Tekton Double Impacts

I should have some pics up maybe as early as the weekend, depending on what the lady has in store for us when she comes up. And Tom, you also have a tube regulated power supply using those OD3 regs on either side of the transformer cover :-)

I believe I had the volume up to between noon and 2 using a streaming device as the input before Tom’s amp started soft clipping, which was on 90 db speakers, on the 8 ohm taps. It also depends on the level of the recording. Les Zeppelin needed to be raised much higher than say Pearl Jam, for instance. The entire system sensitivity and desired level of listening comes into play heavily for sure.

Since the 300B amplifier's architecture uses dual 6SN7 stages, and I omitted cathode bypass for the benefit of greater detail, the gain of the amplifier is very close to that of an integrated, however two un-bypassed stages is just shy of being able to be driven by line level (bypassing the cathodes fixes that but at the expense of some natural cathode feedback that occurs and as such, some micro-resolution is compromised- so I chose against bypassing them). Since 2 stages is just shy- and three stages is too much so to speak, the solution I chose was to incorporate an input level potentiometer on the amplifier which occurs between the preamplifier and the amp's inputs. A plug in attenuator is simply a series fixed resistance followed by a fixed shunt resistance (which is many cases loads the input excessively), the potentiometer performs the same duty except we're able to select the 100K shunt between input and ground which is an easy load for the preamp's output to drive.

On another note, I'm not sure if I'm over-staying my welcome by posting details about my gear on what is the Tekton thread, and I enjoy posting here, but if any think it's more prudent to bounce any of these conversations to an Aric Audio specific thread, feel free to post at the link below:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/aric-audio-systems-unlimited-preamp

Best wishes, Aric

Thanks Corelli that's much appreciated!

I have to say, I am truly impressed with the tonal qualities and imaging of the Duelund PIO caps used in the outputs of the Motherlode! I still say that the True Copper Audyns are a hair- and I mean just a "hair" less smooth, but with the same overall presentation and at a much more economical level. However I haven't stopped listening to the Motherlode since I buttoned the bottom cover on, and I'm hearing things I've never heard sound so real in my system before. Having never personally heard "The Dude", I can't say how much of a difference there is (if any), but having the same basic architecture in place, and similar high end components used throughout, I can only surmise that the Motherlode is a "sister from anutha mister". Best wishes, Aric

@sbayne - Thank you! Yes, I've actually been chatting with Bill about some of the differences and similarities between the two designs over on another thread. It appears Paul's design was highly sought after and many different versions were offered. It's very interesting and cool to see all of the variations out there. 

@sbayne - Thank you! It’s been a really neat test comparing the same tracks back to back on the "Motherlode" and then my own personal unit using 6SN7’s and the True Copper caps. The all film-capacitor power supply using a toroid (instead of iron) really helps the black background become more, well, black. I’m sure there’s lots of break-in left to do, but even out of the box, the Duelunds have a quick-paced liquidity and great bass. I’ve been testing it with my SE 150-based amplifier, and it’s a great match. It has plenty of grip and speed even on my 90db @ 1 watt efficient speakers (old school 6.5" Audax Aerogel MTM’s designed by Joe D’Appolito).

As several A'goners have requested, here is a link to the The Motherlode preamplifier built for Laaudionut:

http://aricaudio.com/products.php?product=ML6SL7MM

Aric

Thanks TeaJay and David both- it's much appreciated! Best wishes, Aric

I’m glad she got there well and is opening up for you Brian! Those Duelunds are the size of half coke-cans, so I imagine they’ll be taking some time to fully break-in. Nice to hear the good report- and thanks for the kudos! Aric

@laaudionut - That's awesome to hear! I'm glad the ML is driving those Pass amps and in turn- your SE's with such finesse! Hitting that synergy is a wonderful thing. Also appreciate the kudos very much sir :-) Best wishes, Aric

@david_ten - Thank you sir! I've been building and tweaking basically non-stop on a few new designs. It's good to finally hear some seasoned ear's opinion (other than my own) on this new Push-Pull.

@teajay - That's great news! I'm stoked that you're digging the EL34's in Triode mode, I felt that was as close to the SET sound as a push-pull could get, plus there's a few tricks of the trade in the circuitry which allow more even harmonics (what make us all love a SET amp) to pass through. 

