Poll..anyone interested in an Aikido linestage PCB group buy?

[Bas Horneman]

This is just a preliminary check.


First of all we would have to ask John Broskie's permission.

Secondly I don't think I should be running the groupbuy because to prevent any confict of interest (being a moderator).

Thirdly it is not such a cheap design since it uses tubes and 4 of em...with the added cost of 4 or 5 tube sockets...filament transformer etc.

But it is imo a great design...sounds very good. (I finished mine a week ago)

But there might not be a lot of consensus on tube types/tube rectification vs solid state..

I know that there is possible group buy going on for the grounded grid by Rozenblit...but am curious as well how many would rather try the Aikido?


Aikido design can be found at www.tubecad.com

[Sheldon]

I'd try it. I'd like a board mainly for easy mounting. Maybe grounding on the traces and pp elswhere?

sheldon

[Bas Horneman]

Hi Sheldon,

You've built one I take it? What do you think about it?

I built mine in too small a cabinet..just to try it out..but I was so chuffed that I decided to rebuild it.

What tubes did you use?

Regards,
Bas

[Sheldon]

No I haven't built one, but it's a definite possibility in the future. I like elegance expressed in the general concept. First, I've gotta finish my speakers (Unity Horns, destined to be quade amped) and the amps for them. Then it's a pre/buffer, then a phono stage. By the way, those amps will be based on a Steve Bench design that uses another noise cancellation technique - electronic redirection (or Aikido, if you will). I already have some spare amps and stuff, so one component more wouldn't hurt. I build partly for my main system and partly to learn and I will give the extras to interested family or friends after I pick the ones I will keep. If a pre board were relative inexpensive I'd buy one just to prototype up a unit.

Sheldon

[Bas Horneman]

Hi Sheldon,

Even at this early stage I think it is safe to say that the PCB is not going to happen...

The Aikido is just not "famous" enough yet.

Regards,
Bas

PS..thanks for showing interest.

[Colt45]

Do you have a picture or schematic or something to go on?

yes, i'm too lazy to search. falling asleep as well.

[Bas Horneman]

If someone named Colt45 asks me a question...I answer

Introducing the Aikido
http://www.tubecad.com/2004/blog0011.htm

Aikido Variations
http://www.tubecad.com/2004/blog0013.htm

More Aikido
http://www.tubecad.com/2004/blog0016.htm#MoreAikido

Aikido revisited
http://www.tubecad.com/2005/January/blog0030.htm

More Aikido testing
http://www.tubecad.com/2005/January/blog0032.htm

Aikido Enhancement
http://www.tubecad.com/2005/January/blog0033.htm

Happy reading.

[Colt45]

thanks Bas,

I gave it a quick look but i'll have to wait until this evening to get a better look at it.

what tubes would you be using? looks like he makes it use anything.

[Bas Horneman]

what tubes would you be using? looks like he makes it use anything.

Yes anything with 2 triodes in the same envelope basically I used 12SN7 and ECC99 because they both used 12V and I had some cheap 12V transformers lying about idly.

[James D.]

It doesn't have to be twin triodes.

Any matched pair of triodes can be used as one of the Aikido pairs and get the Aikido advantage. See JBs use of EL34 trioded as Aikido output stage.

One can also build a pentode or cascode input Aikido - again see JBs articles. But the full Aikido advantage is from using triodes.

James