Sorry! I thought you meant phono stage in the preamp. But, still don't know if he's looking at phono pre pieces. I haven't seen any in his ebay listings since I've been following. Best to ask him directly I think.

Welcome Bob! Cool, you do live pretty close by....and you build your own amps!! Awesome!! :music:

Yeah we'll have to get together sometime maybe a couple of times. I'd love to check out your 105 db horn loaded speakers, you could probably run them with 2 watts. Then maybe when I get my Inspire amp, you could bring your amp over to my place and we could compare the KT-88 to the KT-150 in both amps.
I'll have to try to figure out how to PM you offline with contact info.

Oh yeah, I do vinyl, that's why I have a Cary SLP-98P preamp, with onboard phono stage. We could also try running your amp direct with your battery operated phono preamp, and then through my Cary preamp. All these tests could take weeks! :whistle:

Cheers,
John McGrogan

John, you have to be a subscriber to be able to send and receive PM.

You have more details here http://audioaficionado.org/payments.php

Speakers are Electro Voice Sentry III I rebuilt them - crossovers re-foam etc. Yes I would love to do a comparison side by side. I'm getting ready to build another amp specific for the KT150 and I was looking for pictures of Dennis Had's amp you bought for his wire layout which brought me here. Dennis does excellent work you should be very happy with your amp. Did he ship it out yet or is he running it in for you first?

Cheers,
Bob

He's still building it Bob, I just ordered it on Sunday. I'm sure ordering the custom chassis and faceplate will take a little time. I have no ETA on the amp yet, but I'm guessing it's a couple of weeks out.

Cheers,
John

Peter, what difference did you notice between running with the 5AR4 rectifier and the 274B? The 274B looks much bigger, strange about the lower output. I've been doing some reading about these regulators in general, and it seems that most seem to favor the 5AR4 because it's slow start ability protects the other tubes in the circuit better??
The 274B does look cooler though. :roots:

Yeah, that 274B is quite the looker! It's a bit easier on the ears for me. I should go back to the 5AR4 again and check though.

I've read the same thing about the 5AR4, but I'm sure that he designed to work properly either way.

For those that might be interested, Dennis is working on a 6SL7/6SN7/5AR4 phono-preamp for MM/MC that should be finished by the end of the summer.

Just got some pics tonight from Dennis on the progress of my new KT88 amp. He says he likes the color so much that he's gonna have another one made next week so he can keep one in his listening room. :thumbsup:

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire1.jpeg

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire0.jpeg

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire2.jpeg

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire5.jpeg

Very nice!!
Cannot decide if I want to pick up a Cary SLP 98 or one of Dennis' new preamps.

John,

That is a nice color! Yesterday, Dennis sent photos of my LP-2 pre under construction and mixed in a couple of your photos, so I got a preview of both. :) He expects it to be finished today and setup for listening in his room for an evening before shipping out. Could be he's listening to my pre and your amp at the same time - small world!

I should get a pic of it finished sometime today.....

.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/382/6jeg.jpg

Peter - Also very nice!!
What is the tube complement in the SP-2?
Am guessing that it is not remote capable?

Hi Glenn,

Here it is in Dennis' own words:

Unfortunately, no remote. I had to think about that one. The thought of getting up and down to change volume was discouraging. But I love his amp enough to want the matched pair as I think these will be long term keepers. I have the SLP05 and will very likely keep that as well. I ordered a decware.com/newsite/ZSB.html . This will allow me to switch between the two preamps going to the one amp. So I can have my cake and eat it, too!

When listening with the LP-2, I can set it to the volume sweet spot and do some limited level adjustment in two places: My streamer/DAC has a preamp mode that engages a level control for the signal it feeds to the preamp. And the tablet app that controls access to my NAS storage has level for the signal fed to the streamer/DAC. So I think I can live with it! http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/evilgrin/1.gif

You probably can't go wrong either way. Dennis' new one will probably be a less expensive alternative I would imagine. An Inspire will not have a remote, but you also get a tube rectifier, which the SLP-98 does not have.

Decisions, decisions....:scratch2:

WOW! That looks very cool too! I'll be very interested to hear how you think it compares to your SLP-05 preamp.

Peter, I've been chatting with a gent on the Audio Asylum forum who claims he has the first KT-150 amp that Dennis built. He said he was infatuated with the KT-150 tube, and asked Dennis to build him an amp based on that tube. He has an E88CC as a driver and is very, very happy with his amp. He says that his 12 wpc KT-150 Fire Bottle sounds more powerful than his previous 25 wpc tube amp.

