01.16.10
Posted in Blog, Amplifiers, Modern Tube, AES at by Simon
This Audio Electronic Supply AE-25 Superamp with oil caps is a great starter power amp. The tube complement includes :
- 2 NOS RCA cleartop 6CG7
- 2 NOS Amperex 7308
- New quad JJ/Tesla 6L6GC output tubes
For those not familiar with the Superamp, the beauty of this self-biasing amp is the wide range of output tubes which can be used in it: 6550, KT88, KT77, KT66, EL37, EL34, 6L6, and 6V6. Here are the manufacturer’s specs:
| Power output (RMS) |
15W RMS in triode mode into 8 ohms |
| Frequency response |
15Hz-20kHz +/- 0.5dB |
| Gain |
-91dB |
| Input impedance |
150K ohms |
| Sensitivity |
1.5V |
| Power requirements |
165W maximum, 80W stand-by |
This AE-25 was factory assembled by Cary Audio. The original MSRP for this amp with oil caps was $1500 assembled. You have to hear this amp to believe the musicality of its sound!
Here are the pictures:
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12.26.08
Posted in Blog, Amplifiers, Modern Tube, Cary at by Simon
The
Cary CAD 120S is rated at 60 watts per channel in triode mode and 120 watts per channel in ultralinear mode into an 8 ohm speaker load. Full rated output power is from 17 Hz to 23 kHz with less than 1% total harmonic distortion. The output stage may be switched ‘on the fly’ from triode mode to ultralinear mode by using a front panel selector button.
MSRP: $5500 (demo available)
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Posted in Blog, Preamplifiers, Modern Tube, Cary at by Simon
The Cary SLP 98P is a full feature, hand wired, vacuum tube preamplifier featuring (4) 6SN7, (2) 12AX7, and (2) 12AU7 tubes. MM phono amplifier section built in. Large heavy duty external power supply. Standard with remote volume. Jaguar Carnival Red chassis with clear coat finish. ZERO feedback design. SLP 98L has the same specification as above, but with line stage only.
MSRP: $4000 (line stage only, demo available), $4500 (with phono stage)
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Posted in Blog, Preamplifiers, Modern Tube, Cary at by Simon
The
Cary SLP 03 is a balanced vacuum tube preamplifier with dual 12AU7 vacuum tubes. It features full remote control for input switching and volume control. The front panel has a readout display for selected functions and current settings. The SLP 03 has 4 RCA stereo input pairs, one XLR input pair, a tape monitor loop and mute switching. Black or silver anodized aluminum faceplates. It has one set of XLR balanced outputs and dual RCA stereo outputs.
MSRP: $3000 (demo available)
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07.09.08
Posted in Blog, Speakers, Totem at by Simon
The Totem Mite is a micro-monitor which offers an aesthetic design as uncompromised as any Totem product.
Beyond aesthetics, Mite offers spectacular sound staging abilities and a seductive musicality. As with any quality Totem product, it offers value for money despite its size. Its dimensions are not a liability but contribute to one of its advantages: gigantic imaging and sound-staging. Vocals and choral works will astound you.
Discover a micro-monitor with precise focus, realism and defined bass information that extend well beyond established precepts. Writing about it is simply not enough. It must be experienced with all the senses. For the music lover whose priority is not only continuously huge dynamic contrasts but musical involvement, the Mite will fulfill and surprise without restraint. Discover its ability to encapsulate music and transmit its message and soul. You will follow.
- Usable in two-channel music systems and in home theater systems
- Lock-mitred cabinet joints, internal and external wood veneer (optional finishes)
- Aesthetic, acoustical finish
- Solid twin pair gold plated terminals
- No compromise drivers, wiring and crossover parts
MSRP: $675 – $895 / pair (depending on finish, demo pair available in flat black)
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Posted in Blog, Speakers, Totem at by Simon
Totem Acoustic’s Storm offers a compact solution to bass augmentation. Like its big brother, the Thunder, the Storm has many advanced design features, yet adds a few of its own to facilitate multiple uses.
