Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Moreplay => Topic started by: rockdrummer on September 21, 2020, 03:07:13 AM
-
Hi everybody. I'm just posting an update of my Moreplay so far. I really enjoy build threads, so I thought I would post one!
I have stained and finished the base, and painted the bell.
I did the same steps as my Stereomour 1 a few years ago, but did the ebony stain a bit lighter to see more woodgrain. I kinda like that this time around.
Thanks for looking.
Ben
-
Nice work. Keep the progress reports and photos coming, I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to see and hear how other bottleheads tackle a build.
Karl
-
Very nice. Those pics really help to show why I chose alder for the bases. It can take just about any color stain and look good.
-
That base looks awesome! That wood grain really pops with the ebony stain!
I am very curious to see how your build turns out, as I have just placed an order for a Moreplay and will appreciate any building tips. Thanks for posting!
-
I have built many Bottlehead kits, the only advice that I can give is take your time and read the instructions before you start anything. I just finished painting the top plate to my Moreplay and will be assembling the base today.
Great looking base!!!
-
Thanks for the comments. It was really easy. I do think I could have done a better job if you really look close at the quality of the finish. Not as smooth as it could be. But I love the stain.
ScottAstroNut, I would have to agree with Cary. My advice is the same. Follow directions carefully, read and re-read the steps.
I have built the Quickie, added the constant current upgrade to it, and built the original Stereomour. The directions are always clear and easy to follow.
Ben
-
Really nice job staining the base! Looks outstanding!! Anxious to see the finished build.
Best,
Joe.
-
Any chance anyone has advice on this question?
On page 24 of the manual, the solid core wire going from 34L to the IEC inlet says it attaches to tab L. But the picture looks like it attaches to Tab N.
Thanks.
Ben
-
I assume it should say Tab N. Later the red wire attaches to tab L
Ben
-
I went on the assumption that it attaches to N. I also found in that same step that there is no mention of soldering the wire to 34L, but nothing else appears to attach there so I went ahead and soldered it as it would be a little hard to access once things get attached to 34U.
Phil
-
Me too. I am out of the house today but can’t wait to get home. I got far enough to test the tubes, and they both glow!
Ben
-
Hello.
Got my Moreplay up and running last night. Sounds great so far. I have tried it with the Stereomour I, and the Folsom 7297 chip amp. Both sound great. But I haven't been able to do much critical listening.
I have read suggestions that having the volume up all the way on the stereomour when feeding it with a preamp is a safe way to go. I clearly don't know about electronic design because I'm afraid to crank it all the way up. I guess I'm wrongly assuming that would be bad in the long run. I suppose it must be like having any amp that doesn't have a volume control hooked up with a preamp.
Hope to have some good listening time in the next few days.
Here are a couple pics and thanks for reading.
Ben
-
Tell us about those red cables!
-
They are Electra Cable. They sound pretty nice. A bit more open than my monster interconnects, I think.
Took me a while to like the bright color.
Ben
-
Looks very nice!
-
Yes, turning the volume up all the way makes the Steremour behave more like a power amp with no level controls.
Let us know how you like the pre!
-
Well done! The listening room looks like a nice space to get in touch with the music.
Karl
-
Hey. There are a couple reasons I knew would be advantages to getting this preamp.
1. It has two outs for each R and L. I use separate servo amps so I didn't need to use a splitter anymore to send signals to my mains and the sub amps.
2. I think my DIY chip amp had a very slight gain boost in the right channel. Just enough that my center vocal and general volume seemed higher a little bit on the right channel. Having a balance fixed that.
3. Looking forward to planned upgrades in the future.
4. It's nerdy, but I like having a base, metal chassis plate, a paintable bell cover, and just an overall pro looking unit.
Those things I knew I would benefit from before I used it. Now that I have a few hours listening, a couple things come to mind. I didn't use my Quickie with my Stereomour because the sound got too warm. A little bloomy in a muddy way, I guess. So if I wanted to use the stereomour I went straight out of my source, split that pre amped signal to get to the subs, which was always super high. Then I would have to set the subs accordingly, and change volumes on 3 units if I wanted to adjust it. 2 sub channels and the main volume. And when I wanted to change out the amp and use my Folsom, it was more than just 2 interconnects and 2 speaker cables.
Now, the swap is easier, and the Moreplay isn't quite as overly full as the quickie was. There's more space between instruments, which i really wanted, and I really do hear more subtlety in some pieces. I've gone from full orchestra (Appalachian Spring) to small woodwind ensembles, (Mozart's Serenade for 13 winds, K361 3rd Mvt), Garth Brooks, John Fogerty with Brad Paisley, Dixie Chicks, Soul Asylum, and more. A wide variety, to be sure. I have made some other changes with sand filled speaker stands and longer speaker cables so I can bring the mains out into the room more. But I'm confident I like the sound of this preamp better than the quickie.
I haven't heard anything that's too analytical or bright, which was something I wondered about. My mains are Super Mini's from GR Research. They are planar drivers. I've heard some people describe very revealing and super detailed drivers as being too bright. Very revealing of the rest of the gear in the line. Using my Moreplay into a chip amp doesn't get like that, and I LOVE the sound of the Moreplay into the Stereomour. My mains are about 91db efficient, so not necessarily a great match for the 3.5 watts in my stereomour. But honestly, I never crank it anyway. If I do, which is rare, I use my chip amp because it's about 12 watts a channel and that never gets out and gallops anyway.
Long story short, I have more listening to do to be able to give a really good review. (Not to mention I need room treatments.) Which I may do in the future when I get more time in. But I knew I needed some of the things offered in this preamp and I'm loving it more than i thought.
Plus, building it is enough of a reward. Fun stuff.
Thanks,
Ben
-
Thanks Ben!