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Author Topic: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOOD AMP  (Read 35145 times)

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complin

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #20 on: February 22, 2014, 07:48:26 PM »

This sounds really exciting, an ideal balance of the best attributes! Perhaps vintage 45's could even better this.
Any chance you will try this with a stock HD800? [Sorry Purrin :)]

I presume Craig has settled on the cinemag transformers now so does he have any idea of pricing when he goes into production?
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zerodeefex

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #21 on: February 22, 2014, 08:22:18 PM »

I was the one who subjected Marvey to a stock HD800. Don't ask him to do it again. In fact, I'm going to Michael's today to get creatology foam (already have a bunch of shelf liner) so the next time he encounters me I don't leave his ears in pain.
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MuppetFace

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #22 on: February 22, 2014, 08:47:36 PM »

This sounds really exciting, an ideal balance of the best attributes! Perhaps vintage 45's could even better this.

I was actually talking to Marv about this the other day. I'm going to try and track down some "balloon style" 45s that were around in the 30s. They supposedly sound better than many of the later iterations, plus they also look really neat. The biggest problem with the 4-45 though is the lack of tube availability these days. The wells are really starting to run dry.

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zerodeefex

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #23 on: February 22, 2014, 08:51:54 PM »

That's one of the reasons Craig cited in trying to steer me towards to 2A3 MKIV
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Greed

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #24 on: February 22, 2014, 09:11:52 PM »

I'm wondering...

Dynamic headphones and Orthos - 2A3

Only orthos - 4-45

or is it not that cut and dry? I guess the question that I'd like answered is does the HD800 still sound just as magical on the 445?
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MuppetFace

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #25 on: February 22, 2014, 09:17:23 PM »

I've been hearing about the HD800 and even the AD2000 sounding amazing on the 445, so my guess is "not that cut and dry."
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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #26 on: February 22, 2014, 09:22:01 PM »

Reading into Marvey
's post, 445 = best with everything (unless you need more power for speakers)

The 2A3 MKIV is good but TBD if it will match anything until someone actually tries it with the Cinemags. Stapsy and I will try to get our hands on them and roll em in if we can to replace the Hammonds.
 
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Greed

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #27 on: February 22, 2014, 09:35:36 PM »

Reading into Marvey
's post, 445 = best with everything (unless you need more power for speakers)

The 2A3 MKIV is good but TBD if it will match anything until someone actually tries it with the Cinemags. Stapsy and I will try to get our hands on them and roll em in if we can to replace the Hammonds.
 

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, as well as Stapsy if he decides to get them as well. My main requirement of any new EC amp I get whether it be the 2A3x4, Levi, etc. is that it play extremely well with all my headphones ranging from dynamics to orthos.

So if I don't plan to run speakers, the 4-45 might be the better choice after hearing both the production 4-45 and 2A3x4? I'm hoping Marv can chime in here.

Thanks for the insight MF and Ravi
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Stapsy

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #28 on: February 22, 2014, 10:06:44 PM »

I don't think the basic topology of the Levi, 445, and 2A3mk4 is that different.  Other than 2A3 vs 45 tubes, the change between the original Levi, 445DA, God 445 and mk4 is the transformers. 

If the Cinemag OPT is the main change between the 445DA and God 445, I think there is a good chance that Cinemag can bring the Tango magic from the original Levi to the 2A3 versions as well. 

From talking with Craig when I first ordered, the 445 platform keeps the excellent 45 midrange and by doubling up on the tubes fixes the bass light character of the 45.  Based on that it is entirely possible the 445 will be superior for that smooth liquid clarity that Marvey describes. 

This is all speculation, but I will say the mk4 with new production Sovteks is REALLY good.  When I picture that, plus 4 EML 45s and even better transformers I am not surprised you end up with God status. 

And if new transformers become available for the 2A3 I will definitely be getting them  :)p2
« Last Edit: February 22, 2014, 10:12:52 PM by Stapsy »
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MuppetFace

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Re: Eddie Current 445 - THE GOD AMP
« Reply #29 on: February 22, 2014, 10:18:03 PM »

I imagine the 4-45 will still sound great with highly efficient speakers (the kind I tend to prefer), but the 2A3MKIV has more grunt for that.

Also the lack of 45 availability really is a consideration that needs to be taken into account. Right now there's, what, one brand of current production 45s that sound good? Otherwise you'll need to go vintage, and it's extremely hard to find reasonably priced 45s now, let alone a matched quad of them.

That's assuming Craig even makes more than five of the 4-45s...

As for the Levi compared to the 2A3MKIV, I'm assuming there are also differences in the power supply which may end up with glowie gas tubes versus the standard PS. There was talk of an optional PS add-on for the other amps at one point, but I'm not sure if that's still on the table. My guess is no.
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