Good words to read! Have him chime in over here...

I bet the photo I included in the opening post is his amp and the same design as mine. Is his white?

Yes, he has the crème white chassis. I thought you had a 6H30 driver tube, his driver is a E88CC (6922). Snowflakes...lol!

It will run a number of input tubes including the 6922. Again, in Dennis' words:

Yes, I just heard back from him. He said he doesn't like the 6H30 tube that came with his amp. He said it was "soft and unclear". Then he said he went through a half a dozen 6922 variants before he settled on a Telefunken E88CC. He says he's running a Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube. I sent him a link of this thread, maybe he'll join in the fun.

John

Hope so. There's only a few of us evident, though more out there for sure. This thread, I'm thinking just three of us. Did I overlook someone? Joe Ling, you and me.... so far :thumbsup: Though Joe didn't sound to happy last he posted. You out there Joe?

I just got some shots of my completed preamp. And, guess what, if you haven't seen it yet.... without further ado.. ehemm -

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9149/e9c2.jpg

I guessed it! Here's my new preamp and, I believe, your new amp, playing together in Dennis' living room. Are we related now? 2nd cousins one amp removed, or something like that?

Ok, enough. Here's the best shot of my finished preamp. Will have it next week.

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/1043/lmrn.jpg

Here's the amp I all ready have:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/827/y2vb.jpg

.

http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/love/11.gif

Another inspire on the way
 

Hello, looks like we are all on the waiting list... I have ordered a racing green 6v6. Looks like your bright blue one was picked up from the powder coater at the same time. Dennis is starting on my amp tomorrow. Love how individual and unique each of these amps are.

Simonatsea... Welcome! :wave:

Hello Simonatsea, welcome! So you are the one getting the green amp. I did see a photo of that when Dennis sent me one of my first pics of the blue chassis. I told Dennis the green looked really cool too. Yeah, the blue is a little brighter than the midnight blue on my Cary preamp, but it should match close enough. Dennis also told me of how much he loves the 6V6 tube, in fact he was using them while running in my KT88'er. He suggested that I try the 6V6 tube in my amp when I get a chance. He says it is a bit sweeter, while the KT88 is a bit more dynamic.

Besides the color options, tube rolling is the other thing that makes these amps so fun to play with. I haven't even received it yet, and I'm already thinking about KT88's, KT150's, 6V6's, 6SL7's, 6SN7's, not to mention the variety of rectifier tubes. Dennis says I'll need a 5Y3 rectifier to run the 6V6 tubes.

Peter, thanks for posting that pic! Yeah, Dennis sent it to me too, and I had to laugh. Dennis didn't talk about ETA, but I'm hoping that it comes in next week. I'm certainly waiting with bated breath. I told him I was drooling all over my keyboard. :drool:

That preamp looks pretty big, bigger even than the amp. How many inputs does it have? I really only use 3 inputs on my Cary. The red looks very cool too. I liked it sitting next to my amp too. I told Dennis that when he's done with his phono stage, I may order a red preamp like yours and a white phono stage, so that I have a red, white and blue rig! :banana:

John

Welcome Simonatsea! Our ranks are growing!

Perhaps a glimpse of your 6V6 chassis!

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5553/5rfm.jpg

John... My guess is your amp will ship the same time as my pre (today) since they both seem to be ready.

As far as inputs on the LP-2, there are three positions on the selector, though five jacks on the back. My guess is three in and two out. I didn't ask as I only need two in and one out (streamer and CD go through the DAC with one connection to the pre plus connection from the phono pre).

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7006/ft6f.jpg

So, red/white/blue equipment, eh? They are made in the USA afterall! But you will have to keep them in order: pre, phono, amp. If you did amp, phono, pre, everyone would think they were made in France! :lmao:

DAMMIT!!! I didn't think this through well enough!! I don't want to be French!!! :nono:

A couple more pics.

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire20.jpeg

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire7.jpeg

http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/0/3992/Inspire8.jpeg

Dennis is burning my amp in with KT88's and his personal favorites, 6V6's. The 6V6 put out 5-7 watts and require a 5Y3 regulator tube. Dennis says the 6V6 is a bit sweeter sounding, the KT88's a bit more dynamic. Oh well, just something else to play with...... :banana:

Very nice! That black faceplate really works with the blue and you chose it, I assume, to go with your SLP98.

