Mark embarks on the path of complete WOPLness

[MarkWComer]

Any chance of a future video, once you remount the faceplate on the PL, of a record being played?

Nando.

Just posted: The "Frankenstein" version. I got a copyright slap for the record I played, but so far none for the clips from "Young Frankenstein" or "Frankenstein." I have a second version without the Frankenstein clips, so let's see if anyone notices.

YouTube notice: Copyrighted content was found in your video. The claimant is allowing their content to be used in your YouTube video. However, ads might appear on it. So there might be an advert in the video.

Pared 110 minutes of video down to 53, sorry for the length. This amp was a big project, and so was the video. Six chapters! Hopefully they're interesting enough not to be TL/DW (too long / didn't watch...).

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikss9Be-Eww" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Gibsonian]

Congrats Mark on getting her WOPLed! You have done what I need to do.

 

[MarkWComer]

Congrats Mark on getting her WOPLed! You have done what I need to do.

Thanks! And thanks to the forum members for all the help and support.

Amazed- huge difference in the sound, tight controlled bass, crisp vocals, sizzling highs- the whole spectrum of sound really opened up. Full comp output really makes a big difference, those transistors are remarkable.

Joe- you really ought to consider a commercial venture and produce whole amps for sale.

 

[MarkWComer]

A stock 400Pl actually sounds worse than that Denon.

I've not heard a stock 400 but the two stock 700's I've had both sounded considerably better than the Denon POA2200 and 2400's that I owned. My stock 700's were not out of spec or sick though like many old PL's out there. I'd rather have a stock PL any day.

I didn't think the Denon was altogether horrible, BUT it was far from stellar.

I've heard horrible: Remember SounDesign? Lloyds? KorSonic? Now that was miserable crap!

 

[MarkWComer]

The 700 backplanes have the ouputs soldered in...not as tight a fit..

Not any more Lee...

...Pin meets balloon!

 

[Gepetto]

Thanks! And thanks to the forum members for all the help and support.

Amazed- huge difference in the sound, tight controlled bass, crisp vocals, sizzling highs- the whole spectrum of sound really opened up. Full comp output really makes a big difference, those transistors are remarkable.

Joe- you really ought to consider a commercial venture and produce whole amps for sale.

I have a favorite old saying Mark... "a brick a day"

 

[laatsch55]

Builds a what???

 

[MarkWComer]

Builds a what???

A shit brickhouse comes to mind...

 

[MarkWComer]

Just for giggles:

I normally expect to hear some sort of electron traffic when an amp is turned on, so I left the preamp off and powered up the 400. ABSOLUTE DEAD SILENCE! As with everything I've had in the past, I expected to hear some sort of faint electronic hiss. There wasn't any. This also tells me that my preamp is a bit noisy.

 

[Gepetto]

Just for giggles:

I normally expect to hear some sort of electron traffic when an amp is turned on, so I left the preamp off and powered up the 400. ABSOLUTE DEAD SILENCE! As with everything I've had in the past, I expected to hear some sort of faint electronic hiss. There wasn't any. This also tells me that my preamp is a bit noisy.

I find the preamp to be a weak link Mark. My Acurus RL11 is about the best I have found to date. The Accuphase I repaired for Johan was no slouch either except that the PC boards in it were the weak link in it

 

[Gepetto]

...Pin meets balloon!

i posted the picture of the tool that makes that step easy Mark. (And it is not made by Heyco )

 

[laatsch55]

And after some intense testing the Spec 1 is not as good as a WOPL....

 

[fitz43]

And after some intense testing the Spec 1 is not as good as a WOPL....

tests on the AP?

 

[Gibsonian]

I didn't think the Denon was altogether horrible, BUT it was far from stellar.

I've heard horrible: Remember SounDesign? Lloyds? KorSonic? Now that was miserable crap!

The Denon's were not bad, definitely not putting them down. In the top 5 amps I've had in the casa. My ears seem to like the PL amp design though, and I haven't even gotten to the FC stage yet. I've had a few through here and it's my favorite. Had a Sansui receiver that had a very nice overall sound that was definitely quite nice, but that included a built in pre, so I could not rate it in the same manner.

 

[laatsch55]

tests on the AP?

Yes Doug.

 

[P.L.F.]

