RockRolley Posted March 31, 2023 Posted March 31, 2023 On 17/03/2023 at 11:12 AM, RockRolley said: Update: Earle has kindly reached out to me. I drop the amp in to him on Sunday to be bought up to spec. Very happy with his proposed way forward and excited at the prospect of having my Weston operating at its best. Thanks again to all who commented. Expand Picked up my Time Machine from Earle. Mind blown. Completely stripped inside, new circuitry, refinished transformers (which Earle said he was particularly proud of the transformers on this build), new feet, new binding posts, new inputs.... essentially a new amp aside from plinth, top plate and transformers. Had a great time chatting with Earle at drop off and pick up, he has great enthusiasm for what he does and it is incredibly interesting for me to see where and to an extent, how, it all happens. Pretty much everything made from scratch and what he doesn't make himself, sourced from top notch sources. A generous and very nice man. I haven't had much chance to listen yet, but first impressions are that it is presenting details I'd never noticed before, e.g. I heard an extra guitar part in 'Come Together' by the Beatles that I've been listening to regularly for forty years and not once noticed. Also a beautiful wide and accurate soundstage. I'll aim to offer some more impressions as I continue listening. Thanks very much to Earle 16 1 1
JPete9 Posted March 31, 2023 Posted March 31, 2023 If you get tired of it and want to sell it cheap, please let me know 2
Monkeyboi Posted March 31, 2023 Posted March 31, 2023 One of the many things I admire about Earle's work is his attention to detail, and in this rebuild it shows. IMHO Earle is a master craftsman when it comes to his valve amplifiers. Beautifully hand built with passion and care. I'm sure @RockRolley will be enjoying this amplifier for many years to come. Thank you for sharing these pics. 1 1
RockRolley Posted March 31, 2023 Posted March 31, 2023 On 31/03/2023 at 1:05 AM, Monkeyboi said: One of the many things I admire about Earle's work is his attention to detail, and in this rebuild it shows. IMHO Earle is a master craftsman when it comes to his valve amplifiers. Beautifully hand built with passion and care. I'm sure @RockRolley will be enjoying this amplifier for many years to come. Thank you for sharing these pics. Expand Absolutely agree. I should have mentioned that these are Earle’s photos. He shared them to his Weston Acoustics Facebook page too. I gotta say that, as an artist and musician/music lover, visual aesthetics are just as important to me as aural excellence and Earle’s master craftsmanship covers both of these… well… Masterfully 3
RockRolley Posted March 31, 2023 Posted March 31, 2023 On 31/03/2023 at 12:52 AM, JPete9 said: If you get tired of it and want to sell it cheap, please let me know Expand Another SNA member has had his hand up basically since I bought it, so there’s someone else already keen. I can’t see it wandering out my door any time soon, but if I do part with it I’ll give you second go at it. I actually think that, particularly for me, living in close distance from Earle, it’s almost insane not to have and cherish one of his works
PeterB7858 Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 (edited) Just a quick update on how my Topaz KT120 is settling in 10 or so days after Earle hand-delivered it. It has probably clocked up about 80 hours to date and, unless I am imagining it, the sound stage seems to have opened up, laterally and depth-wise, and it has become even more musical and engaging. I have spent quite a bit of time tweaking speaker and listener placement to complement what the valve amp was bringing to the table, and it has paid off in spades. I was listening to Agnes Obel - Philharmonics - this morning (an album I thought I knew well) and it just blew me away. The room (proverbially) disappeared and the unusual placements she utilises on her layered vocals and the accompanying piano, guitar, etc. just seemed to float in wall-to-wall space, and beyond. The Lenehan ML2+Rs completely disappeared. The upper frequency piano motifs she often plays were delicate and shimmering. High praise? Yes. Exaggerated? No. I struggled to tear myself away to go to a medical appointment I had. And all with new 6SL7 and KT120 Tung Sol tubes... I'm sure the best is yet to come. Which is exciting . P.S. The Topaz is driving the ML2+Rs easily to loud levels on less than half volume in my smallish listening room. Edited April 5, 2023 by PeterB7858 Brain fade & P.S. 4
