hi,I know Gordon is again going to feel I'm busting his chops and is going to jump on this, but at least conceptually the closest alternatives to Gemini are Bottleheads 45 special Paraglow (output iron from the same maker and likely similar in spec, plus similar 2-stage circuit which you could even convert to a 417A in the driverposition) and the Welborne Labs DRD (again 2-Stage Circuit, but series feed, again a 417A could be "rolled into" the design with minimal effort).
Or youd go DIY. Gordon has posted quite extensively here (look for a post whose title begins with "brilliant SET Designers"), get your MQ Parallel Feed Iron from Bottlehead and you should be able to come to something that is not miles off sonically from what you have...
Ciao T
Follow Ups:
Thanks Ciao. I have decided that I am in need of a back up 45 SET amp for my Gemini's. I really want something that has the potential to sound as good. I am not certain if that is going to be possible with the kit amps that are available for under $2,000? Then on the other hand, I'm not sure what makes my PF Gemini's at $6,000 better sounding than say ,the DRD 45?
nt
Hi,> I really want something that has the potential to sound as good.
> I am not certain if that is going to be possible with the kit
> amps that are available for under $2,000?Well, if you look at the distribution and manufatcuring models, witrh Kit's you supply the labour and no dealer takes his cut, often not even on the Kit.
With commercial gear especially of the boutique sort you need to pay the guy who builds it (I don't work for 30 Bucks the hour and I doubt Gordon does) and then the final product is marked up by the dealer chain.
If a $ 2,000 Kit was sold as a commercial product using the normal distribution and sales arrangements and slightly improved cismetics it can easily turn into a $ 6,000 sale.
> Then on the other hand, I'm not sure what makes my PF Gemini's
> at $6,000 better sounding than say ,the DRD 45?I'm afraid you will have to listen. There is always the chance that to your ears the DRD may be the better choice.
Ciao T
Ciao,Good straight forward advice as always. I like the design of the DRD45. Ofcourse, this is predicated on my limited understanding of circuits. It appears that this design lessens the sonic influence from the power supply? Maybe allowing the use of one less tube without the usual ,solid state, power rectification nasties. See, I'm already in over my head.
Lance A.
Hi,> It appears that this design lessens the sonic influence from
> the power supply?Yes, this it does to a similar degree as Parallel Feed.
> Maybe allowing the use of one less tube without the usual ,
> solid state, power rectification nasties. See, I'm already
> in over my head.Difficult call. My experience with similar circuits suggest that valve rectification is still the best choice.
Ciao T
Ciao,Man this can get confusing. I think that my plan is to stick with tube rectification. I have had very limited experience with non tube rectified power supplies in tubed amps. As you verified, DRD and PF amplifier's are less sonically affected by the type of rectification, but, maybe affected none the less. I have been very pleased with the performance of my (old) PF Gemini's and am hopeing to add another amplifier to my set up that won't be embarrased by comparison. Thanks Ciao. Good to hear from you as always.
Lance A.
"I'm not sure what makes my PF Gemini's at $6,000 better sounding than say ,the DRD 45?"You are starting with he assumption that it does, you may find thats not the case. I heard what could well have been the best amp I have ever heard a few months ago, and it was a little 45 job. One of the things it had that went towards the sound was silver wound amorphous core transformers. $2000 may not stretch to a amp with those sorts of parts in but $3000 certainly would. Don't assume that people build their own to save money, in many cases its to get much more for the same money.
"I'm not sure what makes my PF Gemini's at $6,000 better sounding than say ,the DRD 45?"
"{You are starting with he assumption that it does, you may find thats not the case. I heard what could well have been the best amp I have ever heard a few months ago, and it was a little 45 job. One of the things it had that went towards the sound was silver wound amorphous core transformers. $2000 may not stretch to a amp with those sorts of parts in but $3000 certainly would. Don't assume that people build their own to save money, in many cases its to get much more for the same money.}"I agree 100%, not considering readily available finances as a construction variable. Plus, if I were to attempt such a project, my goal would be for the unit to WORK and not catch the house on fire. It would take years for me to gain the knowlege required to build a better machine, not just a functioning one.
Lance A.
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