Alan Eaton Mono-block 45 amps anyone?

Dr Morbius said:
Yes they do look great, if I knew he would do that I would have asked him! Here’s a shot of the pair of Eaton Mono Block amps along with a shot of one of my spreakers. Got about 240 hours on them and the bass is full and low and the mid-range is to truly die for!
Click to expand...
He didn't even know he did it. He said no one had asked him before, but they did come out great. It's hard to capture the color in photos, but they look even better in person. I've always wanted to try a big pair of KHorns, but I'm very happy with my Omega Super Alnico Hight Output XRS with integrated down firing 8" deep hemp subs and upgraded internal wiring by Dave at Zenwave Audio. Those did take a tremendous time to break in, though, and I questioned my decision when they were playing rght out of the box.

I have a 2A3 amplifier with all the upgrades (and an upgraded 6SN7 preamp) coming from Aric Audio. Aric is building them to be switchable to also use a 45 tube. It didn't cost much more to make the modification and he said it doesn't negatively impact the performance of the 2A3 side at all - so I figured if they don't sound as good as the Alan Eatons I'll just run two sets of amplifiers and switch back and forth depending on what I'm listening to.
 
Here is mine in Greek Blue
Heavy G said:
He didn't even know he did it. He said no one had asked him before, but they did come out great. It's hard to capture the color in photos, but they look even better in person. I've always wanted to try a big pair of KHorns, but I'm very happy with my Omega Super Alnico Hight Output XRS with integrated down firing 8" deep hemp subs and upgraded internal wiring by Dave at Zenwave Audio. Those did take a tremendous time to break in, though, and I questioned my decision when they were playing rght out of the box.

I have a 2A3 amplifier with all the upgrades (and an upgraded 6SN7 preamp) coming from Aric Audio. Aric is building them to be switchable to also use a 45 tube. It didn't cost much more to make the modification and he said it doesn't negatively impact the performance of the 2A3 side at all - so I figured if they don't sound as good as the Alan Eatons I'll just run two sets of amplifiers and switch back and forth depending on what I'm listening to.
Click to expand...
As an owner of both AE 45 mono blocks and AA 2A3 as I am, I can honestly say you have FANTASTIC gear.
 
Michaels HiFi said:
Here is mine in Greek Blue

As an owner of both AE 45 mono blocks and AA 2A3 as I am, I can honestly say you have FANTASTIC gear.
Click to expand...
I can't see your photo.

Thank you, I appreciate that. I used to work in high end audio and helped a friend with his audio business as well. I've had very large and expensive systems in the past. I get more enjoyment listening to the small SETs than anything else.
 
Would love to hear the mono-blocks with those 105dB efficient speakers, not surprised that you are loving your sound!
I got my AE 45se stereo from Alan about 5 years ago and like you feel in love with what the 45 tube is capable of.
I run mine with Tekton Perfect Set 15, 98 dB and get deep bass and revealing mid rage. Glad that you are enjoying these great amps!
 

Attachments

  • 20260418_090852.jpg
    20260418_090852.jpg
    3.5 MB · Views: 10
  • 20260421_133643.jpg
    20260421_133643.jpg
    3.4 MB · Views: 10
Last edited:
ludimagis said:
Would love to hear the mono-blocks with those 105dB efficient speakers, not surprised that you are loving your sound!
I got my AE 45se stereo from Alan about 5 years ago and like you feel in love with what the 45 tube is capable of.
I run mine with Tekton Perfect Set 15, 98 dB and get deep bass and revealing mid rage. Glad that you are enjoying these great amps!
Click to expand...
Wow, those 45’s look huge in the picture……………and can I ask what speakers are you using?
 
Dr Morbius said:
Wow, those 45’s look huge in the picture……………and can I ask what speakers are you using?
Click to expand...
Those look like EMLs. I have their mesh plate 2a3s to try when my Aric amp gets here. I've always wanted to try their 45, but have heard that there were inconsistencies in reliability.
 
The tubes are EML 45 solid plate, which are my favorites, but I do roll in Vintage globes and ST's.
The speakers are Tekton Design Perfect Set 15. Very good match for the AE 45.
 
I've already posted my love for these amplifiers, but there are two things I've experienced with them.

Please be aware, these are ME problems, not an issue with the Alan Eaton 45s.

I use the T+A DAC 200 with a Holo Red NAA getting signal from HQPlayer running everything at DSD 1024/48 (I have an overbuilt Intel 14900KS PC offloading to an nvidia RTX 5090) and it outputs 2.35V at line level. I always had a vey slight bit of distortion that I dealt with because everything sounded so good. I had emailed Jason and asked him about it and basically the 2.35V that the DAC 200 puts out at line level is slightly overdriving the input of the amplifier. So even if I turn the volume down on the amp, the input level is still higher than ideal. When I switched over to using the volume control on the DAC 200 which, thankfully, has a ladder resistor analog volume control things got much better. I'm hoping when the Aric 6SN7 preamp gets here it will be even better.

