Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO25 >> IT has been built! (plus question) https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1682977559 Message started by Herbert Kelly on 05/01/23 at 22:45:59 |
Title: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Herbert Kelly on 05/01/23 at 22:45:59 So my UFO25 has been built and is in QC :D cannot WAIT to get it... BUT in all the excitement of it being built I did not realize there was a resistor and attenuator add on option until I read the blog. (I initially ordered a standard UFO and later phoned to change so did not order it on the website) Do yall think I will miss out a lot by not having especially the attenuators vs the normal volume controls ? Been waiting for so long that I do not mess it up by changing the order but on the other hand kinda have a bit of FOMO that I should have added these mods. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by CAJames on 05/01/23 at 23:08:48 Congrats! I'm probably 4 or 5 months out on my UFO25s. So, to your question. I feel like the stepped attenuator is a small improvement in SQ over the volume pot. My UFOs had them and so will my UFO25s. You may be missing out on something, but you are not missing out on a lot IMO. Question is what are you planning on using for volume control? I feel like the steps on the stepped attenuator are too big if that is your only volume control. I have a (non Decware) preamp that I use for volume control, I rarely change the attenuators, just for extremely hot recordings or particular tube combos in my preamp with above or below average gain. IMO If you were planning on using the volume control on your UFO25 as your primary volume control I'd stick with what you have. If you have something else, I'd still stick with it at least for a while. If you can't get past the FOMO you can always send the amp back to Decware for the update, it goes into a different queue and is usually turned around in a few weeks. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Lon on 05/02/23 at 00:14:09 Herb, I'm pretty in agreement with James about the stepped attenuator. I don't think you're missing much and you may find that the standard attenuator lets you get right where you want to be with gain and volume. I'm not sure the resistor is an option any longer as it does not appear as a selection in the cart for ordering. I have a glass resistor in my CSP3 with all the mods, and Steve wired it bypassing the input gain controls. I'm not sure how to evaluate its sound, the whole component sounds fantastic but I bet it would without the resistor as well. As you are in Quality Control in your shoes I would let the amp be shipped and listened to and consider a call to Steve about options after the amp is broken in if you are still having "fear of missing out." |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Herbert Kelly on 05/02/23 at 01:23:21 Great replies gents! Yes I was on a work call via zoom when the email came in that my order changed to "parts pulled" and I hollered YES. Had to explain to everyone why I got so excited haha |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by LiquidBlue on 05/02/23 at 05:20:52 Congrats Herb! Mine is currently in parts pulled status, so I feel your excitement! Like James mentioned, there may be a little improvement in SQ with the stepped attenuator, but with having dual volume controls, I chose the smooth action controls to easily fine tune channel balance. I intend to control volume with my CSP3 preamp, (which has a stepped attenuator). So for me, I was ok with the small difference, for the finer adjustability. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Dominick on 05/03/23 at 21:44:12 Herb, Congratulations…. Talk about exciting! CAJames is spot on with the utilization of what you have. I have the dual stepped attenuators on my ZBIT. I like the adjustability of the positive clicks on the unit. Once I dial and lock it in…it almost never moves unless I switch between my Decware amps. I use the smooth action volume control on my ZSTAGE preamp for fine tuning.… so think you will be fine. Dom |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Tony on 05/04/23 at 01:05:53 Herb, I will jump on the bandwagon with two thoughts: 1) Congrats! You will be on cloud nine soon. 2) The other is in agreement with others regarding stepped vs. smooth. I found the step option helpful a few times, but it is not required most of the time. