I'm sharing a slightly different kind of post here, hoping it will find its way to the right people. I’d truly appreciate any shares in relevant places.With great sadness, my family and I recently said goodbye to my father after his battle with cancer. My dad was a very special person, and there’s so much I could say about him—but in the context of this group, there’s one thing in particular that stands out: his deep passion for sound and audio.
Over many years, he acquired an impressive amount of knowledge, technical skill, and understanding, which he used to restore, upgrade, and build a variety of equipment—from amplifiers to speakers, turntables, and more. Before he became ill, he had started working on several projects, but sadly had to stop midway, and now they sit unfinished with an uncertain future.
I’ll be the first to admit—I don’t have the expertise my father had. What I do share with him is a deep love for music, which was one of the strongest bonds between us. But unfortunately, he didn’t pass down his technical skills to me.I’m posting here because I feel that my father left me with a mission—his legacy, if you will. And I’ve made it my goal to try and complete the work he couldn’t finish himself.
I’m looking for a mentor, a guide—someone who can help me understand where to even begin with these projects that meant so much to my father. I’ve attached some photos of what he left behind, in the hope that someone might see the value in this and, out of love for this beautiful world of stereo and sound, help me breathe life back into a dream that’s been paused.
(Just a note: all the items shown in the photos, except for the QUAD speakers, are unfinished projects. The QUADs are functional—I included them to give a sense of the level of investment and dedication my father had for this craft.)
*A pair of Quad electrostatic speakers — rebuilt and fully functional
*Sony's VFET R0 Diy Kit
*JVC TT-101
Over many years, he acquired an impressive amount of knowledge, technical skill, and understanding, which he used to restore, upgrade, and build a variety of equipment—from amplifiers to speakers, turntables, and more. Before he became ill, he had started working on several projects, but sadly had to stop midway, and now they sit unfinished with an uncertain future.
I’ll be the first to admit—I don’t have the expertise my father had. What I do share with him is a deep love for music, which was one of the strongest bonds between us. But unfortunately, he didn’t pass down his technical skills to me.I’m posting here because I feel that my father left me with a mission—his legacy, if you will. And I’ve made it my goal to try and complete the work he couldn’t finish himself.
I’m looking for a mentor, a guide—someone who can help me understand where to even begin with these projects that meant so much to my father. I’ve attached some photos of what he left behind, in the hope that someone might see the value in this and, out of love for this beautiful world of stereo and sound, help me breathe life back into a dream that’s been paused.
(Just a note: all the items shown in the photos, except for the QUAD speakers, are unfinished projects. The QUADs are functional—I included them to give a sense of the level of investment and dedication my father had for this craft.)
*A pair of Quad electrostatic speakers — rebuilt and fully functional
*Sony's VFET R0 Diy Kit
*JVC TT-101
Hello
Welcome. Your endeavor in your father’s memory is admirable and I wish you the best of luck.
The pictures you posted of the SONY VFET amps look like they were completely assembled, but perhaps they have some issues that prevent proper operation.
That particular amplifier design is considered a bit advanced for a beginner…even if you were starting from scratch and following it’s documentation and build guide found here:
Trying to diagnose problems with circuits that have already been assembled and that have unknown problems is a whole different skill set. Not one I could offer assistance with for sure.
There are some very talented and generous souls on this forum that often help people diagnose problems with equipment or circuits they own or have built.
The Pass Labs forum is the area with all the experts (including Nelson Pass the designer) on this particular SONY VFET project.
Assuming you have the ability to operate a digital multi meter to take measurements for various resistance and voltages, you may be able to start working through basic tests on the circuit with the help if people there.
Cheers
Welcome. Your endeavor in your father’s memory is admirable and I wish you the best of luck.
The pictures you posted of the SONY VFET amps look like they were completely assembled, but perhaps they have some issues that prevent proper operation.
That particular amplifier design is considered a bit advanced for a beginner…even if you were starting from scratch and following it’s documentation and build guide found here:
Trying to diagnose problems with circuits that have already been assembled and that have unknown problems is a whole different skill set. Not one I could offer assistance with for sure.
There are some very talented and generous souls on this forum that often help people diagnose problems with equipment or circuits they own or have built.
The Pass Labs forum is the area with all the experts (including Nelson Pass the designer) on this particular SONY VFET project.
Assuming you have the ability to operate a digital multi meter to take measurements for various resistance and voltages, you may be able to start working through basic tests on the circuit with the help if people there.
Cheers
If you can find someone local to help in person, it would be much easier.