RockRolley Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 On 05/04/2023 at 3:36 AM, PeterB7858 said: Just a quick update on how my Topaz KT120 is settling in 10 or so days after Earle hand-delivered it. It has probably clocked up about 80 hours to date and, unless I am imagining it, the sound stage seems to have opened up, laterally and depth-wise, and it has become even more musical and engaging. I have spent quite a bit of time tweaking speaker and listener placement to complement what the valve amp was bringing to the table, and it has paid off in spades. I was listening to Agnes Obel - Philharmonics - this morning (an album I thought I knew well) and it just blew me away. The room (proverbially) disappeared and the unusual placements she utilises on her layered vocals and the accompanying piano, guitar, etc. just seemed to float in wall-to-wall space, and beyond. The Lenehan ML2+Rs completely disappeared. The upper frequency piano motifs she often plays were delicate and shimmering. High praise? Yes. Exaggerated? No. I struggled to tear myself away to go to a medical appointment I had. And all with new 6SL7 and KT120 Tung Sol tubes... I'm sure the best is yet to come. Which is exciting . Expand Wow! thanks for sharing. I must say that this tallies with my recent experience after Earle completed a complete update on my Time Machine, I immediately noticed a way broader sound stage and details I'd never noticed. And that is just on first listen. I haven't listened to it really since, as I'm wanting to get it into my main system to really see what it can do... congrats on the Topaz 3
MrBurns84 Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 On 31/03/2023 at 1:44 AM, RockRolley said: Absolutely agree. I should have mentioned that these are Earle’s photos. He shared them to his Weston Acoustics Facebook page too. I gotta say that, as an artist and musician/music lover, visual aesthetics are just as important to me as aural excellence and Earle’s master craftsmanship covers both of these… well… Masterfully Expand You should ask Earle about his Artisan builds with all copper top plate...now thats real bling factor x10. 2
RockRolley Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 On 05/04/2023 at 5:01 AM, MrBurns84 said: You should ask Earle about his Artisan builds with all copper top plate...now thats real bling factor x10. Expand Oooohhhhh that sounds very interesting
MrBurns84 Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 On 05/04/2023 at 5:03 AM, RockRolley said: Oooohhhhh that sounds very interesting Expand 6 2
buddyev Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 (edited) I'd love to have an excuse to buy one of those! Unfortunately my B&Ws need a bit more grunt than that. I am toying with the idea of a Time Machine pre to go with my Magtech power amp. Does any one have experience of Earle's pre amps? Edited April 5, 2023 by buddyev 5
RockRolley Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 On 05/04/2023 at 5:05 AM, MrBurns84 said: Expand Oh man, that’s intense luxury. Stunning 1
DigitalDave Posted April 5, 2023 Posted April 5, 2023 On 05/04/2023 at 6:04 AM, buddyev said: I'd love to have an excuse to buy one of those! Unfortunately my B&Ws need a bit more grunt than that. I am toying with the idea of a Time Machine pre to go with my Magtech power amp. Does any one have experience of Earle's pre amps? Expand Yes I'm seeking that feedback also. Im considering one of his TM pre's but other than talking to Earle (whos a lovely bloke) there's no feedback/reveiws/comments anywhere that I can find on SNA about his preamps. All the commentary seems to be about his integrateds and or power amps. 1
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted April 6, 2023 Volunteer Posted April 6, 2023 On 05/04/2023 at 11:31 PM, DigitalDave said: Yes I'm seeking that feedback also. Im considering one of his TM pre's but other than talking to Earle (whos a lovely bloke) there's no feedback/reveiws/comments anywhere that I can find on SNA about his preamps. All the commentary seems to be about his integrateds and or power amps. Expand You should of course listen for yourself if you can. But given the quality of his integrated and power amps, it’s probably a pretty safe assumption that his preamps will be equally superb. 6
DigitalDave Posted April 6, 2023 Posted April 6, 2023 (edited) On 06/04/2023 at 12:32 AM, sir sanders zingmore said: You should of course listen for yourself if you can. But given the quality of his integrated and power amps, it’s probably a pretty safe assumption that his preamps will be equally superb. Expand Thanks mate. I'm nowhere near Melbourne otherwise I certainly would have already sought out a listen. It's entirely based on the rave reviews / proud ownership from owners of Earle's integrated/power amps that I am willing to commit without auditioning first (notwithstanding a few chats I've had with Earle). I tend to have the feeling that it will indeed be an excellent sounding bit of kit. In the past however buying without audition first - can be a bit of a dice roll - no matter how many reviews I've read. Where I live there is just the mainstream brands, but outside of that I either need to get on a plane or make a long road trip. It would feel a safer choice for me to go for say a Primaluna preamp as I've owned and heard Primaluna before but .... Earle's amps seem to be calling my name haha. Edited April 6, 2023 by DigitalDave 1