Just posted: The "Frankenstein" version. I got a copyright slap for the record I played, but so far none for the clips from "Young Frankenstein" or "Frankenstein." I have a second version without the Frankenstein clips, so let's see if anyone notices.

YouTube notice: Copyrighted content was found in your video. The claimant is allowing their content to be used in your YouTube video. However, ads might appear on it. So there might be an advert in the video.

Pared 110 minutes of video down to 53, sorry for the length. This amp was a big project, and so was the video. Six chapters! Hopefully they're interesting enough not to be TL/DW (too long / didn't watch...).

Congratulations Mark!

House of Cards sucks in compare with your Phase Linear WOPLing sequel And it is a great tutorial indeed. When I was watching your face while listening the WOPL upgrade for the first time it recalled me mine a few months earlier. I played my favorite music back then and my back got wet from shivers... So unbelievable clarity and power!

Don't become lazy now - get the 700II and continue shooting the next season !

Cheers, Przem

 

[ksrigg]

What was the LP you were listening to in your video? Was it CLOSER? By whom? What were you first LPs played? Gotta list?

And Joe, is the Acurus preamp about a $300.00 item? And it is that good? Compared the the PL 3300 that Lee rebuilt, do you think it would be a substantial improvement with my WOPL 1000 which Jer built?

The PL pre is a little noisy..with the hash clearly audible through the KHorns.....not so much before I got them though..

 

[Gepetto]

What was the LP you were listening to in your video? Was it CLOSER? By whom? What were you first LPs played? Gotta list?

And Joe, is the Acurus preamp about a $300.00 item? And it is that good? Compared the the PL 3300 that Lee rebuilt, do you think it would be a substantial improvement with my WOPL 1000 which Jer built?

The PL pre is a little noisy..with the hash clearly audible through the KHorns.....not so much before I got them though..

The Acurus RL11 is out of print Sutton. Last one I saw went for about 750. Mine is way old so I cannot remember price paid for it. It is not fancy but it is very quiet and built with premium components throughout.

 

[MarkWComer]

What was the LP you were listening to in your video? Was it CLOSER? By whom? What were you first LPs played? Gotta list?

The LP was Closer by Joy Division, Side 2, Track 1: "Heart And Soul"

Too excited by the sound, I still haven't made it through an entire album side. Sampling bunches of stuff and deep listening. I also bought a fan to put into the back of my audio cabinet. It got a little warm in there.

No list per se, but here's some of the stuff I sampled:
Talking Heads Speaking In Tongues: Side 1, Tracks 2, 3, & 4: Punchy bass, David Byrne's vocals sharp and clear without any harshness.
The Cars Panorama: Again, listening to vocals, listening to busy-high energy tracks, everything distinct and clear, very lifelike.
Bernard Herrmann's original score of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho: All-string quartet, can hear fingering on fretboards, extraordinarily clear violin / viola.
Jacques Loussier Trio J. S. Bach Encore (Philips 45RPM): The brightest piano record I have, can nearly hear the levers in the piano, tight bass- marvelous!
Grateful Dead Wake Of The Flood (MFSL): Exceptional clarity of vocals, sweet guitars.
Kraftwerk Autobahn: Deep bass in the second bridge, nicely controlled and NOT sloppy, rattling windows...
Led Zeppelin III (Jimmy Page Remaster): Atmospheric intro of "Friends" sounded like the people were in my room. Stellar!
Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti (Jimmy Page Remaster): "In My Time Of Dying" and "Kashmir" just to rattle the doors. Ecstasy!
Polyrock Changing Hearts: Most of side two, mellow smooth "Art Rock" was very satisfying.
DEVO Something For Everybody: Mark Mothersbaugh's voice is sharp but not piercing, nice synthesized bass.
DEVO Oh No, It's Devo!: Quirky dance music for the hell of it. C'est Fabulous!
Black Wonderful Life: Love this guy's voice, never heard him sound this good.

I'm going crazy with the "OOH! I wonder how this one sounds!" mania, yanking records out and playing one or a few tracks each! Maybe next month I'll settle down and play a whole LP from start to finish.

 

[Northwinds]

And after some intense testing the Spec 1 is not as good as a WOPL....

Just for haha's, could you post both results in lay man's terms Lee? Where the biggest differences are?

Congrats Mark! I will check your full vid out a little later on