Eggborough Power Station

Saturday 13th June 2009

A return to where it all started, Eggborough Power Station, so just a one-dayer this time. We had two rooms again - the function room for PA systems and the brave, and a much smaller room for everyone else ;-). So first, a gratuitous shot of some cooling towers.

The earliest arrivals were knocking on the door at 08:20 to ensure a good pitch. Others arrived over the next couple of hours and started to set up. Once we'd all had a catch up it was down to business, starting in the small room.

Cressy's (Ant) system was first away. Another of his ebay finds - a Yamaha PF800 turntable, a present from his wife, through a Musical Fidelity X-LPS phono in to his 2A3 PP amp, and then Fostex 127 Metronomes.

The story of the speaker build is here.

The amp started out as 45 PP but morphed in to 2A3 PP. The story of the amp build is here.

Next up making his Eggborough debut was Little Eddy. Rather nice Thorens turntable through an ECC83 pre/phono, into another Rocky and then the Zigmali speakers.

The story of the amp build is here.

Ed debuted his new Pi Pi speakers with drivers (Fostex 167?) fresh out of the box the day before. These are based on some bass bins Ed made for friends back in the 80s and are a two stage horn. Ed might be interested in making you your very own if you're interested. Nelson Pass buffer stage into Svetlana 811-3s driven by a 12AX7/12AU7 Aikido.

Last in the small room, for the first time around anyway, was Nick's 813 PP amp driving Ali's statics. Note no output transformers! Story of the amp build here.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I arrived to find the amp already switched on and the valves glowing. No excitement, no histrionics, no flashes, bangs or explosion, no great photo opportunities. But then we wouldn't expect this from one of Nick's amps.

Through to the big room and Andrew's new Sachiko double horns for the Fostex 208Esigma on the end of Max's 211 PP were already playing. Bass was HUGE. Story of the Sachiko build by master craftsman Toppsy here.

Max's 211PP build is here.

Next up was Steve The Shadow Creswell. A Squeezebox from his MAC playing into his 46 Monkey into OBs (108Esigma, Goodmans 12" and Eminence 12" with plate amp).

The story of the amp build is here (it started out as a Loftin White-type amp).

The story of the open baffle build is here.

A moment of impromtu DIY from Andrew and Max, in keeping with the spirit of the event.

Steve Shiels, our much appreciated organiser of the venue, in his usual corner. Since Steve finally (re)discovered vinyl he hasn't been able to leave it alone. Thorens TT, EAR phono, PX25 globes SET, OBs (EX4, Goodmans 61 and a 15" Goodmans). Last shot of the obligatory Prodigy slot. Note position of chairs and position of audience.

Will followed next with his new OBs, using Steve's TT and amp. Old German field core mid with Eminence 15" sub and Visaton supertwatter. Crossover took 2 weeks to fettle.

A selection of goodies at the bring and buy...

Phil Pre 65 was next. Starting with his new £22 ebay speaker purchase driven by 829PSE. Later his mosfet monoblocks which I missed unfortunately.

Back to Andrew's Sachikos driven by his 6C45 one watter. The designer Scott and Andrew listen intently whilst the skilled constructor DJ Toppsy rolls another phat one.

Scott's visit was all too brief but he still had time to spend some quality time with his baby. Actually, Scott is listening closely for the resonance frequency breaking through the horn. 250Hz apparently - most impressive ability Scott.

Onto Andrew Ivimey, who elaborated with his customary eloquence as to why his system probably wouldn't sound very good. 300B Monkey into rewhizzered 207. Shot of Dave the Bass shortly before his mobile went off during a quiet bit of Stravinski, sporting awesome footwear.

300B monkeys (later pages) on the left, the much admired 45PP on the right.

And then Dave himself. Whilst a good attemp his "I'm a little teapot" still needs some work... Phil's front end through Dave's 6B4G Loftin White and magnificent Saburo speakers.

These Saburos are physics-defying; the bass the small 4" drivers produces has to be heard to be believed. Dave wasn't completely happy with how they sounded on the day but I thought they were better than the when I'd heard them previously at Simon C's birthday bash. Somehow the bass seemed more solid and believable.

Then Will's OBs with Andrew I's 45 PP, especially for Mo.

Back into the small room, and Toppsy's Fostex FE167En Fonkens with Nick's 211.

Colin's build quality is superb, at least as good as a commercial product. He might also consider building you you very own...

Enabled 167

Chopsaw's super turntable. Phono was (I think) two Naim cards in separate boxes powered from rechargeable batteries.

And last, but by no means least, Simon C's tiny Fostex FE103 Vampyr V speakers. Obviously no real deep bass but they were astonishingly good for the size of driver.

Another excellent day out leaving everyone excited about the next, at Owston in September.