I still get a little bit of distortion when turning things up. I'm not sure if it's a volume issue or an impedance issue. The Omegas have a sensitivity of 97db and I sit about 10 ft from each speaker, tweeter to ear, in a smaller space. Power shouldn't be a problem. I "think" I may be hearing this small amount of distortion at moderately higher listening levels because my speakers have an impedance of 4-6 ohms and the speaker taps on the amps are definitively 8 ohms (Alan has told me this). The output tubes are definitely working a little harder. I can't be sure, though.

Aric is making my Super 2a3 with the ability to also run 45 tubes and can be switched over. The same situation will exist with those, though. With the 2a3 installed the amplifier speaker taps are 4 ohms and 8 ohms. Using the 45 in the amp makes the speaker taps 8 ohms and 16 ohms. I'm not an electrical engineer, but apparently this is the tradeoff.

Nonetheless, I still love the amplifiers. They're the best I've heard for the things they do well.
 
Heavy G said:
I've already posted my love for these amplifiers, but there are two things I've experienced with them.

Please be aware, these are ME problems, not an issue with the Alan Eaton 45s.

I use the T+A DAC 200 with a Holo Red NAA getting signal from HQPlayer running everything at DSD 1024/48 (I have an overbuilt Intel 14900KS PC offloading to an nvidia RTX 5090) and it outputs 2.35V at line level. I always had a vey slight bit of distortion that I dealt with because everything sounded so good. I had emailed Jason and asked him about it and basically the 2.35V that the DAC 200 puts out at line level is slightly overdriving the input of the amplifier. So even if I turn the volume down on the amp, the input level is still higher than ideal. When I switched over to using the volume control on the DAC 200 which, thankfully, has a ladder resistor analog volume control things got much better. I'm hoping when the Aric 6SN7 preamp gets here it will be even better.

I still get a little bit of distortion when turning things up. I'm not sure if it's a volume issue or an impedance issue. The Omegas have a sensitivity of 97db and I sit about 10 ft from each speaker, tweeter to ear, in a smaller space. Power shouldn't be a problem. I "think" I may be hearing this small amount of distortion at moderately higher listening levels because my speakers have an impedance of 4-6 ohms and the speaker taps on the amps are definitively 8 ohms (Alan has told me this). The output tubes are definitely working a little harder. I can't be sure, though.

Aric is making my Super 2a3 with the ability to also run 45 tubes and can be switched over. The same situation will exist with those, though. With the 2a3 installed the amplifier speaker taps are 4 ohms and 8 ohms. Using the 45 in the amp makes the speaker taps 8 ohms and 16 ohms. I'm not an electrical engineer, but apparently this is the tradeoff.

Nonetheless, I still love the amplifiers. They're the best I've heard for the things they do well.
Click to expand...

SOMETIMES in some amps you have the ability to sub the signal tube for one that has a bit lower gain.

Ask Jason if that is an option.
 
Michaels HiFi said:
SOMETIMES in some amps you have the ability to sub the signal tube for one that has a bit lower gain.

Ask Jason if that is an option.
Click to expand...
I will ask. There was one modern 6SN7 that I tried that definitely had more gain than most of the NOS tubes that I've been using. Then things became completely noticeable.
 
Heavy G said:
I will ask. There was one modern 6SN7 that I tried that definitely had more gain than most of the NOS tubes that I've been using. Then things became completely noticeable.
Click to expand...
Same with power tubes. Some of the late 20's/Early 30's 45's I have offer a bit less gain than later 30's when tube specs were more standardized.

I had the same issue when I had their stereo amp here (now I have the mono blocks) with my Aries Cerat DAC. It's a hot signal.

Thankfully when I purchased the DAC the dealer was super helpful and told me about the no-cost option for a 0/-6 dB output switch. I had that installed and have found that on quite a few pieces I have here it works better with the -6 position.

Also, is your TEAC a fixed or does it have the option of a variable output? The TEAC I have here has both.
 
I'm using National Union globes, that could be the case.

My DAC is T+A, not TEAC. It has a variable output analog transistor ladder volume control. I've been using that since speaking with Jason.
 
Heavy G said:
I'm using National Union globes, that could be the case.

My DAC is T+A, not TEAC. It has a variable output analog transistor ladder volume control. I've been using that since speaking with Jason.
Click to expand...
Sorry - I don't know why my mind read it as TEAC.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top