Cymer Valve Amp

[georgehifi]

24 minutes ago, Honreekea said:

The first Southern Stars I recorded was about 2015.

 

100% on that being that late?? I remember those trannies much earlier than that, but he did change the amps name to Southern Star (maybe for tax reason) from Cymer around then, I'll come back on that next time I talk to Chris Feillafe (Frenchie) who was Elsons good buddy and Otto Majors partner and brains behind the Sydney Quad 57 ESL refurb company.

 

Cheers George

Edited October 6, 2023 by georgehifi

[Honreekea]

6 minutes ago, georgehifi said:

 

100% on that being that late?? I remember those trannies much earlier than that, but he did change the amps name to Southern Star

As I said....maybe.  Best  bet, give Elson a call.  He's still about last I heard.  I think he'd enjoy to hear how he is a star on Stereonet ;)....etc

[georgehifi]

11 minutes ago, Honreekea said:

As I said....maybe.

He's still about last I heard. I think he'd enjoy to hear how he is a star on Stereonet ;)....etc

Sorry didn't see the "maybe" ?

I'll talk to Chris he'll know if he's around, he'd be well over 80 by now.

 

Cheers George

[Ihearmusic]

10 hours ago, La scala said:

Stefan , looking forward to hearing your Cymers. 
They have me rather intrigued , and good to see such knowledgeable responses.

Look forward in reading more on this topic.

 

Recently purchased a pair of JC10 mono blocks , are retrofitted with Elson’s Southern Star Trannies , however don’t have any useful info at all on these amps !!

Was told the Southern Star have Silver wire Transformers , amps were made in Singapore and only 2 pairs ever made ! 
Any info be of interest , Thanks all Volker

 

 

A bit off topic.....

Nice amps Volker. I belive yours are the JC8 and the ones I had to repair some time ago were the Tubeworks JC10.

Yes, not much info on the web as these were build by some Singaporean lad some time ago.

 

 

 

Edited October 6, 2023 by Ihearmusic

[georgehifi]

10 hours ago, Ihearmusic said:

Tubeworks JC10.

Yes, not much info on the web as these were build by some Singaporean lad some time ago.

Ah yes, that's where I've seen that style before, thanks for clearing that up, thought I was going nutz in my old age. (sorry who are you?)

 

Thing is Elson always used to say, these transformers look beautiful on the exterior, but the bobbin wiring inside was just "scrambled" compared to Bruce's exquisite layering/interleaving artwork of bobbin wiring. (don't know how much of that was envy of the looks)

 

Cheers George

Edited October 6, 2023 by georgehifi

[La scala]

Thanks for the feedbacks.

Wanting to look at the Cymer M150 from the start of this topic ,  can I ask what a safe bias voltage would be for the CEG KT88 tubes , thinking be a safe start before hoping to audition.the Cymer .

Ta V 

[Jehuty]

9 hours ago, La scala said:

Thanks for the feedbacks.

Wanting to look at the Cymer M150 from the start of this topic ,  can I ask what a safe bias voltage would be for the CEG KT88 tubes , thinking be a safe start before hoping to audition.the Cymer .

Ta V 

@xlr8or

[xlr8or]

6 hours ago, Jehuty said:

@xlr8or

 

Would need to know the plate voltage going to the KT88's to advise on suitable mA values. Some M150 current/previous owners might be able to chime in and shed some light on the plate voltage/current values.

[La scala]

On 12/10/2023 at 11:52 AM, xlr8or said:

 

Would need to know the plate voltage going to the KT88's to advise on suitable mA values. Some M150 current/previous owners might be able to chime in and shed some light on the plate voltage/current values.

 

Thanks to Stephan for a thorough health check , repairs and for his knowledgble advise on the Cymer M150.

 

Plate Voltage - 450V | bias v for 42w GEC tubes - 50ma | for std tubes  lower w output - 42ma.

 

Features dual c core input plus output transmormers. 

 

Output is 33w x2 , quad set of KT88 GECs

 

Means its - class A Triode Push Pull , originally thought M150 was 2x75w class AB.

 

Cymer sound is beyond expectation and hope to source more Cymer Tube amps in the future.