buddyev Posted April 6, 2023 Posted April 6, 2023 The Primaluna pres are very good - I have an EVO 300. I think given the price of imports these days Earle’s products are real bang for back. 3
JPete9 Posted April 7, 2023 Posted April 7, 2023 On 31/03/2023 at 1:48 AM, RockRolley said: Another SNA member has had his hand up basically since I bought it, so there’s someone else already keen. I can’t see it wandering out my door any time soon, but if I do part with it I’ll give you second go at it. I actually think that, particularly for me, living in close distance from Earle, it’s almost insane not to have and cherish one of his works Expand I agree, i live a tiny bit closer than you I have an EL34 and i wont be selling it. 1
PeterB7858 Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 Topaz KT120 update 2 Things have evolved since my last update. SQ is now OFF THE CHARTS! I rearranged the room treatments I had at my disposal to better suit how the Topaz worked in with the room (see photos). I've also rolled the three new Russian-made Tung-Sol 6SL7s that Earle provided (which sounded good, mind you) with a USA-made Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY in the centre (preamp) position and two NOS USA-made Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates (at the suggestion of @xlr8or ) in the paraphrase splitter driver positions for the output tubes. The NOS Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates only arrived from the UK yesterday and have about 8 hours on them but they are already obviously far better than the Russian Tung-Sols. I have also measured extensively and used REW PEQ to tidy up the low end. The Auralic Altair G1 provides eight on-board PEQ bands in its bag of tricks . And I've got to say that both the Weston Topaz KT120 and the Lenehan ML2+Rs just keep flooring me with what they are able to produce. Australian made bliss. Seamless, spacious, wall-to wall sound, quite good depth (probably negatively impacted by the double windows between the speakers - I have a plan for this), dynamics to burn, and an uber impressive very natural tonality (of both vocalists and instruments) that is both exciting and relaxing at the same time. It is the best sound I've ever been able to achieve with my setups. Period. Thank you, Earle. And Mike... 11 2
PeterB7858 Posted June 23, 2023 Posted June 23, 2023 Topaz KT120 update 3... When Earle dropped off my Topaz KT120 () we had a chat about NOS tubes and he said he was a fan of Sylvania 6SL7s. He also mentions them in the accompanying handbook. Soooo..., I found a matched pair of NOS Mil-spec JAN-CHS-6SL7GT tubes, VT229 circa 1943 (still protected by their grey military covers), available locally (Melbourne) on eBay for what I thought was a very fair price, so I bought them. Postage was super quick and the packaging could have survived being thrown off a truck. Anyway, I've experimented with them as the single preamp tube and as a pair in the paraphrase splitter driver position and, in my setup, they work better as a pair than the NOS Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates they replaced, because they add another degree of holography to the sound stage and vocals seem even purer and more refined than with the Tung-Sols. I then tried the USA-made Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY as the single pre-amp valve and also cycled through the three Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates in that position, as well. And one of the Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates just seemed to complement the Sylvania pair best and just about shout - PICK ME! PICK Me!. SQ is DEFINITELY up another notch, and all for $120 for the Sylvania matched pair (delivered). I was listening to Renee Geyer - Love Don't Live Here Anymore from her Tenderland album this afternoon and was just gobsmacked by the sound quality, including the dynamics. Sounded almost live. I did have it licked up a bit in a fairly small room, though Anyway, there are still several pairs left... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145092967230 if anyone feels like giving them a try (no connection). A lot cheaper than a new cable... Regards, Peter 7
