Wyred upgrade

[rollo]

Not much to say really. I am waiting for some Silkworms from KCI and then to send my cdp to UK for another upgrade, probably the last. (and dreaming about other speakers of course).

  The Nervosa never ends.


charles

[shep]

I would be devastated if it did  but I secretly hope it will, eventually.

[shep]

Blackgates certainly take their sweet time. Now at about 450hours they are changing yet again, but very slowly. I learned my lesson; don't turn the amp off. It takes a day or more to sound right again.

[shep]

It's all too true, what they say about BG break-in. Past 600 hours. I thought they had leveled off but actually they are still improving. Nothing dramatic but a gradual coherency...sort of rounding off and with improved layering and texture. It's not a bumpy ride; just a long one.

[rollo]

 Me too. The trannies are taking their sweet time. Now 500 hours and its still a changing. Feel like Bob Dylan.
  Those Blackgates some say never break in. My experience was similiar to the Teflon V-caps. 1200 hours. Some cheese some wine. Some more cheese some more wine and soon it will be there. Your dating now.


charles
 

[shep]

I don't think these are the same BG's as those infamous ones that never did break in. That was a long time ago and those came from Japan.  There hasn't been any dramatic ups and downs; pretty steady after the first big hump. I'm afraid to turn off the amp and have to start all over again though 

[rollo]

I don't think these are the same BG's as those infamous ones that never did break in. That was a long time ago and those came from Japan.  There hasn't been any dramatic ups and downs; pretty steady after the first big hump. I'm afraid to turn off the amp and have to start all over again though 

  Ah, did not know that about the caps, thanks. I stand corrected.

charles

[shep]

One thing is for sure...Blackgates dont like to be turned off when they've formed. They take about 2 hours to come on song from a cold start. On the other hand I can confirm that 500hours is about right for them to be settled down. It wasn't so painful as some have reported, but again this is a newer generation.

[shep]

To my astonishment, the Blackgates suddenly went thru another change at about 700 hours, they loosened up even more and the whole "picture" became deeper and more coherant; with better texture and transparency. This is one hell of an upgrade but not for the faint-hearted. Patience and faith! I also did something I should have ages ago. I was using a standard store-bought multi-adapter, because the power cables were'nt long enough to reach the wall plug. I have long suspected it was a bottle neck. I had a very nice, thick cable I got in Switzerland years ago from an audiophile friend who swore by it. Not expecting too much, I stripped it clean and having opened up the adapter and cleaned it, soldered in the "new" cable. After a week of burning in, this has proved a serious improvement. (I did this before the Blackgates did their strange magic act). Moral of the story is; take nothing for granted and leave no stone unturned.

[shep]

guess who has to go to CAlifornia? My f...ing amp. Replaced the fuse today with the new one put everything back together and BLAM! full vol. on the first click (resistor-type ladder one) didn't do any damage. Took it apart...5 times, looked at everything especially the pot, put back the old fuse. it worked once then BLAM again, full vol at first click; Obviously the pot is shorting. Can't see it, nada. Going back to Wyred tomorrow.
What with the laptop, this is my gremlin week. I am saying the S word many times and at full vol.

[evan1]

Sorry to hear that. I think you need a hobby so you stay out of trouble.

[shep]

I thought I had one...to stay out of trouble...

[richidoo]

Bummer.

If it's a simple discreet resistor volume control you can clean it with electronics cleaner. Don't use caig gold on it until after you get it working again. Maybe turning it upside down for the fuse caused a metal fragment to fall on to the PCB or into the volume control.

I use the Radio Shack cleaner, but you can get something fancy with ACHTUNG printed on the side. Turn the volume knob aggressively while spraying into the contacts to rinse away the contaminants on the contacts. The cleaner will evaporate with no residue.

Did you try smacking it? It works 25% of the time.

[shep]

No but I sure smacked myself for changing the fuse! nuff said. It goes to CA for punishment. While there, there are perhaps a few more upgrades possible. What the hell...In for a penny...EJ is a good guy, he'll sort me out. Actually I considered kicking it across the room but considering it's one of a kind and has already cost serious bucks, I restrained myself.

[etcarroll]

Did you try smacking it? It works 25% of the time.

Also excellant dating advice!