RE: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't"

Posted by Rich Brkich (D) on February 11, 2024 at 13:08:19

In Reply to: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't" posted by AbeCollins on February 11, 2024 at 05:01:32:

Actually both cords DO matter.

One powered the tube filament string PLUS the plate power supplies for the (12) 6C33's on a pair of VZN-220's. With the amps up to full bias and filaments fully warmed up, about several amps of current (850W or so) would be going through this cord. So it needed/needs to be a big beefy high current capable power cord. Power for this circuit is what goes through the (20A sized) variac inside each amp.

The Other cord provided/provides power to the front end of the amplifier (small tube filament [DC] power supplies, high voltage and bias circuit power supplies for the 5 "small" tubes in each amp. This cord is important because the front end is the more dominant factor (cord) affecting the sound of the amp (approximate power draw around 60W)

I am pretty sure I have serviced the VZN-220's shown in E-Stat's picture of the set HP had. Likely the first or one of the first few production pair of VZN-220's made. A pair of VZN-220's fully warmed is is about the equivalent of a about a 1800 watt space heater! I guess the good point as that since the 6C33's are basically operating Class A, you pretty much have a consistent amount of heat output independent of how hard the amps are working. :-D

A pair of much small VZN-100's (only 6 6C33's per amp) "only" draws around 950W.

P.S. As to the preamp challenge, I think one of my upgraded/modded LA-300ME SSPE line stages (basically a [my] ultimate version of Juds (and Simon's) vision/version preamp called the LA-300ME Platinum) would hold up well in a comparison to preamps from DartZeel or VAC. Not saying it would be the best (nor am I interested in doing such a comparison, as the few folks I have created these for don't care about that and are avid and or long time Joule-Electra owners/fans who wanted the best/ultimate vision/version of what a Joule-Electra preamp could be), but perform in the same league. Just my 2 cents.

Sorry, I always get carried away when it comes to talking/writing about this stuff and you all have to deal with my long winded reply.
Happy Listening,
Rich Brkich
Ownwer/Operator Signature Sound

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Preamps: Dartzeel vs.VAC vs. Joule... - howard 14:11:38 02/9/24 (15)

RE: Preamps: Dartzeel vs.VAC vs. Joule... - morricab 02:01:11 02/12/24 (2)

RE: Preamps: Dartzeel vs.VAC vs. Joule... - acres verde 09:23:56 02/12/24 (1)

RE: Preamps: Dartzeel vs.VAC vs. Joule... - morricab 02:10:25 02/13/24 (0)

Who wins? - Ozzie 18:13:57 02/10/24 (0)

Assume you meant Joule-Electra - M3 lover 09:45:21 02/10/24 (6)

Jud was a genuine enthusiast - E-Stat 11:10:32 02/10/24 (5)

Amps, preamps, line stages, and other - M3 lover 11:42:32 02/11/24 (0)

Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't" - AbeCollins 05:01:32 02/11/24 (3)

RE: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't" - Rich Brkich 02/11/2413:08:19 02/11/24 (1)

RE: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't" - AbeCollins 16:49:29 02/15/24 (0)

It's been a long time! - E-Stat 07:47:40 02/11/24 (0)

Who YOU prefer is who wins - nt - AbeCollins 06:45:11 02/10/24 (0)

There is no winner - Mike K 17:54:19 02/9/24 (2)

RE: There is no winner - hahax@verizon.net 20:41:57 02/9/24 (0)

RE: There is no winner - howard 19:09:58 02/9/24 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't" - Rich Brkich 02/11/2413:08:19 02/11/24 (1)

RE: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't" - AbeCollins 16:49:29 02/15/24 (0)

RE: Power cord: "one mattered sonically while the other didn't"

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