Regards V

 

speakers - turbosound tms3,  jbl concert series tops , 18' cv folded subs , ambience grand reference ribbons, er audio esl III x4, er audio acorns, klipsch la scala,  dynaudio contour 3, martin logan, magnepan, tannoy system 800 x5 , jbl buttcheeks+12" d120 , stephens magnavox multicell horn , red spade audio ps1144 unity horns.

amps - supratek merlots 6c33c, cymer audio m150, walcott audio pressence el34 220w, macintosch 2275 tube, accuphase p300 ,  luxman 5m21 , bat vk 75se , bat vk500se ,  audio research D70 , consonance cyber 845,  treshold t200, krell fpb 300 , crown macrotech, belcanto ref 1000, linn 5025, ev p3000 .  bass - jl fatom  113, kv2 audio x2, valodyne        cables - moray james cryo speaker wire and interconnects, kimber, furotech, cryo valves.

pre amp - supratek chardonay and cortesse  , audio research ls17, pass labs, bryston bp25, linn,

 source- naim cdx2.2 , naim ndx +555 psu ,  marants cd sa11s2,  linn cd,  opera cd tube, thorens tt ,  project rpm6 vinyl spinner, sonos and spotify.  x over:  yamah active 4 way , kenwood d23 4 way analogue active , deqx express 

[zipstartcanoe]

Is Elson still building amps these days?

[Honreekea]

1 hour ago, zipstartcanoe said:

Is Elson still building amps these days?

I've heard he's over it...... He is getting up there

[Ihearmusic]

On 23/10/2023 at 12:56 PM, La scala said:

 

Thanks to Stephan for a thorough health check , repairs and for his knowledgble advise on the Cymer M150.

 

Plate Voltage - 450V | bias v for 42w GEC tubes - 50ma | for std tubes  lower w output - 42ma.

 

Features dual c core input plus output transmormers. 

 

Output is 33w x2 , quad set of KT88 GECs

 

Means its - class A Triode Push Pull , originally thought M150 was 2x75w class AB.

 

Cymer sound is beyond expectation and hope to source more Cymer Tube amps in the future.

Regards V

 

speakers - turbosound tms3,  jbl concert series tops , 18' cv folded subs , ambience grand reference ribbons, er audio esl III x4, er audio acorns, klipsch la scala,  dynaudio contour 3, martin logan, magnepan, tannoy system 800 x5 , jbl buttcheeks+12" d120 , stephens magnavox multicell horn , red spade audio ps1144 unity horns.

amps - supratek merlots 6c33c, cymer audio m150, walcott audio pressence el34 220w, macintosch 2275 tube, accuphase p300 ,  luxman 5m21 , bat vk 75se , bat vk500se ,  audio research D70 , consonance cyber 845,  treshold t200, krell fpb 300 , crown macrotech, belcanto ref 1000, linn 5025, ev p3000 .  bass - jl fatom  113, kv2 audio x2, valodyne        cables - moray james cryo speaker wire and interconnects, kimber, furotech, cryo valves.

pre amp - supratek chardonay and cortesse  , audio research ls17, pass labs, bryston bp25, linn,

 source- naim cdx2.2 , naim ndx +555 psu ,  marants cd sa11s2,  linn cd,  opera cd tube, thorens tt ,  project rpm6 vinyl spinner, sonos and spotify.  x over:  yamah active 4 way , kenwood d23 4 way analogue active , deqx express 

You have a few things mixed up Volker.

 

C-Core transformers = Power transformer plus 2x Output transformer

It is a Class AB PP. Separate supply for screens of the KT88

Bias stated is on the cooler side at around 50% and could be adjusted up to 65mA (70%) or 55mA (70%) for the later.

 

Never the less an great sounding amp.

 

Cheers

 

[jakestar]

My two cents worth - my cymer st80 ain't going anywhere soon. Every time I plug it in the music made is so enjoyable.

[aertex]

On 05/10/2023 at 5:28 PM, Ihearmusic said:

I was asked to re-chassis a set of Cymer mono blocks by a customer. He wanted to sell them and make them more presentable since the top plates had sagged really bad on both amps. Well, before stripping down the amps I wanted to be sure that they work.

Cut a long story short, I have not heard anything better then these.

I made an offer, we agreed on a price and they are mine now.

I will post some pics in due course ........

Tubes are 6SN7s driving a pair of 6P3S in push pull.