xlr8or Posted June 23, 2023 Posted June 23, 2023 On 23/06/2023 at 8:15 AM, PeterB7858 said: Topaz KT120 update 3... When Earle dropped off my Topaz KT120 () we had a chat about NOS tubes and he said he was a fan of Sylvania 6SL7s. He also mentions them in the accompanying handbook. Soooo..., I found a matched pair of NOS Mil-spec JAN-CHS-6SL7GT tubes, VT229 circa 1943 (still protected by their grey military covers), available locally (Melbourne) on eBay for what I thought was a very fair price, so I bought them. Postage was super quick and the packaging could have survived being thrown off a truck. Anyway, I've experimented with them as the single preamp tube and as a pair in the paraphrase splitter driver position and, in my setup, they work better as a pair than the NOS Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates they replaced, because they add another degree of holography to the sound stage and vocals seem even purer and more refined than with the Tung-Sols. I then tried the USA-made Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY as the single pre-amp valve and also cycled through the three Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates in that position, as well. And one of the Tung-Sol 6SL7GTs Black Glass, Black Plates just seemed to complement the Sylvania pair best and just about shout - PICK ME! PICK Me!. SQ is DEFINITELY up another notch, and all for $120 for the Sylvania matched pair (delivered). I was listening to Renee Geyer - Love Don't Live Here Anymore from her Tenderland album this afternoon and was just gobsmacked by the sound quality, including the dynamics. Sounded almost live. I did have it licked up a bit in a fairly small room, though Anyway, there are still several pairs left... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/145092967230 if anyone feels like giving them a try (no connection). A lot cheaper than a new cable... Regards, Peter Expand I hope you can give the ECC35 a go in the future. Any version made from 1949 to 1959 will sound incredible. 2
PeterB7858 Posted June 23, 2023 Posted June 23, 2023 On 23/06/2023 at 3:20 PM, xlr8or said: I hope you can give the ECC35 a go in the future. Any version made from 1949 to 1959 will sound incredible. Expand Yes, thanks, Kirk. I will be chasing up an ECC35 and possibly a CV1985 Brimar in the coming months. I think I've got the enough options for the paraphrase splitter driver pair, now, but will keep trying to chase a "holy grail" single preamp valve. I also need to talk to you a some stage about NOS 5u4g rectification valve options and what type/magnitude of effect they might have on SQ. 1
PeterB7858 Posted September 8, 2023 Posted September 8, 2023 Topaz KT120 update 4... I now have a NOS Brimar CV1985 6SL7 in the central pre-amp position and have replaced the generic dual 5U4G rectification valves with NOS Mullard KB/DA CV378 GZ37 Slim Shape tubes. The Brimar is the best sounding tube I've had in the pre-amp position - super smooth, detailed, excellent bass extension but still providing enough "oomph" to let me know I'm alive. The GZ37's provided a subtle, but noticeable, overall sense of improved stability and solidity to the SQ. 5
Highwaystar Posted November 16, 2023 Posted November 16, 2023 Hello fellow Weston Acoustics fans, Very happy owner of a Topaz KT120 amp but I am looking to get a new set of valves for it. So far I have tried: - Tung Sol KT120s - EAT KT88s I loved the EAT KT88s and I got them for a great price but after about 12 months one of the valves started to make some noise so I've put the KT120s back in. Not being in a position to buy the EAT KT88s again, can anyone recommend any other current production power tubes? Has anyone tried the KT77? Any recommended tube sellers in Australia? Cheers, Andrew
Hifigoose Posted November 16, 2023 Posted November 16, 2023 On 16/11/2023 at 1:16 AM, Highwaystar said: Hello fellow Weston Acoustics fans, Very happy owner of a Topaz KT120 amp but I am looking to get a new set of valves for it. So far I have tried: - Tung Sol KT120s - EAT KT88s I loved the EAT KT88s and I got them for a great price but after about 12 months one of the valves started to make some noise so I've put the KT120s back in. Not being in a position to buy the EAT KT88s again, can anyone recommend any other current production power tubes? Has anyone tried the KT77? Any recommended tube sellers in Australia? Cheers, Andrew Expand Hi Andrew, I bought a set of Genalex Gold Lion KT77s for my Topaz 6CA7 from Neil at The Valve Store here in Melbourne. Highly recommended, no affiliation. https://www.thevalvestore.com.au/ Regards, Rohan. 1
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