Weston Acoustics Owners & Discussion Thread

[xlr8or]

58 minutes ago, 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

 

 

Hi Andrew - great to hear you love your Topaz KT120. I would be inclined to stick with the KT120's and roll the other tubes to change the tonal characteristics of your amp. Changing the input 6SL7 octal tubes would have the greatest influence. If you can afford them, using vintage ECC35's in those positions is best. Happy to recommend other tube substitutes based on your budget available.

[Highwaystar]

51 minutes ago, xlr8or said:

 

Hi Andrew - great to hear you love your Topaz KT120. I would be inclined to stick with the KT120's and roll the other tubes to change the tonal characteristics of your amp. Changing the input 6SL7 octal tubes would have the greatest influence. If you can afford them, using vintage ECC35's in those positions is best. Happy to recommend other tube substitutes based on your budget available.

Thanks for the reply.

 

I'm running 3x RCA 6SL7 black plates but they are getting on approximately 3 years now, so I figure its time to replace them as well. Any suggestions? Budget would have a preference of under $100/valve but I realise this is getting harder now

 

Cheers

[Highwaystar]

1 hour ago, Hifigoose said:

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.

 

Thanks Rohan! 

[xlr8or]

1 hour ago, Highwaystar said:

Thanks for the reply.

 

I'm running 3x RCA 6SL7 black plates but they are getting on approximately 3 years now, so I figure its time to replace them as well. Any suggestions? Budget would have a preference of under $100/valve but I realise this is getting harder now

 

Cheers

 

Some suggestions to consider for affordable 6SL7 substitutes:

 

1) 7F7's with tube adapter. All these tubes were manufactured by Sylvania with the exception of National Union tubes. Try to get the very late 1930's to mid 1940's variant of this tube (version 1).

2) 1940's or 1950's Tung-Sol or Sylvania made 6C8G's dark glass envelope with tube adapter.

3) 1950's to 1970's Melz or Tantal Russian factory metal base 6N9S's.

[muzzagruzz]

G’day all, considering a Topaz KT120 in a 3x3 metre room and am wondering if I’m going to turn the room into a sauna? Yes, that is a serious question. (Laugh if you must, it’s ok). 

[buddyev]

Yes, not quite a sauna but they do run pretty warm. It’s certainly a consideration in a room that size. I now have my topaz in a room twice that size and it gets pretty warm without aircon on hot days - though I do have it on for hours at a time.  It is a lovely amp. 

[JPete9]

No it wont many difference.

Look at the difference between the EL34/6ca7 and kt120 and make sure you're getting the right amp. Of course check how much power you really need, but my el34 very rarely if ever goes about 10 oclock on the volume.

[muzzagruzz]

3 minutes ago, buddyev said:

Yes, not quite a sauna but they do run pretty warm. It’s certainly a consideration in a room that size. I now have my topaz in a room twice that size and it gets pretty warm without aircon on hot days - though I do have it on for hours at a time.  It is a lovely amp. 

Many thanks for your reply. I will have to think about it carefully. 

[buddyev]

I guess your usage is the thing to consider. My main system is in a 3.5 x 4 study which is also my office - so it’s on for 5-6 hours a day. I found the Weston too warm. I think an hour or two would be fine. 

[muzzagruzz]

6 minutes ago, JPete9 said:

No it wont many difference.

Look at the difference between the EL34/6ca7 and kt120 and make sure you're getting the right amp. Of course check how much power you really need, but my el34 very rarely if ever goes about 10 oclock on the volume.

Thank you also. I’m in consultation with Earle about the right amp for me. He initially suggested the KT120 for my particular speakers but once I mentioned the size of the room he thought the model below might suffice.
 

Will have to think carefully about which one to order.  

[muzzagruzz]

1 minute ago, buddyev said:

I guess your usage is the thing to consider. My main system is in a 3.5 x 4 study which is also my office - so it’s on for 5-6 hours a day. I found the Weston too warm. I think an hour or two would be fine. 

Yes, that will be exactly the same for me. It’s a dual study/music room and smaller than yours. Hmmm

[PeterB7858]

8 hours ago, muzzagruzz said:

considering a Topaz KT120 in a 3x3 metre room and am wondering if I’m going to turn the room into a sauna?

 

My dedicated listening room is a bit bigger (3.9x3.6x2.9) but the door and all windows are closed when I listen to music so it acts like a box. I have a Topaz KT120, which is often on for a number of hours at a time.

 

I've found that in winter, when the room is cold, the Topaz doesn't provide enough heat to warm the room much at all. The room is still cold.

