Thanks for the suggestion.
I'll always try and share the love close to home if I can.
A limited number (batch 2, 45 units) of the Pioneer's completion kits are now available. The only notable change from batch 1 is the addition of a Euroblock for the potentiometer breakout board. Once these sell out, we'll do a pre-order for a final production batch (during January, for shipping around March). Cheers!
Korg Nutube B1 Full Kit – diyAudio Store
Korg Nutube B1 Full Kit – diyAudio Store
Pioneer kit
I am excited to see the pioneer kit come back in stock. I am just in the process of finishing up my F6 build. Should be done this weekend, barring any set backs. I am looking to pair this preamp with it.
That said, what are the expected differences between the pioneer and production run? I am on the fence only about timing, since it might be a couple months before I have time to build another kit, but I am worried the production run might not be ready. If there are no changes, then I might just pull the trigger now so I have the kit for when I have time to assemble it.
Thoughts?
I am excited to see the pioneer kit come back in stock. I am just in the process of finishing up my F6 build. Should be done this weekend, barring any set backs. I am looking to pair this preamp with it.
That said, what are the expected differences between the pioneer and production run? I am on the fence only about timing, since it might be a couple months before I have time to build another kit, but I am worried the production run might not be ready. If there are no changes, then I might just pull the trigger now so I have the kit for when I have time to assemble it.
Thoughts?
Didnt bother to wait for an answer, followed instruction and finished the kit. Playing fine now on my M2 and Altecs.
One thing it is gatherin some static electricity and gives a small jolt when I touch the volume. Do I need to ground the case somehow?
Are you sure it's not you gathering static and discharging to the knob?
Received and built one of the first from batch 2 today. Overall, the build was pretty quick and simple. I suppose I should have taken the time to heat shrink my wire runs.
Here are a few minor things I ran into:
1. As can be seen in the attached picture, I didn't realize that the outline for the Nutube doesn't line up with the Nutube itself and stuck the foam in the wrong place as it seemed more logical to put the foam on the board and wiggle the Nutube into place.
2. I was a little confused for a minute about the way the power switch and LED were wired; it works as described although not sure why it was done this way...
3. I can't get the chassis itself to lay completely flat with all sides screwed in. I tried screwing in the front first, back first and bottom first to no avail... When screwed down, front left (or back right) has a little lift to it.
So I fired it up, calibrated test points to 9.75V each and it worked first time. With top off or on, it's microphinic when adjusting volume or tapping chassis. I did use the suggested iFlight standoffs and foam under the Nutube but still have issues. I will try using dynamat over vents.
Additionally, when touching the chassis, I pick up AM 1240. I live in Denver where it's pretty dry and also notice pops when touching the volume nob.
So now that we have all that out of the way, how does it sound? Fantastic is my take. I sold my reference LX521's a few months ago and am currently building a new reference. The bookshelf speakers I'm using in the interim have never sounded so good. Specifically, there is just a realness to the music. Imaging seems improved with just a better feel of space. I'm running ADI-2 pro DAC from RME with ATI amplifiers and bookshelf speakers of my own design.
I think this kit is well worth the asking price. I'll work on solving the microphone issues and see if I can add a remote for volume control. I sure hope that it integrates well with the Aleph J I'm finishing up this week.
Overall, it's a solid $300 spent + maybe 4 hours of work.
Enjoy!
Here are a few minor things I ran into:
1. As can be seen in the attached picture, I didn't realize that the outline for the Nutube doesn't line up with the Nutube itself and stuck the foam in the wrong place as it seemed more logical to put the foam on the board and wiggle the Nutube into place.
2. I was a little confused for a minute about the way the power switch and LED were wired; it works as described although not sure why it was done this way...
3. I can't get the chassis itself to lay completely flat with all sides screwed in. I tried screwing in the front first, back first and bottom first to no avail... When screwed down, front left (or back right) has a little lift to it.
So I fired it up, calibrated test points to 9.75V each and it worked first time. With top off or on, it's microphinic when adjusting volume or tapping chassis. I did use the suggested iFlight standoffs and foam under the Nutube but still have issues. I will try using dynamat over vents.
