Starving Student II Headphone Amplifier

[SuppersReady]

Finally finished the exterior of my case with some Danish Oil on the oak front. The little black knob was the best of what I could find for a 6mm d shaft. I must make sure that I check the shaft size before ordering next time (no innuendo intended, honest).

[rikiheck]

Looks great! I built mine stock but into a custom case, as well.







(Full size image: http://rkheck.frege.org/images/wood/SSII-03.jpg).

[SuppersReady]

Very nice!

I'm just starting with woodworking, that is something to aspire to.

[rikiheck]

Thanks! It's been a merging of two hobbies. I've made two Whammy's as well for friends.

[helpmeplz]

Hey, I assembled everything according to the guide. When I do a smoke test I get around 42V on both pin3 and only the LEDs inside the tube sockets are lighting up. When I plug it it I hear a lot of cracking. I re soldered everything but I still get the above voltage. What can I do to find the issue?

[rikiheck]

Just FYI, I initially had very bad microphonic issues with the Raytheon tubes supplied with the kit. Ringing when turning the volume control, or tapping the case, or even when the cord would sway when I was listening.''


I tried a different pair of Raytheons from EBay. No difference. Then tired a pair of RCA tubes. Problem gone.


I don't (yet) have a view about other differences between these tubes. The RCAs are clearly better for me, so not much motivation...

[SuppersReady]

I've been using both iterations of my SSII with the Raytheon tubes for a while now. I hadn't got around to trying some of the other valves from the rolling kit that Peter Millett sent me last year.

I've only tried the Tung-Sol so far. What a difference! I was only expecting minor differences in character, so initially I was only intending to listen casually whilst doing some domestic admin. Six hours later and a lot less domestic admin than planned...

I only stopped because I suddenly realised what the time was and the battery on my AK70 was nearly empty. It is so much cleaner and exciting following the valve swap. Ridiculous amounts of low level detail from tracks I thought I knew well.

Goosebumps and foot-tapping, 'nuff said! Thanks again to Peter Millett and the DiyAudio store!

[helpmeplz]

Hello,
I have a problem. When I do a smoke test I get around 43V on both pin3. I checked all my connections for shorts and cold soldering. I re soldered everything and removed the capacitors and checked if they are ok.
Looking at the circuit plan I assume my mosfets are broken when the voltage is not right at pin3. I don't know how to check them, only guide I found says there has to be a high ohm resistor between the pins, which is the case.
I assume some parts are broken, if it is not the mosfets how can I find the broken parts? Thank you.

[dfreemansc]

I’ve been bothered by a slight ‘bathroom’ effect to the sound of mine - like listening in a tiled room rather than with soft surfaces, smearing detail, if that makes sense.
I initially thought it was my headphones (dt150), so did some work on those to good effect, but the big difference was changing the caps in the signal path.
I’ve swapped out the wimas to better films, and c1 & 2 to np muses.
What a difference!
All the reverberant effect has gone, the imaging is much more ‘planted’, everything is so much more real (imho).
If my experience is anything to go on, a change very well worth considering!
Dave

[dfreemansc]

Originally Posted by SuppersReady

I've been using both iterations of my SSII with the Raytheon tubes for a while now. I hadn't got around to trying some of the other valves from the rolling kit that Peter Millett sent me last year.

I've only tried the Tung-Sol so far. What a difference! I was only expecting minor differences in character, so initially I was only intending to listen casually whilst doing some domestic admin. Six hours later and a lot less domestic admin than planned...

I only stopped because I suddenly realised what the time was and the battery on my AK70 was nearly empty. It is so much cleaner and exciting following the valve swap. Ridiculous amounts of low level detail from tracks I thought I knew well.

Goosebumps and foot-tapping, 'nuff said! Thanks again to Peter Millett and the DiyAudio store!

That sounds interesting!
Unfortunately the diyaudiostore is sold out - anyone know of a source, preferably uk?
Dave