 

In summer the room gets warm with or without the Topaz being on. I'm sure the Topaz contributes some heating effect when on, but not enough to overly exacerbate the weather-related room temperature.

 

I've solved both problems by installing a split-system in the room (on a different circuit), which I use to heat and cool the room prior to a listening session. I turn it off when I am listening.

 

The pleasure I get from my Topaz KT120 far outweighs any temporal considerations .

 

Good luck with it. I'm sure you will enjoy whatever Weston amp you decide on.

[Rockford]

I asked Earle if he could build me a new amp to replace my much loved Troubadour which I think was struggling with my Genesis 501's 

 

He replied... 

Quote

 

Very nice speakers. They are pretty demanding, I’m surprised the Troubadour can drive them. They have a 3ohm impedance with a low dip of 1.75ohm at 400-600hz.

 

The Topaz KT120 will do a much better job of it. I can wind the output transformer to have a nominal 6 ohm output (my standard) and a 3 ohm output. I’d also up the diameter of the secondary winding wire to handle the extra current. I wind the KT120 outputs with ten 0.4mm output winds interleaved between the primary windings. Going up to ten 0.5mm will give it a bit more control over your speakers.

 

No problems adding a preamp loop and headphone socket. The preamp loop I will install a switch to bypass it rather than jump leads at the back. The headphone will have a large switch and internal dummy load so you get the full valve experience of the sound after the output transformers.

 

Remote volume control, also.

 

I use good quality components as standard. Maybe coupling capacitors. Oil coupling capacitors (great detailed midrange cap perfect for Jack Johnson, Eva Cassidy, acoustics etc) or Superior Z-Cap (Great detail all round, can be a bit bright on the wrong speakers) Standard are Sprague Orange drop copper audiophile caps. (I love them and really struggle to hear any differences with caps)

 

 

The Blurb from his Website

Quote

 

Topaz KT120.
Now using my newly developed modified Pi wound output transformers for fully balanced DC resistance, AC impedance, and low distortion.

The new output transformers now measure 20hz to 20khz +/-0.1db.

 

What this means to you is the output transformers are not a limiting factor so no design compromises are needed to compensate.

 

Transformers used in some sub $3K amplifier can measure as poorly as 20hz to 20khz +/- 5db. In these cases, massive circuit design compromises need to be made just to achieve barely acceptable sonic and measured results.

 

Based on the Topaz EL34 circuit, the KT120 version runs larger power supply featuring a 900va power transformer and dual rectifiers.

 

SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output - 45 watts per channel pure class A
Frequency response -3db - 6hz to >50khz
Signal to Noise - >90db A Weighted
Signal to Hum - >80db
Distortion - <0.05% at 1 watt rms (Typically 0.02%)
Hum Level - <3.0 millivolt
Sensitivity - 500mV
Input impedance - 100K
Damping Factor >6 (20hz to 20khz 8 ohm)
Weight ~22kg (~49lb)
Dimensions 440mm x 370mm x 220mm (width x depth x height)

 

 

Anyway, they arrived last week, his last build of the year. It is always a good day when TNT knock on the door and inform you they have a pallet to deliver... palletised, double boxed, and very well packed in a sturdy box, the smell of the god knows how many coats of varnish wafting out as I opened it up. Of course I made the mistake of bending over the opened box and trying to lift it out... umm no. Bend at the knees. 

 

After setting it up and plugging it in and settling in to play my favourite 'showpiece' music Mark Knopflers 5.15am from his Shangri-La album on SACD. My jaw literally dropped; I am like no way. He spoke of control, but this was stopping on a dime, it was so tight and controlled all other things in the system remaining the same. It was like a blast of NOS had gone through the speakers, and they are like 'ohhh yeah, give it to me baby' like they have been awakened from a slumber.  Don't get me wrong, I used to think the old setup was pretty good but yeah, wow. The poise and power is just insane. 

 

I was getting so much more detail in songs that I'd listened to hundreds of times, like extra notes were now becoming more apparent as the scale moved up and down. Bono's warbles in With or Without you, seemed to pick up more steps. DSOTM Eclipse was a revelation. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, the dynamics are so controlled and effortless. 

 

The finish of the amp, and all the extras I was able to get to future proof and use in way I never could before. (remote, headphones, pre-outs) give me great scope to try some room correction which I'd always wanted to. When you look at the build photos, it truly is a work of art - I'm just sitting on my listening chair looking at it wistfully. 

 

Thank you Earle for what you do, I know if I'd bought something at this level from a commercial company it would be 2 times the price at least. Without any of the custom aspects and attention to detail. 