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Herbert Kelly on 05/04/23 at 01:16:21 Thanks everyone, I feel like only those on here understand the excitement haha I tried to explain to a friend of mine that I ordered and amp in 2021 and I will probably receive it soon and they just did not get it. I have built several kits so they know its a passion but could not comprehend a nearly 2 year wait for something I already have (an amp) like surely they are all similar ? LOL I am trying to decide if I need a new pre-amp lol currently I run a Bottlehead Moreplay and LOVE it but I might build the 300B version or get something totally different but at first I will try it with no pre-amp and as little between the source and the UFO25 :D |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Dominick on 05/04/23 at 12:45:08 Herb… I was on the same camp as you about keeping a minimal signal chain between the source and the amp. Then finally as my system grew… I realized how much more enjoyment I have with rolling tubes from my ZROCK2 and ZSTAGE. The Decware lineup is so good that the loss of transparency is next to none. Keep us posted. Dom |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by 4krow on 05/04/23 at 18:10:07 I have been run through the pot/attenuator machine more than once, and it can be overwhelming. TDK is a safe bet, older Noble pots considered good as well, and I won't go into the mountain of other choices out there! For me when building something, I try to consider a nice solid shaft instead of the press on type that tend to be fragile. If I did use one, I likely would fill the slot with epoxy, and use a knob that has a set screw. Yup, turns out to be more work than you would like. I was actually considering using the attenuators that you are showing, but with a solid D style shaft. Again, there would be some work to be done. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by will on 05/04/23 at 18:56:14 Seems like that could be a good idea on the epoxy. I tried one of these small attenuators in my ZBIT also... The TKD 2511 won there too for me. I use the cheaper Eizz 24 step in my Torii right now. Its steps seem pretty strong, but workable for me for fine tuned volume with other gain stages (and probably fine without). I like its' "japanese" carbon film resistors, doing the carbon thing nicely, textured and open and not held back feeling per se, though a touch warm. Before that I used a "Valeb" (not sure on spelling) that was labelled "TeraDak 100K-2" stepped attenuator with surface mount resistors and liked it compared to the TKD... A little less dense/concentrated, more complex, and slightly warmer without veils if my memory is correct. The Eizz I find similar in enjoyment, but a little richer probably... I don't know, it has been a long time ago. I changed in this case because the Valeb was getting weak and rather than messing around with it with no backup, I ordered the Eizz, not able to find the Valeb at the time. Both of these take some room though! |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by Doug on 05/04/23 at 19:34:26 Herbert, Having owned several Decware amps, with both stepped and smooth controls, I much prefer smooth. The flexibility that a smooth control for each channel provides is something that many, including me, can’t live without. My guess is that you will be thrilled with the amp the way it has been built. Happy listening! |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by LiquidBlue on 05/04/23 at 20:22:40 Will, I’ll have to try your way of using the CSP3 to dial in the optimal gain settings and using the amp to control volume. I was thinking of it the other way for the ease of having one master volume control on the preamp, but your method makes sense. I’ll have to try both and see which works better for me. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by 4krow on 05/04/23 at 20:34:34 Yes, I have had some experience with the Valab attens as well. Then the EIZZ? came up and I used it on a power amp input. Seems fine to me. I even used one of their selector switches, and notable it was hard to switch, but it seems that there is an adjustment on the side for that. Didn't bother with it at the time. Just a bunch out there to choose from but most of it is crap. Try to stick with some of the brand names. |
Title: Re: IT has been built! (plus question) Post by will on 05/04/23 at 20:41:08 LiquidBlue, Yes, with the right tubes, cables, and settings, adjusting the voltage into the amp with Decware pre things can make a lot of difference to the signal intensity in every way. Yet just turning the amp up and down, usually sounds about the same within working limits, though louder and quieter. So I like having the more neutral basis of the amp for basic volume. But if the pre stage(s) gains are within realistic limits themselves with the amp wide open, this can be pretty nice too obviously, as most do it this way. With a slightly tuned-down Torii, and with relatively efficient speakers (92.5) I have tuned my stuff relatively fast, open and balanced so that I can still push the pre-stages pretty hard in order to bring out their lucidity, weight and speed without being too intense. This in mind I get better sound with the Torii less than wide open, though it is nearly maxed at immersive listening levels for pre distortion power, just not turned up all the way. |
Forums » Powered by YaBB 2.2.2! YaBB © 2000-2008. All Rights Reserved. |