Hifi collective amp kit

[Dik Dolan]

I just started building a hifi collective 300b SET amp kit, here is a work in progress pic



I start on the solder sniffing part tomorrow, wish me luck=)

[Biscuit]

good luck! ;)

looks beautiful so far! Very Audionote with the copper top.

[Dik Dolan]

Thanks=)

It is designed by Andy Grove, so there is an audionote connection I guess. It really is a great kit, casework is very nicely finished, transformers weigh 5 kg each.... it's making me sweat moving it around to work on it now

[DB]

Hi Dik,

that really looks sweet! Please keep us updated on your progress and particularly any snags you may hit - I'm seriously considering one of these later this year.

cheers

Dave

[yoda900]

Andy Groves . what a designer . Anyone remeber the Onkarus monos he made.

[lilolee]

You may want to pop over to http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/as a couple of guys over there have already built this.

[Dik Dolan]

lilolee wrote:

You may want to pop over to http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/as a couple of guys over there have already built this.

Thanks, I'm already a registered lurker there.

So far it's going together well, but much slower than I first estimated.... this is my first project that uses tagstrips and hardwiring.... requires more thinking than I am used to

http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dcp00288qd.jpg

[lilolee]

Ah yes the rats nest of wires

Good luck with it and keep us informed.

[Dik Dolan]

Construction has been going well, maybe tomorrow will be the big day.......

[Kiang]

looks v. good dik

cabling needs tidying - check the innards of the manley stingray , some ideas there.

are you using solid core or stranded wire ?

which soldering iron do you use?

[Dik Dolan]

Thanks Kiang.

It is mostly solid core silver plated teflon covered wire, and yep I agree it still needs tidying up, it's not quite finished yet, still a little more wiring to do andno cable ties used yet=) Some wires I have left deliberately long for now, like the ones from the transformers to the tag boards. I will leave 'em like that untilI start on the upgrades..makes changing stuff easierI think, and hopefully wont induce too much hum... we'll see...

Soldering iron is a cheapy maplins 25w job. As soon as I finish this coffee I'll get to it,I want to hear it sing today!

[Dik Dolan]

it lives

[Ant]

Congrats

[Dik Dolan]

From 1st turn on, no smoke, buzzing, hummimg or farting noises - a good start. It has a beautiful delicacy with a pure openness that makes me want to keep listening to record after record. As it warmed up the sound gained in tonal colour and depth, can't wait to hear what it sings like when it's fully run in. ( takes 100 hours or so according toNick at hificollective.)
I was half expecting it to struggle driving my 89db-ish transmission line speakers, but so far it's got more drive and grip than Arnies wanking hand. This thing has HUGE transformers, with a seriously well designed power supply.
It looks great, sounds fabulous- i'm very impressed by the kit, and feel well chuffed with myself, too=) Must fight off thoughts of blackgates, paper in oil caps, silver this n' thats...for at least a week=)
The only pic I have of the finished amp so far is this one :
http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=itlives4zt.jpg

[lilolee]

Many congratulation on the birth of your new baby

[Biscuit]

congratulations on a job well done!

Wish I had the guts to give something like this a go!

[Hawk]

Me too biscuit! Ive often tempted by one of these

http://www.noteworthyaudio.co.uk/diy/page24.html

but never quite had the courage...

Well done Dik, I take my hat off to you!

How many hours did it take you by the way? I can see from the thread its taken about a fortnight but don't know how many hours you worked per day etc

Regards

Hawk

[Dik Dolan]

Thanks guys=)

I cant be sure how long it took, I worked on it for 8 hours a day sometimes, then on others only a couple. I think I could have done it faster if I were more confident, but I seemed to spend 2 hours thinking, then 5 minutes soldering=)

Construction was pretty straightforward, with very clear pics to follow, but the instructions don't hold you by the hand,I had to think for myself ( which is never good).. but if I can build one anyone can. Just need to be able to solder to an "ok" standard, and plan ahead a little, refering to the pictures, the circuit diagrams and the text sort out any confusion-It's a little like 3d lego or mechano with wires. This was my first build that used tagstrips/hardwiring, they are pretty easy to use, just need decent pointed nose pliers and half decent eyes=) I had to keep taking breaks, coz my eyes aren't too keen on staying focused for long =)

There was one slight contradiction I spotted in the instructions, concerning the wiring of the mains transformer. One quick email to Nick Lucas cleared that up ( he had modified the design to allow for a wider choice of mains input voltages ) It was reasuring to know that Nick was only a phonecall/email away, He even offers to finish part built kits, and offers a "turn on burn in" service for the nervous........ I was tempted.... the first time turn on is nerve wracking, even tho I used a variac to wake her up gently=)

I can heartily reccomend the kit, the service and the company. Building it was fun=)

Dik

Forgot to mention: "vibbles" has a site up for his hifi including a glasshouse 300b, with some nice pics. I visited there a lot. Thanks=)

http://www.nibb100.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

[Kiang]

nice one , dik

I would do the capacitor upgrade now while things are fresh in ones mind

lets face it - how long can you really put it off

[Dik Dolan]

Kiang wrote:

nice one , dik

I would do the capacitor upgrade now while things are fresh in ones mind

lets face it - how long can you really put it off

Hehe, hopefully I can fight that urge for a while ....i'm skint now. Besides, I want to run it in first, then upgrade to the "best" quality bits I can afford...one at a time. I would like to try different makes of valves too, but 300b's get expensive=)