Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Analog Addict]

Yes, it is still possible to get a pair of the Inspire Open Baffle speakers, but I don't have a price for you yet. We built these original ones a long time ago, years pre COVID, and I know for a fact that the cost of materials has almost doubled. I am waiting for guidance from Dennis before I say anything more. Here are the original OB speakers...

Inspire speakers by analog addict, on Flickr


Here are the remaining finished pair, in Ziracote veneer.


Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr
Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr


The newer Inspire 3.1 speakers are also in pre production. The first pair or two should be available in Oct and will feature a Padauk veneer...



Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr



We will have a price scale shortly, but it is possible that Dennis will liquidate the old inventory at original prices, so if you're interested in the Inspire OBs, don't sit on your hands. PM me here as always.



I absolutely love both sets of speakers, but as someone who has many hours of blood sweat and tears tied up in the OBs, I will proudly say that they are true works of art. As we move forward, there will be more veneer choices as well....

[Analog Addict]

Dennis couldn't help himself and grabbed this off of eBay the other day...


Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

So after we kicked some ideas around, Dennis has decided to stroll down memory lane and rebuild this Magnavox 8601 with the original iron, and throw everything he's learned over the last 14-15 years into the rebuild. We will document the journey here, as an homage to the original Maggie amps that "Inspired" Dennis to undertake this new journey after CARY.

Right now the plan is to turn this into a 396a/6GK6 design, while retaining the 6CA4 rectifier. Eventually, it should look something like this...

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr


There are also other flavours of Maggie still hiding around the shop, and I wouldn't be surprised if Dennis starts playing with them as well...



Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Untitled by analog addict, on Flickr

[Formerly YB-2]

Terrific stuff. Great to see Dennis reuse such good old iron (Eico is another one, as are Fisher and Allen Organ).

[Analog Addict]

Dennis says that he will keep the last one or two sets of previously manufactured OB speakers at $3,000, plus $500 CONUS shipping.

Of course, local pick up by appointment is always welcome as well.

[straitwire]

The color swatches arrived yesterday, I had already decided to go with Whiskey Bronze but I had them send Cherokee Bronze too.
I wanted to see which of them looked best with my stereo system stand.
The bottom swatch is Whiskey Bronze.
I'm working on the layout of the matching preamp today as well as the new "Maggie" amp.
I'm also cutting another PH-1 phono chassis.
[IMG][/IMG]

[straitwire]

Didn't have a power transformer to set on the chassis, but you get the Idea.

[IMG][/IMG]

[cgn-dt-n]

Comprehension Question
what is special about the old iron in transformer / output transformer?
Have other materials been used that may no longer be used for environmental reasons?
Was the quality control better back then than it is in today's world, where mass is more important than quality?
Is it nostagial reasons or simply the recycling of components that are not damaged by age?

[Formerly YB-2]

The various metals used, the way it is processed and resulting grain-orientation, design, windings, lamination & insulation. Its 'black magic' for audio. Was at its finest prior to and into the early decades of transistors, which do not use (in the great majority of cases) output transformers. Many, if not most of the old processes have been "improved", which is not necessarily a good thing for audio. Plus, much has moved 'off-shore' (China, perhaps). A hot and dirty business. There are still bespoke transformer companies making proper "iron". But....... are they are as good as old? Am sure some are, but difficult to say. Its a very different world from 50yr ago.

[cgn-dt-n]

Thanks for the info

[straitwire]

Chassis are just about ready for the powder coater, I've got to clean up the corners and then I'm done with the Maggie's and the PH-1.
I have a few more things to do to my preamp.
I'm ordering the powder coat for the mono blocs and the preamp today.
Then I'm building a 396A preamp, I'll post pics of the build.

[IMG][/IMG]