Hello All:
Attached are a few pictures of the 6lu8SE amp I just finished. It is based on the 6LU8SEUL design by Kegger from over at AudioKarma. Mine is straight SE with some lovely Kasugi Musen 5Watt output transformers. The screens are tied to the plates with a 1K resistor. The case work is Yellow Cedar with Red Cedar dovetails in the corners for contrast. The power supply is based on the Hammond 270fx with a GZ34 rectifier. B+ is 300v. Output is a solid 3Watts, with a slight low frequency roll off. The 1K square wave looks great as does the sine wave. Screen voltage is just below B+. Max output is dialed in to be achieved with a 1.5vac signal.
Three inputs :2 external, one at ~ 30% attenuation, one open, one internal input for a Bluetooth receiver. I used 3mm aluminium plate for the top and back plate. I welded and dressed for crisp clean lines. I used an acid etch primer and Semigloss Black paint. I selected the mounting hardware for a very clean top plate look. I drilled and tapped the top plate mounting holes then cleaned the holes with a degreaser, put a 2mm long screw in the hole and fill welded and sanded the top plate to make them disappear. I recessed vent lines in the wood side panels to allow for heat escape. The bottom is "holey" aluminium plate. The volume knob is a repurposed control knob from a 3D printer. overall size is 14x12x4 inches
And just for sport that is my woodshed in the background. The winter of 2024 should warm at my house.
Enjoy
Attached are a few pictures of the 6lu8SE amp I just finished. It is based on the 6LU8SEUL design by Kegger from over at AudioKarma. Mine is straight SE with some lovely Kasugi Musen 5Watt output transformers. The screens are tied to the plates with a 1K resistor. The case work is Yellow Cedar with Red Cedar dovetails in the corners for contrast. The power supply is based on the Hammond 270fx with a GZ34 rectifier. B+ is 300v. Output is a solid 3Watts, with a slight low frequency roll off. The 1K square wave looks great as does the sine wave. Screen voltage is just below B+. Max output is dialed in to be achieved with a 1.5vac signal.
Three inputs :2 external, one at ~ 30% attenuation, one open, one internal input for a Bluetooth receiver. I used 3mm aluminium plate for the top and back plate. I welded and dressed for crisp clean lines. I used an acid etch primer and Semigloss Black paint. I selected the mounting hardware for a very clean top plate look. I drilled and tapped the top plate mounting holes then cleaned the holes with a degreaser, put a 2mm long screw in the hole and fill welded and sanded the top plate to make them disappear. I recessed vent lines in the wood side panels to allow for heat escape. The bottom is "holey" aluminium plate. The volume knob is a repurposed control knob from a 3D printer. overall size is 14x12x4 inches
And just for sport that is my woodshed in the background. The winter of 2024 should warm at my house.
Enjoy
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Hello again folks:
Thanks Jeff, good eye Mr. Fortier.
Well I spent the last few hours listening to it in the shop. Holy man does it sound good. The 3 watts are wonderful, My wife came down to see what was going on, I was singing away to some blues song, when I looked over and saw her she was just smiling listening to me and this wonderful amp having fun. A funny happy moment.
Happy times around here.
Now I am ready to move on, the world of P to P just came wide open for me. Next up is a PP 6LU8. I have a couple of boxes full of Compactron tubes to play with. I got a very good deal on a larger lot of Compactron tubes last winter and am experimenting a lot right now. I feel like I am on the verge of a new awakening. Fun things are about to happen.
The future sure looks cool!
Nuff said for now
Thanks Jeff, good eye Mr. Fortier.
Well I spent the last few hours listening to it in the shop. Holy man does it sound good. The 3 watts are wonderful, My wife came down to see what was going on, I was singing away to some blues song, when I looked over and saw her she was just smiling listening to me and this wonderful amp having fun. A funny happy moment.
Happy times around here.
Now I am ready to move on, the world of P to P just came wide open for me. Next up is a PP 6LU8. I have a couple of boxes full of Compactron tubes to play with. I got a very good deal on a larger lot of Compactron tubes last winter and am experimenting a lot right now. I feel like I am on the verge of a new awakening. Fun things are about to happen.
The future sure looks cool!
Nuff said for now
Everything I like about building an amp.
Work of matter
Impeccable layout
Originality of details
Mix of old and modern technologies
Well done !
Work of matter
Impeccable layout
Originality of details
Mix of old and modern technologies
Well done !
I really like the originality of the volume knob, I usually put chicken head style knob but this is way cooler. Was it created via a 3D printer? If so, is the file available?
