I called DiyCable to ask them about their amp kits, they are updating some stuff, all of their kits are from diyhifisupply and they recommended the Ella, the 40watt amp.
I found a pp/SE kit using an EL34. Its PCB based though.
Here is a link
How does that look?
Anyone?
Thanks,
Josh
I found a pp/SE kit using an EL34. Its PCB based though.
Here is a link
How does that look?
Anyone?
Thanks,
Josh
Note that the the Edison kit is £449, which is roughly about US$840.
I have a pair of Bottlehead Paramours that I like a lot if you're looking for a kit recommendation. You'll need a preamplifier for the monoblocks, however.
Don't know anything about the S.E.X. kit, but it looks interesting and its cheaper. Just watch out for the low power (2W).
By the way, I'm finishing up my S5 K-12M kit. Had a small issue with the potentiometer, but I should have it up and running this week. I think its a great little kit-- can't beat it for the price.
Kofi
I have a pair of Bottlehead Paramours that I like a lot if you're looking for a kit recommendation. You'll need a preamplifier for the monoblocks, however.
Don't know anything about the S.E.X. kit, but it looks interesting and its cheaper. Just watch out for the low power (2W).
By the way, I'm finishing up my S5 K-12M kit. Had a small issue with the potentiometer, but I should have it up and running this week. I think its a great little kit-- can't beat it for the price.
Kofi
Thorsten gave the Edison a good review.... but will probably be approacked the $1k mark by th etime you get it over here.
For that kind of money, you could build a budget kit, recycle a vintage amp, and still be in a position to build the amp you really want (and don't know you want) from scratch. (and you'd have 3 amps -- or yours friends would have some nice amps & you'd have some cash to recycle).
It is your 1st one, start modestly.
dave
For that kind of money, you could build a budget kit, recycle a vintage amp, and still be in a position to build the amp you really want (and don't know you want) from scratch. (and you'd have 3 amps -- or yours friends would have some nice amps & you'd have some cash to recycle).
It is your 1st one, start modestly.
dave
OUCH, I was unsure of the conversion, I though maybe $550!
I'd like to start above the K-12m or the K-502 because of the minimal output. But since I can't seem to find much I guess I'll start there, I'll do the modifications and try out the amp on my B&W speakers (91db efficient) If I like the sound I'll save up for a nice build.
Is that a good idea?
If you all like that, I'm back about 30 posts, will the mods work with the K-502, due to the better tubes I like the k-502, but i don't have much information like I do on the K-12M. And the upgrades that S5 electronics has done to the amp, i.e. tube sockets.
Thanks a lot,
Josh
I'd like to start above the K-12m or the K-502 because of the minimal output. But since I can't seem to find much I guess I'll start there, I'll do the modifications and try out the amp on my B&W speakers (91db efficient) If I like the sound I'll save up for a nice build.
Is that a good idea?
If you all like that, I'm back about 30 posts, will the mods work with the K-502, due to the better tubes I like the k-502, but i don't have much information like I do on the K-12M. And the upgrades that S5 electronics has done to the amp, i.e. tube sockets.
Thanks a lot,
Josh
edjosh23 said:
I'm not sure what you mean by the K-502? I believe it is the same amp as the K-12, just sold by someone else.
Whatever the difference I can heartily recommend the K-12 as a starting point. I built one and use it every day. The 8 watts is fine for me.
I think building one of these inexpensive kits and paying attention to the way it goes together and what all the pieces are for is an excellent idea. Then, if you need more power or a different sound you can build your next one from scratch!
Sherman said:
What he said 🙂
One of the amps mentioned -- the ST-35 clone semi-kit -- just showed up in the gallery.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=560197#post560197
dave
Hey Guys,I dont' mean to butt in,but..
A friend Who has a pair of DCM speakers (ported 12",6.5"mid,and bullet tweeter.) Was asking me about tube amps,and I suggested he look at the K-12 kit,and he asked me if 8 watts would be enough,I asked him if he knew his speakers sensitivity,and while he looked it up I told him about my PP 6V6 amp,It's about 8W per channel,sounds great,and even has enough power for my sorta "power hungry" speakers.
He came back and told me they were 99dB efficient! (according to the spec sheet.)
