It's Here! and it is Beastly

[Doc B.]

I hate to always be the pragmatist here, but we are dealing with such low resistances that the resistance of the solder joints can influence the readings. Because of that I think picking an exact value may always be a matter of cut and try.

[drewh1]

Thanks Paul and Doc   I'll get an assortment of values per Paul's suggestion.   And Paul, I really appreciate the details you provide as I am learning a lot with this project and your information is always a bit help. 

Problem is I don't want to stop listening 😁

[drewh1]

finally complete with tubes and all modifications in place, well except I have some Mudorf Silver/Oil 10uf's on the way. But that is the LAST thing I am doing, really. 

[ebag4]

Looks great Drew!  Anxious to read your thought on the EMLs.

Best,
Ed

[drewh1]

Thanks Ed - Don't know if you saw my other post, but I went through the ringer to get these tubes so I hope they work out. They look awesome and are very well made apparently, feel very solid anyway.

I'll will give them a week or so to break in and provide some feedback on them.  So far they sound pretty darn sweet though.

drew.

[ebag4]

Thanks Ed - Don't know if you saw my other post, but I went through the ringer to get these tubes so I hope they work out. They look awesome and are very well made apparently, feel very solid anyway.

I'll will give them a week or so to break in and provide some feedback on them.  So far they sound pretty darn sweet though.

drew.

Wow Drew, just read the thread, that sucks.  I didn't read if you were able to get it rectified or if you had to fork out more $$, hopefully not the later.

Hope they are worth the effort.

Best,
Ed

[drewh1]

I put up posters in the hood advertising a reward. Sure enough someone contacted me, so I did fork out a bit more money, but at least not to TubesUSA!

I am thinking of adding these transformer covers over the chokes. I think I like the clean look and the driver tubes stand out more against them. They need to be modified slightly to fit just right.

[ebag4]

I like them, I was looking at some aluminum covers on eBay.  I'm still undecided at this point.

Best,
Ed

[drewh1]

Mundorf's are in!  As soon as I get a new driver tube, I can start listening again.

[drewh1]

Back up and running again. New driver
tubes and caps, ouch.  I bit painful at first but after ten hours I am starting to hear some promising sounds!  I think I'll run it continuously for the next couple of days and get this break in thing done.

[Natural Sound]

I've used Mundorf caps in the past. In my experience they definitely benefit from an extended run time. But in the end it's worth a it.

[drewh1]

Thanks for the encouragement. I almost pulled them out yesterday   these are the older 1200 volt  I read they take even longer.  I let them run all day yesterday and today. Listening to pendercky violin concerto. Starting to sound like music again. Mids are smoothing out, bass is returning and the soundstage is deepening.  I didnt notice this much change with the vcaps but they were only .1 so maybe not so much to break in.  Or maybe I have more joy to look forward too.

What a great hobby!

[drewh1]

The problem with building your own amp is it is like painting your own house. I look for and find every small issue I can find and can't just sit back and enjoy it. I have been obsessing about every detail, spent the other night evaluating 6 different variations on speaker cables, actually made a spread sheet and evaluated a variety of qualities.

All of this is very interesting, but I think I just want to get over it and enjoy the music. Gonna try to do that tonight, wish me luck!

drew.

[ebag4]

Good Luck!

Best,
Ed

[drewh1]

Fwiw, I am finally done. After weeks of moving things, swapping Cables, measuring, breaking in caps, swearing and self doubt, I have a sound that I am ecstatic about. Finally have bass, midrange, and crystal clear treble, imaging, depth, pinpoint instrument placement and musicality. I can't drag myself away and keep going through my music collection hearing details and experiencing things I have not before.

I congratulate Paul on his design but also did major modifications from the start. What I have learned is that every little detail makes a difference. But you will have to figure that out for yourself.  If you do build a kaiju and want suggestions let me know.

I do highly recommend the Eml's tubes without reservation.  They seem to keep delivering more and more as I make other small improvements.  Great amp, fun project, this is it for awhile really . . .