Lance Cochrane Carmel Single Ended

I made this unit about a year and a half ago. Every once in a while I'd pull it off the shelf and change something. I just can't leave well enough alone. It's parallel single ended. Somewhere between 22 and 25 watts a side depending on the output tubes used. It passes transients in such manner that it can startle you. Like most Single Ended units it's the deep and liquid mid range that gets you.

There are two reasons for the bargain price on this unit. Firstly, it's pretty large and I have too many amplifiers. That happens when you build them. I've got to set up the Christmas tree so I particularly need some space right now. Secondly, the unit does not include a set of output tubes. You'll need to provide your own.

Why? This unit, unlike most units that I've had or made, turns the natural order of things backward. I've long held that the input tubes, usually the first tube, sets the stage. The first tube makes a very significant difference in realized sound. The output tubes, while they do make a difference, make a subtle difference as opposed to the difference that you get from changing the first tube in the chain.

This unit is very different. It can run 6L6, 5881, KT66, EL34, KT77, 7581, 6550, and KT88. Just for fun I ran it with a set of 6V6 and it worked perfectly. The 6V6 weren't over stressed at all. It worked perfectly and sounded wonderful. The difference from the usual is that changing the output tubes in this unit really makes clearly audible changes in realized sound. The smaller 5881 are more forward than the more laid back 6550. As there are no active regulators used, it appears to be a function of the current drawn by the output tubes. The more current drawn by the outputs, the lower the plate voltage on the small tubes. Basic Ohm's law and all that but it's measurable with a check of the plate voltage on the 6CG7's.

In any case while I very much like the sound from both the 5881 and 6550 outputs, both are different and the buyer will likely want to experiment a bit to get the optimum result in his own system. That's tube roller Heaven. A lot of tube rolling is imagination. Well, I think maybe this one sounds this way and maybe this tube sounds that way. Not here, with this unit your Wife, you know, the one who wishes you'd just stop buying more equipment, even she will readily appreciate the difference.

Which is the best output tube to use? That depends on both your set up and your taste. I found very nice phrasing and intonation from any that I used. The depth and timing are there. Having the ability to tune things to fit your needs is something you don't often find. I just went from playing Stan Getz at the Keystone to playing Vince Guaraldi and Bola Sete. Those are very different and it was right on both. My speakers are more laid back than most. That's what I prefer. Everyone's different. Nice to be able to get things where you want them.

Now when I started in this hobby over 40 years ago, tubes were pretty cheap. These days a set of KT88 or KT66 are a significant expense. I've set the amplifier so each output tube has an individual cathode bias set up. No adjustments needed, just plug in what you like and give a listen. Equally significant, the output tubes are set to run softly so they last forever. The B+ and bias are set so the outputs run softly. That means you don't get that hard sound from over stressed tubes. You get silky treble out of a deep black backdrop. You also get very long tube life.

With 6550's or KT88's you expect a unit to get pretty hot. Heat is the reason amplifiers die. That and price point manufacture that causes sub-optimum component choice to meet a predetermined sales price. There's none of that here. There's a large surface area to radiate heat and coupled with prudent voltage and current settings yields an amplifier that gets warm, not hot. Run it all day with big outputs tubes. No stress at all.

The input tubes are RCA clear top 12AU7 and some nice Canadian 6CG7. The unit requires a pair of each. I'm providing three of each so you have a spare. Those tubes, 12AU7 and 6CG7 aren't pricey anyway.

Like all my units, all handcrafted and hardwired. No circuit boards ever. I tested it on my big speaker array with the Bill Frissell, Elvin Jones, Dave Holland thing because you know immediately if the bass and transients are where they should be. I followed that with the Wynton Marsalis Mr. Jelly Lord disc because it's brilliantly recorded, and lastly I played the full In-a gadda -de-vida because it brought back the black lights and compliant ingenues of my misguided youth.

Ahem.

This won't be pleasant to pack. It's pretty large. It will be protected against whatever it faces in shipping. Sheet foam, double boxing, what ever is necessary. This will arrive intact.

I'm no master photographer. The color in the first pictures is accurate.
The others are a little lighter than in person except for the two at the end which are a little dark.

Yes, I know, Candy Apple, Carmel, sweet sounding Amplifiers.

Nothing wrong with that.

The best buy in HiFi.

Get it or regret it.

Lance Cochrane


P.S. -- No International Buyers please.