Folks:
Either I've been having trouble reaching John Broskie at GlassWare or he's taken serious disliking to me. I want to build an Aikido using his Aikido Noval and PS-21B boards. I wrote him a few weeks ago to ask a few basic questions and heard nothing back. I subsequently recalled he has a filter on his inbox that routes all emails to his spam folder unless the word "Tube" is in the subject line, so I resent my email with a revised subject line. That was about a week ago. The Glassware website notes that both the Aikido Noval and PS-21B boards are out of stock, so I can't in good conscience say this is a high priority (notwithstanding the fact that I really want to get started on this project), but I would feel better if he were to provide answers to my dumb questions.
Any sage advice?
Regards,
Scott
Either I've been having trouble reaching John Broskie at GlassWare or he's taken serious disliking to me. I want to build an Aikido using his Aikido Noval and PS-21B boards. I wrote him a few weeks ago to ask a few basic questions and heard nothing back. I subsequently recalled he has a filter on his inbox that routes all emails to his spam folder unless the word "Tube" is in the subject line, so I resent my email with a revised subject line. That was about a week ago. The Glassware website notes that both the Aikido Noval and PS-21B boards are out of stock, so I can't in good conscience say this is a high priority (notwithstanding the fact that I really want to get started on this project), but I would feel better if he were to provide answers to my dumb questions.
Any sage advice?
Regards,
Scott
I use an Akido Noval and PS21 as input & driver stage for a SE EL34 amp.
Maybe I can answer your questions?
Maybe I can answer your questions?
The Aikido isn't too difficult to build as point-to-point. Since the boards are hard to get this may be a good option. There are other power supply boards that would work fine as well. There is an octal Aikido board design available here on DIYaudio as a Gerber download. They are inexpensive to have made. This, however, wouldn't support your request for the noval version.
batteryman:
I'm interested in building a new Aikido using, if possible, a few of the components from an existing build. I have only built a handful of tube audio components in the past (most of my projects have been sand-based) and I would appreciate a little counsel.
My collection of tubes includes the following pairs: 6NP6, 6CG7, 6N1P-EB, 12AU7, JRP-5687WA and 6H30/6N30. All seem to be in decent to very good condition and I'd like to use some of them if possible; consequently, my focus has been on GlassWare's Aikido Noval Stereo circuit board (and several of the parts kits John Broskie offers for it). I have a Hammond 369JX transformer on hand (50VA, 500V C.T. @ 69 ma and 6.3V C.T. @ 2.5A). GlassWare's PS-21B kit appears, to my uneducated eyes, to be the power supply to use with the Noval Stereo board. Here are my questions:
nerdorama:
Thank you for pointing me towards the gerbers for the Aikido Octal mono boards. I had wanted Mr. Broskie to profit from my building a new Aikido but, if I can't get a response from him, I should move on. Having Octal boards made would work; my goal is to build an Aikido, ideally using GlassWare boards, but an Aikido in any event.
All:
Is there something else I could do to make contact with John Broskie? Was the subject line "Tubes: Seeking Aikido Advice" insufficient to get me past his spam filter?
Lastly, I'm open to any other suggestions anyone might have regarding the building of a great version of the Aikido line stage.
Thank you!
Regards,
Scott
I'm interested in building a new Aikido using, if possible, a few of the components from an existing build. I have only built a handful of tube audio components in the past (most of my projects have been sand-based) and I would appreciate a little counsel.
My collection of tubes includes the following pairs: 6NP6, 6CG7, 6N1P-EB, 12AU7, JRP-5687WA and 6H30/6N30. All seem to be in decent to very good condition and I'd like to use some of them if possible; consequently, my focus has been on GlassWare's Aikido Noval Stereo circuit board (and several of the parts kits John Broskie offers for it). I have a Hammond 369JX transformer on hand (50VA, 500V C.T. @ 69 ma and 6.3V C.T. @ 2.5A). GlassWare's PS-21B kit appears, to my uneducated eyes, to be the power supply to use with the Noval Stereo board. Here are my questions:
I'm looking for the best sound possible. Is there a reason not to use some combination of the tubes I have on hand? Is there a reason to use an Aikido Octal (or other) board instead of GlassWare's Noval board? If the Octal board is the way to go, tube recommendations would be appreciated.
Would the Hammond transformer and PS-21B be adequate to power GlassWare's Aikido Noval (or Octal) Stereo board? Are there great alternative power supplies to the PS-21B?
Is it advisable to include some type of B+ delay?
nerdorama:
Thank you for pointing me towards the gerbers for the Aikido Octal mono boards. I had wanted Mr. Broskie to profit from my building a new Aikido but, if I can't get a response from him, I should move on. Having Octal boards made would work; my goal is to build an Aikido, ideally using GlassWare boards, but an Aikido in any event.
All:
Is there something else I could do to make contact with John Broskie? Was the subject line "Tubes: Seeking Aikido Advice" insufficient to get me past his spam filter?
Lastly, I'm open to any other suggestions anyone might have regarding the building of a great version of the Aikido line stage.
Thank you!
Regards,
Scott
Scott,
How much gain do you need? That is the key question.
No reason not to use any of those tubes. Do you have any of his little Aikido pamphlets? He outlines usual operating points and tube combinations that he likes.
I'd have to check but I believe either 6.3v or 12.6V heaters can be used based on jumpers. 4 6SN7s may be tight on the heater draw (0.6A ea., 2.4A total.)
