wen Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 i bought a tube amp sight unseen and not listened to, couldn't be happier, Elekit TU-8200, 8wpc from RF Waves in WA, Chamila is well respected with WA SNA'ers, lots of info on the net about this amp, uses two tubes in pre and ywo in output stage, makes it very economical to tube roll. When you think that people audition gear and still turn it over, you have to ask what is the audition worth, best value audition is in your own home hooked up to your system, not often this is possible, especially in todays world situation 1 1
davewantsmoore Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 On 01/04/2020 at 10:12 AM, bryansamui said: I Wonder if Eric makes 'one off' bespoke amps as long as they not too much of a unusual/ difficult build? Yes, Eric made me a one-off amplifier (a 6c45pi driving a 300B through a transformer) 1 1
Anton Mullet Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 Eric is now using SILK Transformers in some of his amps. Is this the SAC Transformers from Thailand or is it a process. They do use this process and it looks like it's their process but I'm unsure about this. Anyhow, I have one of his 6as7/5998 amps and love it. It replaced a Weston Acoustics Topaz and although different types of amps (SET v PP) this is high praise. I can't bring myself to sell the Topaz even though it's just sitting there gathering dust. I don't thinks it's better it's just different and I prefer that difference. In bass and authority the Topaz wins but in subtlety and musicality the McChanson wins. It's all pretty subjective though isn't it. Perhaps I'm just a Set kid of guy. I know the first time I heard one I was captivated. One-day I'd love to hear a 300B or 2a3 from Weston Acoustics to compare. The new SILK output Transformers would be an interesting upgrade on EricS older models. I might email him and see what he thinks. He's an honest and very decent man and will be upfront whether it's a worthwhile thing to consider. Only costs $50-70 each way to post the amp back from Melbourne via AustPost. 2
Ihearmusic Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 Upgrading to Silk transformers would be a step up in performance and certainly in price. No more $50 dollars or so OPT, it will be in the hundreds. Earl Weston is using quality parts you can look at his website and if you know what you are looking at you can see it. The other one on the other hand.......
mkaramazov Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 11 hours ago, Mullet said: Anyhow, I have one of his 6as7/5998 amps and love it. It replaced a Weston Acoustics Topaz and although different types of amps (SET v PP) this is high praise. I can't bring myself to sell the Topaz even though it's just sitting there gathering dust. I don't thinks it's better it's just different and I prefer that difference. In bass and authority the Topaz wins but in subtlety and musicality the McChanson wins. I also have one of Eric's 6AS7 SET amps, quite a compelling sound, and very fun to tube roll. I posted a review of it a few years ago on SNA: 1
AudioGeek Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 10 hours ago, Ihearmusic said: Upgrading to Silk transformers would be a step up in performance and certainly in price. No more $50 dollars or so OPT, it will be in the hundreds. Earl Weston is using quality parts you can look at his website and if you know what you are looking at you can see it. The other one on the other hand....... Is Earl still making amps? There were guys on here who never got amps they paid for and struggled for months to get money back.
Anton Mullet Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 (edited) That doesn't sound like Earle. He can be hard to contact and has a long leed time but once he starts building your amp he maintains close contact, with photograph updates. He takes an initial deposit, so that would be the only cash you would part with before a completed amp is ready for you. Edited April 15, 2020 by Mullet
Anton Mullet Posted April 15, 2020 Posted April 15, 2020 2 hours ago, AudioGeek said: Is Earl still making amps? There were guys on here who never got amps they paid for and struggled for months to get money back. The answer is at the bottom of this thread. He is fine but went in for surgery and got a bit behind it looks like. He's a 100% honest and lovely guy.
BLAH BLAH Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Hi all... Just doing a little fishing here... And also just wondering how many McChanson Valve Amp owners are out and about here in Stereonet Land... I'll start of by declaring I own two...a little 12W PP Triode that I originally picked up second-hand on here in the Stereonet For Sale ads years ago...and a 12W 300B SET that I bought new of Eric McChanson earlier this year... I'll post pics of them both soon...cheers... 5
doogie44 Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 I'm using the Line Stage with 12AU7 (subbed E80CC) in my desktop system. Also have the 300B (Shuguang Black Treasures) and 6EM7 inputs as a change of flavour in my main system. Both amps are very musically satisfying to use. I bought both second-hand on the Forum --long live SNA! 1 1
RCAJack Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Single ended 6EM7 integrated here, acquired through the classifieds. Also a step down (auto-)transformer that I use with another amp. Both are excellent. The pricing on McChanson products is a community service. 2
Guest dr_carl Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Ex-owner of a unity gain stage utilising a tube rectifier and a 6as7 tube. I fed everything through that and into a Redgum amp for 6 years. Only moved it on 2 months ago after scoring my Weston Amp. Eric designed it to order for me. He will have stop soon, he's quite old now....he was saying that 6 years ago.
mkaramazov Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 6AS7 SET amp here, I think one of Eric's early versions of this design. My SNA review of this amp here: 1
Zekestah Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 6EW7 2W SET owner here, my daily driver. A really nice bloke, he drove up to mine to deliver the amp.
