Bigbottle Phonostage Builders thread.

A quick question for anyone who is building, or has built an exposed valve version in an aluminium case.

I'm doing so and I'm going to use a Q Max punch for the holes, but am unsure whether to use a 22.5mm or 25mm punch. The valves are 21mm diameter.
I've never done this before, so any advice would be gratefully accepted.
 
Single arm support on the Getter


Question for Oli
I've quoted one of your previous posts as it's relevant.
On your Telefunken/Siemans PCC88, you say you know they are Siemans manufactured as they have single arm supports on the getters.
My question is, Siemans seem to have two designs, of this, one using a single rod pressed into the to the top plate to support the getter, and one using a bent up extension of the top plate.
Both are single arm.
Can you say which one you are using, and whether one is preferable to the other?
Many thanks
 
Question for Oli
I've quoted one of your previous posts as it's relevant.
On your Telefunken/Siemans PCC88, you say you know they are Siemans manufactured as they have single arm supports on the getters.
My question is, Siemans seem to have two designs, of this, one using a single rod pressed into the to the top plate to support the getter, and one using a bent up extension of the top plate.
Both are single arm.
Can you say which one you are using, and whether one is preferable to the other?
Many thanks
Siemans made a lot of this type for other brands.

I use them because they are very crisp and clear valves.

20200930_093652.jpg 20200911_143233.jpg 20200911_142921.jpg
 
Crimminy, I two matched pairs. Fortunately my stand is well isolated, and I have silicon damping rings. Just waiting for some resistors to arrive, and then I will start my build. Got the despatch notice this morning from RS.
Yes, I have rubber PCB standoffs, sorbothane feet, well isolated position yet I could hear my voice through the speakers when I talked to the valves. ..

I've never experienced that before
 
Many thanks, I will keep it in mind. Where did you buy the Siemens/Telefunken valves? I may have to order some for myself. If they will permit a shipment to SA.
My daughter was on the last flight out of here last night, and is now waiting in Frankfurt for her connecting flight to Amsterdam. Just going for the rapid PCR test to be done.
She was supposed to be married early November, but this was postponed to April next year. We're all hoping for things to settle down by then ....
 
Finally finished this Beauty! New job and move to a new place came in the way, but this has been very rewardig. Soldering and wiring was pretty much straight forward, especially since Bigman 80 soldered the smd parts for me, many thanks for that!

It sounds very nice, I hear details very clear and the sound is organic and fluid. I was very satisfied with my Musical Fidelity lx riaa but this is another league.
Again, thanks to Oliver and Alan for making this project possible.
 
Finally have my bigbottle up and running. I used my diyhifisupply Cole as the donor chassis. I've always had some humm I could not chase down...or I did not try hard enough to get rid of. I repainted the covers. Ripped everything out. Cleaned the rca sockets...

Got the transformer I bought from Ollie and put it in the donor psu unit...etc.

Can't compare it because the last time I spun some vinyl must have been 10 years ago. I did have some hum then and an intermittent channel. My system has evolved and I have a cartridge I've never listened to. That is so new it has not even done 10 hours yet.

But it is completely quiet. And sounds great!

Phillips PCC88's and a Russian ECC83 type.
 

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Finally have my bigbottle up and running. I used my diyhifisupply Cole as the donor chassis. I've always had some humm I could not chase down...or I did not try hard enough to get rid of. I repainted the covers. Ripped everything out. Cleaned the rca sockets...



Got the transformer I bought from Ollie and put it in the donor psu unit...etc.



Can't compare it because the last time I spun some vinyl must have been 10 years ago. I did have some hum then and an intermittent channel. My system has evolved and I have a cartridge I've never listened to. That is so new it has not even done 10 hours yet.



But it is completely quiet. And sounds great!



Phillips PCC88's and a Russian ECC83 type.
Well done Bas,

Take a wire from the chassis to the vacant centre terminal on the HV terminal block.

That would be my next move if there is some hum.

Swap out those Philips....they aren't great valves IME. A pair of Matsushita will cost you £30 and be a large improvement.

Glad to see it's up and running.