KT88 SE Complete Kit

[scott17]

Originally Posted by Airsuspension

Hi Scott,
Your manual looks good to me. It look like it is also for beginners.

Just one question: Can you estimate the shipping to europe?

Happy holidays
Christoph

The basic parts kit weighs 10 lbs. Dimensions 20" X 12" X 5".
USPS Priority Mail International, 6-10 business days to Germany, $60.00 USD including insurance for $300. The best I can tell there is no import duty on electronic parts that are not an operational device, although you might want to verify that.

The transformers weigh 30 lbs.
I calculated shipping in one box or splitting it up into two Priority Mail International flat-rate boxes. The price is very close to being the same. So the easiest way would be to ship the transformers in two flat-rate boxes at $60.00 USD each, including insurance.

I checked into DHL. Shipping for the transformers alone is $261.07 so that's pretty much out of the question.

Anyone else that wants to calculate shipping it looks like USPS is the best value for international or domestic. Here is a link:
USPS - Calculate Postage

[scott17]

Originally Posted by Rockmore

Whoa... Nine hundred bucks........ think I'll go Chinese assembled (like Yaqin) and mod. or go with one of their kits, and save $300-400....

Actually eight hundred and forty nine bucks.

[Structo]

Anybody that has built a high quality tube amp with quality components knows how quickly the parts add up.

Consider this, if you source the parts yourself, you will pay several shipping payments since you can't get all the parts at the same place.
Those quickly add up as well, especially on heavier or bulky items.

When you send your money to China, you are supporting what amounts to slave labor by our standards.
I could be wrong because I don't know what they pay their workers to assemble amplifiers but there is a reason
why all the small businesses and mom and pop stores are fading away, run over by the Walmarts of the world
stocked to the ceiling with made in China products.

We are all to blame, we all want cheaply priced products.

[rknize]

What are you talking about? My Tubelab SSE only cost me $35!

[rmyauck]

If you read the forms you will see many people end up rebuilding the Chinese amps for the diffenence in price mentioned and they still don't get the Sonics as the output transformers are usually done to lower specs and poor circuit design etc. to save $. Power transformers can be pretty light too. They also usually need to be gutted if low in price to fix right. His kit certainly is very high quality by the items spec'd in it. You usually pay for what you get nowdays even if it comes from China. Their best rated amps cost a lot too and still need uprades in Cap's etc. to be to this quality. You don't have to buy the high quality transformers right away and can sub inexpensive Edcor's etc and make your own chassis. P2P chassis can be an advantage over PCB for mod's or uprades too.

That's why NA is getting in trouble as we have let most manufacturing go overseas.

Way to go 17, give them some competition!

Randy

[scott17]

I have attached the chassis layout and the working schematic that will be included with the manual. Bear in mind the xfmr cutouts are for the custom units only. Standard off the shelf stand-up units can be used, but adjustments may need to be made to the placement of the two 50uF and one 30uF power supply caps. I think I posted a photo of the test unit using Edcors. With the Edcor choke and power xmfr I had to move the 30uF cap a bit. I'm getting closer with completing the manual. In a short time I will be moving to the Vendor's Bazaar area of the forum. I will have 10 Basic parts kits ready for sale shortly while waiting on delivery of the chassis and transformers.

Best regards for a Happy Holiday Season,

Scott

[adammar]

I definitly wanna see and hear it - post the store adress and phone number, please....Adam

[scott17]

Originally Posted by rmyauck

If you read the forms you will see many people end up rebuilding the Chinese amps for the diffenence in price mentioned and they still don't get the Sonics as the output transformers are usually done to lower specs and poor circuit design etc. to save $. Power transformers can be pretty light too. They also usually need to be gutted if low in price to fix right. His kit certainly is very high quality by the items spec'd in it. You usually pay for what you get nowdays even if it comes from China. Their best rated amps cost a lot too and still need uprades in Cap's etc. to be to this quality. You don't have to buy the high quality transformers right away and can sub inexpensive Edcor's etc and make your own chassis. P2P chassis can be an advantage over PCB for mod's or uprades too.

That's why NA is getting in trouble as we have let most manufacturing go overseas.

Way to go 17, give them some competition!

Randy

I may be a "stickler" for the details but your comment should be studied carefully because you are right.

[scott17]

Originally Posted by adammar

I definitly wanna see and hear it - post the store adress and phone number, please....Adam

I don't actually have a "store" but if you are near JFK airport send me a PM and you would be more than welcome to drop by my office where I have my workshop.

[adammar]

I definitly wanna see and hear it - post the store adress and phone number, please....Adam