att23 Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 @BLAH BLAH What speakers are you using with either of your McChanson amps? What would be good synergy? I would like to get something from Eric one day (been saying that for years).
doogie44 Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 Here is a recent pic of most of my lounge room system. The McChanson 300B )Shuguang Black Treasures) is to the right [next to the Elekit (then 5881) SEPentode amp]. I am trying the 6FD7 driving tubes with adaptors. In the front is the Line Magnetic EL84-based 219iA Mini SEP & headphone amp (3W output). Back left is the king--the Line Magnetic 518iA SET 845 amp. Feeding them in the very back is the Leben RS-28CX valve preamplifier (with phono). Other sources are the Clearaudio performance T/T (with Maestro Wood MM); the Naim NAT-01 tuner (hidden); the Audionote CD-2 CD player and the Cambridge CXN streamer. Speakers are the Tekton Design Perfect SET 15 (98dB + 8 ohm). 2 x REL Storm5 subs are stashed elsewhere out of frame. I rotate through the amps according to whim and specific music. The FM radio (ABC or 2MBS Fine Music) via the 845 amp takes some beating. It's a tough gig but someone's got to do it! 10 3
BLAH BLAH Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 1 hour ago, att23 said: @BLAH BLAH What speakers are you using with either of your McChanson amps? What would be good synergy? I would like to get something from Eric one day (been saying that for years). Hi @att23 been using my pair of Wharfedales for years....both the E90's and E70's The E90's have a wonderful Bass response...and clean mids...clean highs...trumpets sizzle! But am waiting for some silver speaker cables from Bill that I would like to try out with my Sansui SP-5000's that have a rating of 104db?!? so am looking forward to hearing them pairing with both the Chansons... The 300B SET 12 W with a 274B Mesh Rec Valve with a pair of Genalex PX300B Gold Lions and Eric's fav two 6EM7's...sound superb! Even the Volume dial at 8/8.30...has plenty of pleasant listening detail...air and soundstage...up to 12 it sounds the same just louder...but SWMBO says 8 or else! The 300B SET just goes to another level compared to my 6L6GC RCA Blackplates...never go back now! So what sort of Chanson valver are you thinking of?!? 1
BLAH BLAH Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 Feck I think it is time for bed...listening to CD...The Complete Joe Newman, RCA Victor Recordings (1955-1956) a recent find and a pleasant listen...mellow and not too bouncy... I could get to really like this style of playing...dreamy band playing with a smart trumpet player out in front leading the way...
att23 Posted October 20, 2020 Posted October 20, 2020 27 minutes ago, BLAH BLAH said: So what sort of Chanson valver are you thinking of?!? Definitely wanna try the 300b SET, to get a different flavour to my SS amp. But want to get the speakers first. 1
BLAH BLAH Posted October 21, 2020 Posted October 21, 2020 14 hours ago, att23 said: Definitely wanna try the 300b SET, to get a different flavour to my SS amp. But want to get the speakers first. Nothing wrong with a good old fashion wanna try! Starting with the speakers first is smart...getting some vg efficiency rating in speakers is optimal for 300B SETs from what i understand... My Wharfedale E90s refurbished/capped are rated at 96DB and cope with the Chanson 300B SET... 1
BLAH BLAH Posted October 24, 2020 Posted October 24, 2020 My little 12 W PP Triode on the left and the newer 300B SET on the right with the Sansui SR-929 TT above...Pioneer PD-7700 CDP below... 12
Ananth Posted November 2, 2020 Posted November 2, 2020 (edited) A bit late on the thread, but I've had a 300B SET marzE amp from Eric for about 5 years now, and love it. I can't call myself an audio-purist with super-acute hearing etc etc. But the amp has sounded fantastic with my Zu Audio Omen speakers and my older Dali speakers (forget the model). I use a Clearaudio Concept through a dB systems Phono going into the amp, as well as a Raspberry Pi using a Allo Kali+Piano DAC system, and an old NAD 538 CD player. Sounds great on all sources. Just for kicks, also played a good friend's Dynaudio Contours, which are way less efficient, through the amp. It seemed to handle it just fine... Not nearly as strained as I thought it'd be for an 8wpc amp. As for Eric, he's a total gentleman and fantastic to deal with. I recently had some issues in one output channel, and he very patiently guided me through some troubleshooting and testing and then offered to fix it for me for a small fee, and said he won't even charge me if he finds any issue he thinks he might have caused in manufacturing!! Of course, I definitely do not expect him to fix it for free, but mentioning this here to tell you folks what a good person he is. Can't imagine that with most sellers for a 5 year old amp. I've mailed it off to him, and I have full confidence it'll be singing again soon. Sorry to bump an old thread, but thought I should add this post. Don't have too many photos... Found one of my old living room set up when I just moved in to this house (hence the clutter). The amp is to the right... Edited November 3, 2020 by Ananth Formatting 7 1
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