This is my first post and first amp build.
Check out the build album here: DIY analog amplifier - Tubelab SSE - Album on Imgur
I think tube amps are beautiful, and how they look is a big reason why I wanted to make one of these things.
Very nice, afulle1. How did you get it to look black and shiny like that?
Very nice, afulle1. How did you get it to look black and shiny like that?
Took it to Maaco auto painting and the owner put a layer of gloss black and a clear coat on it. I think he did it under the table because he wanted cash and there wasn't tax. I tried to paint it myself first but it just looked bad.
Austin
I tried to paint it myself first but it just looked bad.
Same here
Actually, it's only when I worked on gradual polishing that it started to look grayed out, i.e. the total opposite effect of getting the piano gloss look.
The area where I just spray painted a few layers without gradual polishing does look shiny though (except not polished enough).
TSE-45 Sounds great!
Here’s my TSE-45. Sounds fabulous. Looks OK. It’s a little more “wabi sabi” than I’d like, but I managed to fit everything into a Bud Industries 10x15x3 chassis. I do like the “tube punk” look and so I don’t feel the need to paint it.
The motor run cap and the Triad choke are hidden underneath. I’ve used James 6123 output transformers and an Edcor XPR-131 with black bells.
I’m using RCA 45’s I picked up on Ebay. I had thought I might want to switch over to 300B’s once it was up and running, but it sounds so good, I’m leaving it as is.
Plenty of power for my New York City apartment, it sounds richer and more musical than my SSE.
Now I need another project. What next?
Here’s my TSE-45. Sounds fabulous. Looks OK. It’s a little more “wabi sabi” than I’d like, but I managed to fit everything into a Bud Industries 10x15x3 chassis. I do like the “tube punk” look and so I don’t feel the need to paint it.
The motor run cap and the Triad choke are hidden underneath. I’ve used James 6123 output transformers and an Edcor XPR-131 with black bells.
I’m using RCA 45’s I picked up on Ebay. I had thought I might want to switch over to 300B’s once it was up and running, but it sounds so good, I’m leaving it as is.
Plenty of power for my New York City apartment, it sounds richer and more musical than my SSE.
Now I need another project. What next?
Attachments
Looking again at your pic I see there's a phono pre sitting there. On the cheap try one of these. Both are outstanding.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...phono-stage-no-expense-spared.371889/page-132
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ad797-phono-stage-build-and-help-desk-thread.5
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...phono-stage-no-expense-spared.371889/page-132
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ad797-phono-stage-build-and-help-desk-thread.5
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Good to see more sensible choice of chassis material for high heat equipment.Here’s my TSE-45. Sounds fabulous. Looks OK. It’s a little more “wabi sabi” than I’d like, but I managed to fit everything into a Bud Industries 10x15x3 chassis. I do like the “tube punk” look and so I don’t feel the need to paint it.
Finally, iec, on/ off & fuse wired. Sounds quite a bit different from the unit with the Electra Print iron. Slightly bloated for lack of a better description. Let's call it (tendency for reproduced sounds to last longer than they should. Most noticeable at lower frequencies, where it obscures detail) 'hangover'.
Attachments
Finally, iec, on/ off & fuse wired. Sounds quite a bit different from the unit with the Electra Print iron. Slightly bloated for lack of a better description. Let's call it (tendency for reproduced sounds to last longer than they should. Most noticeable at lower frequencies, where it obscures detail) 'hangover'.
What's the primary and secondary impedance rating of these Edcor's? And what about the Electra-Prints you are using in the other amp? Are all other components the same?
My SSE chassis is 12 X 14 X 3 in size. I have my 3 Edcor USA transformers mounted along the 14 inch width. They are about 1/2 inch apart. The two output transformers are oriented so the bells are front to back. The power transformer is oriented left to right. The choke is mounted inside the enclosure mounted between two of the transformers. I'm hoping there won't be any hum issues. What are your thoughts?
Or is the layout mkane77g better?
Or is the layout mkane77g better?
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