Silvaweld SWC1000

[jatindersangha]

Hi all,

I have a Silvaweld SWC1000R pre-amp, supplied by Black Forest Audio in Germany, way back in 2003.

I've recently noticed that I'm having to turn the volume up more than I usually do. eg, Last year, volume number 18 was about as loud as I'd go with a CD source. Now, it's at volume number 24.

Other than that, the pre-amp appears to work perfectly and sounds very good.

I've since noticed that the meter on the power-supply is reading 25-30 rather than 45-50 which I believe it was reading before.

I seem to remember being told by the dealer that the meter should read 48 for proper operation.

Does anyone have a SWC1000 - and can confirm what the reading should be - and any instructions on how to bias it would help?

Thanks,
--Jatinder

 

[christoph]

Hi Jatinder

I also have a Silvaweld SWC 1000R and I haven't noticed any abnormalities, but I have to admit, that I haven't used it in quite some time now.

I would try to change the tubes in the Power Supply as a first measure and see if that cures your Silvie.

Did you ask Black Forest / Gerd Volker Kühn for help?

 

[jatindersangha]

Hi Christoph,

Yes, I've asked Herr Kühn for some advice - I'm waiting on him to check what the meter reading should be.

I've already replaced all the valves to see if that would change things - changing the 300B makes the meter reading change - but it's still way less than I expect.

Are you able to try yours and read the meter on the power supply?

In terms of biasing, Herr Kühn gave me all the details for the audio section when I bought the pre-amp, and as far as I know, only the EF86 in the power supply needs to be biased via a pot.

Thanks,
--Jatinder

 

[christoph]

Hi Christoph,

Yes, I've asked Herr Kühn for some advice - I'm waiting on him to check what the meter reading should be.

I've already replaced all the valves to see if that would change things - changing the 300B makes the meter reading change - but it's still way less than I expect.

Are you able to try yours and read the meter on the power supply?

In terms of biasing, Herr Kühn gave me all the details for the audio section when I bought the pre-amp, and as far as I know, only the EF86 in the power supply needs to be biased via a pot.

Thanks,
--Jatinder

I hope Herr Kühn will have a solution for you and that he will respaond soon.

Pity that exchanging the tubes in the PS didn't change a lot
Did you bias the EF86 in the PS? What value should the EF86 be biased for?

I will switch on my Silvie to have a look at the meter.

Do you also have spare tubes for the preamp section to try?

 

[jatindersangha]

Yes, I've replaced all the valves in both sections.

--Jatinder

 

[christoph]

Yes, I've replaced all the valves in both sections.

--Jatinder

That is a pity

Sorry, I forgot to check the value on the Silvie PS yesterday.
I hope I will remember to do it this coming evening

 

[jatindersangha]

No problem.

Thanks for the help,
--Jatinder

 

[christoph]

No problem.

Thanks for the help,
--Jatinder

I hope I don't forget again to check as the Silvie is in the downstairs system

Oops, I just realized you also have the gigantic Silvaweld Aphrodite preamp and Kronzila Monos!
How cool is that

Can you describe the sonic difference between the SWC 1000 and the mighty Aphrodite?
I only saw pics of the Aphrodite but have never heard one

 

[jatindersangha]

The Aphrodite is fully balanced and uses the same tubes as the SWC1000 - plus another 4 Russian valves and 2 more 6922's (from memory).

The best way to describe the difference is as follows:

The SWC1000 using the highest quality NOS valves (including real WE417A's) sounds extremely neutral and detailed with beautiful bass texture. (I've used lots of different 417A/5842 valves and the WE417A's have sounded the best especially in the bass region - but they become microphonic very quickly unless the voltages are dialled down from the recommended 5.5V to 5.2V.)

The Aphrodite does this with cheap tubes - although it's much trickier to bias correctly!

To my ears, the Aphrodite has an extended frequency response - and may be slightly richer in the mids - but there's very little to differentiate them except size and weight!

--Jatinder

 

[christoph]

The Aphrodite is fully balanced and uses the same tubes as the SWC1000 - plus another 4 Russian valves and 2 more 6922's (from memory).

The best way to describe the difference is as follows:

The SWC1000 using the highest quality NOS valves (including real WE417A's) sounds extremely neutral and detailed with beautiful bass texture. (I've used lots of different 417A/5842 valves and the WE417A's have sounded the best especially in the bass region - but they become microphonic very quickly unless the voltages are dialled down from the recommended 5.5V to 5.2V.)

The Aphrodite does this with cheap tubes - although it's much trickier to bias correctly!

To my ears, the Aphrodite has an extended frequency response - and may be slightly richer in the mids - but there's very little to differentiate them except size and weight!

--Jatinder

Thanks for your elaborate answer

 

[christoph]

I just checked, it says a little below 35 mA

 

[jatindersangha]

Hmmm, maybe I'm just mistaken then...mine is reading 25-30 and I'm pretty sure I can adjust the EF86 a little which increases the read-out.

I'll give that a go at the weekend.

Thanks,
--Jatinder