That rectifier is an awesome looking tube. It's what I'm running in mine.

By the way, Dennis tells me that SLP stands for "Special Linestage Preamplifier", not "Sweet Little Preamp" as I read around the net. He's calling the LP-2 "Line Preamplifier".

Hey John...... get a fedex tracking number today? Just got mine! :beerchug:


.

Cool! Any delivery date yet? I haven't received any information yet from Dennis. I think I still owe him money for the color options. I sent him an e-mail asking about it, but I haven't received any response yet. He usually doesn't reply until very late at night, 12 AM or later EST.

Here is a quote from his latest e-mail, previously he had been talking of experimenting with new rf parts that he was thinking of using from his radio hobby:

Blue looks pretty stunning! I went with the 6V6 on Dennis's advice, he informed me that KT88's would run perfectly as well. Interesting though as you've got some added hardware under the hood as well as larger transformers. Looking forward to seeing my finished product, the Lil Racing green 6V6 is being built today! Peter, I believe we might have chatted on another forum, you have a bit of a collection of SE amps, Bottlehead, APPJ, Inspire, correct? just guessing as I am sure there are not too many Red KT150 inspire amps around.
Looking forward to having something to make my Zu audio Soul Superfly's sing.... They have been pretty hard to amp match to this point....

Love his enthusiasm!

Scheduled delivery for me is next Friday. Takes a bit longer to get up to Alaska.

So pay up! You might still get yours in sync.

Maybe not. The Inspire is my first SE amp. I have a conrad-johnson and had other c-j, gone now. Would be interesting if someone else made the same choice!

Oh well, I'm sure the numbers are still very limited in all colours. Interested in what kind of tweaks from his Box of parts made it into your amp.... Cant wait to hear that my little 6v6 is making music.... Never had so much fun with ordering an amp! I'll have to learn how to post pics once I've got an update.

Yes, his enthusiasm is contagious, and is what makes this so much fun!!

I just received my nightly e-mail from Dennis, I paid up and he says it will ship out on Monday. I'm in Pennsylvania, much closer to NC than Alaska, so maybe mine will still arrive by Friday too!! LOL! I do hope it will be here next week. The wife will be surprised!! :faint:

Tonight's e-mail was mostly about basketball, as Dennis and his wife are very excited about the progress of NC State in the ACC tourney. They've been fans for 30 years now.

He did mention that recent owners of a KT88 and KT 66 sent him e-mails of love. He also mentioned that the KT88 owner said:

Peter, those two units are gonna look AWESOME together!! I love it! I'd consider the preamp, but I really like having the phono stage and preamp in one box (SLP-98P).

Before deciding to buy Dennis' amp, I was actually considering moving to an integrated amp. I've done that whole separates thing to death. Two chassis phono stages, two chassis preamps, monoblock amps, etc....I'm trying to reduce some clutter now, not add. Though if this amp sounds great, and Dennis ever decides to do monoblocks.....I may be tempted. :naughty:

How are you guys contacting Dennis? I need a Phono amp to pair with my SLI-80.

Dennis said I could give out his email, though I won't post it publicly on the forum. Either PM me on audiocircle or avsforum (username: pstrisik) or post a way for me to contact you and I'll pass it on. You can also contact him through his eBay account.

Er was Joe the Dennis Hopper wiry fellow I just passed in the hallway who insisted he's talkin' the way he is becuz he just spent 5 minutes on the phone with Dennis Had, and now he's "all pumped up!" :banana:

That infectious energy is contagious stuff ya know. :D

Hello all. Having recently been searching for a new SET integrated, and then later having a chance discovery of DH's Inspire products, and after having bought both the Inspire KT88, and the 6V6, and the LS2, and finally having read every word of this thread...I have to ask - how'd I get here? :)

At any rate - greeting's from Seattle!

Looks like several of you have had the same conversation with DH that I had.

C1

So, I'm searching for web info on DH's Inspire amps, and next thing I know I discover this thread and a whole new audio forum.

Btw...I love the red and blue chassis treatments...nice touch guys! The Jaguar red reminds me of a Melody integrated I recently viewed. So, has anyone here actually heard an Inspire product? :)

Welcome from Anchorage - Oh and it's snowing! :) (got 8" yesterday)

As you've found, no website. The best info is Dennis' eBay listings - search for listings by radioman731 and click on the "sold" checkbox on the left to see all his variations on amps so far - or from Dennis himself.