VBE BUILD THREAD
- Thread starter shoom
- Start date
torstoi
pfm Member
Hi Torstoi
I didnt take one after I connected the VBE but I do have one before, below.
regards
Norm
Hi Norm,
A very interesting interpretation of the topic & an amazing build !
Sorry for the late reply, but I got taken off into thoughts of:
"what if.." and "or could I.." and got lost into the depth of build reviews
straight after seing your pictures..
Thanks for sharing your 'Mission Impossible NCC200+' by fitting the whole lot into
shoebox size, very inspiring and no question a top notch clean layout!
Regards, T
Hi Torstoi
Thanks for the kind remarks on my build. Sorry for my delay in saying thanks. Been having some treatment in hospital hence the delay.
It wasnt difficult fitting it all in, but height of the transformers was a bit more of a problem than I thought it would be, where as basic fitting space was not.
Also the two seperate alloy boxes provide a magnetic shield to a certain extent.
regards
Norman
Thanks for the kind remarks on my build. Sorry for my delay in saying thanks. Been having some treatment in hospital hence the delay.
It wasnt difficult fitting it all in, but height of the transformers was a bit more of a problem than I thought it would be, where as basic fitting space was not.
Also the two seperate alloy boxes provide a magnetic shield to a certain extent.
regards
Norman
Hi Norm
it's still a superb build and for a first time effort.
Totally amazing.
Originally Posted by LesW:
''Once one or two members have completed the build, I'm going
to show you something quite extraordinarily spectacular to lift
the performance to a level you wouldn't believe possible - more
later''.
it's still a superb build and for a first time effort.
Totally amazing.
Originally Posted by LesW:
''Once one or two members have completed the build, I'm going
to show you something quite extraordinarily spectacular to lift
the performance to a level you wouldn't believe possible - more
later''.
''Once one or two members have completed the build, I'm going
to show you something quite extraordinarily spectacular to lift
the performance to a level you wouldn't believe possible - more
later''.
Its almost here.
When I last visited Avondale towers to collect the boards components for the NCC200 GB Les asked me to try the prototype VBE add on (yet to be named) that hes been working on.
Its still pretty much a work in progress so patience will be rewarded.
This is an easy to install, plug and play unit so nothing challenging (just as well in my case) or complex.
Its also a completely new approach to solid state design which youre unlikely to find used else ware. Now that did get me interested.
Its easy to plug in and out so my comparisons have been done with the same tracks with the upgrade module in and out of circuit.
No pictures or explanations of VBE add on for now but maybe Les will illuminate us further in time.
So
IMHO, TO MY EARS AND IN MY SETUP.
Now that the NCC GB is all but over Ive had the chance to do a little more undisturbed listening and I must say that Ive been more than impressed with what Ive heard.
Firstly
From switch on this add on does sound better once its had a little time to warm up but 20mins or so usually does it. A little more patience may be needed from cold.
Secondly
The big news for me is that IMHO they have made quite some difference to the sound but without losing the musicality of the Voyager.
It just builds on and improves a very good amp
Ive made a few notes over the last few weeks of listening and tried to outline what Ive heard.
1) Dynamic contrast is way better with much more control (that start stop to notes is much more defined. I found that this gave the drums and ride cymbal on Buddy Rich the beat goes on the chance to really drive the music on. I also noticed that the PRAT factor has been enhanced and its going to be interesting to hear what those NAIM boys make of the sound.
2) Soundstage. Well its now huge in a floor to ceiling and out past the wall boundaries and much better depth type of way.
3) Fine detail retrieval seems to have improved quite a bit as has the solidity of the sound stage with imaging to have taken on much more real dimensions. Im also hearing more of the finer detail making the micro stuff much clearer and easier to hear.
4) The noise floor also seems to be lower allowing for that inky blackness that everyone talks about but seldom gets.
5) Its more revealing of source material and components further up the chain. I tried my Buffalo 3, Opus and Audio GD NFB2 and it was quite easy to tell them apart.
To some up.
Top and bottom are tight and well controlled with no sagginess in the bass which also seems to go a little deeper to my ears. The mids have taken on an even more liquid character with Loads of fine detail but still maintaining the musical presentation of the Voyager (which really matters IMHO).
I really got turned off of solid state amps sometime in the mid 90s when detail became the new god at the expense of musical cohesion IMHO. Loads of detail but no content if you get my drift.
This Upgrade resolutely manages to avoid the above and keeps music centre stage.
Quite some achievement with such a simple to implement (but not in original thought) upgrade.
Oh yes on the time factor.
These do take a little time to settle so IMHO at least two weeks are needed to make a proper assessment.
I really love the sound of my Voyagers so no criticism intended but the new VBE add on really does take things to another level of dynamics coupled with refinement.
The real iron fist in a velvet glove.
Les really has come up with the goods with this one and its still early days yet with still more refinements to be made.
But the prototype that Ive tried has been very good indeed and has indeed made my jaw drop on more than one occasion.
