K8011/K8010 PCB build thread

[jamesfeline]

Hello all

The 2nd mono block is nearly finished, but I got a little side tracked as I wanted to complete my second custom pc in a rack enclosure ... I use this for music and movies .. this is the second build I completed in a 3U case. The next project will something really special, so watch this space

so a few pics of the competed PC

 

[jamesfeline]

some more pictures

 

[jamesfeline]

and one I made earlier, which is giving me great service !! ....Sonic excellence . the best things come to people who wait !!

 

[jamesfeline]

K8011 new mono blocks

Hello

as per title .. 2 new monoblocks fully scratch built from my own Gerber files
2 k8011 amplifiers with NOS sovtek EL34 valves and phillips military grade preamp valves. ... all sounds good

Also I have added a remote bias selector switch on the back of the case so aI can check the bias levels. ... hope you like my work as I have learned so much from this site

 

[jamesfeline]

K8011 new mono blocks

and some more pictures

 

[jamesfeline]

K8011 new mono blocks

Last photos of the monoblocks

 

[jamesfeline]

any feedback would be greatly appreciated

 

[JoeAlders]

Nick,
As I already wrote in the Photo Gallery thread: Great Job!
How did you made those beautiful chassis fronts?
Specially like that Tiger

 

[jamesfeline]

Hello ...

The front panels are laser engraved from my art work, I get a local company to do this for me. The case feet are hand made then chrome plated. The case has a 3mm internal chassis so you do not see any bolt heads under the case. The basic case comes from hifi2000 company with a 3mm Aluminium top and bottom covers

 

[overtheairbroadcast]

Nope. Don't like it all. Especially the feet. And who puts a PC in custom case (everyone knows off the shelf is wayyyyyyy better and a lot lighter).

Kindly package it and mail it to me for environmentally friendly disposal. I won't even charge you the $20 handling fee I usually ask for.

All kidding aside -- DAMN!

jamesfeline, it's only a guess, but it looks like you have done this before and probably not with just a hand drill, hammer, and screwdriver either. The PC part of it is top shelf work there with the layout and back panel.

How many hours do you have into this whole setup (tube and PC source) of yours? And where did you find someone as understanding is your wife?

I know that the PC is mostly sand and plastic, but add that into the tube photo gallery since that is your pre/source to your tube amplifiers (or did I miss those pictures? There were a lot of them). I am sure that this would blow a few people away with the chassis work you did in the back and your layout.

P.S. that method you have of biasing? I have lurked around here for as long time and this is the first time I have seen something like that. Very user friendly and awesome. Is it of your own design and execution?

 

[jamesfeline]

Hello

For the 1st time I have included a few pictures of my man cave, all my builds are made in this man shed .... every single hole is marked out by hand and drilled with nothing more than a Bosch electric drill.

I have been making electronics as a Hobby since the age of 14 now I am 52 this coming April, it's a real passion of mine. The PC work was due to my constant disappointment with PC cases that are available .. plus I wanted a PC source (so I could use Hi res music files) to match my existing case work .. plus gave me total freedom on layout and design etc

any way hope you like the shed pictures ...

 

[JoeAlders]

Jeeeezzzz!! Do I envy you!! I have to do the hardware jobs with only the space of my desktop,
which, you have to believe me, is very small.......

 

[jamesfeline]

Jeeeezzzz!! Do I envy you!! I have to do the hardware jobs with only the space of my desktop,
which, you have to believe me, is very small.......

Trust me ... that's how I started off, .. so fully understand

 

[overtheairbroadcast]

What in the world?!? Space? Organization? Clean bench top? Excellent lighting? And no dust bunnies/solder splash/small burns on the walls from flash fires?

Impossible. It must be photoshopped!

All you need is a TV with the BBC interviewing Labour on how immigration isn't too high and you are set.

 

[jamesfeline]

What in the world?!? Space? Organization? Clean bench top? Excellent lighting? And no dust bunnies/solder splash/small burns on the walls from flash fires?

Impossible. It must be photoshopped!

All you need is a TV with the BBC interviewing Labour on how immigration isn't too high and you are set.

 

[Sonicexcellence]

James Feline Monoblocs Rock!

Hi Nick,

Finally got myself sorted and found a pair of speakers and built a rack to match your superb EL34's monoblocs. They are sweet in every way. Really balanced sound that sings with clarity. Never getting fatigued with sound.

The biasing switch works well, so thanks for going the extra mile on that one!

THANKS SO MUCH for all your hard work on these. Definitely worth the wait!!

 

[jamesfeline]

Hi

Many thanks for your kind words .. love the stands & rack, is this your work ? well impressed

 

[jamesfeline]

Nope. Don't like it all. Especially the feet. And who puts a PC in custom case (everyone knows off the shelf is wayyyyyyy better and a lot lighter).

Kindly package it and mail it to me for environmentally friendly disposal. I won't even charge you the $20 handling fee I usually ask for.

All kidding aside -- DAMN!

jamesfeline, it's only a guess, but it looks like you have done this before and probably not with just a hand drill, hammer, and screwdriver either. The PC part of it is top shelf work there with the layout and back panel.

How many hours do you have into this whole setup (tube and PC source) of yours? And where did you find someone as understanding is your wife?

I know that the PC is mostly sand and plastic, but add that into the tube photo gallery since that is your pre/source to your tube amplifiers (or did I miss those pictures? There were a lot of them). I am sure that this would blow a few people away with the chassis work you did in the back and your layout.

P.S. that method you have of biasing? I have lurked around here for as long time and this is the first time I have seen something like that. Very user friendly and awesome. Is it of your own design and execution?

many many thanks for the very kind comments

 

[Sonicexcellence]

Hi

Many thanks for your kind words .. love the stands & rack, is this your work ? well impressed

Thanks! the stands are actually Custom Design, but the rack is my own design and build. Went for the heavy mass approach on this! Acrylic shelving on ball bearing isolators. Took me a while to get this right as my power tool selection is limited....

 

[jamesfeline]

Hello forum members

just received these little sweeties .. 2 custom made up rated power transformers then the originals

These can be used for both k8011 & k8010 mono block power amplifiers, I took the opportunity to increase the various windings with some more power and 2 primary taps .. 230 & 240 Volts for the UK

looking forward to using these ... next will be some new output transformers

exciting times .....