Tube Amp Kits

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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited February 2009
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    Any particular reason that you prefer the =C= KT88?
    Out of all the KT88/6550 that I have listened, =C= is at the bottom of the heap to my preferences. They seem to be the opposite of the models in the magazines - no top and no bottom :eek: but the mid is quite fluid though.

    -fredv-
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    fredv wrote: »
    Any particular reason that you prefer the =C= KT88?
    Out of all the KT88/6550 that I have listened, =C= is at the bottom of the heap to my preferences. They seem to be the opposite of the models in the magazines - no top and no bottom :eek: but the mid is quite fluid though.






    Nope.


    I've just been wanting to try them. Last I remember they were getting stellar reviews??


    Nick
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited February 2009
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    nikolas812 wrote: »
    Nope.


    I've just been wanting to try them. Last I remember they were getting stellar reviews??


    Nick
    I came across one review also praise the mid which might be the reviewer's preference which is always subjective. The new reissue Genalex Gold Lion seem to get rave reviews. Some even rated them best the original. I will find out pretty soon. These have been bubbled up to the top of my shopping list :D

    -fredv-
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2009
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    My next amp with be a octal socket amp, so I'm excited to hear your review of your build.
    Jake
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    Update as of today.

    Got about 50% of the chassis mocked up. It was a huge learning experience and I made a few mistakes. Getting the holes lined up for the tubes to come through chassis was a PITA!! The 12at7 tube hole was the first I one I did. Its a little off centered and a little big. But I think once it has paint on it. You won't really notice it.


    I also made the hole a little too big for the IEC socket. Had to weld some of it back and grind it down.

    Did the same thing on one of the switches. Welded it up and ground it down and then did it again.:mad: Decided it was time to call it a day. I was at the 5 hour mark when this happened. I might have to limit myself to 4 hours or less when working on the amp. Seems I start to get a little fatigued and start making mistakes after the 4 hour mark.

    Oh well. You live and you learn. Luckily I had the ability to fix my mistakes..



    Cheers


    Nick



    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0499.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0499.jpg[/URL]
    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0500.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0500.jpg[/URL]
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2009
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    Very cool, looking forward to hearing your listening impressions.

    Btw, don't those magazines belong somewhere else? LOL...
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    Thats twice someone commented on the Magazines.:D

    Honestly I don't really even look at them.

    They were used to hold my PCB while I was populating it with the resistors and such.. Or they wouldn't even be on the table..





    Nick
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,872
    edited February 2009
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    Lookin good ,great project ,is that a Hammond case?What are you planning on for paint?
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    Yes thats a Hammond case. I couldn't find the material I wanted laying around the shop so I just bought a case.


    The color I decided on will be a Candy Apple Red Pealrcoat.:cool:



    Nick
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2009
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    Hey Nick,

    I have some gold spikes that would look sick with a red case if want to use them instead of those stock rubber feet.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    OH YEAH!!


    KT88's are Lit and I am listenimg to some SWEET **** music.



    I'm tired as hell so more to come later..




    Nick
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2009
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    That is awesome. The Gold spikes should be at your place soon.

    I can't wait to see the red paint job.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2009
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    I'm glad to hear the amp is glowing. :cool: What do you think of those binding post you used?
    Jake
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    I like them so far. They were cheap and seem well made. Good insulation on both sides to keep them away from the chassis.


    Why? Did you have a bad experience with them?



    Nick
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2009
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    No, just mediocre experience with them. I also think they are good for the price and they make a solid connection, but I couldn't get them to seat right and they ended up being a little loose to the baffle.
    Jake
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    You have to get the hole drilled just right or they are a little fenicky...



    But for the price I am happy with them. I would have much rather went with my usual Cardas stuff. But the amp was getting expensive quick!


    I had to start watching my spending..



