Recent Posts

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S.E.X. Kit / Just Installed the Iron Upgrade Kit for SEX 2.0

« Last post by Cary on Today at 07:12:29 AM »

As the title states I finished the upgrade kit yesterday. I am floored by the difference in sound quality, it produces a very rich sound compared to the stock transformers. Bass is well defined, midrange is great, and the highs clear, it is like having a veil lifted. I purchased the upgrade kit about two years ago and finally got around to installing it, as always the instructions were excellent. My SEX 2.0 was from the first production run and is almost twenty years old. For several years I have demonstrated it in many shows and meets, always receiving complements, until I got the  2.1.

If you have a SEX 2.0 this is a must have, it's like getting a new amplifier. Many thanks to the Bottlehead team for a fantastic upgrade! Here is a photo of my amp:

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Crack / Re: Left Channel Spontaneously Dead

« Last post by Voxelr on Yesterday at 06:03:53 PM »

Haha, if only this was as easy to repair as a normal fuse replacement. It's kinda frustrating that the only thing stopping this tube from working is, like, a 1mm gap on a tiny little wire. Oh well, guess I have a new desk ornament now.

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Crack / Re: Left Channel Spontaneously Dead

« Last post by Mucker on Yesterday at 03:30:35 PM »

I'm still waiting on my replacement to arrive, but just wanted to update the thread here. I did a closer visual inspection of my current 6080, and found that this wire feeding into pin 6, connecting into terminal 9 looks pretty clearly busted. I'd call that a pretty conclusive root cause of my problem.

Interesting design to put the fuse inside the tube ....... whodda thunk? 

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Crack / Re: Left Channel Spontaneously Dead

« Last post by Paul Birkeland on Yesterday at 04:44:18 AM »

If you thwack on it just the right way, maybe it will pop back into place

(No, don't try to do that!)

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Crack / Re: Just getting started.

« Last post by Mucker on May 30, 2024, 09:13:58 PM »

Nice job! It's really a great feeling when the resistance and voltage checks are completed and the source connected. Have fun and enjoy!

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Crack / Re: Just getting started.

« Last post by sean on May 30, 2024, 03:18:28 PM »

Made good progress today. Assuming I don't run into any issues, I may have this done tomorrow!

The advice of moving slow is invaluable. So far I've only run into silly problems.

I forgot to put in the fuse, which took me longer than I want to admit to figure out. I knew something was off when I wasn't getting voltage from the switch. On the upside, there isn't too much to check when there's only a few wires hooked up.

The other thing was only one half of the 12au7 was lighting up. I resoldered the A4-A5 connection, and that took care of it.

So, all in all, a pretty good day.
 

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Crack / Re: Left Channel Spontaneously Dead

« Last post by Voxelr on May 30, 2024, 02:51:23 PM »

I'm still waiting on my replacement to arrive, but just wanted to update the thread here. I did a closer visual inspection of my current 6080, and found that this wire feeding into pin 6, connecting into terminal 9 looks pretty clearly busted. I'd call that a pretty conclusive root cause of my problem.

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BeePre / Re: Mechanical Buzz from Power Transformer on BeePre2

« Last post by Paul Birkeland on May 30, 2024, 05:49:02 AM »

I think it's worth mentioning here that some transformer noise isn't particularly abnormal.  I have gotten back a few PT-9 power transformers that were returned for noise issues and I can only hear noise if I'm very close to the transformer (so those transformers are currently running in my system).  We did have our winder revise the transformer design a while back to remedy an issue where there would be a loud buzzing audible from 6+ feet away, but so far that issue seems to be resolved.  Do also note that loose hardware on the power transformer can amplify an issue like this as well.

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BeePre / Re: Resistance Check on 52

« Last post by Emoreigns on May 30, 2024, 05:39:18 AM »

Perhaps I am misinterpreting something Paul- I will make a detailed exhibit with some marked up photos of the readings I am getting tonight, and hopefully that will assist in the diagnostic.

Thanks again,

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Crack / Re: Just getting started.

« Last post by Thermioniclife on May 30, 2024, 04:16:41 AM »

Take your time, read instructions a few times and double check each step. Enjoy the build and listening.