Just finished building my Tode, works perfectly, sounds very nice. Only minor voltage check discrepancies are all related to the EL84 cathode voltage, I have approx 28VDC across the 560 ohm 5W cathode resistor, which would equate to 50 mA cathode current.
37VDC across it would be closer to 68 mA, which would likely give the EL84 / 6BQ5 the dreaded
red plate syndrome
I left the front and rear plates their natural aluminum, I like the swirled brushed finish as it is, and I had no "bubble wrap" markings - mine were swaddle in non-adhesive bubble wrap, so no sticky footprints to deal with
I painted the power tranny bell with a brown rustoleum finish, I figured it will look good with the finished wooden cabinet.
So, all the voltage checks which indicate approx 35-37 VDC, are approx 10 V lower. I tried the supplied Sovtek EL84, and a couple others (J/J and EI) that I had on hand, and observed nearly identical voltage measurements. In both cases, the EL84 control grid voltage is about 16VDC, that would make the grid to cathode differential about 12 VDC, whic is spot-on for these tubes, at 50 mA.
I get approx 350 VDC on the "hot" end of the power supply's 47 uF / 450V cap, and 432 VDC at the "hot" end of the voltage doubler, and approx 82 VDC drop across the 1.6K, 10W power resistor.
I haven't yet applied any varnish / finishing to the wooden cab, so I am testing it "bare naked", just with the front and back plates assembled together. With nothing plugged into the input jack, it is dead quiet, no discernable hum, buzz, ripple, noise, a true "black" background.
