3886 Ebay kit Build

[!]

Even the lesser 200VA transformer has a diameter of 4.5", then add a little space around it for ventilation purposes, and the holes or slits for convective cooling either in the pipe or top and bottom panel. Toroidal transformers don't have a strong magnetic field but what there is, is along the axis so people generally mount them oriented so nothing else is along the axis, though their general shape and the shape of a rack chassis case also makes this easier.

Test lead wire would work, but you're paying a bit more for the silicone and higher strand count /flexibility that isn't needed. Electrically any wire of adequate gauge should be fine, on the cheap you could pick up a few feet of stranded wire from a hardware store for under $4 though you have less choice on what color it is, but if you'll settle for black that's easy to find.

Edit: With the price of copper continuing to rise, maybe hardware store wire is $5 now... but I like to support the local mom 'n pop hardware stores as they carry things nobody else does locally.

[fabricated]

Thanks for taking the time and offering feedback. I have a ton of different wires laying around the garage and at work. I'll look around and see what I come up with. I've also noticed guys using various gauge wires implemented into their designs. Is there a drawback to using all the same gauge? I have noticed guys using "cat" cable for inputs.

Sorry for all the "noob" questions here. Just want it right the first time ya know

[!]

No drawback, so long as that gauge isn't too small for the power rails. Well to be fair, there are all kinds of myths, legends, and snake oil out there when it comes to what is important for audio wiring. I don't want to stir up arguments because some claim certain things sound different (no matter what that certain difference is!) but I can't hear any difference and people tell me I have pretty good hearing.

Generally people just use what they have lying around or buy some in bulk and then it's cheaper to use a little lower gauge than something really needed instead of buying several different gauges of wire or keeping stock of many gauges. Plus there's the mechanical aspect, lower gauge wire is just more durable, all else equal can withstand more bending too but at some point the wire is just too big for the particular connector you want to solder it to.

CAT network cable is convenient because it's already in twisted pairs, instead of using shielded cable on low level signal lines. If the runs are inside a shielding metal (grounded) case, you won't have the RF pickup you would externally unless you're stuffing RF radiating circuitry into the amp case too.

[fabricated]

Thanks for clearing it out a little for me. Like I said, I can get my hands on alot of different types of wire. I'll just have to play around a little untill I find something I like

[GloBug]

I prefer wire that takes the heat from the soldering iron without melting.
Although you can't really tell until you try it, unless it's silicon etc.

[fabricated]

Originally Posted by GloBug

I prefer wire that takes the heat from the soldering iron without melting.

didn't even think of that......guess that's the whole point of asking questions

[!]

^ well, it depends on the situation. I can't speak for all situations but personally if I find insulation melting it was a poorly tinned soldering iron, though I factor for a slight shrinkage when I trim back insulation, and if a few millimeters of insulation loss is a factor I put a piece of heat shrink tubing on the wire a distance away then after soldering, slide it into place and shrink it.

Having written that, I have never found a need for any particular wire insulation, EXCEPT in situations where the particular use required it. For example when I rebuilt a hot dog cooker for a non-profit org. it needed silicone insulation, fiberglass sheath too, and crimped onto the heating element. The high heat prevented use of solder or any other wire type. If you don't have this kind of high temperature, there isn't necessarily any need for wire that tolerates it, it's more a matter of building method. It is fair and reasonable to spend more on parts if your building method makes that quicker... but there's a difference between what is needed and what is optimal for any particular person's building method.

[fabricated]

well it's a good thing i got a 1 lb. spool of solder coming and a whole mess of wire laying around.......better get practicing!

Another thing... what would be the best iron to use for this type of circuit building? wattage wise, would a variable wattage (40w max) be good?

[bcmbob]

I'm starting to sound like I get a commission - I don't - but I have had very good luck and great sound with this stranded silver plated copper Wire from ApexJr. Just ordered a bunch more yesterday.

I'm actually setting up my latest build with extra pins and sockets to facilitate testing various wires to see if I can hear any differences. I'll eventually finalize with direct point to point (no sockets or pins) in any event.

Wire

[GloBug]

My soldering tip has nothing to do with it at all, cheap wire melts fast, also not all wire is designed to be soldered.

Some insulation melts too easy, some not at all.

Like anything else some are good, some are bad.

You don't want to feel rushed and risk a potential cold solder joint.

Once the solder melts onto the joint, I hold it for another 2 or 3 seconds. The whole process takes about 4 seconds.