eBay stuff (Part 2)

the cathodes are wired together through the short orange wire, the grid and anode circuits remain seperate

Don’t know if the link still works but they have more photos. I have put it back together to try it and it sounds lovely no issues. Am yet to try the front switch though.

Might email Decware

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From the eBay listing:
“and, weirdly (to me) there is the addition of some batteries (rechargeable I think) to the system”

“The little front switch changes the sound, as I believe it should, so that’s good.”

:grinning_face:

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Yeah the seller was definitely not one of us :laughing:

From what looked like leaky components, from checking its all old glue/hot melt. Nothing bulged or leaked inside at least

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On my Zen, the switch changes the bias on the input valve.

"One of the hallmarks of this amplifier like the stock Zen amp, is the bias switch on the front.

In the back position, the input tube is biased harder creating a larger voltage swing. This adds
gain, dynamics, presence.

In the forward position, the input tube is biased a little more conservatively yielding a more laid back and neutral presentation. Which one will sound better is purely subjective and we encourage you to experimented.

Even though we do not officially recommend changing this switch without first turning the amp off, we change it “on the fly” while listening here at the factory all the time even though there is a significant “pop” that comes through your speakers when its changed.
Our feeling on this is that the amplifier being only acouple watts is not enough power to damage the tweeters in 99% of all speakers we know of.

This switch is one reason why the Zen amps can use either of the three input tubes and sound
correct with all three. Fine tuning your amp can be accomplished with the combination of trying
all three types of input tubes, each with the bias switch in both portions."

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That fits with listening impressions, back is more punchy than front. Thank you

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Bargain at that price with all that RFC loveliness added :heart_eyes:

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Switch to the back will be on the batteries, and switch to the front will be on the resistors

How good are these in the Avantgarde range?

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Too good for the Naim stack they are photographed in front of…

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Very good is the short answer.

Well worth a listen. The thing worth considering is that the older XD and also previous Uno Fino are likely mostly the same performance but without the premium of the newer interface etc.

Unless you really like the idea of plugging your laptop in and fucking around with 10 point parametric EQ - the dials for crossover depth and sub volume were probably more intuitive and easier to adjust.

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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/136577902512

This Ooni-looking thing would appear to have all of the valves.

NVO used to do a phono stage with a zillion valves in it so I was assuming this would also be incorporating that phono stage but no, it doesn’t! :open_mouth:

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I had one, was good. 22 valves iirc. Was dead quiet, even on horns. I swapped it for the 12" STST I had, then sold that plus Mik arm and it paid for our website. :grin:

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I’ve never even heard of NVO. Who were/are they?

Not seen one of these before, 240V too..

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Google may well be your friend…

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Fair. Although I suspect there’s more knowledge/experience to be found on here!

That looks quite a bargain and not much of a drive

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I Dare You Do It GIF