Finished one of my 200WPC SET Monoblocks

[rollo]

And don't forget the TNTs list $170k...   

(I wonder if they ever sold a pair??)

  Yes and he bought the  Brooklyn Bridge as well. They were just horrible at the show.
   

charles


charles

[sleepyguy24]

Max

If you had to price them considering all your time and parts cost,
what would you price these at?

Parts alone cost about $11k for the pair. Then add in about two-three months of my time. I'd price them at $70k per pair, and that's probably too cheap. Then of course I'd need about $10 million insurance to cover me against someone electrocuting themselves.

Hi Max

Wow. $11k in parts alone. I can't wait to see when the 2nd one is done. With your time and labor did that also include your own amplifier circuit design as well in addition to any trial and error on the build? The reason I ask is one time I bought some tubes off an audio enthusiast and he showed me some tube amps he built with primo parts and he told me the circuit design as an old classic. I was just curious if it was the same instance here.

Thanks again and keep us posted.

[Maxamillion]

Max

If you had to price them considering all your time and parts cost,
what would you price these at?

Parts alone cost about $11k for the pair. Then add in about two-three months of my time. I'd price them at $70k per pair, and that's probably too cheap. Then of course I'd need about $10 million insurance to cover me against someone electrocuting themselves.

Hi Max

Wow. $11k in parts alone. I can't wait to see when the 2nd one is done. With your time and labor did that also include your own amplifier circuit design as well in addition to any trial and error on the build? The reason I ask is one time I bought some tubes off an audio enthusiast and he showed me some tube amps he built with primo parts and he told me the circuit design as an old classic. I was just curious if it was the same instance here.

Thanks again and keep us posted.

Definitely not an old design, of course there is very little truly NEW in tube audio. It's based on my own ideas as well as those of a few others in the DIY community.

As an example, it uses a shunt regulator in the cathode of the 833 output tube instead of a bypassed resistor - the regulator sets the tube bias voltage and also passes all the anode and grid current from the 833, without the need for a bypass cap. The amp is two stage direct-coupled, so it's really important to keep the bias voltage very stable; that's why I have the big current meter on the front - I want to know right away if the current goes out of out of whack, before the big tube melts down. So far it's been quite stable.

It also uses an unusual input/driver tube, the Russian 6E5P tetrode, wired as a triode, it really doesn't have an American analogue.

[Maxamillion]

Well, monoblock #2 is complete and they are in my listening room. See Picture.

The sound is amazing. Zero global, zero local feedback SET driving big Infinities...impossible you say? They sound GREAT - crystalline highs, full mids, and thunderous bass. The bass is WAY better than what I get from my 500WPC class D monos, believe it or not.
I need to break them in and ensure reliability, then you guys can pop on over for a listen. Rave eventually, once it gets a bit warmer...

[Maxamillion]

Oh, and they weigh 180lbs EACH!

I hope the end tables hold up...

[goldlizsts]

Oh, and they weigh 180lbs EACH!

I hope the end tables hold up...

Beautiful, mon !!!!!!!!!!!  Only thing missing - heavy lifting equipment standing by.  I wouldn't want to get a hernia....  Looking forward to Rave. 

[Triode Pete]

Simply AWESOME!!! 

Can't wait to hear!!!

Please be careful... these amps really scare me regarding safety!

Enjoy,
Pete

[rollo]

Now that is an SET wonder. Gorgeous work. Cannot wait to hear them. Wow !!!



charles

[richidoo]

Congrats Max, a great accomplishment!

[Response Audio]

180 lbs each? Thats all? Is your next venture something maybe with a little more meat?

Kidding aside....very nice accomplishment. Would love to hear them.

[BobM]

Need to post a picture with the room lights off so we can see the glow!

Beautiful work, but I agree with Pete - for God's sake be careful with these monsters.

[Maxamillion]

Need to post a picture with the room lights off so we can see the glow!

Beautiful work, but I agree with Pete - for God's sake be careful with these monsters.

Look at it this way, it's the same voltage as your microwave oven, and you let your kids use that, right?

10X less voltage than a CRT TV set as well.

Kind of wimpy, actually...

[sleepyguy24]

Any updates Max or any more pictures? I guess the lack of updates means things are ok and the music must sound divine in your system with these monoblocks in place?

[Maxamillion]

I've just been doing a little fine tuning and tweaking; I changed a few minor things internally a couple weeks ago when my son was on spring break and could help me lift it, mostly around minimizing the leakage currents from the 4 power transformers in each amp and equalizing the chassis voltages for lowest ground loop noise...I've got it now so that there is just about zero noise in the speakers at idle with my ear against the drivers, without lifting any of the electrical grounds in the system or installing "loop breaker" circuits.

Next I'm going to tweak the fan speed to get the lowest fan noise possible while still maintaining adequate cooling. It's barely perceptible now, but I'm a perfectionist. I also want to slip some neoprene under the big high voltage power transformer mounts to eliminate a slight buzzing they make on occasion.

Unfortunately one of the Pyrex glass cylinders cracked on me - the supplier says that happens occassionally when stresses are set up in the glass from having holes drilled in it. He is replacing it for free and this time he will melt the mounting holes in the sides to eliminate the stresses. I should get that back in a week or two.

Meanwhile Pete is making me some 7+ American power cords for the beasts!

So, all is well and getting even better. Rave to come once I've got it tweaked to perfection.

[DaveC]

Sounds great, wish I lived closer!