I've built the 6SN7 version and a 12AU7 version. I preferred the 12AU7. Had more liveliness (best I can describe it).
If you don't have any of his Aikido pamphlets, let me know. I think I have some floating around in a box somewhere.
I'm finishing this Pearl3 over the long weekend. I can jump on the 12VAC Aikidos I've been meaning to build so you can hear those. Takes a day to build the boards. Longest part is wiring up a chassis.
I don't think it is necessary for a B+ delay. If anything, a "standy by" switch in line with the B+ will do the job. At one time he offered a 2-step power switch that provided that function.
How much gain do you need? That is the key question.
No reason not to use any of those tubes. Do you have any of his little Aikido pamphlets? He outlines usual operating points and tube combinations that he likes.
I'd have to check but I believe either 6.3v or 12.6V heaters can be used based on jumpers. 4 6SN7s may be tight on the heater draw (0.6A ea., 2.4A total.)
I've built the 6SN7 version and a 12AU7 version. I preferred the 12AU7. Had more liveliness (best I can describe it).
If you don't have any of his Aikido pamphlets, let me know. I think I have some floating around in a box somewhere.
I'm finishing this Pearl3 over the long weekend. I can jump on the 12VAC Aikidos I've been meaning to build so you can hear those. Takes a day to build the boards. Longest part is wiring up a chassis.
I don't think it is necessary for a B+ delay. If anything, a "standy by" switch in line with the B+ will do the job. At one time he offered a 2-step power switch that provided that function.
No... you've got a bunch of good noval tubes, use them. 🙂
Yes
PS-21 is in stock
Nah.
Never assume malice when dealing with people in this hobby, just assume that he's busy, (always) or the email hasn't made it through. (also likely)
That said, he's always been notoriously difficult to get an answer from, so don't take it personally. Just get a bunch of stuff, and post things here, we'll help you!!
I understand his situation completely, and used to get 500 or more emails per day myself, now down to only 100 or so.
Due to the mountain of email and spam (6000 per day alone) that he receives, he gives guidelines to follow, note #2.
Also only have "Tube" in the subject line. He likely deletes any that fall outside these asks.
Begin the subject line with "Tube"
Only one question per email
No secrets
Provide schematics
Provide words
Do not use me as a search engine
Do not expect me to fight your fight
If you would like to try building an octal Aikido, I will send you a couple of octal mono boards for the cost of shipping which I ordered from the Gerbers supplied here on DIYaudio. You will have to supply both HV and filament supplies to them.
The PS21 can use up to 660v AC CT and you can select B+ upto about 250v with 500v CT. Current is a few ma apart from 6H30, which need 20ma each
Aikido needs dual separate heater supplies which the PS21 provides using 9v AC x2 for 6.3v heaters so the Hammonds 6.3v AC is not useable. I just used a small toroidal with dual 9v AC windings.
All the tubes listed could be used except 5687 & probably 6H30.
I can confirm that the distortion is extremely low at line levels and depending on how much gaain you need, just choose the input tubes based on mu, so. 6n1p highest, then 6CG7, 6H30, 12AU7 (you can't mix 6,3 and 12,6v tubes.). 12AX7 / ECC88 gives the highest gain if you need
nerdorama:
Thanks for the offer! I found the gerbers for the mono Octal boards, so the question is whether to avail myself of your generosity or get 5 or 10 boards made at JLCPCB. I need to decide whether it's likely that I'll want to build more than one Aikido....
batteryman:
I also have a spare Hammond 166L6 transformer (yes, that ought to have been mentioned). That combined with the Hammond 369JX would give me the option of two separate pairs of 6.3 or 12.6 V secondaries.
All:
Noval or Octal, that is the question. Given my stock of tubes, I'm leaning towards the former even though that means waiting for GlassWare to restock the Noval boards.
Thanks to everyone for the support!
Regards,
Scott
Thanks for the offer! I found the gerbers for the mono Octal boards, so the question is whether to avail myself of your generosity or get 5 or 10 boards made at JLCPCB. I need to decide whether it's likely that I'll want to build more than one Aikido....
batteryman:
I also have a spare Hammond 166L6 transformer (yes, that ought to have been mentioned). That combined with the Hammond 369JX would give me the option of two separate pairs of 6.3 or 12.6 V secondaries.
All:
Noval or Octal, that is the question. Given my stock of tubes, I'm leaning towards the former even though that means waiting for GlassWare to restock the Noval boards.
Thanks to everyone for the support!
Regards,
Scott
I bought the boards from JLCPCB. Bought 10ea so I would have pairs. The reason I bought them is that I have an octal Aikido built with a Glassware all in one board and using 6SN7's. I saw a really good deal here in the swap meet a couple years ago. Seller had several Glassware products all populated and ready to build out but he couldn't get the Aikido to work right. Also have a TetraSansPS but haven't used it yet. I think the Aikido sounds really good and so do several friends.
I just checked at JLCPCB and you can order 10 boards for $5 plus shipping. Probably a better deal that paying shipping for a pair from me.
This is my Aikido on the right with my scratch built Citation V which has an original transformer set.
I just checked at JLCPCB and you can order 10 boards for $5 plus shipping. Probably a better deal that paying shipping for a pair from me.
This is my Aikido on the right with my scratch built Citation V which has an original transformer set.
