Hello chaps,
Myself and a friend are going to have a crack at this kit, with just a couple of minute changes... Thinking of replacing the tube rectifier for SS, and because I have a couple of NOS 6DJ8 available was thinking of using that in place of the 6N1P. I also will be using NOS KT88 from GEC. So am expecting big things from this amp. The only other difference is the kit will be built inside an enclosure and not on a chassis as provided with the kit. Any suggestions you may have please let me know thanks. (Looking forward to class A triode sound)
Myself and a friend are going to have a crack at this kit, with just a couple of minute changes... Thinking of replacing the tube rectifier for SS, and because I have a couple of NOS 6DJ8 available was thinking of using that in place of the 6N1P. I also will be using NOS KT88 from GEC. So am expecting big things from this amp. The only other difference is the kit will be built inside an enclosure and not on a chassis as provided with the kit. Any suggestions you may have please let me know thanks. (Looking forward to class A triode sound)
I listened to Dave's amp yesterday for about 6+ hours and it was, as he noted, dead quiet! We turned it all the way up (with no input signal) and I couldn't hear anything with my ear practically glued to the speaker.
As it's Dave's project, I won't say anything further, other than I was very impressed.
Best Regards,
TerryO
As it's Dave's project, I won't say anything further, other than I was very impressed.
Best Regards,
TerryO
I am amazed.
Originally I thought I should spend a few weeks listening to this amp before making an assessment on it, but I think it’s appropriate to comment now.
From the first few minutes of listening, my immediate impression was how clean, smooth, and dead quiet this amp plays. That assessment holds now after a few full days of operation, and I’m sure for quite some time to come.
I’ve listened to a variety of different types of music, and the sound is absolutely amazing. I have a bookshelf pair of speakers that I’m very familiar with, using my SS amp to drive them. On this tube amp, the difference is stunningly more detailed and smooth. The imaging is improved as well.
I’ve been building speakers for over 15 years, and about two or three years ago I became serious about building a tube amp for myself. Through my homework and research, I ran across this SE KT88 kit offering. This is definitely one time I was in the right place at the right time.
This kit is very good for anyone looking for that wonderful SE tube sound – the manual has excellent details, the parts are good quality and kitted together nicely, and the performance is very good. Even for a first-timer like me, I found everything to be straightforward.
If anyone is looking for a good solid SET amp, without hesitation I’d recommend this one. It simply puts a smile on my face.
Thanks, scitizen17 for all of your hard work to make this available.
Originally I thought I should spend a few weeks listening to this amp before making an assessment on it, but I think it’s appropriate to comment now.
From the first few minutes of listening, my immediate impression was how clean, smooth, and dead quiet this amp plays. That assessment holds now after a few full days of operation, and I’m sure for quite some time to come.
I’ve listened to a variety of different types of music, and the sound is absolutely amazing. I have a bookshelf pair of speakers that I’m very familiar with, using my SS amp to drive them. On this tube amp, the difference is stunningly more detailed and smooth. The imaging is improved as well.
I’ve been building speakers for over 15 years, and about two or three years ago I became serious about building a tube amp for myself. Through my homework and research, I ran across this SE KT88 kit offering. This is definitely one time I was in the right place at the right time.
This kit is very good for anyone looking for that wonderful SE tube sound – the manual has excellent details, the parts are good quality and kitted together nicely, and the performance is very good. Even for a first-timer like me, I found everything to be straightforward.
If anyone is looking for a good solid SET amp, without hesitation I’d recommend this one. It simply puts a smile on my face.
Thanks, scitizen17 for all of your hard work to make this available.
I am reading all the related information I can find to this design. Is there any other relevan thread, apart from this one and the one I post below, that contains information regarding this design? Maybe this particular design has a more specific name than "KT88 SE amp"?
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/175786-kt88-se-complete-kit.html
Thanks!
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/175786-kt88-se-complete-kit.html
Thanks!
This thread has info the KT88 SE:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tube...8-build-abdellah-diyaudioprojects-design.html
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tube...8-build-abdellah-diyaudioprojects-design.html
Oh god, waiting for the kit to come is going to kill my nerves. Repeat: Only 3 weeks, only 3 weeks....
Thank you for the link!
Regi,
Based on Dave R's results, it's well worth the wait. A very nice sounding amp!