 

Some of his pics from the build process and some of mine in its final location. 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Rockford

[Willmax]

I was drooling over his FB photos earlier today, really incredible craftsmanship. Congratulations on the new amp, really stunning bit of kit.

[muzzagruzz]

18 minutes ago, Rockford said:

I asked Earle if he could build me a new amp to replace my much loved Troubadour which I think was struggling with my Genesis 501's 

 

He replied... 

 

The Blurb from his Website

 

Anyway, they arrived last week, his last build of the year. It is always a good day when TNT knock on the door and inform you they have a pallet to deliver... palletised, double boxed, and very well packed in a sturdy box, the smell of the god knows how many coats of varnish wafting out as I opened it up. Of course I made the mistake of bending over the opened box and trying to lift it out... umm no. Bend at the knees. 

 

After setting it up and plugging it in and settling in to play my favourite 'showpiece' music Mark Knopflers 5.15am from his Shangri-La album on SACD. My jaw literally dropped; I am like no way. He spoke of control, but this was stopping on a dime, it was so tight and controlled all other things in the system remaining the same. It was like a blast of NOS had gone through the speakers, and they are like 'ohhh yeah, give it to me baby' like they have been awakened from a slumber.  Don't get me wrong, I used to think the old setup was pretty good but yeah, wow. The poise and power is just insane. 

 

I was getting so much more detail in songs that I'd listened to hundreds of times, like extra notes were now becoming more apparent as the scale moved up and down. Bono's warbles in With or Without you, seemed to pick up more steps. DSOTM Eclipse was a revelation. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, the dynamics are so controlled and effortless. 

 

The finish of the amp, and all the extras I was able to get to future proof and use in way I never could before. (remote, headphones, pre-outs) give me great scope to try some room correction which I'd always wanted to. When you look at the build photos, it truly is a work of art - I'm just sitting on my listening chair looking at it wistfully. 

 

Thank you Earle for what you do, I know if I'd bought something at this level from a commercial company it would be 2 times the price at least. Without any of the custom aspects and attention to detail. 

 

Some of his pics from the build process and some of mine in its final location. 

 

 

 

 Congratulations. Is that an American walnut plinth?

[Willmax]

2 minutes ago, muzzagruzz said:

 Congratulations. Is that an American walnut plinth?

Jarrah I believe 

[muzzagruzz]

I placed an order today for a Topaz KT120 with remote control and an American walnut plinth. June/July delivery and I’m so looking forward to owning one of these beautiful machines. 

[Rockford]

9 hours ago, Willmax said:

Jarrah I believe 

 

Yep Jarrah. 

[buddyev]

Very nice. Did you have 4ohm taps fitted ? I regretted not having that option on mine for my b&ws.  It’s a good idea if you have a difficult speaker load.

 

just noticed Earle mentioned 3 ohm taps. That really is quite a machine you have there. 

Edited December 8, 2023 by buddyev

[Rockford]

5 minutes ago, buddyev said:

Very nice. Did you have 4ohm taps fitted ? I regretted not having that option on mine for my b&ws.  It’s a good idea if you have a difficult speaker load.

 

Is this related to it?

He said in relation to my speakers... "They have a 3ohm impedance with a low dip of 1.75ohm at 400-600hz."

"I can wind the output transformer to have a nominal 6 ohm output (my standard) and a 3 ohm output" 

 

In the manual he has 2-5 Ohm OK on one tap and 5-10 Ohm OK on the other.

[buddyev]

1 minute ago, Rockford said:

 

Is this related to it?

He said in relation to my speakers... "They have a 3ohm impedance with a low dip of 1.75ohm at 400-600hz."

"I can wind the output transformer to have a nominal 6 ohm output (my standard) and a 3 ohm output" 

 

In the manual he has 2-5 Ohm OK on one tap and 5-10 Ohm OK on the other.

Yes I missed Earle’s comment on first read. My Topaz was ok with my b&ws but they also have impedance dips and without the 4 ohm taps it was a bit lacklustre. The b&ws are gone now and I’m  back to using proacs with the topaz and the match is fantastic. 

[Richieroo]

I think I got the second last build of the year

 

Artisan 150 (5th one built I believe)

 

its a monster of an amp. I love the look and the sound of it

 

 

[andyr]

Beautiful, @Richieroo!  

 

[Rockford]

Monster is a bit of an understatement, it is huge!!

[Richieroo]

12 minutes ago, Rockford said:

Monster is a bit of an understatement, it is huge!!

Yep  

it's approx. 620x400