"Holy cr@p" I say.. "8 watts should be plenty!"
Then he says he wants more,like 50W (He likes to knock the dishes out of the cupboards once in a while!).And also HT. (We built a Lumenlabs PJ.)
I told him to consider the S5 K-12 kit,Seems like a good start for a Toob-Noob,and should play reasonably loud on his speakers.
Now,is it just me or does 99dB seem kinda high for these speakers?
I mean,thats getting up there (almost near horns!) in terms of efficiency.. Do you think the K-12 would match well to his speakers?
He likes alot of different music (kinda like myself) everything from Enya,to Metallica,including dance/techno/club type stuff.
Are there any other good kits to consider,that are relativly cheap,just to see if he likes tubes?
If it turns out that he likes tubes we can always tweak the amp a bit in the meantime(and he can learn a bit too.),untill he wants to upgrade.
(ok,sorry for the thread-jacking.. 😉 )
A friend Who has a pair of DCM speakers (ported 12",6.5"mid,and bullet tweeter.) Was asking me about tube amps,and I suggested he look at the K-12 kit,and he asked me if 8 watts would be enough,I asked him if he knew his speakers sensitivity,and while he looked it up I told him about my PP 6V6 amp,It's about 8W per channel,sounds great,and even has enough power for my sorta "power hungry" speakers.
He came back and told me they were 99dB efficient! (according to the spec sheet.)
"Holy cr@p" I say.. "8 watts should be plenty!"
Then he says he wants more,like 50W (He likes to knock the dishes out of the cupboards once in a while!).And also HT. (We built a Lumenlabs PJ.)
I told him to consider the S5 K-12 kit,Seems like a good start for a Toob-Noob,and should play reasonably loud on his speakers.
Now,is it just me or does 99dB seem kinda high for these speakers?
I mean,thats getting up there (almost near horns!) in terms of efficiency.. Do you think the K-12 would match well to his speakers?
He likes alot of different music (kinda like myself) everything from Enya,to Metallica,including dance/techno/club type stuff.
Are there any other good kits to consider,that are relativly cheap,just to see if he likes tubes?
If it turns out that he likes tubes we can always tweak the amp a bit in the meantime(and he can learn a bit too.),untill he wants to upgrade.
(ok,sorry for the thread-jacking.. 😉 )
planet10 said:
Dave,
Good call with the ST35 "clone". I had totally forgotten about that one. It is available as a PCB with parts list from DIYTube but also as "mostly a kit", "a kit less chassis" and "a full blown kit" from http://www.tubes4hifi.com/st35.htm.
17 1/2 watts per channel, nice PCB and the complete kit is only $399.
Dave, thanks for another great recomendation, I forgot about that.
Here is the same PCB on ebay for about $53 shipped. I'm going to look up the taffos and tubes for good prices, I am going to need to add a pot. I'm going to do some more price comparing
270HX $55
1650F $49
It looks to me like some of these prices are a little off. But here is a pdf for the ebay board.
I think the total prices are pretty similar, thanks Dave this might be a definate winner. I could add a PEC pot to the mix couldn't I?
I'm guessing 100k is better than 25k or should I try other values?
Thanks a lot,
Josh
EDIT: DigitalJunkie: I believe
these are the speakers and are 94db efficient (1/1) I'm no expert, actually a noob and don't know much, but I think 8watts could be alright for those, but I have trouble believing the 12" is 94db efficient too.
Here is the same PCB on ebay for about $53 shipped. I'm going to look up the taffos and tubes for good prices, I am going to need to add a pot. I'm going to do some more price comparing
270HX $55
1650F $49
It looks to me like some of these prices are a little off. But here is a pdf for the ebay board.
I think the total prices are pretty similar, thanks Dave this might be a definate winner. I could add a PEC pot to the mix couldn't I?
I'm guessing 100k is better than 25k or should I try other values?
Thanks a lot,
Josh
EDIT: DigitalJunkie: I believe
these are the speakers and are 94db efficient (1/1) I'm no expert, actually a noob and don't know much, but I think 8watts could be alright for those, but I have trouble believing the 12" is 94db efficient too.