Every good boy deserves fudge.
Anyhow back to the dreaded metal work.
The new Voyager is taking shape.
to show you something quite extraordinarily spectacular to lift
the performance to a level you wouldn't believe possible - more
later''.
Its almost here.
When I last visited Avondale towers to collect the boards components for the NCC200 GB Les asked me to try the prototype VBE add on (yet to be named) that hes been working on.
Its still pretty much a work in progress so patience will be rewarded.
This is an easy to install, plug and play unit so nothing challenging (just as well in my case) or complex.
Its also a completely new approach to solid state design which youre unlikely to find used else ware. Now that did get me interested.
Its easy to plug in and out so my comparisons have been done with the same tracks with the upgrade module in and out of circuit.
No pictures or explanations of VBE add on for now but maybe Les will illuminate us further in time.
So
IMHO, TO MY EARS AND IN MY SETUP.
Now that the NCC GB is all but over Ive had the chance to do a little more undisturbed listening and I must say that Ive been more than impressed with what Ive heard.
Firstly
From switch on this add on does sound better once its had a little time to warm up but 20mins or so usually does it. A little more patience may be needed from cold.
Secondly
The big news for me is that IMHO they have made quite some difference to the sound but without losing the musicality of the Voyager.
It just builds on and improves a very good amp
Ive made a few notes over the last few weeks of listening and tried to outline what Ive heard.
1) Dynamic contrast is way better with much more control (that start stop to notes is much more defined. I found that this gave the drums and ride cymbal on Buddy Rich the beat goes on the chance to really drive the music on. I also noticed that the PRAT factor has been enhanced and its going to be interesting to hear what those NAIM boys make of the sound.
2) Soundstage. Well its now huge in a floor to ceiling and out past the wall boundaries and much better depth type of way.
3) Fine detail retrieval seems to have improved quite a bit as has the solidity of the sound stage with imaging to have taken on much more real dimensions. Im also hearing more of the finer detail making the micro stuff much clearer and easier to hear.
4) The noise floor also seems to be lower allowing for that inky blackness that everyone talks about but seldom gets.
5) Its more revealing of source material and components further up the chain. I tried my Buffalo 3, Opus and Audio GD NFB2 and it was quite easy to tell them apart.
To some up.
Top and bottom are tight and well controlled with no sagginess in the bass which also seems to go a little deeper to my ears. The mids have taken on an even more liquid character with Loads of fine detail but still maintaining the musical presentation of the Voyager (which really matters IMHO).
I really got turned off of solid state amps sometime in the mid 90s when detail became the new god at the expense of musical cohesion IMHO. Loads of detail but no content if you get my drift.
This Upgrade resolutely manages to avoid the above and keeps music centre stage.
Quite some achievement with such a simple to implement (but not in original thought) upgrade.
Oh yes on the time factor.
These do take a little time to settle so IMHO at least two weeks are needed to make a proper assessment.
I really love the sound of my Voyagers so no criticism intended but the new VBE add on really does take things to another level of dynamics coupled with refinement.
The real iron fist in a velvet glove.
Les really has come up with the goods with this one and its still early days yet with still more refinements to be made.
But the prototype that Ive tried has been very good indeed and has indeed made my jaw drop on more than one occasion.
Every good boy deserves fudge.
Anyhow back to the dreaded metal work.
The new Voyager is taking shape.
A little bit late to the party only just started on these found everything else. apart from
Wima MKP2 330nf where do I get them from as the link in the bom no longer works
what voltage should they be most that I have seen on here are 250v I can only find them @63v
sorry for the stupid question
thanks in advance
Wima MKP2 330nf where do I get them from as the link in the bom no longer works
what voltage should they be most that I have seen on here are 250v I can only find them @63v
sorry for the stupid question
thanks in advance
337alant
Negatively Biased
Depending on the transformer you are using 63V may be a little bit close or les than the actual rail voltage the VBE is running at so I would go for the 250V versions
http://www.newark.com/wima/mkp4f033304c00jssd/cap-film-pp-330nf-250v-rad/dp/46T6750
Farnell CPC stock them as well
50V x 1.414 = 70.7V
44V x 1.414 = 62.2V
Alan
http://www.newark.com/wima/mkp4f033304c00jssd/cap-film-pp-330nf-250v-rad/dp/46T6750
Farnell CPC stock them as well
50V x 1.414 = 70.7V
44V x 1.414 = 62.2V
Alan
Thank`s Alan
the one`s in the link have 15mm lead spacing
CPC have the right one`s
just in case anybody else wants some
http://cpc.farnell.com/wima/mkp2f033301m00kssd/capacitor-10-330nf-250v-mkp2/dp/CA08112
the one`s in the link have 15mm lead spacing
CPC have the right one`s
just in case anybody else wants some
http://cpc.farnell.com/wima/mkp2f033301m00kssd/capacitor-10-330nf-250v-mkp2/dp/CA08112
Any news on these ?