The front firing driver in the Storm shares external cone topography and materials with the two flanking passive units. We believe that this contributes to a more informative and less compressed energy flow. As is the case with the upper echelon Thunder, the Storm is not only designed for cinema/surround applications, but is comfortable in a stereo or multi-channel audio environment.
The Storm benefits aesthetically from a choice of Totem’s four veneers on all faces and is also available in gloss black to match the Tribe on-wall models.
To enable multiple use, the Storm’s control panel has the following features:
- Automatic power down. Amplifier goes into standby when signal is absent. Reactivates automatically on signal reception
- Volume adjustment
- Variable phase dial (0° to 180°)
- 1 pair of low-level RCA inputs
- 1 pair of unfiltered low-level RCA outputs
- 2 pairs of unfiltered high-level terminal inputs
- 2 pairs of unfiltered high-level terminal outputs
- Crossover enabling/disabling switch to use low frequency management and control from processor. Allows use of a variety of speakers (mini monitors to full-range)
- Detachable power cord
MSRP: $1050 – $1265 (depending on finish, demo available in flat black)
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Posted in Blog, Speakers, Usher at by Simon
Introducing the Global Design Project beryllium-domed Usher Be-718s. These captivating, high performance monitor speakers are engineered with the finest hand-picked components sourced from around the world. We always look for the absolute best price/performance ratio from our suppliers wherever they are, creating real value for you. Usher’s Global Design Project is the key to the Be-718’s Amazing Sound and Surprising Value!
The Be-718 story begins with MusikMatters’ CEO Atul Kanagat visiting high-end dealers to learn what their customers really wanted. It seemed clear that everyone’s looking for easy-to-place great sounding monitor speakers that look as beautifully finished as they sound. Plus one other small thing: They have to offer outstanding value! That’s not asking too much, is it? Atul worked closely with Usher, and in a surprisingly short time, the latest addition to the Usher Dancer line appeared, the Tiny Dancers!
Just how global is our design project? The high technology drivers, crossovers, and perfectly timed-aligned cabinets are designed and built by Mr. Tsai Lien Shui at Usher Taiwan, with finishing cosmetics supplied by a firm in the United Kingdom. Dr. Joseph D’Appolito, Usher’s long-serving technical consultant, provides crossover tuning here in the ‘States. Crossover parts and JPS Labs internal wiring are made in the USA. Design wizard Danny Richie, of Texas based GR-Research, boosts the stock crossover’s performance to unprecedented levels by selecting premium crossover parts, altering parts values, re-tuning baffle step compensation and smoothing out the speaker’s vertical off axis response.
The Be-718s feature beautifully-crafted and lustrously-finished cabinets plus advanced beryllium oxide tweeters for smoothly extended highs. A new mid-woofer controls and articulates the bass, providing a solid foundation for an open and inviting midrange. The integration, extension, solidity, speed and clarity of the Be-718s uncover low-level detail usually lost in the noise floor of less resolving speakers. They are certainly one of the finest and most satisfying values on the market today.
Audition the beryllium-domed Be-718s and find out why everyone’s talking about our Global Design Project and their Amazing Sound and Surprising Value!
MSRP: $2795
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Posted in Blog, Speakers, Totem at by Simon
In the Totem Forest, pulse, speed and dynamic contrasts all add up to a tingling “surprise factor” that borders on the surreal.
At ease with all types of music, the Forest opens up corridors of new experiences.
Whether you’re listening in stereo, multi-channel audio, or a high quality A/V application, Forest speakers bring forth a synergy between spatial cues, imaging and powerful dynamics that go beyond what is expected of “any speaker”
- Aerodynamic rounded front baffle
Flush-mounted drivers
Angled rear baffle
- Irreproachable bi-wireable W.B.T. terminals
The industry standard
- “Claws” standard revolutionary floor interface supports
Control cabinet resonance
Gently and musically decouple speakers
- Lock-mitred “monocoque chassis”
Unique in the industry
Expensive to produce
- Extensive cross-bracing and radical angle internal floor
- Borosilicate damping
- Innovative porting allows for incredible extension and overall coherence
- Specially modified proprietary drivers
MSRP: $3495 - $4070 / pair (depending on finish)
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04.15.07
Posted in Blog, Amplifiers, Vintage Tube, Dynaco at by Simon
The Dynaco Stereo 70 is ‘’the'’ classic Dynaco stereo amplifier. The tube complement is four EL34s, two 7199s and a GZ34 rectifier tube. The early models are prized for their very high quality American-made output transformers with cloth leads. These are the only models that Tube Dreams restores. If you’re interested, you’ll find the specifications below.