    But so far from the sound I am hearing. It was money WELL spent! DEAD quiet, awesome bass, sparkling highs and Lush mid range. And it seems to be getting better and better. As I recall it took close to 500 hours on my sonicaps to break in completely. Not to mention everything on this amp is new. So everything is still breaking in. Its also only wired for Triode mode. Which is only around 5 or 8 watts a channel. Should come close to doubling that in UL mode.. Its driving a pair of AV123 towers with a 87db efficiency with no problems. I can't wait to get my driver for the other M5. They ought to sing with a 90db efficiency:)


    I'm listening to right now and I might venture to say this is the best sounding amp I have ever owned.. Sounds like pure magic comeing out of it.:D



    Oh yeah I forgot. I had a bad rectifier tubes that caused all kinds of problems during start up. So its running on the SS side of things right now also. I just put a order in for a couple 5ar4's. I'm expecting it sound even better with the tube rectifier....







    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    I laid down some primer today on the chassis. My Volume pot arrived while I was spraying the primer. Then I realized I forgot to drill the hole for it.:eek: Oh well. I'll do it tomorrow before I spray the paint.


    I can't wait to get this thing together and see the completed package. It looks like a disaster laying on my make shift bench..

    I hope to have it completed by Saturday. I figure I can spray the paint tomorrow. Let it dry over night. Wet sand and buff it the next day and start assembling it...


    After its all together and everything seems OK. I'll wire it up for UL mode and see how that sounds.


    Heres a couple pics of the primer chassis and my disaster of a work bench..




    Cheers


    Nick


    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0516.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0516.jpg[/URL]
    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0518.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0518.jpg[/URL]
    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0520.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0520.jpg[/URL]
    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0521.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0521.jpg[/URL]
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2009
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    That's going to look great! What pot did you go with? I've been looking for one for my B1, and I figure if it's good enough for Nick... :D
    Jake
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    I went with a ALPs Blue Velvet 100k pot.








    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    :D




    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0526.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0526.jpg[/URL]
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,675
    edited February 2009
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    Looking great.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited February 2009
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    engtaz wrote: »
    Looking great.
    Of course, it is naked :D

    -fredv-
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    The camera was haveing problems today so the pics aren't that great. When the amps completed I'll take it out side for nice beauty shots..:D


    Primer

    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0516.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0516.jpg[/URL]


    Sealer

    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0529.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0529.jpg[/URL]

    Base

    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0532.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0532.jpg[/URL]

    Clear

    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0536.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0536.jpg[/URL]




    Cheers


    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    The pictures never do my paint jobs justice. But here's another quick one as of today.

    You never can see the metallic. Maybe once I get it outside in some natural light I'll be able to get some better pictures...



    Nick


    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0540.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0540.jpg[/URL]
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited February 2009
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    nikolas812 wrote: »
    Thats twice someone commented on the Magazines.:D

    Honestly I don't really even look at them.

    They were used to hold my PCB while I was populating it with the resistors and such.. Or they wouldn't even be on the table..





    Nick

    uh huh. sure. ;)

    I was about to comment on the rocking solder station PCB propper uppers.

    SWEET paint job!
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
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    Nice paint job
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2009
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    I am still waiting for my volume knob to get here. But the amp is pretty much finished. It needs to be cleaned. The transformers are dusty from being in the shop. And I got a pretty good shock the last time I turned it off. Couldn't tell if it was strong static electricity or a ground issue. Might have to re check my grounds. I also have the volume pot in upside down. Oh well. Just a few little things to fix now. But at least now I can clean up my work bench and move the amp around. I hated having it all spread on the bread board...


    If you look at the reflections on the amp. You can tell the finish looks like a peice of glass.:D


    Big thanks to Mike for GIVING me the badass spikes. They really look good on there.


    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0544.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0544.jpg[/URL]
    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0546.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0546.jpg[/URL]




    Nick
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited March 2009
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    Looks awesome!

    Have you thought about painting the trannys?
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited March 2009
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    Yes.

    I think I will eventually. I ran out of the Candy Apple red on the chassis. And since I have to use left over paint from other cars. I'll have to paint them a different color. I just don't know what color to paint them yet. I was thinking maybe a dark metallic silver or a gray metallic... Not sure yet...



    Nick
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited March 2009
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    Man that looks great Nik. Keep giving us pics.
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