Tube amps!

[docc]

Great stuff, @cowtownchemist!

Complete with PBR Amp Fluid . . .

[Art]

Hey look! Is that a 120 watt Dean Markley under the tool bag?

For some reason I don't have a wife, but I do have twin 11 liter v8 cat diesels under my floor.

Could I have a Guzzi type personality?

Should I be worried?

 

[docc]

Okay, okay, I know this is not a tube amp. But last week my trusted thirty-year-old Onkyo stereo amplifier overheated and shut down. The heat sink on the amps was 200ºF! I couldn't touch the top of the amp; figured "She's ded, Jim " . . .

After a cool down, she came back on!

So, I got a US$22 "computer" fan and set it on top of the stack with some isolation "feet", custom screen attachments, and a dose of wishful thinking . . .

[Lucky Phil]

Don't know if this story fits this thread but back in the early 70's when I was a kid my parents had a cobbled together stereo system. Decent turntable and speakers but the amp was a home made valve unit made by my father who was an electrician by trade. I was very familiar with it's sound because it got played quite a bit. Anyway my fathers best friend was a Flight engineer for Qantas and travelled overseas a lot so on one of his trips he bought the old man a brand new latest transistorised Sony amp. I was there for the exciting hook up and first play. Result? Disappointment from me I can remember. Gone was the soft mellow full sound replaced by some sort of tinny scratchy sound. Not sure how to explain it better than that but I've never forgotten it.

Phil

[docc]

Admirable, those that can build their own amps!   

Speaking of which, I'm sad to see that PhotoBlockit has obstructed @Trevini's contributions to this thread . . .

[activpop]

13 hours ago, Lucky Phil said:

Don't know if this story fits this thread but back in the early 70's when I was a kid my parents had a cobbled together stereo system. Decent turntable and speakers but the amp was a home made valve unit made by my father who was an electrician by trade. I was very familiar with it's sound because it got played quite a bit. Anyway my fathers best friend was a Flight engineer for Qantas and travelled overseas a lot so on one of his trips he bought the old man a brand new latest transistorised Sony amp. I was there for the exciting hook up and first play. Result? Disappointment from me I can remember. Gone was the soft mellow full sound replaced by some sort of tinny scratchy sound. Not sure how to explain it better than that but I've never forgotten it.

Phil

I'm sure the first few generations of transitor amps  made very bright sound...not enjoyable to listen to at all. Your story is proof of that. Over time they have improved by leaps and bounds. I have a 35 year old Muse Model 100 that I have been very happy with as far as a warmer tone goes. I test drove a few before buying this one. It's no tube amp, but still sweet.  It continues to pump out, but who knows for how long? 

[audiomick]

18 hours ago, docc said:

...stereo amplifier overheated

The fan is a good idea, but only treating symptoms, as you probably know. Have you had it open to blow out the dust yet?

[guzzler]

I remember the first time I heard a CD and thinking gee it sounds a bit brighter than Vinyl or tape too....

Also have an Onkyo amp that I've had for nigh on 30 years as well and still working great. I did hear Onkyo's famous build quality took a nose- dive sometime after we bought our amps mate!
One of these days I'll update to a pre/power set up and have my Dali speakers serviced.....

Cheers  

[docc]

48 minutes ago, audiomick said:

The fan is a good idea, but only treating symptoms, as you probably know. Have you had it open to blow out the dust yet?

The voice of experience! I turned the fan on high and dusted the interior of the cabinet through the top grill. Big cloud of dust!

Taking the air hose to my tube amp, next . . .

Thanks, @audiomick !