Best Regards,
TerryO
I agree - you will be glad when it's done.
I've run 6550 tubes for several weeks, and couldn't be happier with the performance. Out of curiosity, I thought I'd try some EL34's. I've only used them for a few days, and haven't made any real one-on-one comparisons. However, it seems that vocals are somewhat improved (if that's possible!) with the EL34's.
Dave
I've run 6550 tubes for several weeks, and couldn't be happier with the performance. Out of curiosity, I thought I'd try some EL34's. I've only used them for a few days, and haven't made any real one-on-one comparisons. However, it seems that vocals are somewhat improved (if that's possible!) with the EL34's.
Dave
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My sincere thanks to everyone for the great comments. I really appreciate it.
The transformers were custom manufactured for me by Heyboer. If you will notice the specs, special attention has been given to the output transformer with it's 58 Henry primary.
FYI: I'm still planning on shipping your kit tomorrow. I'll send a PM with details.
Thanks,
Scott
I would like to know, if it is possible, the size specs of the enclosure. While the kit is coming, I want to prepare the outer protective layer.
It is my first tube amp; but as far as I am concerned, I am pretty sure that I will not leave a HOT light bulb charged at those god-only-knows potential difference waiting for any clumsy person (read, me) to beat them. That's considering I am pretty careful person. Think about the persons hanging around my house and not being tech-concerned. The only thing that may prevent them to beat the valves could be hanging a warning post, a big one, as big as physically preventing them to beat the valves
Sooooo.... I am thinking in placing some kind of mesh around the amplifier, as a cover. Being not familiar with the tipical approach to this problem in the valve world, I think that one of the most cost effective solutions could be to use a bird's cage of the same size and screwing in to the chassis. That's why I would like to know chassis measures.
What other ideas are commonly used to avoid physical contact with the HV components?
That's another question going around my head: being valves a so dangerous area with those so high voltages, I see no one concerned about exposing transformers and valves in a so explicit way. Some may even call it a pornographic way
Coming from the low voltage SS world, I would be called crazy if I even dare to expose to the outside a MINIMAL spot of a transistor, resistor, capacitor.... everything goes covered and outside the (pre-assumed) unconscious user's physical access.
Making that long story short, I am thinking in using that, of an appropiate size:
It is my first tube amp; but as far as I am concerned, I am pretty sure that I will not leave a HOT light bulb charged at those god-only-knows potential difference waiting for any clumsy person (read, me) to beat them. That's considering I am pretty careful person. Think about the persons hanging around my house and not being tech-concerned. The only thing that may prevent them to beat the valves could be hanging a warning post, a big one, as big as physically preventing them to beat the valves
Sooooo.... I am thinking in placing some kind of mesh around the amplifier, as a cover. Being not familiar with the tipical approach to this problem in the valve world, I think that one of the most cost effective solutions could be to use a bird's cage of the same size and screwing in to the chassis. That's why I would like to know chassis measures.
What other ideas are commonly used to avoid physical contact with the HV components?
That's another question going around my head: being valves a so dangerous area with those so high voltages, I see no one concerned about exposing transformers and valves in a so explicit way. Some may even call it a pornographic way
Coming from the low voltage SS world, I would be called crazy if I even dare to expose to the outside a MINIMAL spot of a transistor, resistor, capacitor.... everything goes covered and outside the (pre-assumed) unconscious user's physical access.
Making that long story short, I am thinking in using that, of an appropiate size:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
It would be great if i was able to match one of those covers (or other mfg.) to the provided chassis with the kit:
Hammond Mfg. - Perforated Chassis Covers (1451 Series)
Hammond Mfg. - Perforated Chassis Covers (1451 Series)
Can someone please measure the total height from chassis to the top of the tallest valve? My estimation is that, if chassis is 3" tall, the distance from chassis to the top of the tallest valve should be around 4". An estimation made only by looking at the assembly pictures.
May someone put a rule for a second and give me a hand?
May someone put a rule for a second and give me a hand?
Oh yeah! I found something that should fit as a d*ck in the *** (spanish's expression), perfect match. It is P/N 1451-30, a mesh that measures 17"x10"x5.2". Footprint of the supplied enclosure is 17"x10", and Hammond is the manufacturer too, so it should match perfect!
Bad news are the footnotes:
I think I can always remove the side panels, their only end are aesthetics....
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