S.E.X. kit + extras assembly sequencing...

jbarnhardt · 1998

« previous next »
Pages: 1   Go Down

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jbarnhardt

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 16
on: February 19, 2015, 08:55:23 AM
Hello there Bottleheados. I'm very excited to have just received a S.E.X. + C4S + impedance switch kit and plan to start building it tonight. I have a Crack + Speedball that I put together without any issue, following the recommended sequence (first build Crack, test and listen, then add Speedball). I haven't seen specific guidance with respect to the S.E.X. + C4S + impedance switch combo - is it recommended to build the base kit first with no additions or can they be done all in one go? I recognize the value in incrementally validating that each build process has been completed successfully, but the impedance switch install in particular looks as though it might be a lot easier to do initially rather than as a retrofit due to the output transformer re-wiring. I'm comfortable approaching it either way (all at once or incrementally), just wanted to see if there were any recommendations from the Bottlehead Brain Trust or other forum participants who've built this combo. Thanks everyone, can't wait to get this sucker built!

-John


Offline mcandmar

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 1599
  • Not all engineers are civil
Reply #1 on: February 19, 2015, 09:02:45 AM
Pretty sure BH will say build it stock, then add the options.  I built mine with the impedance boards for the reasons you mentioned, then once i confirmed all was working properly i added the C4S.

Enjoy!

M.McCandless

Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19750
Reply #2 on: February 19, 2015, 09:44:33 AM
It's very difficult to debug a situation where you have good voltages but no sound when the Impedance Switch Kit is built in without any prior testing.  If you run into this condition, our first suggestion will be to remove the Impedance Switch Kit and retest the amp (kind of a pain).

The same goes for the C4S, it's good to know that you have an amplifier that works on its own before putting in the C4S.

-PB

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man

Offline jbarnhardt

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 16
Reply #3 on: February 19, 2015, 11:02:50 AM
Thanks for the feedback, gents. I'll go ahead and build it stock and then add the "extras" after I've confirmed everything is working properly. Appreciate the rapid response.

-John


Offline Zimmer64

  • Full Member
  • ***
    • Posts: 210
    • Blog
Reply #4 on: February 19, 2015, 06:17:47 PM
I know it is not recommended and finding issues later is very much harder, but I did install all in one go without any problems. I had marked the corresponding sections in the manual, where I would later have to switch to the alternative route.

Enjoy!

Michael

Nelson Pass F5 Turbo V2, Quickie (mod), S.E.X. 2.1, Tubes4hifi SP14, Dynaco VTA ST 70, Tubelab SSE, Vroemen Diva Superiore ER4, Jordan JX92S VTL, 47 labs 0647 CD, Aqvox DAC, Rowen Absolute pre / psu / power amps, BG Neo3 / Betsy / Eminence A15 open baffles

Offline mcandmar

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 1599
  • Not all engineers are civil
Reply #5 on: February 20, 2015, 03:21:38 AM
That's what i did too, it did require careful reading of each manual a few times to get a clear mental picture of what goes where.  The whole output transformer wiring is a brain teaser for sure, having written out all the terminals and combination of windings for different impedances i still don't fully understand it :)

M.McCandless

Offline Grainger49

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 7175
Reply #6 on: February 20, 2015, 03:29:56 AM
I would suggest reading the manuals and when you diverge make a note on a print out of the SEX assembly manual. 

It is not advised.  But can be done.


Pages: 1   Go Up
« previous next »