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  3. 157706-484

New "World Class" 3C24 amp

I know the title to this thread is controversial, but to me, it's absolutely a true statement. I just bought this amp, which Paul Birkeland brought to my house, along with about four other amps to try. I wound up liking, and buying, the 3C24 stereo amp. Paul designed, and built this amp. He is a designer for Bottlehead, a company that makes tube component kits.

Last night, I stayed up late listening to this new amp. It was transformational. I've never heard a better sounding amp anywhere, and it turns out it is a perfect match for my custom-built Tannoy HPD 315 speakers. I posted it on my Virtual System, but it did not get posted on the Virtual System forum page, which has been an ongoing problem for me.

I can't say enough about this amp, and about Paul Birkeland. This amp would have been cheap at double what I paid, and I can't believe what I got for what I paid. I am finally getting what I've been hoping to hear from my audio system for over forty years. Yes, it is that good.

Regards,
Dan
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islandmandan OP
1,260 posts
 
Okay, I heard back from Paul. These are the specs:

Power at 1 kHz: 10% THD: 12 Wpc
5% THD: 9.3 Wpc
Power at 35 Hz: 10% THD: 8.9 Wpc
5% THD: 6.8 Wpc

These may not be impressive, but if you heard what I hear what this amp does through my Tannoys, you wouldn't care what the measurements are. I sure don't.

There are pictures on my VS, titled "The Summit" in : "Done For Now"

Thanks
Dan
spiritofradio's avatar
spiritofradio
3,449 posts
 
Congratulations.  From your description a match for your nice Tannoys and incredible TT setup.  Very Nice.  
br3098
997 posts
 
Sounds very interesting. How about some pictures?

bananaslug's avatar
bananaslug
18 posts
 
Good to hear Dan. I'm about to pick up a similar amp from Paul. He's been doing some check-ups and repairs for me this past year on some tube amps, both here and gone, based on your recommendation here on AgoN. You are absolutely on point about him. He is a wealth of knowledge, undervalues his time, and easy to talk to. I'm excited to pick up my 3C24 SE class A2 amp this coming week. He has a couple on hand both run about 6W according to him. One is stereo version with Magnequest ES-025 iron and one pair each of 3C24, 866, 0D3, and 6BM8 tubes and the other are monoblocks with Magnequest RH-60 iron and 3C24, EF86, and 6S4A tubes. Yes, how about some photos?
Best, John
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islandmandan OP
1,260 posts
 
Hi John, all,

There are photos on my Virtual System, under "Done For Now", titled "The Summit". After three months, the amp is still all I've ever wanted in an amp. 

It has hundreds of hours on it by now, and not a single issue, (well except one 3C24 tube went bad, but I have spares now).

Best amp I've been around for any length of time in all these years.

John, congratulations on your amp! Enjoy1
Regards,
Dan
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