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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO >> King of the Mountain
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Message started by Carlsbad on 05/24/23 at 04:02:13

Title: King of the Mountain
Post by Carlsbad on 05/24/23 at 04:02:13

Little amp with big support equipment.

Title: Re: King of the Mountain
Post by CAJames on 05/24/23 at 14:38:18

Very nice! Is that rack custom?

Title: Re: King of the Mountain
Post by Carlsbad on 05/24/23 at 21:09:49

Yes, it is my design. I just had a bigger one made because I have a new amp coming that is 3 chasses and will fill the entire top shelf. Weighs 180 lbs. I am building external crossovers that will fill the middle shelf outside positions.

The rack is fabbed of welded heavy wall 1" square tubing with a piece of 1/4" x 1/4" steel welded to the inside bottom of each horizontal to support the cross boards which I make myself on my table saw and router table, sand and stain black.

The rack is fabbed by an offroad truck shop near me and is rock solid. I had a smaller one that I used for 20 years that is approximately the same size...haven't figured out what to do with it yet.

Jerry

Title: Re: King of the Mountain
Post by Carlsbad on 05/31/23 at 13:50:47

I've posted before that I replace all the fuses in my amps with slugs and it helps the sound tremendously. Only do this if either a) you feel confident you can replace failed components if a tube shorts and/or b) you can afford a new amp if necessary. Note Steve says it voids the warranty (of course) but I've never made a warranty claim at at 66 I'm probably not going to start.

So this amp has 3 fuses on the bottom of the rectifier. I interpreted that as 1 mains fuse and 2 fuses in the rectifier outputs. Last night I figured out that it also has a fuse in the input connector just like all the other amps. I replaced that fuse (for a total of 4) and WOW it is realy sounding huge. I would love to hang a curtain in front of it and let people guess what amp it is and how many WPC.

I also put a new set of tubes in it. This has to be the cheapest amp on the market to retube. Input tube $12 NOS 1980 ebay. Power tubes I went with the Svetlana SV83s for $44 at viva. The rectifier is where I splurged. I have a big preference for the Mullard or Matsushita GZ34. I put in an old RCA that is a rebranded Matsushita that I picked up for $100 and will probably last forever.

This amp is causing a decrease in my productivity around the house as I can't stop listening. I have several $5k amps I need to sell.

Jerry

Title: Re: King of the Mountain
Post by CAJames on 05/31/23 at 15:07:18

Quote:

Posted by: Carlsbad Posted on: Today at 05:50:47

...This amp is causing a decrease in my productivity around the house as I can't stop listening.

Yes, amazing sound indeed, regardless of cost. Does your amp have the anniversary mods? If not, getting those added will take the sound up another level. And if you think one is good you should try two, configured as balanced mono blocks

Title: Re: King of the Mountain
Post by Carlsbad on 06/01/23 at 21:06:08

CAJames,
Mine has a sticker on the bottom that says "20th Anniversary Mods" which I think is Jupiter caps in the signal path. I don't think I have the upgraded caps in the power supply. I think the power supply caps are the black ones in the top left of the photo.

Title: Re: King of the Mountain
Post by Lon on 06/01/23 at 21:18:29

I think you are right about both the 20th mods and the power supply caps. Getting the 25th Anniversary mods will make a significant difference for the better. I've done that to an amp and a pre-amp and they were transformed.