Do you have any test equipment?
Do you have any test equipment?
My condolences on your loss.
My father also passed away a few years ago.
I spent years trying to find someone to recone his JBL 15's the way he wanted them originally.
I did manage to find a place that has gone beyond my hopes and expectations.
I hope you also find the person or people you need to honour your dads legacy.
Maybe concentrate on one item at a time to completion before starting the next item.
For the diy sony v-fets, I suggest starting a post in the 'Pass Labs' section, as these were designed and released by Nelson Pass.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/forums/pass-labs.8/
For the JVC turntable, I would make a post in the analogue source forum.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/forums/analogue-source.11/
My father also passed away a few years ago.
I spent years trying to find someone to recone his JBL 15's the way he wanted them originally.
I did manage to find a place that has gone beyond my hopes and expectations.
I hope you also find the person or people you need to honour your dads legacy.
Maybe concentrate on one item at a time to completion before starting the next item.
For the diy sony v-fets, I suggest starting a post in the 'Pass Labs' section, as these were designed and released by Nelson Pass.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/forums/pass-labs.8/
For the JVC turntable, I would make a post in the analogue source forum.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/forums/analogue-source.11/
Sorry for your loss, I know the feeling.
What will help keeping hope and strength is first determine what you actually will be using. It makes no sense to fix stuff you will never use. Then keep projects separated & sequenced and have them dedicated to a few different persons that will like to help out. It is IMHO very hard to impossible to do so with online help when being completely unexperienced, you will need help of an experienced builder in person. Possibly even have that person(s) doing it completely for you. Maybe your dad relied on your organizing skills...
Also having one goal at a time will help. First of all the essential parts of the chain so for instance the Sony VFET amplifier. If you have a working amplifier to working loudspeakers and of course a working source you can at least listen to what your dad has build and then continue to finish the other projects in good spirit.
Sorry but there seems to be a non PE power distributor on the floor. Please check if you have Schuko type H wall sockets with PE and if so use a type H power distributor with PE for safety and correct working mains filtering in devices etc. I can very well be wrong but checking will not hurt.
Best would be to get help by local DIYers that also roam around here. Also check & prepare tools (replace batteries etc) that may be necessary.
What will help keeping hope and strength is first determine what you actually will be using. It makes no sense to fix stuff you will never use. Then keep projects separated & sequenced and have them dedicated to a few different persons that will like to help out. It is IMHO very hard to impossible to do so with online help when being completely unexperienced, you will need help of an experienced builder in person. Possibly even have that person(s) doing it completely for you. Maybe your dad relied on your organizing skills...
Also having one goal at a time will help. First of all the essential parts of the chain so for instance the Sony VFET amplifier. If you have a working amplifier to working loudspeakers and of course a working source you can at least listen to what your dad has build and then continue to finish the other projects in good spirit.
Sorry but there seems to be a non PE power distributor on the floor. Please check if you have Schuko type H wall sockets with PE and if so use a type H power distributor with PE for safety and correct working mains filtering in devices etc. I can very well be wrong but checking will not hurt.
Best would be to get help by local DIYers that also roam around here. Also check & prepare tools (replace batteries etc) that may be necessary.
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Cheer up and it's alright.
You have come to the right place where many builders here are very helpful, just be patient and humble.
I'd start disconnect VFET amp from power supply and then test PS first. Once its working, check all VFET amp and parts individually. Read Nelson's PDF manual with link above and use the test hints. Learn how to use multi-meter, basic OHM's law, power formula, identify components, soldering skills, electrical safety, etc. and hang on to this forum more often. Everyone was a lamer before they become elite.
You have come to the right place where many builders here are very helpful, just be patient and humble.
I'd start disconnect VFET amp from power supply and then test PS first. Once its working, check all VFET amp and parts individually. Read Nelson's PDF manual with link above and use the test hints. Learn how to use multi-meter, basic OHM's law, power formula, identify components, soldering skills, electrical safety, etc. and hang on to this forum more often. Everyone was a lamer before they become elite.
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Please note OP says to have no technical skills at all. One can not pass technical skills & education let alone working safely with electricity online to a layman.
LEVAYEV93, if you are prepared to ship out stuff of the source/amplifier/DAC/preamp kind (no tape recorder, turntable) and also accept the return shipping costs I volunteer to repair/finish one device for you.
LEVAYEV93, if you are prepared to ship out stuff of the source/amplifier/DAC/preamp kind (no tape recorder, turntable) and also accept the return shipping costs I volunteer to repair/finish one device for you.
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