Visit to Audiophile Bill to hear his horns project

[Audiophile Bill]

Edit: 11.5 cm exactly...just measured it.

Thanks very much, Brad. Really helpful.

 

[Zeotrope]

Hi,

This is a very nicely made variable solid state supply to start me off. Depending how this goes, I can see an all out Tungar in my system. I didn’t want to commit too much budget on it (yet) in case it doesn’t work out.

Below you will see internals:View attachment 94271

Looks great! Is this powering both drivers? I’ve heard it doesn’t make a difference: multiple power supplies vs one, just curious.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Looks great! Is this powering both drivers? I’ve heard it doesn’t make a difference: multiple power supplies vs one, just curious.

Hi,

Yes it powers both drivers. I am very pleased with this purchase actually. It gives me output for 7 different voltage/ current settings.

 

[Zeotrope]

Is it constant voltage or current, or unregulated?

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Is it constant voltage or current, or unregulated?

I was advised at all cost to go unregulated so I did. There was some argument about power supply coil “fighting” the voicecoil made but I didn’t understand it. Instead I trusted a guy who makes these regularly for his field coil customers in Far East. These and full Tungar based models.

 

[Zeotrope]

Yes, I think I was the one who forwarded that comment about fighting the voicecoil, which came from a small Japanese transformer/power supply company.

I went with a WVL supply which I’m very happy with -- huge difference vs the constant voltage lab supplies I was using. I believe Wolf uses constant current for low voltage. The argument against fighting the voicecoil is an argument against constant voltage supplies.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Yes, I think I was the one who forwarded that comment about fighting the voicecoil, which came from a small Japanese transformer/power supply company.

I went with a WVL supply which I’m very happy with -- huge difference vs the constant voltage lab supplies I was using. I believe Wolf uses constant current for low voltage. The argument against fighting the voicecoil is an argument against constant voltage supplies.

Ah okay interesting. I didn’t know that applied to constant current too.

Tbh I am inclined to investigate some of the Tungar based approaches in the future as going from ss to EY500 on my cart was quite profound.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

So the build has been progressing. Fitted feet and lower side trim together with various internal bracing pieces. Finishing the whole thing in blond dewaxed shellac with a French polish. This process is slow and laborious but it is more or less universally accepted from luthiers that shellac provides the best tone out of all the finishes. For me it was this or oil / wax. Definitely no polyester, lacquer or acrylic allowed on this one lol.

Fortunately the carcass has a removable back plate so I can test a few tweaks to back loaded horn geometry and length. I simulated a new model this week that on paper is even flatter with more extension so will try that out too.

Here is morning sun shining in on the first few coats of shellac. From here it will be levelled and repeated over many coats using French polishing. For the eagle eyes, you can see some through tenons on the side there. They didn’t need to be “through” but I quite like the detailing myself.

 

[marmota]

Your passion, craftmanship and attention to detail are unparalleled, Bill. The speakers look beyond beautiful, and I'm sure they sound even better.

 

[iansr]

Stunning work Bill

 

[spiritofmusic]

Bill, I'm liking this tone a bit more to your darker mahogany horns. The wives of audiophiles are gonna love you lol.

 

[morricab]

So the build has been progressing. Fitted feet and lower side trim together with various internal bracing pieces. Finishing the whole thing in blond dewaxed shellac with a French polish. This process is slow and laborious but it is more or less universally accepted from luthiers that shellac provides the best tone out of all the finishes. For me it was this or oil / wax. Definitely no polyester, lacquer or acrylic allowed on this one lol.

Fortunately the carcass has a removable back plate so I can test a few tweaks to back loaded horn geometry and length. I simulated a new model this week that on paper is even flatter with more extension so will try that out too.

Here is morning sun shining in on the first few coats of shellac. From here it will be levelled and repeated over many coats using French polishing. For the eagle eyes, you can see some through tenons on the side there. They didn’t need to be “through” but I quite like the detailing myself.

View attachment 94883

What is your gap to the floor now?

 

[morricab]

So the build has been progressing. Fitted feet and lower side trim together with various internal bracing pieces. Finishing the whole thing in blond dewaxed shellac with a French polish. This process is slow and laborious but it is more or less universally accepted from luthiers that shellac provides the best tone out of all the finishes. For me it was this or oil / wax. Definitely no polyester, lacquer or acrylic allowed on this one lol.

Fortunately the carcass has a removable back plate so I can test a few tweaks to back loaded horn geometry and length. I simulated a new model this week that on paper is even flatter with more extension so will try that out too.

Here is morning sun shining in on the first few coats of shellac. From here it will be levelled and repeated over many coats using French polishing. For the eagle eyes, you can see some through tenons on the side there. They didn’t need to be “through” but I quite like the detailing myself.

View attachment 94883

 

[Audiophile Bill]

What is your gap to the floor now?

something like 8cm right now. I am waiting for some better spikes that I ordered that give a lot more.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

View attachment 94897

The Odeons have a backward rake?

 

[morricab]

The Odeons have a backward rake?

Yes, slanted in the back and widest at the bottom

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Been tidying up the listening room and carrying on with the back loaded horn build. Lots of coats of shellac still needed but making progress. I am running the AERs with the big field coil motor. I have an AN Kaisei secondary filter before the motor.

I am really excited about the potential for this system. It is extremely fast, dynamic, lifelike and downright musical. So far it is being fed with 1.25 watts Mayer. I have a stereo 45 amp with c3g and mercury recti to try soon. Just need to acquire a matched pair of 45 tubes. Got the others. The wires on the rug and box is the field coil supply.

 

[bazelio]

Wait a second, I see sunshine and green grass. Surely this photo wasn't taken in the UK. Whose speakers are these ... really?!

Very beautiful all around, Bill.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Wait a second, I see sunshine and green grass. Surely this photo wasn't taken in the UK. Whose speakers are these ... really?!

Very beautiful all around, Bill.

+1 looking great inside and out Bill. They’re looking real purposeful. Love the detailing on them as well, just noticed the way you’ve braced the feet, it all looks so nice! Great stuff.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Wait a second, I see sunshine and green grass. Surely this photo wasn't taken in the UK. Whose speakers are these ... really?!

Very beautiful all around, Bill.

Haha - yes for once we got sun here. Thank you for kind comments!