SRPP SE2A3 Circuit Redux

Back in the late 90s, I dismissed the hi-mu/low-gm SRPP input/driver because I found that the circuit had a tendency to sound tiring over extended listening. However, my memorable encounter with the Morikawa SE2A3 amp owned by my buddy Jose was haunting. I had to revisit this circuit just to make sure I left no stones unturned. 

Earlier this year, Steve of Angela Instruments shipped me the "shop mule" SRPP SE2A3 amp for a check up. After replacing the leaky coupling caps, the amp was as good as when I delivered it to the shop over two decades ago.  

My hotter operating point = slightly more power compared to Prof. Morikawa's SRPP 2A3 amp.

!!!WARNING!!! 

The voltages in this circuit are potentially lethal! Build at your own risk!

Click here if you'd like to try the SRPP 45 triode circuit.

Use a Hammond 302AX power transformer instead of T1 + T2 A&B

Click here to see the "cleaner" 10kHz square wave from the Morikawa SE2A3 amp

In spite of the 10 kHz square wave spike from the budget Hammond 125ESE output transformers, it was a very refreshing musical reunion with the Angela SRPP 2A3 amp. 

During its residency in the man cave, the amp powered my back up Altec 2-way system above, Altec 755As and Altec 755Cs in Silbatone cabs below. It was totally devoid of the listener fatigue I previously ascribed to the circuit. Even with the brightest and harshest software and/or hardware thrown into the listening chain, I couldn't induce the unpleasant quality which bothered me in the past. 

Then it dawned on me that I started doubting the SRPP's musical abilities when my Altec 2-way project commenced. Sorry SRPP, it wasn't your fault...😟

YMMV!😉

Hub City Vinyl

We took a long drive to visit relatives in Western Maryland for Memorial Day weekend.

I made sure we checked out Hub City Vinyl in downtown Hagerstown, MD. This really cool record store is housed in an Art Deco structure that served as a car dealership in its previous life.

I was based here from the latter part of the 90s till the late 2000s and never imagined a well-stocked record store of this size could thrive in this town.

Notice da boss patiently waiting in the listening lounge?

The Zu Omen speakers driven by Schiit Audio electronics with Steely Dan's "Gaucho" spinning on a Technics turntable made the atmosphere even more endearing!

Towards the back of the building is another room full of LPs and CDs.

The left hand corner of that room had stacks of classic hifi gear!

 This Gates CB1200 3-speed idler driven turntable + Gray 206 viscous damped tonearm definitely caught my eye. But I've run out of space and need to unload to pacify the boss.😉 

So I hope a blog reader will buy the above set up and enjoy it!🍻

I like the black out aesthetics of this 70s Plainview NY era Harman Kardon 330C receiver, which sported technically innovative circuitry. The rack mountable Tandberg tuner is also interesting!

How about a custom tube amp using 6BL7 tubes?

One of the sales associates told me that the back end of the building will eventually be transformed into a live music venue as the pandemic winds down. This is really great news for the cultural life of Washington County!

If you're a record collector and/or audio buff driving through the junction of I-81 and I-70, this place is a must-see!

Welcome, summer! Safe travels!

Fidelity Research FR64fx - dead channel fix

After many years of service, my FR64fx tonearm dropped one channel. 

I started sleuthing by studying the vertical pillar.

By peeling off the tonearm height scale (essentially an aluminum backed sticker), the set screws are exposed.

I loosened the set screws to carefully pull out the 5-pin DIN terminal + horizontal bearing housing from the vertical pillar. The unsoldered wire was instantly visible. 

After soldering the broken connection, I re-assembled in reverse order. I used rubber cement to secure the tonearm height scale back to the groove in the vertical pillar. 

Happy listening!