Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => S.E.X. Kit => Topic started by: bliss53 on May 10, 2012, 06:34:46 AM
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I posted awhile back about a low output problem with the SEX kit I built. See the thread here: http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,2254.msg17637.html#msg17637
I can not figure out the problem. I am at the point that I would like to send it out to be repaired. Is there any one who does this type of work? I am in northern Vermont but I and traveling to NYC regularly for the next few months. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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You can send it to us. Shop rate is $50/hr plus parts and return shipping. There is some instruction on how to pack it to ship safely here:
http://www.bottlehead.com/loosep/packing_your_bottlehead_gear_for.htm (http://www.bottlehead.com/loosep/packing_your_bottlehead_gear_for.htm)
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Looking at that thread, it seems like your S.E.X. was functioning normally, but your source wasn't swinging a lot of voltage. Did you ever try it with anything that puts out a real line level voltage? Throw a CD in your DVD player and hook up its analog outs. If you don't have one, you can find them cheap at thrift stores nowadays.
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And make sure the maximum volume limit control on the iPod is not engaged such that you're getting even less than the 1 v P-P output of the iPod. Don't recall, but may be under parental controls.
I too am guessing your amp is fine.
-- Jim
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I have tried it with the tape out source my Mcintosh C11 and my Conrad Johnson PV5. I have tried it with an Iphone, TC Electonics Impact Twin DAC/ADC and a regular Ipod. I have not tried CD players because they are in storage, They will be coming out of the depths of the storage unit in mid June. The comfortable output for my Shure 840 and Grado 225 headphones are all at 75% of the travel of the volume knob. Some distortion creeps in at 90% or so. I have also hooked it up to my Klipsch Cornwall and Heresy speakers with the same result. The ipod put out a slight higher output but not much. I have also noticed that it sounds kind of thin and bright for the 20 minutes or so. I guess this is due to tube warm up. After warm up is less so but still a little bass shy. I have a little Fios heaphone amp that I travel with that sounds a bit better at the same volume. The Fios a little stronger with the mids/lows and goes much louder without distortion. It is this comparison that makes me think something is wrong with my build or with some component that I do not have the ability to diagnose.
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Indeed, you may have an issue in the amp itself. I have Heresys on my S.E.X and it runs me out of the room with the volume 1/2 way up. I use a Wadia transport with my iPod. I'm not sure of the output. I also use a Seduction for my phono. The cartridge has 5.5mv output.
The one time I turned it all the way up, I could not hear any distortion.
If it was mine, I would send back to Bottlehead and let them check it out. The money would be well spent. It's a great amp.
Joel