You did very well on those Stephan! A very good score. I've been a big fan of Cymers for more than 10yrs now, having owned........those mono's, KT88 mono's, EL34 stereo and Southern Star 13E1. I loved them all, and have chose to keep my favourite, the Southern Star 13E1. They were all super relaible, super quiet even with 100+db horns (and now 110db horns), dynamic, musical and very balanced sounding. Have owned or still own some great tube amps to compare them with (Mac MC275, Wolcott P220M, Kondo Neiro) and the Southern Star particularly, fares very well. If there is a Cymer amp up for grabs of any variety.............grab it!

 

And no, Elson has totally retired from new builds since 2022. He turned 80 and stopped making amps. It is real sad that Cymer will no longer be built. 

[Ihearmusic]

Test driving the new chassis for my Cymer Monos to make sure the closer proximity of the transformers is not introducing noise.

It did not! So now the other one needs to be stripped ans rehoused.

 

[andyr]

6 minutes ago, Ihearmusic said:

Test driving the new chassis for my Cymer Monos to make sure the closer proximity of the transformers is not introducing noise.

It did not! So now the other one needs to be stripped and rehoused.

 

 

How come 2 transformers reduced to just 1?  

 

[La scala]

2 hours ago, Ihearmusic said:

Test driving the new chassis for my Cymer Monos to make sure the closer proximity of the transformers is not introducing noise.

It did not! So now the other one needs to be stripped ans rehoused.

 

Nice work Stephan

It’s come up looking rather sexy , like the new transformers housing too. 
I bet it sounds sweet.

If ever a noise issue , ferro magnetic material for shielding can work a treat ,  been trialing this on various areas and cables with much success recently.

Enjoy  V 

[Ihearmusic]

3 hours ago, andyr said:

 

How come 2 transformers reduced to just 1?  

 

Hehe, I just made one big cover for the two.......

[Ihearmusic]

1 hour ago, La scala said:

Nice work Stephan

It’s come up looking rather sexy , like the new transformers housing too. 
I bet it sounds sweet.

If ever a noise issue , ferro magnetic material for shielding can work a treat ,  been trialing this on various areas and cables with much success recently.

Enjoy  V 

 The power transformer and the output transformer are a bit closer together (actually a lot closer) plus in a thru chassis situation one has  consider eddy currents finding their way in to the chassis.

It ended up with 6mV on the output and on my 99dB speakers hum is not noticeable from the listening position

[aertex]

looking very nice and not unlike the Cymer KT88 mono chassis's, apart from the blue colour. Remember to also put bronze CYMER name plate on the mono's-if its not already on the front of the new blue mono.

[Ihearmusic]

5 hours ago, aertex said:

looking very nice and not unlike the Cymer KT88 mono chassis's, apart from the blue colour. Remember to also put bronze CYMER name plate on the mono's-if its not already on the front of the new blue mono.

Yes, the bronze Cymer Audio plate will go back on for sure. I have some other things to put on when it is time to finish it off.

[jakestar]

Hi Stephan 

Elson will be proud. You love the Cymer sound as evidenced by buying this pair of "physically bent condition" mono blocks and and will keep it to enjoy. Your workmanship and attention to detail is second to none which will result in a beautiful looking and sounding amplifier.

 

I look foward to checking out the finished product doing its thing sonically. So far - well done! Looks beaut.

 Just moved into our new home and hoping to get my Cymer st80 fired up soon to enjoy after getting the new stereo room sorted.

Peter 

[Chris Hansen]

I saw the great man last week when I went to get my KT88 monos that I bought off @aertex inspected. Such a lovely man and he's doing well after some recent health issues. 

I run my monos 14hrs a day, seven days a week and they haven't missed a beat. Truly amps for life.

[Ihearmusic]

10 hours ago, Chris Hansen said:

I saw the great man last week when I went to get my KT88 monos that I bought off @aertex inspected. Such a lovely man and he's doing well after some recent health issues. 

I run my monos 14hrs a day, seven days a week and they haven't missed a beat. Truly amps for life.

Lucky you! it would be great to sit down with Elson and have a good chat. I spoke to him some time back and appreciated the time he had for me. 

[Ihearmusic]

Finally finished the Cymer Audio 6P3s monos.

Time to enjoy the music!