Additionally, when touching the chassis, I pick up AM 1240. I live in Denver where it's pretty dry and also notice pops when touching the volume nob.
So now that we have all that out of the way, how does it sound? Fantastic is my take. I sold my reference LX521's a few months ago and am currently building a new reference. The bookshelf speakers I'm using in the interim have never sounded so good. Specifically, there is just a realness to the music. Imaging seems improved with just a better feel of space. I'm running ADI-2 pro DAC from RME with ATI amplifiers and bookshelf speakers of my own design.
I think this kit is well worth the asking price. I'll work on solving the microphone issues and see if I can add a remote for volume control. I sure hope that it integrates well with the Aleph J I'm finishing up this week.
Overall, it's a solid $300 spent + maybe 4 hours of work.
Enjoy!
Attachments
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I loved the combo (in my space, music, etc etc). AJ + B1K. Sounded better to me with the speaker polarity switched... Only yesterday was I able to switch it out for a different preamp.. and it sounds incredible too (Waynes BA2018).
I think you will be happy!
I love the combo now as well! Just finished AJ! I sense no harshness or edge. There is plenty of treble but things just sound way more realistic.
Built my Pioneer kit in roughly 5 hours, two sittings. I haven’t built a kit since the early 90s - so call me “rusty.” Been burning in for the last 24hrs, about to go do a first listen.
Notes and observations:
1. It took me a second - and to reread Papa Pass’ PDF - before I understood what was going on with JFET positions for stuffing.
2. My parts tester kept indicating different JFET pinouts than what was marked on the board... eventually decided to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and install as marked.
3. I didn’t see the build photos until after I’d already stuffed/soldered the board up, and was already on my way to wiring in a less-advantageous manner than what 6L6 proposed. Probably ate a half hour of my 5hr build time to undo and redo.
4. Probably took another 20-30 mins to rig up pin header test points, power supply and input/output connections. More for my own sanity than anything else.
5. The LED is...not my favorite part of this. Will def. be making a change here.
Will probably convert this to a remote control volume/power setup but am eager to do first listens today.
Notes and observations:
1. It took me a second - and to reread Papa Pass’ PDF - before I understood what was going on with JFET positions for stuffing.
2. My parts tester kept indicating different JFET pinouts than what was marked on the board... eventually decided to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and install as marked.
3. I didn’t see the build photos until after I’d already stuffed/soldered the board up, and was already on my way to wiring in a less-advantageous manner than what 6L6 proposed. Probably ate a half hour of my 5hr build time to undo and redo.
4. Probably took another 20-30 mins to rig up pin header test points, power supply and input/output connections. More for my own sanity than anything else.
5. The LED is...not my favorite part of this. Will def. be making a change here.
Will probably convert this to a remote control volume/power setup but am eager to do first listens today.
Attachments
Build Manual
6L6, not meaning to pester, but curious if you are still intending to publish the build manual for the Nutube pre. There's lots of great build advice and photos on this thread but I trust your accumulated knowledge the most and want to build my kit with the best guidance possible. It's a treasured opportunity I definitely don't want to screw up! Thanks, everyone, for making this opportunity possible.
6L6, not meaning to pester, but curious if you are still intending to publish the build manual for the Nutube pre. There's lots of great build advice and photos on this thread but I trust your accumulated knowledge the most and want to build my kit with the best guidance possible. It's a treasured opportunity I definitely don't want to screw up! Thanks, everyone, for making this opportunity possible.
Nutube microphony
NUTUBE ACCESSORY KIT 01 | Accessory Kit of Korg NUTUBE inluding PC | RS Components
There is this kit that can be purchased from Radiospare . It is obviously designed to protect the nu tube from microphony
NUTUBE ACCESSORY KIT 01 | Accessory Kit of Korg NUTUBE inluding PC | RS Components
Purchased a completion kit in December and I was very happy with how comprehensive it was. I started the project yesterday. After populating the board (except for the tube)and on final inspection I noticed I had 2 J113s paired on side. Thinking it was my error I re-checked the other 3 pairs and they were correct. I can only assume that the order was not correctly packed with 5 J113s and 3J112s in total. I have sent an email to the store in hope that they will send me a J112 (7.5) soon.
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