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Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Another Desktop Studio Champ done  (Read 7758 times)

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Offline LooseChange

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Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« on: July 03, 2010, 11:31:23 am »
I Just completed another Champ.
Call me Dan
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Offline LooseChange

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2010, 11:32:34 am »
It sounds crazy good... Warm and creamy and I have yet to do the 30 hour burn in.
GUT SHOT...
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Offline Jack1962

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2010, 01:06:25 pm »
Nice build :grin:


                                                             Rock On
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I never meet a tube I didn't like.

Offline bigdaddy

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2010, 01:35:24 pm »
Yeah when you dial them in and use a good speaker they sound great. I see you used the Jupiter caps, do you like them? Have you noticed a tone/sound difference?

What power tube are you using? My next build is a Big Daddy Champ but with a 6G6G then another with a 6AK6 and under 300V on the plates and around 250v on the screens. I changed over one to 6K6GTs and it was pretty loud but nowhere near as loud as a 6V6 or 6L6.

Offline LooseChange

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2010, 02:55:09 pm »
The Jupiter's ssound good... I used sozo's too.
The power tube is your basic 6V6.
Call me Dan
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Offline bigdaddy

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2010, 05:47:03 pm »
Have you tried the SOZO blues? Despite what some people say I think there is a difference and they sound better, the Jupiters and the SOZOs. I hope that discussion doesn't start again.

Anyway, great looking amp!!! I bet is sounds awesome.

Offline Platefire

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2010, 10:58:21 pm »
Very fine! The Champ with the most modern appointments. I sure would like to see the schematic.
Plate
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Offline TIMBO

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2010, 02:18:08 am »
I'll second that!

Offline Fresh_Start

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2010, 08:18:12 am »
REALLY nice amp all the way around! :grin:

I've never tried triode mode on a power tube.  How does it sound and what's different tone-wise?

Does the Tweed switch lift the ground of the TMB tone stack or is the TMB stack still in the circuit?

From the front shot, it looks like you might have a progressive off/on/on power switch for standby.  The schematic shows the fuse on the hot side and switch on the neutral (or vice versa).  Can't tell if it's wired that way from the gut shot.  Just curious.

Happy Indepence Day!

Chip
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Offline LooseChange

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2010, 08:55:51 am »
Thanks Chip.
The triode mode on the Champ makes a big difference in output volume. It is a bit darker but that one reason to add the Tweed control.

The Tweed switch does not lift the ground. With thee Tweed switch engaged it bypasses the tone stack. The tone stack has no effect in this mode.

Yes, I am using the progressive off/standby/on switch.
I'll check the fuse and hot side. I think it's good to go.
Call me Dan
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Offline Madison

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2010, 09:00:36 am »
These are so cool.
Beautiful.
Gonna do one with another preamp tube sometime?

Offline LooseChange

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2010, 11:27:13 am »
I've done a Single Ended Silver Jubilee and a SE Dumble... There's an extra preamp tube in each one of them.
Call me Dan
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Offline TIMBO

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2010, 02:53:18 pm »
Hi Loose Change, Sounds like you have these amps nailed. I'm looking for something low watt for my next build and the Champs keep coming up. I posted this http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=9600.msg87096#msg87096 but yet to get a responce so i'm thinking the Champ is the way to go. In the parts department i have 5881,5879 12ax7 ,12ay7,ez81,el84 and two 125se but no trany.Would you have any ideas for a build. Thanks

Offline Platefire

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2010, 11:19:33 pm »
Thanks for the schematic. All these controls should make a Champ as flexible as you can get. I can't help but wonder how well the tone stack works and how much it pulls the output down as compared to a tweed tone control? The only other thing I could think of to make it a little sweeter is have it set up to run 6V6 or 6L6. Plate
On the right track now<><

Offline LooseChange

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2010, 04:56:27 am »
The volume does increase a lot with the tweed control engaged. This amp is designed to run any octal power tube. It's sister has been running a 5881 for months.
Call me Dan
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Offline topbrent

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #15 on: July 06, 2010, 05:17:48 am »
Loosechange, I am so impressed by these small amps.  
I remember those threads on the desktop dumble and jubilee, and some serious covet set in instantly!......

Couple questions:

How do you like that implementation of the effects loop?  

Is it happy with all fx devices?  Some loops aren't friendly towards rack gear but love pedals, and vice/versa.

Have you ever tried the simple preamp out/power amp in - "interupt" style loop in this amp?
« Last Edit: July 06, 2010, 05:50:59 am by topbrent »

Offline LooseChange

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2010, 05:17:40 am »
Sorry I missed this back then.
The loop works perfectly with pedals. I never tested it with rack gear (haven't owned any since the 90's) but I've been told it works just as well.  I placed the loop after the volume pot and in front of the second gain stage so that the return can be used as a power amp in. This way you can plug your fancy guitar preamp in and use the Champ as a power amp.  Works VERY well.
Call me Dan
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Offline BnATX

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2010, 06:34:21 pm »
I was curious about that loop as well. Then forgot.
thanks for the info.

Offline Tone Junkie

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #18 on: August 29, 2010, 09:05:12 am »
Nice build looseChange I really like having the ability to use it as a power amp for another preamp section. that is a very usefull addition on your part. some day I want to build an SE type amp just never got around to it yet. Bill

Offline alerich

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Re: Another Desktop Studio Champ done
« Reply #19 on: August 29, 2010, 02:59:19 pm »
The Tweed switch does not lift the ground. With thee Tweed switch engaged it bypasses the tone stack. The tone stack has no effect in this mode.

I respectfully disagree with this. With a SPST arrangement like that in your schematic even with the switch engaged the signal still has a path to ground through the tone stack and some of the signal is going to be shunted there. When I had my tone stack bypass in my Vibro Champ I wired it with a DPDT (see attachment) to totally remove the tone stack from the circuit. That's the only way to make it have no effect.

Having said that, I'll bet I would like the way it is wired in your schematic better. Totally removing the tone stack really adds a ton of gain to the circuit and I didn't find it to be terribly musical gain so I removed the mod. I may try it the way it is in your schematic.

Some of the most amazing music in history was made with equipment that's not as good as what you own right now.

 


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