Recent Posts

1

Eros Phono / Re: Cover on shunt regulator 12AU7 tube

« Last post by Tom-s on Yesterday at 10:05:21 PM »

I gotta' say the vents around the tube sockets and the RCA jacks on the 2 really make the kit look as premium as it is.

I couldn’t agree more. These would look good on every Bottlehead kit.

It looks great!  Enjoy!

Thanks! I do enjoy the build of all Bottlehead kits. Last few weekends I worked on some Cracks.
I cannot listen to the Eros just yet. Will finish it later this week.

2

Kaiju Stereo 300B amp / Still impresses me...

« Last post by Sp33ls on Yesterday at 06:41:35 PM »

Just wanted to share a thought... I've had my Kaiju for a few years now, and have had several other power amps rotate in and out during this period of time.

I'm now down to some mid-to-late 70's Pioneer Exclusive gear (boutique, Japan domestic only) and the Kaiju. The old Class A Pioneer gear is probably the most "tube-like" SS gear I've heard so far. But, it's funny how whenever I swap back to the Kaiju (currently using the Psvane WE 300B replica tubes), I'm always reminded by how natural the music sounds coming out of this 8W kit.

Then, it got me thinking... I bet you could stack the Kaiju up against other new amps costing much more than itself and it wouldn't miss a beat. It also makes me curious if anyone here in the forums have some fun stories about just that situation happening too. 😁

3

Kaiju Stereo 300B amp / Re: Kaiju Failing Driver Testing

« Last post by Paul Joppa on Yesterday at 01:26:21 PM »

The 350v at OA is the Zener diode string, protecting the C4S from excessive voltages.

(The MJE5731A is rated 375v maximum. The Zener string has no other function, and is out of the circuit in normal operation.)

4

S.E.X. Kit / Re: Left channel issue

« Last post by Eldergod on Yesterday at 01:24:52 PM »

That was it! All good.... thanks so much Paul! Up and running, and sounding great. Can’t wait to build the next one, lol. Really appreciate your support!

5

Kaiju Stereo 300B amp / Re: Kaiju Failing Driver Testing

« Last post by Roamconstant on Yesterday at 01:00:20 PM »

Update: the low reading on 32 seems to be a bad connection.   Tilting the board corrects that problem.   I’ll find the weak spot there. 

However the oa reading of 354v is perplexing me.

6

Crack / Re: Crack Octal Socket Mounting Gap

« Last post by Doc B. on Yesterday at 12:06:35 PM »

Yup, what PB said should work fine. We had to second-source octal sockets a while ago due to the supply chain issues that everyone reads about in all sorts of industries. Someone brought the issue up on a FB page over the weekend. I did the detective work this morning to determine that a small batch of octal socket retaining clamps we got are about 1mm shorter than usual. I would guess that the supplier got more octal socket orders than they had stock for and said "We're out. Grab those sockets and clamps from the back room that we pulled three years ago because they didn't fit right, and send them out."

We do have the octal sockets and clamps that we normally source back in stock as of this morning and thus we could send a properly sized replacement for anyone willing to wait for the part to show up.

7

Crack / Re: Crack Octal Socket Mounting Gap

« Last post by edphones on Yesterday at 12:04:44 PM »

Awesome - that worked perfectly to resolve the issue. I was able to remove the added and unnecessary washers. Ready to move forward, thanks.

Regards,

Ed

8

Kaiju Stereo 300B amp / Re: Kaiju Failing Driver Testing

« Last post by Roamconstant on Yesterday at 11:45:35 AM »

more images

9

Kaiju Stereo 300B amp / Re: Kaiju Failing Driver Testing

« Last post by Roamconstant on Yesterday at 11:43:43 AM »

Images

10

Kaiju Stereo 300B amp / Kaiju Failing Driver Testing

« Last post by Roamconstant on Yesterday at 11:31:41 AM »

The A Board measures as follows:
IA= 512 VDC (fine)
OA= 298.7 VDC (fine)
Terminal 32U = 4.15 VDC- 8.99 VDC (depending adjustment of potentiometer).  (VERY LOW READING)

The D Board Measures as follows:
IA= 510 VDC (fine)
OA= 355.4 VDC (VERY HIGH READING)
Terminal 46U= 175.2 VDC (adjusted w/ potentiometer correctly).

One discrepancy I note from the instructions vs the parts list is the 0.1uf 630v metallized capacitors.  The parts list included 4 of these.
The manual calls for 0.1uf 400v film capacitors to be used on page 59, but these weren't included in the kit.  I used the 630v capacitors on the board instead, assuming this was the intent.

Anyone's eyes see my error here?