Taking pre-orders!

Doc B. · 23626

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Offline Doc B.

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on: May 17, 2013, 01:25:05 PM
We got all the final details worked out and we are now taking orders for an initial run of 25 Mainline kits at a special price. I'm really happy with this one, it's the first headphone amp that can pull me away from my reference system.

http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/mainline-headphone-amplifier-kit

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Bottlehead Corp.

Offline Doc B.

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Reply #1 on: May 18, 2013, 04:32:57 PM
Woo Hoo! Thank you for the orders!

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.

Offline dubiousmike

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Reply #2 on: May 23, 2013, 10:00:56 AM
Just placed my mainline order.  So excited to be a part of the initial run!

Mike M.

Offline Doc B.

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Reply #3 on: May 23, 2013, 10:07:14 AM
Thank you! Orders are starting to pick up a little speed today. So if you are considering getting in on this pre-release price, ordering sooner will probably be safer than ordering later.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.

Offline Kai

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Reply #4 on: May 23, 2013, 10:48:22 AM
Hey Doc, I ordered the mainline a couple days ago.
I built a smack before. Since it was the first amp i've ever built, i didn't care much about the "details", and this time..i wanted to pay a bit more attention to this amp...starting with the solder, was wondering if there's a specific type you would recommend. Silver?lead?
Thank you!

Kai


Offline HF9

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Reply #5 on: May 25, 2013, 06:00:17 AM
Quote from: Kai on May 23, 2013, 10:48:22 AM
starting with the solder, was wondering if there's a specific type you would recommend. Silver?lead?
Thank you!
I'm curious about Docs favorite solder too. Many people like the Kester 63/37, it's easy to work with and not too expensive. I personally like the Cardas solder, it's also easy to work with, has a low melting temperature, and contains a small amount of copper and silver. It's about 3x as expensive as the Kester though ;) 

My DIY Audio Electronics Blog: DIYAudioBlog.com

Offline Doc B.

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Reply #6 on: May 25, 2013, 06:28:25 AM
Kester is fine, and Cardas is really nice. Truth is I inherited a lifetime supply of various spools from Buddha when he passed away. So we kinda pick thru it when a spool runs low and grab anything that looks interesting. Most of it is 63/37, some is 2% Ag. One thing to be careful of is old solder. It gets kinda oxidized and funky, and can be difficult to work with.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Bottlehead Corp.

Offline grufti

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Reply #7 on: May 25, 2013, 07:50:06 AM
Just in case Kai is from somewhere in Europe: WBT-0805 and/or Mundorf MSOLS are two types of solder that work well. Melting point is right around 220C for both. I'm pretty sure you can find those with a search engine. I would expect something like 25 Euros for 50g or so.


Offline Kai

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Reply #8 on: May 25, 2013, 01:48:25 PM
Thanks all for the information.
I have been considering the Cardas solder for the past couple of days. Would it be better to use solder with lead or lead-free. Would someone explain the differences please?
Thank you!


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #9 on: May 25, 2013, 01:50:11 PM
Quote from: Kai on May 25, 2013, 01:48:25 PM
Would it be better to use solder with lead or lead-free. Would someone explain the differences please?

Solder with lead in it works, solder without lead doesn't.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man

Offline 2wo

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Reply #10 on: May 25, 2013, 04:42:01 PM
I agree, lead free solder sucks...John

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Offline Kai

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Reply #11 on: May 25, 2013, 09:22:47 PM
Quote from: 2wo on May 25, 2013, 04:42:01 PM
I agree, lead free solder sucks...John

Is it because lead free solder is more difficult to work with? or would it have an actual impact on the sound/performance?


Offline johnsonad

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Reply #12 on: May 26, 2013, 03:31:14 AM
Difficult to work with.

Aaron Johnson

Offline Spinifex

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Reply #13 on: May 26, 2013, 04:46:53 AM
You win, preordered.  :D


Offline Grainger49

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Reply #14 on: May 26, 2013, 07:09:15 AM
Kai,

I used up a 60/40 pound roll of solder a few years back.  I've had it since the 70s. 

I bought a pound roll of Cardas Eutectic solder which will be my lifetime supply.  I'm 63.  Will be bequeathed to poster Paully.

The key to solder joints is getting the solder to "freeze" solid.  The Eutectic solder is a mixture that freezes at the same temperature.  So both, or all, components go from liquid to solid at the same temperature. 

This makes it harder to make a bad solder joint.

'nuff said?


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