Supreme 16 Custom Shop
This is TopHat's latest endeavor to produce the most outstanding, classically based amp that will make records for the ages. This amp really strives to reach tonal Nirvana. It was hard to find room for improvement on our best selling amp -- the Club Royale, which has been rated the best in the 2-EL84 class of amps.
The field is thick with this type of amp and a field tough to beat. We also wanted to provide this in an Aluminum chassis Head version, especially useful for those working in a studio environment. We found the Aluminum chassis brings a lot to the table, sonically. Much of this is very hard to put into words. Put simply, it is more alive or lively, presenting a more transparent sonic field.
There are two things that have come onto the market in the last year or so that allow higher levels of correct breathing tone to occur. One is the EZ81 rectifier tube. This is the original rectifier used by 18-watt Marshall's and the Vox AC15 (which our Supreme Sixteen is based on) amps. This tube has been out of production for decades, yet very necessary to feed a 2-EL84 amp the right amount of current. The other item is the Celestion Blue Alnico. It is my personal contention, not verified officially by Celestion, that the Blue Alnico has been upgraded with the "glues, parts and pieces" used on the new Heritage Series speakers, also made with the "Blue", in England. This speaker has come along way from where it has been the last 10+ years. It now allows all the great things to happen, like the originals. THIS IS A GREAT BREAK THROUGH! When we went to drawing board to design this masterpiece, we started with what we believe is the best 2-EL84 platform of all time -- the early 60's AC15.
This platform is different than an AC30 and can only be reasonably done with 2 power tubes. We also believe this platform to be superior to the 18-watt Marshall design, for a variety of reasons. We then chose to provide the EF-86 channel, with its' original fat/bright switch and single volume knob along with a second channel that has the full EQ, master volume Club Royale preamp design, with its' fat-off-bright switch. To keep the head a portable size, we moved the cut knob to the back panel. This works on both channels, as it is in the power section of the amp.
Part of the magic of this design, is the far less common use of a large choke. Simply put, this coil affects the way the amp compresses and breathes. It causes a feel unlike any other. It is very hands and ear friendly. It also matches up with the Aluminum chassis and new found papery clarity of the Blue Alnico. The Aluminum chassis has welded corners and been fully powder coated and silk-screened on the outside, utilizing no faceplates. The head and speaker cabinets are finger-joined 15mm Baltic Birch plywood, covered in two-tone vinyl with an Art Deco inlaid piping design surrounding the new style round, lit up logo.
An absolutely beautifully designed housing for our new chassis and Celestion Alnico speakers that are standard in the 1x12" cabinet and comes mixed with an Heritage G12H in the 2x12" version.
Studio Series
The Portly Cadet, the latest addition to the TopHat product line is the first release in our new Studio Series line of single-ended 5 watt amps.
This model provides lots of capability in a very portable package. The tube arrangement consists of a 12AX7 for the pre-amp, 6V6 for the output and a 5Y3 rectifier tube.
We have added a "Boost" and "Bright" switch to enhance it's flexibility as well as a custom 8" speaker of our own special design. This speaker is manufactured exclusively for TopHat and is available as a replacement for other amps.
Now available, our second model in the Studio Series, the Prince Royale, featuring an EF86 pre-amp and EL84 power section. Tube rectified with a 5Y3. Otherwise controls similar to the Portly Cadet.
ONE LEFT !!!
Club Royale TC-CR1 & TC-CR2
The Club Royale features one channel with high and low inputs. This channel, derived from the King Royale's full EQ channel features:
The Club Royale output section uses two EL-84 power tubes producing 20 watts of Class-A power along with that "Famous British Overdrive".
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