decware kits worth it?

[Bob_345]

ok so i just found this decware zkit4 or stereo gainstage kit. has any one here built it? also what voltage does it run at because it does not say on their site and i would rather pay les than $50 for the psu.

http://www.decware.com/newsite/zkit4.htm

[azazello]

Hi!
+U must= 250-280 v.
You can use main trany with secondary U=220-230v, 4 pcs.fast rect. diodes
BYV26E, electr. caps 2 pcs 220-330uF/350-450v and little chock 20-30ma.
/For good sound You'd use tube mode with Ia=apr.5-7 ma, but You must
change plate res. 47kohm to 20-25 kohm and cathode res 1 kohm to
500-600 ohm/. In this schematic Ia=apr. 1 ma, it's very small for this tube. It will sound better
with more Ia !!
This tube has very good sound! Why don't You make preamplfier Yourself?
Good luck!

[rotaspec]

Originally Posted by Bob_345

ok so i just found this decware zkit4 or stereo gainstage kit. has any one here built it? also what voltage does it run at because it does not say on their site and i would rather pay les than $50 for the psu.

ZKIT4 Stereo tube line stage kit

You might like to look at the Aikido. Very versatile and well respected line stage. Of course, it's a bit more complicated with 4 tubes.

Aikido 9-Pin Stereo PCB

[Eli Duttman]

Bob,

Go back to the DECWARE site and read the write up on the modded Tascam CDP.

IIRC, Steve Deckert "starves" the 12AU7 heater to obtain a particular voice.

The bare PCB stuffed with parts you source yourself may be the best option.

Frankly, I'm not a fan of 12AU7 voltage gain blocks. Put a 6FQ7 or 6GU7 in the socket and better linearity is your reward. If you bridge rectify the HT winding of an Allied 6K27VF power trafo, 7+ mA. of "160" V. B+ are available for each triode. The filament winding is hefty enough too.