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General HIFI => Amplification (Pre/Power) => Topic started by: tuyen on January 25, 2011, 04:45:40 PM

Title: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: tuyen on January 25, 2011, 04:45:40 PM: http://www.tcaas.btinternet.co.uk/hiraga.htm (http://www.tcaas.btinternet.co.uk/hiraga.htm)

http://diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/Jean-Hiraga-Class-A-Amplifier/ (http://diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/Jean-Hiraga-Class-A-Amplifier/)

http://diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/Jean-Hiraga-Le-Monstre/ (http://diyaudioprojects.com/Solid/Jean-Hiraga-Le-Monstre/)

http://www.theaudioeagle.com/columns/column06.html (http://www.theaudioeagle.com/columns/column06.html)

Original L'Audiophile model 'Hiraga Classe A'
(http://www.hificlassic.dk/billeder/gallerier/smallhiraga%20classe%20a.jpg)

A copy built by a fellow Australian DIY'er.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZVgJtItVgnk/SY-dwhpgttI/AAAAAAAAAg4/T-b54CiC6fw/s1600/Jean-Hiraga-Super-Class-A-Amp.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZVgJtItVgnk/SY-dtpA2IdI/AAAAAAAAAgw/1YPOyLedrJM/s1600/Jean-Hiraga-Class-A-Amp-PCB.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZVgJtItVgnk/SY-dqFLkZVI/AAAAAAAAAgo/cS6s6g7iAKo/s1600/Hiraga-Super-Class-A-Amplifier.jpg)

Any thoughts? Or better, anyone have any experience with them? ;D I do have some experience with high powered class-A SS amps in the past, but none with low powered ones.

Cheers!
tuyen
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: tuyen on March 09, 2011, 06:43:24 PM: I have one of these units on the way from overseas. Will be curious to hear how it is compared to the cheapo class-T amp :)

It's based on the 20watt Hiraga Class A circuit.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/12/!CCU%294sQCWk~$%28KGrHqZ,!ioE0GuGBr6!BNKw2WBnog~~_12.JPG)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/30v19q8.png)

(http://i56.tinypic.com/33zdwz9.png)

Description taken from the ad:

HAND MADE HI END TRUE CLASS A POWER AMPLIFIER (J .Hiraga schematic).

Tech.

power per chanel - 20w

chanel - 2 chanels

2 Farads for power suply (capacitance multiplier power suply)

SUPER STRAIGHT SIGNAL PATH

Parts:

Capacitors - PANASONIC FC

Diodes - SCHOTTKY

I am also in the process of hopefully getting some custom build Hiraga Le Monstre 8watt amps built from Dan in Adelaide (the man behind the amps posted above. Senior member of DIYAudioProjects.com). The main problem is lack of money :(
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: Hens on March 09, 2011, 11:18:09 PM: lol, so much for girls :P

is it really ideal for the transformer to be so close to the other bits and pieces?
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: kajak12 on March 11, 2011, 01:25:28 AM: Quote from: Hens on March 09, 2011, 11:18:09 PM
lol, so much for girls :P

is it really ideal for the transformer to be so close to the other bits and pieces?
just waiting for tuyen to get a girlfriend goto horns will be very cheap and local pickup available ;D
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: tuyen on March 23, 2011, 07:19:04 PM: Been listening to the hiraga amp for past week or two and have to say, it is performs very good for a SS. Better than what I have experienced in the past with SS gear (high powered pure class A units included). Sound has great clarity and preciseness. Imaging is rock solid and resolution is extreme. Doesn't have any mid-range 'warmness' that I am used to and often enjoy with some of my past valve amps, but doesn't mean it 'hides' any of the midrange detail.

Very promising and quite glad, as I have 3 custom 8watt hiraga le monstre's poweramps being built to run the 3 horn channels of my setup. With the bass channel, still interested to compare something like the Naksa 70 with the 20watter hiraga to see what the differences will be.
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: ozcal on March 23, 2011, 08:31:54 PM: How much was the amp T , any links?
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: tuyen on April 08, 2011, 04:19:07 PM: Hi G,

They are all custom built by a guy over in Lithuania who builds them as his hobby in his spare time. Got 3 Hiraga 8watt Le Monstre's being built to run the 3 horn channels :)

Some progress photos below:

(http://i54.tinypic.com/k3kw03.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/fc5vnm.jpg)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/2w3dus6.png)

Hopefully a noticeable step up from the class-t amps :)
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: tuyen on May 22, 2011, 12:26:36 AM: Amps are built and will be sent to their new home this week :)

(http://i56.tinypic.com/o8uuzr.jpg)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/2vbtxyv.jpg)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/335cayc.jpg)

(http://i55.tinypic.com/333a0ox.jpg)

Hrmm.. the pcb and parts count is so little.. im wondering if i should fit some sort of speaker protection circuit, etc. Any thoughts??
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: Audio-D on May 23, 2011, 05:16:50 AM: Hello

I am very interested in one of these Hiraga design amplifiers they look marvelous could you tell me how to go about having one built

thanks
Audio-D :)
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: tuyen on May 23, 2011, 07:53:41 PM: No problems Audio-D.

Pm sent
Title: Re: Jean Hiraga Class-A Amplifiers
Post by: ozmillsy on June 04, 2011, 08:40:16 AM: Quote from: tuyen on May 22, 2011, 12:26:36 AM
Hrmm.. the pcb and parts count is so little.. im wondering if i should fit some sort of speaker protection circuit, etc. Any thoughts??
Well, that's a tough question T. When I looked at the pics I thought, wow, they're so elegantly simple.

I'm sure it's intentionally simple, to retain as much purity as possible. They look great, and I look forward to reading your impressions once they've run in.