Eros build progress pics

[BNAL]

I also finished my amp today.

Had some resistance readings that were a little higher than the manual, but they were consistent between channels so I moved forward with the checks. I powered it up and all the LEDs lit up and the readings were good. I was concerned because I could not see the heaters in the 6BR7s and was not sure they were getting power. I figured I would put it in the system and see what happened.

I connected everything and threw the power switch, nothing. No sound, no pops, nothing heard through the speakers. No tube hum coming from the speakers. I continued with testing the Eros, but was thinking there was a problem. I put Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same on the turntable cleaned the stylus, and there it was, sound coming from the speakers. That was a very positive sign. I dropped the needle and music came forth and filled the room. My fears of a problem washed away.

I only listened for about an hour and a half. It sounds good so far and wish I had more time to listen. I'm going to enjoy breaking it in.

[johnsonad]

Congrats Brad!

[ALL212]

When I first tested mine I used the tubes that came in the kit.  It worked.  Turned it off and put in "my" tubes.  Turned it on...no sound.  Now I was pretty worried at that point until...

I realized I hadn't put the needle down... 

[JamieMcC]

I also finished my amp today.

Congratulations I was up late last night enjoying a few LP's and you know how it is once you start its hard to stop!

'splain the guts...more pictures!

Devialtions from stock are Cardas ground lug, Kiwame 75K 1/2W & 47K 2W resistors. The Ampohm paper in wax tin foil capacitors I have had for a while after using them in my Sex so it would have been rude not to try them as they are very nice sounding caps.

The plan was alway to go with the Teflon ouputs caps and I replaced the Ampohms with the Russian Teflons today (0.22uF 600V FT-3) you really got to love those Ruskies    the Teflons sounded superb from the get go and will only improve once they have a good burn in.

[JamieMcC]

 Russian candy yum yum 

[johnsonad]

Lol, I've got a bag of those Russian candies too. The sound of unwrapping them is great!

[JamieMcC]

Lol, I've got a bag of those Russian candies too. The sound of unwrapping them is great!

lol unwrapping didn't take long but was indeed savoured.

So out of the 10 all were 10nF or over.
 
3 roughly under 0.5% tolerance
3 roughly under 1%-1.5%
2 roughly around 2% - 2.5%
 
I kept the two with the tightest tolerance for the single 0.01uf spots and then tried to even out the next six next best to get as close to the same value as I could.

The two that were left over measured roughly 3.5% out which I guess is not to bad given they are rated as having a +/- tolerance of 5%

Now I just have to try and fit them in tomorrow...

[JamieMcC]

I think it is probably safe to say I’m done tinkering with my Eros for a while, it has been getting a bit of extra burn in around 100hrs now so far via my ipod to help with the Teflon caps. I also fitted four 47uf Valab capacitors (Taiwanese MKP in oils) which had been taking up space in the parts box for a while paralleling a pair up each side in place of the 100uf electrolytic on the cathode bypass.

After removing the stock RIAA caps I measured them to check against the meter readings I was getting for the Teflons and was pleased to find both gave similar results on my meter the Teflon substitutes measuring a little tighter was a bonus. I expect with a couple of dozen of the Teflons it would be possible to match and get under 1% tolerance hmm…

Taking the time to measure and fit them and the cathode bypass caps I feel was definitely worth it.

To say I am enjoying the Eros is a massive understatement I think it’s just a fabulous bit of kit the sound is super clean, detailed and just so immersive. I’m spinning loads of LP's, Sex & speakers during early evening and later when the rest of the house sleeps I switch over to the Mainline which is fitted with RTI 10uf teflons the resulting combination of Eros, Mainline, Jico SAS with the HD800s  I think is a pretty special combo holy smoke does it dig deep into the groove. Its a great way to chill out after a busy day.

[johnsonad]

Man you really could use a larger chassis!

Do you hear any sonic change with swapping the cathode bypass caps? I'm curious as I built mine with films from the beginning.

Your use of the tefleons in the RIAA reminded me that I've got a stash of them. At some point I'll try them and compare against the polystyrene and film caps in mine.

Thanks for the updates!

[ALL212]

 

Nice!!!

[JamieMcC]

Just reached around about 150hr of burning in (feeding it tunes from a ipod) I came home today from work fired up the Sex had a shower then put a LP on, I noticed the change in presentation immediately the Teflons had starting to open up and do their thing 

[JamieMcC]

The little ones are all asleep and I’ve got my feet up chilling out with a nice cup of tea admiring the Eros freshly transported into its newly finished Bubinga wood base spinning some Tull via the Mainline and the HD800 and it would be safe to say its simply Epic 

[galyons]

Lovely work and the sound probably matches!!

Cheers,
Geary

[Doc B.]

Beautiful, as usual!

[adeep42]

Superb!!!