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AUDIO FORUMS >> D.I.Y. >> Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
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Message started by Billparsons on 01/05/19 at 07:21:35

Title: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Billparsons on 01/05/19 at 07:21:35

I once upon a time owned an early zen amp, the Se84b. I played it through a Vandersteen 1C and was floored by it's purity but most of all it's 3d sound. The Vandersteen was phase and time coherent and showed off this zen amp. I never forgot that sound.
20 yrs. has gone by and I recently purchased a kit built Se84C. It sounded very very nice but I wanted what I had listened to so many years ago, I guess partly for nostalgia and partly because from memory I thought the other amp may have sounded a little different. So I rebuilt the power supply to the old zen's specs, the Se84b.
I couldn't be happier. That old sound is back. It's the best sound that I have ever heard I believe and probably ever will hear. I will try to post a pic for others if they wish to try the mod.
The change in the power supply is 32uf>1k>32uf//32uf>10k//15k>32uf. The slanted lines mean in parallel with. I used 2 Modulus Amplification can capacitors 2x32uf each. Those were the only changes the rest of the amp remains the same.

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Billparsons on 01/05/19 at 15:53:59

Here’s a pic. I’m waiting on a 10watt xicion 1k resistor after noticing the 5 watt wasn’t cutting it. The purple one is just tacked in for now.

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Billparsons on 01/05/19 at 15:58:39

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/06/19 at 04:41:08

Great Job!

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Billparsons on 01/07/19 at 00:58:32

Thanks! I am a big fan of this elegant design yours. It just lets music pass right through it. I wish I had the option of the old LCR can caps but as you know they haven't been made in years. LCR would make a killing with guitar and hifi amp builders if it started making can caps again.

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Lonely Raven on 01/09/19 at 21:26:41

Looks good, reminds me of my old SE84A amp before Steve reworked it.

I have a ZKIT I'm looking to build soon, so I'm looking for parts, specifically transformers and cap cans.

Do you like those 32 you put in there? Anything similar to the old LCR made today?

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Billparsons on 01/10/19 at 03:21:12

Well it is hard to say since I haven't listened to the amp with the LCR caps in 20 years ;D. But if I had to guess I would think the LCR was slightly more resolved. Just a guess. The Modulus caps were chosen because they are always musical and natural(not audiophile) sounding. They are quite resolved just not unnaturally so. I've compared a lot of stuff that's out there.

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Lonely Raven on 01/10/19 at 15:19:25

Bill, your name looks familiar - what guitar amp forums have you been in? Amp Garage maybe?

Title: Re: Se84c clone converted to Se84b power supply
Post by Billparsons on 01/11/19 at 02:30:33

I actually don't really post anywhere. I used to post on AA a long time ago. I only started posting here because of this awesome sounding amp. I think I am a Decwarite?