Sherman said:
Thanx for pointing out the other vendor -- didn't know about them. I've 2 SCA35s i'm going to rebuild into something vaguely similar -- completely different front-end, dual mono, and Class A (4 W when strapped in triode 🙂)
This is a nice step up from the K12 amp -- and the price of the amp with chassis and all the bits is pretty good.
One could also consider just some of the bits to go along with a donor amp like an Eico, or Pilot, or Dynaco or Scott or Fisher or on&on....
dave
edjosh23 said:
You'd replace the 470k grid resisitor with a 500k pot.
This amp has identical topology to the K12....
dave
Thanks Dave,
I also e mailed this website asking about kits for the SCA-35 and the ST-35. His prices are very good but little info about kits. I read someof the differences between the SCA-35 and the ST-35. The ST-35 seems to have less distortion and a little simpler, but no pot. I understand the SCA-35 is an integrated design made a year or so afterwards and very similar with a few changes, one website recomended the ST-35 for SQ purposes.
I'm hoping that the kit is everything buts traffos and tubes, for $99 thats not bad
Thanks again,
Josh
I also e mailed this website asking about kits for the SCA-35 and the ST-35. His prices are very good but little info about kits. I read someof the differences between the SCA-35 and the ST-35. The ST-35 seems to have less distortion and a little simpler, but no pot. I understand the SCA-35 is an integrated design made a year or so afterwards and very similar with a few changes, one website recomended the ST-35 for SQ purposes.
I'm hoping that the kit is everything buts traffos and tubes, for $99 thats not bad
Thanks again,
Josh
The SCA-35 uses the same 7199 (pentode driver directly coupled to the triode acting as a concertina phase splitter) as the ST-70. The ST-35 clone replaces the pentode section with a 12AX7, and the triode with a 12AU7. The ST-35 used a 7247 (mu similar to 12AU7).
Iron in the SCA35 & ST35 are the same (and the SCA 35 usually sells for less)
There are any number of tubes that would probably do a better job than the 'AX7/AU7.
dave
Iron in the SCA35 & ST35 are the same (and the SCA 35 usually sells for less)
There are any number of tubes that would probably do a better job than the 'AX7/AU7.
dave
Hi Guys,
I'm the one who posted the pics of the diytube st-35 in the gallery. I've also built the k-502 completly stock which supplies tunes to my workshop. I'm happy with both projects and would recommend building either. If only building one amp I would skip the k-502. But if you plan on building multiple amps the 502 is a great one to start with and pretty cheap as far as tube amps go. The only thing with the K-502 is 11bm8 tubes are kinda hard to find in nos. There are korean and china made one's available and singles of nos but I haven't seen any nos matched pairs or quads yet. Proobably because the 11bm8 is a tv tube and normally not matched in pairs and quads for audio. I've been thinking about rebuilding the 502 to use a more common tube. I just completed the 35 but so far I like this amp a lot. I can't wait to get going on my next project a pair of fostex fe166 full range driver back loaded horns to go along with the 35. If you have any questions about either amp asy away.
Mark
I'm the one who posted the pics of the diytube st-35 in the gallery. I've also built the k-502 completly stock which supplies tunes to my workshop. I'm happy with both projects and would recommend building either. If only building one amp I would skip the k-502. But if you plan on building multiple amps the 502 is a great one to start with and pretty cheap as far as tube amps go. The only thing with the K-502 is 11bm8 tubes are kinda hard to find in nos. There are korean and china made one's available and singles of nos but I haven't seen any nos matched pairs or quads yet. Proobably because the 11bm8 is a tv tube and normally not matched in pairs and quads for audio. I've been thinking about rebuilding the 502 to use a more common tube. I just completed the 35 but so far I like this amp a lot. I can't wait to get going on my next project a pair of fostex fe166 full range driver back loaded horns to go along with the 35. If you have any questions about either amp asy away.
Mark
markgall said:
With appropriate heater rewiring (and a 6.3 V filament trafo) you should be able to just drop in a 6BM8 which is very commonly used in audio circuits (was designed with the express purpose of dual TV & HiFi usage)
dave
Mark, I'm lookin at the 35 because of the power, and my inefficent speakers. Where did you get the kit for the 35 or did you build it from scratch?