Currently available ST-70s
I currently have one Audiophile restored ST-70 available for $849, includes new JJ/Tesla GZ34 rectifier, new matched quad SED (Winged C) EL34, NOS GE 7199 tubes. Alternatively, the amp is $799 with 6GH8A tubes and adapters.
Tube Dreams restorations
There are several possible levels of restoration that can be done to make the Stereo 70 sing, along with several optional improvements. These prices include the amp itself. If you have an amp you would like restored, please call to discuss. Typically a basic restoration costs about $200 plus tubes. The audiophile restoration costs another $100 or more depending on precisely what is done.
Basic restoration
The basic restoration replaces the bare minimum of parts to ensure that the power supply is stable and that the original sound quality is restored. The multi-section can capacitor (the silver cylinder) is replaced with a new American-made replacement, the selenium rectifier is replaced with a modern diode, the bias capacitors are replaced with new Sprague Atoms, and the 1W resistors in the power supply are replaced with modern 3W metal film resistors for a quieter power supply.
To restore the sound quality, the six coupling capacitors on the circuit board are replaced with new Solen Fast Capacitors, a superior high purity metallized polypropylene film capacitor.
Optionally, the two-conductor line cord is replaced with a modern three-conductor cord, and the four-screw speaker terminals are replaced with modern binding posts wired for your speaker’s impedance. Another optional modification is to use a higher capacitance multi-section can which increases the bass response.
The restored Stereo 70 is then retubed with new SED (formerly Svetlana) EL34 tubes, Sovtek or JAN Philips 7199 tubes, and a JJ (formerly Tesla) or vintage Mullard GZ34 rectifier. The amp is then biased, broken in, and then rebiased for optimal sound and tube life.
Audiophile restoration
The audiophile restoration builds on the basic restoration by also replacing the whole circuit board with a new board stuffed with modern components. The resistors are primarily Vishay/Dale metal film resistors, one of the most respected resistors in the audio industry. Some of the plate resistors are increased from 1 watt to 3 watts. Higher power capacity resistors will run cooler—and less heat means less noise. Metal film resistors are quieter than vintage carbon composite resistors, so the resulting sound is much cleaner with more detail.
Full restoration
For the full restoration, the chassis is completely stripped and rechromed. The original transformers are remounted and the amplifier is completely rebuilt using new tube sockets and all new components. This includes all the upgrades described in the basic restoration and audiophile restoration sections.
Audiophile boards and rebuild kits
We also sell replacement boards and rebuild kits if you’d like to do-it-yourself.
Specifications
*Power Output: 35 watts continuous, 80 watts peak each channel.
*Frequency Response: ±.5 dB from 10 cps to 40 kc.
*Power Response: 20 cps to 20 kc within 1 dB of 35 watts at less than 1% distortion.
*Intermodulation Distortion: Less than 1% at 35 watts (normally about .5%). Less than .05% at 1 watt.
*Hum and Noise: Inaudible; better than 90 dB below rated power.
*Sensitivity: 1.3 volts rms input for 35 watts out.
*Output Impedances: 4, 8, and 16 ohms each channel.
*Damping Factor: 15.
*Minimum Channel Separation: 55 dB
*Power Consumption: 190 watts 50/60 cps
*Preamp Provision: Two power takeoffs with independent heater windings to eliminate interaction. Each 6.3 volts 1 amp, 350 volts dc 10 ma. Dynakit preamplifiers plug in directly without modification.
*Tube Complement: EL-34 (4), 7199 (2), GZ-34.
*Size: 13″ by 9-1/2″ by 6-1/2″ high.
*Weight: 32 pounds.
*Finish: Chassis and bottom plate bright nickel plated. Cover finished in charcoal brown vinyl paint.
*Designed by: Ed Laurent, Bob Tucker
*Year Introduced: 1959
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