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Post by simpleman68 on Mar 25, 2017 13:49:55 GMT -5
Knucklehead, a little quiet from you. Doing ok, or succumbed to solder fumes   |
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 25, 2017 14:08:16 GMT -5
I thought I'd give an update on my progress with this amp. I didn't get much done the past two days - been a busy week. Anyway - I only ran into one problem and that was with the 3 lug terminal block just left of the main transformer. I was considering drilling a hole to mount it nearer the transformer but since I don't have the TDR board I just used one of the mounting holes for that. That moves the terminal block a few inches to the left but it should work fine. Anyway - here's a pic of the progress made to this point. It's been a fun project so far. I see a lot of soldering in the next day or two. The instructions are pretty good - it's too bad the two picture illustrations don't match.  |
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 25, 2017 14:09:23 GMT -5
Knucklehead, a little quiet from you. Doing ok, or succumbed to solder fumes Hey Bill. I just posted an update. Sorry - I didn't read the last few posts. Didn't see your post before posting my progress pic. Ken |
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Post by audiobill on Mar 25, 2017 14:17:24 GMT -5
Turn that three lug 90 degrees, like the pictorial,
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Post by audiobill on Mar 25, 2017 14:18:18 GMT -5
You've got it in the right chassis hole.
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 25, 2017 15:57:31 GMT -5
You've got it in the right chassis hole. Good to know! Turn that three lug 90 degrees, like the pictorial, Yeah, that's what I did. It doesn't match the pic and since I don't have the TDR option it's no problem. I wonder where that terminal goes if you do have the TDR. I'd probably drill a hole where the picture shows it mounted at. Gotta improvise some times. I just got done connecting the chokes to the quad caps. The bottom terminal with all those wires on the 'D' terminal is a bit messy but it's a solid connection. My soldering skills are a bit hampered by slightly shaky (old) arms. And my eyes aren't what they used to be. My bench mag/light combo helps but gets in the way at times. I should have got one of those brackets that hold a magnifying glass. The mag/light combo is kind of big for small work! I'm making progress. I hope to have it done tomorrow. I have nothing on the calender that I have to do! One day off! No golf - no family (dis)function! Nothing! I'll keep you guys up to date. Thanks for the pointers! |
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Post by simpleman68 on Mar 25, 2017 16:26:48 GMT -5
You've got it in the right chassis hole. That's what she said. Had to, it was low hanging fruit.  Scott |
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Post by audiobill on Mar 25, 2017 16:40:12 GMT -5
The tdr mounts in that hole instead of the terminal strip. The connections are then made on the tdr board. No drilling that fine type 306 ss!! Take your time, be neat and careful for a great amp you'll be proud of. |
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 26, 2017 14:24:22 GMT -5
Well I ran into a snag - sort of. I seem to be missing the 4.7k ohm 3 watt resistor that goes on the quad capacitor. I have no idea whether I may have tossed it out with a bunch of empty bags or I just didn't get it. Those empty bags and small pieces of wire etc are in the outside trash can - that's where they'll stay! I am not digging into that mess!
I assume Bob got the entire kit correct and I tossed something! I just ordered a new resistor off Amazon. I can work around it so I'll continue assembling the amp - I just have to wait for that final piece before I can fire it up.
My wiring management is nonexistent but the connections are good! I just don't have the patience for laying out the wires to look like Bob's illustrations and the pic he includes with this kit. I've got some 3-4" wire ties so I'll tidy this thing up a bit - looks like the majority of wiring is done. I just need to install the remaining components. I just finished up where you lay out the 5.5" - 6" and 9" twisted pairs last night. Looks like there aren't too many more steps.
Pressing onward!
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Post by pedrocols on Mar 26, 2017 14:32:26 GMT -5
Well I ran into a snag - sort of. I seem to be missing the 4.7k ohm 3 watt resistor that goes on the quad capacitor. I have no idea whether I may have tossed it out with a bunch of empty bags or I just didn't get it. Those empty bags and small pieces of wire etc are in the outside trash can - that's where they'll stay! I am not digging into that mess! I assume Bob got the entire kit correct and I tossed something! I just ordered a new resistor off Amazon. I can work around it so I'll continue assembling the amp - I just have to wait for that final piece before I can fire it up. My wiring management is nonexistent but the connections are good! I just don't have the patience for laying out the wires to look like Bob's illustrations and the pic he includes with this kit. I've got some 3-4" wire ties so I'll tidy this thing up a bit - looks like the majority of wiring is done. I just need to install the remaining components. I just finished up where you lay out the 5.5" - 6" and 9" twisted pairs last night. Looks like there aren't too many more steps. Pressing onward! Most likely you tossed the resistor accidentally. I picked up my amps literally from Bob's hands and he double checks everything! |
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Post by audiobill on Mar 26, 2017 14:36:44 GMT -5
Call Bob, he'll send you a replacement resistor. He is extremely thorough on parts so likely in your trash. Triple check every connection with a magnifying glass, tug on them for possible cold solder joints.
