Newbie looking for info on WOPLs

[laatsch55]

Sure they do....heat=power...

 

[NavLinear]

It only took me 2 days to get in trouble here

You beat my record.

 

[Nick Danger]

It only took me 2 days to get in trouble here

Things escalate quickly on this forum.

 

[derek92994]

Derek, I have a NAD 1020 you can use if you want. They have a phono stage that's considered up there with the best. Not much on looks but nothing NAD is really nice looking. Spartan and utilitarian are what I would use to describe the looks. I also have a Carver CT-24. Up to you Bro, just pay shipping and return it someday when you have something else to use. The NAD would be cheaper to ship, the Carver is HUGE

Just saw this post.

I would be ecstatic to have a loan of that Nad, Phono stage hell yeah!

Thanks so much for the offer. I'll PM you soon.

 

[gadget73]

It depends how much and how loud you run it. I've load tested my 700 at full crank on both channels and it pulls 8-9 amps from the wall. Without passing any signal, it doesn't draw enough to move the meter. My biggest tube amp won't do more than 2 amps at full tilt on both channels but they idle at about 3/4 of an amp. If I watched the average power draw on the 700, its probably less than 2 amps.

 

[jbeckva]

About 40 watts idle on a 700, 25 or so for a 400.

 

[JustMike]

It depends how much and how loud you run it. I've load tested my 700 at full crank on both channels and it pulls 8-9 amps from the wall. Without passing any signal, it doesn't draw enough to move the meter. My biggest tube amp won't do more than 2 amps at full tilt on both channels but they idle at about 3/4 of an amp. If I watched the average power draw on the 700, its probably less than 2 amps.

amps X volts = Watts

wattage x hours used ÷ 1000 x price per kWh = cost of electricity

 

[Northwinds]

It depends how much and how loud you run it. I've load tested my 700 at full crank on both channels and it pulls 8-9 amps from the wall. Without passing any signal, it doesn't draw enough to move the meter. My biggest tube amp won't do more than 2 amps at full tilt on both channels but they idle at about 3/4 of an amp. If I watched the average power draw on the 700, its probably less than 2 amps.

My 6L6GC powered Peavey 6505 draws close to 6 amps when I got her cranked

 

[kevin]

A friend I just told about buying a PL said expect to have your electric bill triple. True? And I don't mean literally triple but does this amp really make a big noticable difference in your bill? I know someone will say depends on how much it's on but say you have it on in the afternoon listening to the radio while working some days and then 3 or 4 nights a week for a couple hours or so, a party here or there, you know... Is that a legit comment?

LOL.... That's kinda like looking at buying a 80.000 dollar Cadillac and asking what kind of gas mileage it gets ????

 

[Northwinds]

LOL.... That's kinda like looking at buying a 80.000 dollar Cadillac and asking what kind of gas mileage it gets ????

This is new territory for her Kevin, I don't blame her for asking questions, there is no such thing as a bad question, especially when people want to shovel drivel at her. A lot of people come off as know it all's when they don't know shit, they just repeat what others say before and take it for truth. She smart to get all that out of the way to make an informed decision. I commend her for it. You have to remember a lot of people have an axe to grind with PL. Problem is, these people have no clue what a WOPL is and how vastly different they are from the original Carver design. They only see Phase Linear and perpetuate a misguided urban legend

 

[drummergrl]

amps X volts = Watts

wattage x hours used ÷ 1000 x price per kWh = cost of electricity

Ahh, thank you, I'm writing this down.

 

[derek92994]

Thanks for the idle power rating, 40 watts is nothing, about the same as what my air filters use running 24/7.

 

[Northwinds]

Morning Michele! Actually good afternoon LOL

 

[drummergrl]

You would not believe the things people are saying to me when I discuss this with them- and these are all other audio enthusiasts and some pros in the business- and I don't mean audio repair techs only, but sound engineers and designers.
They all mean well too. One truly helpful man warned me with a personal anecdote of his own about a rebuild he had done on a Hafler amp - "upgraded by Frank Van Alstine and company." He says it is "Sitting on a shelf as it has a problem and Van Alstine doesn't even have schematics for it anymore. He (the company) will of course, be happy to rebuild it to their latest version of mods for only many hundreds of dollars..." He went on to tell me (and I am not making light of his comments): "The 'magical' improvements in sound go to only those who believe. Snap out of it."
So I need to be sure I'm not just being a 'believer."
Ron, this same man pointed out that the stat sheet you provided says 350 wpc and that this would seem wrong for a modded PL400. Good point. Why only 350 wpc? And how were these stats generated? He had a couple other good questions I'd like to throw out.
Does he (the rebuilder) have the test equipment to provide these stats? Is there an engineered design target for performance (or is it whatever it turns out to be for your build)? There are no specifications for anything on the White Oaks website.