Thanks,
Josh
Thanks,
Josh
I bought the bare board from diytube.com and sourced everything else myself. I used a Dynaco sca-35 for the iron. You can email Shannon Parks there or he runs e**y auctions for them. He only sells the board and bill of materials / manual. tubes4hifi.com/home.html sells a kit and all parts to build the amp. Yeah thats kinda what I've been thinkin about doin with the 502. Scrounge up a power trannie and some better outputs and rebuilding it point to point. Probably go ahead and use some better caps and resistors while I'm at it and build a nice box for it to, it's still on a slab of wood right now. I don't know if i can do without it feeding tunes to my workshop while I rebuild it though. Maybe I'll just build another one and leave the first one alone. Josh, Are you wanting to build or buy?
Mark
Mark
markgall said:
If you are going to do that, you migt as well start from scratch... i'm giving some thot to a version using the tech from the RH84 (a couple threads on that here). It will use a differential front end/gain stage/splitter with a CCS.... i've at least one PP 6BM8 amp i can salvage iron from.
dave
I'm planning on buying a kit, I don't think i am ready for a scratch build, but I think that the kit wons be too hard, especiallly with a circuit board.
Would you recomende be buying the PCB and then buying all the components myself and treat myself to nicer tubes and/or caps?
Thanks,
Josh
Would you recomende be buying the PCB and then buying all the components myself and treat myself to nicer tubes and/or caps?
Thanks,
Josh
Yeah your right, I should look for something else and do a scratch build. That's the way I would and did do it Josh. The board is 52.00 bucks shipped I think. The iron will run you anywhere from 10 bucks to 300 depending on what you choose to use. I've bought two dynaco sca-35's for 125.00 each to pull the iron from. I've heard some people picking these up for 5 bucks!
I wish I could score on some of those finds!😀 Triode electronics has reproduction dynaco iron for 170.00 or you can get hammonds for around 150.00 or magnaquests will run you between 250.00 and 300.00. The parts will run you around 100.00. I bought most everything per the supplied bill of material from mouser which included orange drop caps and 1% vishay dale resistors. Shannon at diytube even gives you a spreadsheet you can import into mouser and place your order, pretty cool. I used panasonic filter caps from digikey they were around 10 bucks. The gold tube sockets were 3 bucks each at triode electronics. The addition of the tube rectifer requires an extra filament trannie if you use dynaco iron an extra 10 bucks, the hammonds already have the extra winding. It also requires a 1.5h choke another 10 bucks. You can make your own case like I did with no or little cost or just use a hammond or something. Or if case work isn't your thing I could make you a case if you would like for a fee of course 😉 Oh dont forget volume controls if you want them, wire, paint, connectors. Then tubes, a set of new jj's will run around 70 bucks with a rectifier, sovteks a little less or you can spend whatever you want on nos from low to really out there. I just saw a set of 5 telefunkins go for 700.00 on e**y the other day. I paid 20 bucks for the quad of jj's 3 bucks each for the 12au7 and 12ax7 and 5 bucks for the 5u4g.
I wish I could score on some of those finds!😀 Triode electronics has reproduction dynaco iron for 170.00 or you can get hammonds for around 150.00 or magnaquests will run you between 250.00 and 300.00. The parts will run you around 100.00. I bought most everything per the supplied bill of material from mouser which included orange drop caps and 1% vishay dale resistors. Shannon at diytube even gives you a spreadsheet you can import into mouser and place your order, pretty cool. I used panasonic filter caps from digikey they were around 10 bucks. The gold tube sockets were 3 bucks each at triode electronics. The addition of the tube rectifer requires an extra filament trannie if you use dynaco iron an extra 10 bucks, the hammonds already have the extra winding. It also requires a 1.5h choke another 10 bucks. You can make your own case like I did with no or little cost or just use a hammond or something. Or if case work isn't your thing I could make you a case if you would like for a fee of course 😉 Oh dont forget volume controls if you want them, wire, paint, connectors. Then tubes, a set of new jj's will run around 70 bucks with a rectifier, sovteks a little less or you can spend whatever you want on nos from low to really out there. I just saw a set of 5 telefunkins go for 700.00 on e**y the other day. I paid 20 bucks for the quad of jj's 3 bucks each for the 12au7 and 12ax7 and 5 bucks for the 5u4g.- Status
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