Thanks
Thanks
Go get a hose bib handle and glue in some 1/4” ID brass tubing into the middle with a screw to tighten.
Well I am not sure I should share the secret knob. It is a bit of a design signature. But because you are CDN and a pretty good fellow.
Consider this:
If a person was to look up "3d printer knobs" on one of the more common Asian shopping sites, a person might find a few different options to consider.
The ones I chose are Aluminium. I drilled out to 6mm. They come with 2 set screw. The colour can be changed with a bit of paint. I stayed with Red as I was using a red LED as my power on indicator. I have painted them opalescent green as well and used a green indicator light.
I hope this helps
Consider this:
If a person was to look up "3d printer knobs" on one of the more common Asian shopping sites, a person might find a few different options to consider.
The ones I chose are Aluminium. I drilled out to 6mm. They come with 2 set screw. The colour can be changed with a bit of paint. I stayed with Red as I was using a red LED as my power on indicator. I have painted them opalescent green as well and used a green indicator light.
I hope this helps
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Very nice work Eric:
I am guessing that is Ash for that skirt on yours?
Yes the secret knob is a good thing.
John's hose bib idea works but it is a bit big for a small chassis.
While you are on that Asian shopping site check out some the black screw options. I like the button top ones, I also go for acorn nuts rather than regular nuts as it gives a more refined look. I have accumulated a very extensive collection of 3,4,5 mm screws. I use the little watchmakers glass top storage cases from LeeValley stored in an old mechanics tool crib. Works for me.
Man this hobby has a lot of "stuff" to organize and manage.
take care
thanks for the comments
I am guessing that is Ash for that skirt on yours?
Yes the secret knob is a good thing.
John's hose bib idea works but it is a bit big for a small chassis.
While you are on that Asian shopping site check out some the black screw options. I like the button top ones, I also go for acorn nuts rather than regular nuts as it gives a more refined look. I have accumulated a very extensive collection of 3,4,5 mm screws. I use the little watchmakers glass top storage cases from LeeValley stored in an old mechanics tool crib. Works for me.
Man this hobby has a lot of "stuff" to organize and manage.
take care
thanks for the comments
I have a number of these plastic storage boxes with adjustable dividers. It takes about 10 or 12 of them told all my fasteners, nylon washers and standoffs, hole plugs, etc.
https://www.grainger.com/product/FL...Box-1NTH3?findingMethod=orderHistory&opr=ODOH
Thanks again for sharing your project. Always fun to follow along.
Hello again John:
Yes stuff stuff stuff.
I have an old Red Oak stereo/TV cabinet I made 30 years ago. Back when we had a 21inch CRT TV. It has been sitting in the basement rec. room for 25 years now and it does not get used for anything of importance. I have decided I need to expand my audio storage system and have just recently sketched up a rebuild of the cabinet. It will look like a modern day fancy pancy tool crib you get at Home Depot for a $1K bucks. Except mine will be made from Red Oak, Douglas fir, and Pacific Yew. I will also put on 4" wheels cause it will be heavy as the bottom will loaded with granite to act as a counter weight. Likely my collection transformers will also go in the bottom on a double slide drawer.
I get rather frustrated when I cannot find something I know I have because "it is in a box somewhere". I go looking for it and get lost checking out the "cool stuff" trying to find something and 1/2 hour later I have forgotten what I was looking for but I got a chance to see a whole lot of cool stuff. Man being a disorganized old guy is tough.
I guess it is what it is. We can only try to do our best.
Take care
Build something cool
Have fun
Yes stuff stuff stuff.
I have an old Red Oak stereo/TV cabinet I made 30 years ago. Back when we had a 21inch CRT TV. It has been sitting in the basement rec. room for 25 years now and it does not get used for anything of importance. I have decided I need to expand my audio storage system and have just recently sketched up a rebuild of the cabinet. It will look like a modern day fancy pancy tool crib you get at Home Depot for a $1K bucks. Except mine will be made from Red Oak, Douglas fir, and Pacific Yew. I will also put on 4" wheels cause it will be heavy as the bottom will loaded with granite to act as a counter weight. Likely my collection transformers will also go in the bottom on a double slide drawer.
I get rather frustrated when I cannot find something I know I have because "it is in a box somewhere". I go looking for it and get lost checking out the "cool stuff" trying to find something and 1/2 hour later I have forgotten what I was looking for but I got a chance to see a whole lot of cool stuff. Man being a disorganized old guy is tough.
I guess it is what it is. We can only try to do our best.
Take care
Build something cool
Have fun