OK, still have the blue masking tape on the transformer covers just in case...
Running a new matched pair of EH Gold 2A3's purchased just for this occasion and the stock driver tubes and...
GREAT sound! Way better than the cost would imply. WAY better.
And much better sounding right off the bench than the Paramour of past days. Or, at least as I recall it.
OK, meters are REALLY iffy. Neither is even close to the mark and one dies altogether after a few hours on.
But other than that, the kit went together quite easily, even for someone who can hardly see. Two magnifying lamps on the bench sure helped. Instructions were VERY well done, but then you guys have been doing this for nearly half century?
Bit more gain than I need, which picks up the tube rush in my tube preamp. Was running a pair of S.E.X amps in bi-amp mode and if I turned down the volume pots on the S.E.X amps and used the preamp for extra volume, the noise coming out of the preamp was negligible.
Before that I was running 300B monoblocks that had very low gain which masked the high noise floor of my preamp.
That said, driving 106dB Edgar Horns is a breeze for a 2A3. Bass in not an issue because the Edgar Horns don't do that and a sub would have it's own amp and be driven from the preamp anyway.
Will let them run for a few days to break in the new 2A3's and perhaps the film caps and report back.
Expect glowing reports!
