D-47 vs D-EF47

Why would I pick one over the other?

I ordered this body from chunger http://store.studio939.com/product/budget-47-body-kit and one of the Maiku K47's, so now I need to decide what direction I would like to take the circuit...

Also deciding on the transformer but not entirely sure what direction I would like to go, I don't think I want to spend $300 for the AMI at this time, despite how nice it sounds.  I'm thinking more in the $100 range for this build

You know I asked if there was a difference between the two before I ordered my kit. and he said
" They are very very close indeed , it is all depending on combination of tubes and transformer too and mostly capsule !!! ,  the PSU construction and the mic are a bit different as well.
On this one it is more like the tube choice being that the EF47 is optimized for ef800  ef80 tube and the likes and the D47 is made for dual 408a or 6028 tube ,
Coming down to tube choice and subtle preference is the difference.
The Jury is actually still out on this one ,
Best,
Dan"
I ended up with the D-47 because for me the build instructions were much easier to follow. There are some mixed emotions about the dual 408a tube configuration. Some have had noise issues with this design. I actually thought the mic was very nice noise wise when I was finished. Also the individuals that have said there are noise issues built the ioaudio kit not the D-47, again I don't know if that matters, but I have not had noise issues like that.  It looks like most others recently have gone with the EF47 perhaps because it is a newer configuration from Vintage PCB, I don't know.

Next I asked "So, do you personally have a preference? For a person newer to this type of thing does the D47 make a little more sense?" and the reply was
"Personally I would go for the DEF47 first , the construction is more simple has it does not have a heatsinked resistor and the power supply has less subtilities, But all depends on your skillset"
So again I ended up going the D-47 route because of the instructions, they are more of a step by step with the PSU as well as the Mic so it was easier for ME to follow. I bought a budget capsule and T47 because I thought they would be fine and I was running outta of $, I spent much more than I anticipated. With that said it was again recommended to go with the Cinemag 2461 because I was told it sounded great and was easy to install. I went T47 because of budget and have now since purchased the Cinemag and the Thiersch BlueLine. I am waiting for those both to arrive.

The Mic did not sound bad with the RK47 and T47, but it did not have that big 47 sound I was expecting and the capsule sounded more like its on the modern side to me vs the vintage type vibe....So, that is my experience. I hope that helps. I will be getting the Capsule and transformer next week more than likely and get chime back in once I put those in. I can say I was not or am not disappointed with the circuit or the build of any part of it. The tubes so far have been just as quiet as a Vanguard V13 I have as well, so I'm not sure about the experience of others, but there for sure are some people that think the dual 408a tube set up is noisy...

IMO;

If you have narrowed it down between these two options, their are others, I would build the D-EF47. The EF80, 800... tubes are abundant and affordable and fill the bill easily.

As much as I explored the dual tube concept I was never really happy . The 408a tube is hard to find not microphonic and they are not a low noise/distortion tube by any stretch of the imagination. They also vary greatly in sonic texture/voicing between manufacturer and country of manufacture. The impedance relationship with the transformer and the 408a tube is also somewhat askew. I  have had problems with my builds using this two 408a concept suddenly developing tube noise and needing replacements.  I don't like it is I guess my short response.

The EF 80 series is the true extension of the VF14 tube line in essence as well. Read Mr. Archuts articles at http://tab-funkenwerk.com/index.html and elsewhere. They are full of info on why this tube over others.

The transformer issue again IMO is not really an option for my money only really two readily available transformers will do they are the AMI BV8 or the Cinemag CM-2461NiCo options . A company in the UK called FAB that offers some interesting solutions as well. AMI does offer the T8 which they say will work and is in your price range but I have no experience with it or the FAB.

http://cinemag.biz/mic_output/PDF/CM-2461NiCo.pdf

http://fabmicrophones.com/Transformers/transformers.html

http://tab-funkenwerk.com/id75.html

Want to know more read my posts here about 408a saga and tube selection If you have time go to my website geosonixlab.com and read the blogs.

In short don't cut corners but do experiment that's what DIY is all about.

Good luck

I also recommend reading:

http://www.phaedrus-audio.com/VF14M_story.htm

http://www.phaedrus-audio.com/VF14M%20Phaedrus%20electronic%20tube.htm

http://www.phaedrus-audio.com/VF14T.htm

thanks for all this, I'm looking into it

Has anyone used those  Phaedrus Audio VF14 clones?

My real question about making a U47 clone is, does anyone make a PCB or kit based on the original VF14 circuit?

Ricardus said:

Has anyone used those  Phaedrus Audio VF14 clones?

My real question about making a U47 clone, it does anyone make a PCB or kit based on the original VF14 circuit?

Click to expand...

Yes , see links U47 or U48 Pheadrus plug and play original circuit version is available.
https://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=68023.0