For anyone that may be into more power, the amp can also use KT88's, 120's and 150's- in either Triode or U.L. mode for up to 65 watts per channel essentially making it somewhat of a "universal" amp.

Best wishes, Aric

Thanks guys! I too think it's cool seeing all of the different gear used to drive those Tektons, which appear to be very efficient and dynamic speakers- everything from 10 watts of SET power, to hundreds of solid state watts. It's all very cool! Of course, I'm slightly polarized towards a single-ended presentation due to it's linearity and lack of crossover distortion, but coming from many years of high-powered solid state background, I can understand the affinity for the power. I try to shoot for the best blend of both in my designs, while maintaining the color, timbre, and naturalness of the presentation. 

@corelli - I agree, it's a great product that numerous people have fallen in love with, and paid much much less than most of the "boutique" gear out there. My take is that the naysayers are focusing on one aspect or another and obsessing over it to no end instead of simply enjoying the music. This is clear in any field, motorcycles, cars, audio, etc. Someone asks "Why did they do it that way, I read that it's best another way"- and so it begins. However, like most things we only hope the better traits of people shine through and overshadow the static. Best, Aric

@mac48025 No politics or religion needed my friend! It looks like there's enough gear out there and new DI owners to keep the thread on more than life support! Once again, thank you for your kind words- it's much appreciated! 

I just wanted to about out a thanks to xenophon for your recent order of the Motherlode! This unit is a collaboration of several ideas/designs topped off with production that was based on my experience. Mac, thanks for pointing out that I've updated the site with some new models and additionally the new chassis options. I have a client base that really does like the retro look with the wooden sides, there were actually multiple requests that I keep that look. However any of my models can be housed in the newer aluminum chassis upon request and also in any readily available paint colors. I strongly believe in form follows function, and my products directly reflect that. I can also customize units upon request to fit a client's aesthetic preferences (which are literally all over the map). I just wanted to point that out for anyone that has interest, but isn't a "fan" of a certain look. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences with the Tektons and all of the various gear that excels in driving them. Best wishes, Aric

Yes, I generally offer basic colors like satin black, cobalt blue, burgundy, bare aluminum, or hammered silver, but I can paint these any color that is readily available (non-mixed) at no additional charge. Best wishes, Aric

@mac48025 - for more of that bass slam, my new Push Pull model really has that dynamic bass that SET's may slightly lack on at higher volume levels. Just putting it out there as I heard "second amp" ;-)

Thank you so much for the kind words- and also for sharing the review here. As to not encroach on hijacking this excellent thread, I try and keep my posts to a minimum- but I wanted to say "Thank you" to everyone that’s posted. Best wishes, Aric

Hey Tom, You’ve got it right. It’s a 300B Push Pull cathode bias amplifier that can produce 25 watts per channel. This amp followed on the coat-tails of my Transcend and Special PP KT based amps. The question was- Since a SET amp can sound so good ( because there’s so little in the signal path), is that why PP sounds so dry and lifeless? So I decided to put the same care and attention to parts selection and simple signal paths in a Push Pull without pushing anything near cutoff where it sounds hard or strained, and the results were a very pure and effortless sounding Push Pull. I then became slightly obsessed and decided to see what that would do with a 300B push pull and that led to this creation- SET purity in its convincing yet more balls and grip in the bass due to more headroom and the efficiency of Push Pull. It took two chassis to get this right as the power supply uses exclusively film caps, no less than 6 power transformers and multiple chokes to provide all the "fuel" to do it right. I’m very very excited to hear Tom’s (and whomever else is present) impressions in a direct comparison to his beloved 8 watt per channel single-ended amplifier.

@david_ten - Congrats on entering the SET realm! It can definitely be a love affair, kind of like that voluptuous soft curvy girl we knew in our teenage years that just everything right, but wasn’t as tall or brassy as the cheerleader everyone drooled over. More of an lover than a mathematician if you will :-) If I can be on any help, I’d love to design and build you something nice. 

Very cool amp! I like the over built design and direct coupled driver. Be aware of Mercury rectifiers, they're far more dangerous than the liquid mercury in older thermometers and if broken will quickly spread a fine mist around the room (more so when hot). I would never want to break a mercury rectifier tube in my living room, that's the main reason they were foregone for the more common 5U4, 5Y3, 5AR4 rectifier tubes.