Tube DIY Asylum

Posted by Feanor (A) on July 02, 2009 at 09:16:29

I'm retiring soon and will have a little time on my hands at last! I would like to do some audio DIY and, in particular, perhaps do an S/S power amp project from kit.

I have built kits before years ago, (Dynaco, Heathkit), but nothing in recent decades. I'm prepared to bone up on basic eletronics and get some basic equipment, but I ain't never going to be an E.engineer or techincian. Consequently I'd prefer reasonably complete, clear instructions, (though not necessarily "cut a 3" length of black wire and strip the ends 3/8 inch." kind of detail).

You advice and suggestions for kit sources?

I was looking at some kits from the eBay seller, DIY Gene, who's got some intriging kits. I'm especially fascenated by his complete S/S power amps kits, though they might be a little too ambitious someone who's basically a beginner.
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My Stereo Configuration
Feanor's Classical Music Survey, 250 Compositions

• Kit supplier e.g. DIY Gene   (Open in New Window)

Edits: 07/02/09

• RE: Amps for kits: any advice? - fscerri 16:41:29 07/03/09 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Feanor on July 02, 2009 at 09:16:29

  G'day mate, I'm a big fan of the Elliott Sound Products designs. They're excellent.
  
  This is the amp I've built for my main system. It's tops despite being a 'chip' amp! http://sound.westhost.com/project19.htm I've also built his P06, P88 and P99 units and matching power supplies. Highly recommended designs! Regards, fscerri.
  

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  • Thanks, interesting ... - Feanor 18:33:31 07/03/09 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by fscerri on July 03, 2009 at 16:41:29

    Although I'm not quite ready build from a schematic and parts list, much less do anything approaching design.
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    My Stereo Configuration
    Feanor's Classical Music Survey, 250 Compositions
    
    
    

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    • RE: Thanks, interesting ... - felixscerri 18:39:58 07/03/09 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: Thanks, interesting ... posted by Feanor on July 03, 2009 at 18:33:31

      G'day mate, ESP doesn't supply kits per se,but he does supply circuit boards for many of the more popular projects. That's half the work! In fact since my metal / wood working skills are poor mch of the stuff I've built has remained as bare but comleted circuit boards! Regards, fscerri.
      

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• Thanks for your suggestions, folks ~nt - Feanor 16:34:51 07/03/09 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Feanor on July 02, 2009 at 09:16:29

  nt
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  My Stereo Configuration
  Feanor's Classical Music Survey, 250 Compositions
  
  
  

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• Here's another option... - slownlo 14:29:28 07/02/09 (0)
  In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Feanor on July 02, 2009 at 09:16:29

  

  I've heard a lot of good things about these kits also...
  Depsite being from Japan, the english manuals are very well written...
  Some would say the Japanese know tube amp design better than most...
  Shishido, Kendo, Tamura, Yakamuro, Yamamoto,...(the list goes on)....
  

  • Sun Audio Japan   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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• RE: Amps for kits: any advice? - MMasztal 09:49:03 07/02/09 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Feanor on July 02, 2009 at 09:16:29

  You may also want to consider the Audio Note kits. Their instruction manuals are excellent. I'm going to be starting their DAC2.1 soon.

  The shortcut is an example of their building manuals.
  Cogito Ergo Credo
  

  • Audio note kit manual   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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  Edits: 07/02/09   07/02/09

  • Great looking construction manual - Feanor 13:04:21 07/02/09 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by MMasztal on July 02, 2009 at 09:49:03

    I'll give AN stuff very careful consideration. Their price, in general, are little high for my budget, but no doubt the quality of components is very high.
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    My Stereo Configuration
    Feanor's Classical Music Survey, 250 Compositions
    
    
    

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• RE: Amps for kits: any advice? - Michael Samra 09:33:47 07/02/09 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Feanor on July 02, 2009 at 09:16:29

  One of the best values I have seen is the Bob Latino dynaco st70..Its a brand new amp that has a much heavier power transformer than the original st70 and,it has a much better driver board that you can wire it with different tubes..You can even run different output tubes like kt66s and kt88s and EL37s and 6L6g and GCs... Here is a link.
  If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
  

  • http://www.radioattic.com/item.htm?radio=0043304   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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  Edits: 07/02/09

  • RE: Amps for kits: any advice? - Ray Moth 23:06:51 07/02/09 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Michael Samra on July 02, 2009 at 09:33:47

    Mike, there have been lots of improved versions of the Dynaco amps, usually with very different topology and I've no doubt giving much better performance. Most are so different, in fact, that it seems a misnomer to refer to them as "Dynaco". Why do you think the vendors insist on still using that name?
    

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    Edits: 07/02/09
  • Yes, indeed - Feanor 13:08:51 07/02/09 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: Amps for kits: any advice? posted by Michael Samra on July 02, 2009 at 09:33:47

    I've noticed many very positive references to Bob Latino's amps around here and at Audiogon. The only thing is my immediate interest is for a higher powered amp.
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    My Stereo Configuration
    Feanor's Classical Music Survey, 250 Compositions
    
    
    

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