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 26, 2017 19:52:20 GMT -5
I ordered a new resistor off Amazon already. A 5 pack! Anyone need a resistor? It's probably in my trash can. Everything else is there right down to the last nut and screw. I had all of 3" of wire left over! That's accuracy! I measured out the wires - looks like Bob has this kit down to a science.
I just got done installing the driver board and soldered up the 'fil' connections. I think if I were to assemble another one again I'd solder those 5" and 9" wires to the driver board before installing it. And that stereo/mono switch? I'll glue that in place after I make sure I don't have to go hunting for a bad solder joint. So far so good and I don't see any bad solder connections.
Time for some din-din!
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Post by audiobill on Mar 27, 2017 5:35:22 GMT -5
Check again that no leads to the board go through and touch the chassis.
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 28, 2017 23:03:30 GMT -5
It looks like I ordered the resistors from some company in China. I'm hoping it doesn't take 15 days like some orders from there have taken. It does give me time to check my work and that's what I've done today. Took about an hour tracing each wire from end to end and looked everything over carefully. Everything looks good. My wire routing isn't near as neat as the picture Bob provides but they go to the right places. I've got about an hour or so of work left from what I can see.
Now all I need is one resistor.
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Post by knucklehead on Mar 31, 2017 21:39:33 GMT -5
So... I'm all done with the amp short of installing that last resistor. According to the USPS it'll be here on Tuesday. I've gone over every detail - all wires lead to where they're supposed to go - solder joints look good. Just one last resistor and I'll be able to fire it up - adjust bias and VIOLA! My 'daily driver' tube amp is ready to be placed in service! I'll let you know how it goes once the amp is complete and (hopefully) working.
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Post by novisnick on Mar 31, 2017 22:11:12 GMT -5
So... I'm all done with the amp short of installing that last resistor. According to the USPS it'll be here on Tuesday. I've gone over every detail - all wires lead to where they're supposed to go - solder joints look good. Just one last resistor and I'll be able to fire it up - adjust bias and VIOLA! My 'daily driver' tube amp is ready to be placed in service! I'll let you know how it goes once the amp is complete and (hopefully) working. Yep!  |
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Post by bluemeanies on Apr 1, 2017 11:18:08 GMT -5
So... I'm all done with the amp short of installing that last resistor. According to the USPS it'll be here on Tuesday. I've gone over every detail - all wires lead to where they're supposed to go - solder joints look good. Just one last resistor and I'll be able to fire it up - adjust bias and VIOLA! My 'daily driver' tube amp is ready to be placed in service! I'll let you know how it goes once the amp is complete and (hopefully) working. Looking forward to read your review about your TUBES and the Salks. I like the Salks very much and was able to hear them at an audio show a couple of years ago and met Jim Salk who is a very low key and friendly person. Although he did not have the Song Towers there but rather a new speaker in development which he told me may never reach marketing status they were to me a Fantastic sounding speaker. The cables on these speakers were from another company. They were braided. They were super thick by a couple of inches. Obviously, expensive. Anyhow, an early CONGRATULATIONS, and you are communicating with the MAIN MAN about Bob Latino's tube amplifiers....audiobill. Hands down a no B.S. guy who knows what he is talking about...at least with electronics haha.😂 Seriously he is the go to person. I refer to him as the Maestro!🎼 |
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Post by audiobill on Apr 1, 2017 13:43:28 GMT -5
Thanks, Frank -
I serve to live, I live to serve........
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Post by knucklehead on Apr 1, 2017 19:40:52 GMT -5
Funny how never saying never is a good thing. Up until about 4-5 years ago I swore (not literally!) that I wasn't interested in audio gear with tubes. So now I have an antique tube powered receiver in the vinyl setup and I anticipate having this amp in the audio rack for every day use. I'm not much for reviews so don't expect a detailed accounting of what I'm hearing! If it has a good clean signal the song towers will play it clean - and I'll be sure to let you guys know.
On another note my Gonzaga Bulldogs are going to the NCAA finals!!! YES! They are 39-1 - the only loss was to BYU - last regular game of the season.
GO ZAGS!!!
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Post by bluemeanies on Apr 2, 2017 8:46:32 GMT -5
Funny how never saying never is a good thing. Up until about 4-5 years ago I swore (not literally!) that I wasn't interested in audio gear with tubes. So now I have an antique tube powered receiver in the vinyl setup and I anticipate having this amp in the audio rack for every day use. I'm not much for reviews so don't expect a detailed accounting of what I'm hearing! If it has a good clean signal the song towers will play it clean - and I'll be sure to let you guys know. On another note my Gonzaga Bulldogs are going to the NCAA finals!!! YES! They are 39-1 - the only loss was to BYU - last regular game of the season.
GO ZAGS!!!You are in for a treat and will more than likely re-visit some of your favorite albums, cd's or streaming. I have the same feelings about Turntables Yet I find myself constantly looking at ads for Project, VPI and vintage Thorens. Having TIDAL I have more music that I could listen to in a LIFETIME. Therefore to justify a turntable and spending money on vinyl has me pulling back. |
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