Hi Guys
A couple of years ago I built a kitset valve (tube) amplifier from Tubedepot, and fitted it in a restored a 1930s Philco radio case. It's in my workshop, so I can listen to music and podcasts while I fix my cars.
Further back, my grandfather taught me to solder when I was about ten. An early lesson was to be very careful soldering when wearing shorts! Granddad was a telephone technician who designed and built things like an AM/SW valve radio, which my brother (a modern-day radio tech) has recently restored. I've been playing with auto-electrics and simple electronics ever since, and building that Tubedepot kitset amplifier reminded me of hours spent soldering at my grandparents' dining table. I was hooked.
So, when my computer's Bose speakers died a few months ago ("Can't fix that mate") I didn't just buy another off-the-shelf speaker setup. I bought an Elekit TU-8185 mini-amplifier and spent a few really enjoyable hours with a soldering iron. Again, the amplifier and onboard DAC worked as soon as I turned it on, and no smoke came out. I've added a pair of speakers - they took far longer to build than the amplifier - and the result sounds and looks fantastic. I doubt that the sound is measurably better than the Bose system, but for listening to music while I work, or Youtube videos, it's as good as I hoped. And it's nice to know that if the Elekit ever needs fixing, I have the circuit diagram and a list of test voltages.
The thing is, building stuff is addictive (as I'm sure most of you have already discovered). Now that I've finished building my desktop amp and speakers, I want another challenge. Elekit's TU-8900 looks like a fun next step, so I've started buying a few bits like valves, timber and speakers. I'm sure I'll have questions!
My Granddad's multimeter. If you couldn't buy something in the thirties and Forties, you built it.
They most definitely don't make them like this anymore.
The Philco case I restored.
The Tubedepot amplifier kit, with orange drops for added orangeness.
The blue glow was unexpected but apparently normal.
The baby Elekit. I made the knob on my lathe to practice machining tapers.
And the computer speakers, made in Blackheart Sassafras.
A couple of years ago I built a kitset valve (tube) amplifier from Tubedepot, and fitted it in a restored a 1930s Philco radio case. It's in my workshop, so I can listen to music and podcasts while I fix my cars.
Further back, my grandfather taught me to solder when I was about ten. An early lesson was to be very careful soldering when wearing shorts! Granddad was a telephone technician who designed and built things like an AM/SW valve radio, which my brother (a modern-day radio tech) has recently restored. I've been playing with auto-electrics and simple electronics ever since, and building that Tubedepot kitset amplifier reminded me of hours spent soldering at my grandparents' dining table. I was hooked.
So, when my computer's Bose speakers died a few months ago ("Can't fix that mate") I didn't just buy another off-the-shelf speaker setup. I bought an Elekit TU-8185 mini-amplifier and spent a few really enjoyable hours with a soldering iron. Again, the amplifier and onboard DAC worked as soon as I turned it on, and no smoke came out. I've added a pair of speakers - they took far longer to build than the amplifier - and the result sounds and looks fantastic. I doubt that the sound is measurably better than the Bose system, but for listening to music while I work, or Youtube videos, it's as good as I hoped. And it's nice to know that if the Elekit ever needs fixing, I have the circuit diagram and a list of test voltages.
The thing is, building stuff is addictive (as I'm sure most of you have already discovered). Now that I've finished building my desktop amp and speakers, I want another challenge. Elekit's TU-8900 looks like a fun next step, so I've started buying a few bits like valves, timber and speakers. I'm sure I'll have questions!
My Granddad's multimeter. If you couldn't buy something in the thirties and Forties, you built it.
They most definitely don't make them like this anymore.
The Philco case I restored.
The Tubedepot amplifier kit, with orange drops for added orangeness.
The blue glow was unexpected but apparently normal.
The baby Elekit. I made the knob on my lathe to practice machining tapers.
And the computer speakers, made in Blackheart Sassafras.
Welcome to diyAudio. :^)
The Philco looks lovely, ubeDEpot iin Hamilton isn’t it? EleKitdoes some nice stuff. Small Dayton/PE point source driver? Nice job on the veneer
dave
The Philco looks lovely, ubeDEpot iin Hamilton isn’t it? EleKitdoes some nice stuff. Small Dayton/PE point source driver? Nice job on the veneer
dave
Hi Dave,
Thanks! I bought the Elekit from Tubedepot in Memphis. That meant the postage to Australia was a big chunk of the price, but the Elekit retailer in Australia (Secret Chord Analogue) didn't stock the baby 8185. SCA do sell the TU-8900.
Yes, the speakers are Dayton PS180s. I tested the amp and speakers before I'd built the boxes, and wasn't impressed - the speakers sounded like they were in a tin can. It was horrible, but thankfully the sound in the speaker cabinets is totally different. I built the cabinets out of MDF with solid Sassafras fronts. No doubt an audiophile wouldn't be impressed, but I'm happy. In fact, for the TU-8900 I've stuck with the formula and bought a pair of PS220s, and some Tasmanian Blackwood for Singularity enclosures.
Nick
Thanks! I bought the Elekit from Tubedepot in Memphis. That meant the postage to Australia was a big chunk of the price, but the Elekit retailer in Australia (Secret Chord Analogue) didn't stock the baby 8185. SCA do sell the TU-8900.
Yes, the speakers are Dayton PS180s. I tested the amp and speakers before I'd built the boxes, and wasn't impressed - the speakers sounded like they were in a tin can. It was horrible, but thankfully the sound in the speaker cabinets is totally different. I built the cabinets out of MDF with solid Sassafras fronts. No doubt an audiophile wouldn't be impressed, but I'm happy. In fact, for the TU-8900 I've stuck with the formula and bought a pair of PS220s, and some Tasmanian Blackwood for Singularity enclosures.
Nick
The PS-220 is decent, benefits from a coatinb of ModPodge/puzzlecaot. I did a floorstander miniOnken for the big one, the PS180 wanted a much smaller box.
dave
dave
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