 

[Northwinds]

You would not believe the things people are saying to me when I discuss this with them- and these are all other audio enthusiasts and some pros in the business- and I don't mean audio repair techs only, but sound engineers and designers.
They all mean well too. One truly helpful man warned me with a personal anecdote of his own about a rebuild he had done on a Hafler amp - "upgraded by Frank Van Alstine and company." He says it is "Sitting on a shelf as it has a problem and Van Alstine doesn't even have schematics for it anymore. He (the company) will of course, be happy to rebuild it to their latest version of mods for only many hundreds of dollars..." He went on to tell me (and I am not making light of his comments): "The 'magical' improvements in sound go to only those who believe. Snap out of it."
So I need to be sure I'm not just being a 'believer."
Ron, this same man pointed out that the stat sheet you provided says 350 wpc and that this would seem wrong for a modded PL400. Good point. Why only 350 wpc? And how were these stats generated? He had a couple other good questions I'd like to throw out.
Does he (the rebuilder) have the test equipment to provide these stats? Is there an engineered design target for performance (or is it whatever it turns out to be for your build)? There are no specifications for anything on the White Oaks website.

It's not for a 400, it's for a 700 and the amp actually puts out more then that. Lee would have to explain to you the test results, I think tat was from D2 amp. Lee has all the equipment he needs as does Jerry, he can let you know what is used for generating the results. I think Joe must be cracking up at that story you just told He went on to tell me (and I am not making light of his comments): "The 'magical' improvements in sound go to only those who believe. Snap out of it."

A WOPL500 puts out about 256wpc which is about 56wpc over a stock PL 400

Some of the WOPL700s actually put out around 517wpc depending on the tranny

I suppose all the dudes on AK that mod amps are dreamers also right? Again... this is not a "mod" in the sense of the word, this is a completely different amplifier that just happens to use a PL tranny LMAO!!!!! I think that guy is a crackhead and you can tell him I said so!

 

[mudshark]

This just justifies my last post ...QVC .... NO offense intended, as I will probably be accused of shaking my finger at you, but I don't know how many amps I have purchased over the years just to find the ONE that suits my listening habits, desires and preferences. The days of the TRUE audio stores are GONE. If you want to audition a piece of gear, you have to be willing to spring for it or atleast do some windshield time to give a listen. comparing paper, is exactly that comparing paper. Just as in the statement beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the same goes for sound. Hell I bet you can find some differences from one WO to another. So I think experience will be the best teacher in this, it has been for me. I dont believe anyone can truly find sonic nirvana by comparing paper work, you have to hear it and feel it. There is NO home shopping for what you seek, unless you just want to be the first one on your block to have one.

 

[Northwinds]

Michele, you have a PM. Read it several times ok? Think about what I am trying to say

 

[kevin]

This is new territory for her Kevin, I don't blame her for asking questions, there is no such thing as a bad question, especially when people want to shovel drivel at her. A lot of people come off as know it all's when they don't know shit, they just repeat what others say before and take it for truth. She smart to get all that out of the way to make an informed decision. I commend her for it. You have to remember a lot of people have an axe to grind with PL. Problem is, these people have no clue what a WOPL is and how vastly different they are from the original Carver design. They only see Phase Linear and perpetuate a misguided urban legend

O I Know !!!! Just picking on her a little....

 

[Nick Danger]

......this is a completely different amplifier that just happens to use a PL tranny.....

Prefectly said, Ron. These amps are not really modded at all, they are a new beast altogether.

 

[Northwinds]

Prefectly said, Ron. These amps are not really modded at all, they are a new beast altogether.

Thanks Doug. I think that's where the confusion lies. These people have no clue what a FC WOPL is, they just see the Phase Linear exterior coupled with horror stories of the past that were actually the fault mainly of the end user!!! That's the beauty of these, you get the classic vintage look with todays TOTL horsepower in one package. I still say that was BRILLIANT of Joe to pay homage to some of the most powerful amps of the period

Modding this a little from the Six Million Dollar Man

We can build it.. we have the technology... to make it better, badder, louder...