DIY Audio Projects Forum

Looks nice Gio. Hi everyone, I like tubes and quality audio reproduction. That kind of says it all. I have been tinkering with electronics for about 45 years. Some of my earliest projects wiped out TVs for blocks. Home built amateur radio stuff tended to do that. One such project knocked out a 100 amp breaker in my dad's house (he was rather irritated about that). I do admit that the sparks were rather nice. I took a detour into computers for a while before I decided they were better used as tools than a hobby. Now I've been back for about 5 years. I like almost any type of music as long as it is well recorded. My present system consists of a designated listening room (I built that last year), a pair of modified Altec Lansing 1010 speakers (Dayton MTMs for back up), a tube power amp I designed and built (Oddwatt225), a pair of 7 cubic foot Altec Lansing "Magnificant" cabinets with 15 inch subwoofers (original drivers didn't come with the boxes - sigh), the subs are driven by a gainclone, I use an electronic crossover from Marchand (24 db/octave at 50 HZ). For a preamp I swap between tube and SS Vellemans. I feed them with a Marantz 5000 CD player, a Dual 701 with Grado Silver, or for general listening a XM satellite receiver. Contrary to many diyers, I don't at this point use high end wires and interconnects. I do use quality 12 and 14 gage OFC wires and well shielded input cables.

I like to assist others with projects and take a practical approach (if that is possible with tube gear) in my projects. I will use and recommend what ever works well. I have no problem using a SMPS or silicon bridge in a tube amp. I don't consider myself an expert at anything, but I seem to have acquired some useful knowledge over the decades.

Good listening

_________________
Some of my DIY Tube Amplifier Projects:

• PoddWatt: 5751 / EL84 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifier Project
• OddBlocks: KT88 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifiers (Mono Blocks)
• ForeWatt: ECC802S (12AU7 / ECC82) DIY Tube Preamplifier Project
• GrooveWatt: Tube (Valve) RIAA Phono Preamplifier Project

Hello all! Nice forum Gio!

Well, my story is not as long as Bruce's as I just started, but, what can I say... well, since I was a kid (I'm 22 now), I got interested in old tube radios. My father used to get them for me and we started collecting them. I was amazed at how those nice glowing things could make sound!
I also always liked quality audio, although I never had enough money to get hi-fi audio amps (I live in Brazil and prices here are crazy). But browsing the web 5 months ago I saw a tube kit for sale (the well known K12M). I read all the info here at diyaudioprojects and decided to order it over at tubedepot and give it a shot. After finishing it, I can tell you that was love at first sight. Great sound and those glowing tubes amazed me just like they used to do when I was a child. After that I just couldnt stop anymore . I thought of getting the K-16LS kit, but after sending an e-mail to Gio (when I finally got to know the man behind this great website) I heard somebody had some bad experiences with it. That's when I met Bruce (Hi Bruce, I can see you joined the forum too hehehe) and he started helping me out along this last months, not only with his huge knowledge but also sending me some parts that are just impossible to get around here.
Now I have built many tube preamps, some tube amps and one chip amp! I feel like I'll have a hard time to stop building this things hahahahaha.
Be warned: If you never built a DIY amp, dont do it! You will never stop again

Cheers!

Hi Bruce and welcome to the forum. I am a big fan of your projects and the objective approach that you take towards them. I look forward to your KT88 version of the Oddwatt225.

Cheers

_________________
[ DIY Mains AC Power Cable Cord ] - [ K-12 Tube Amp Kit ] - [ Tang Band D4-1 Horn Speaker Kit ] - [ Monoblock Push-Pull KT88 Tube Amp Kit ]

Hi Bernardo and welcome. I'm glad you have found the site helpful and that we got you hooked at such a young age! Keep us posted on your KT88 progress.

_________________
[ DIY Mains AC Power Cable Cord ] - [ K-12 Tube Amp Kit ] - [ Tang Band D4-1 Horn Speaker Kit ] - [ Monoblock Push-Pull KT88 Tube Amp Kit ]

I'm glad I got hooked up too! Actually the other day a friend of mine saw my KT88 OD and said he wants one of these light bulbs amplifier too hehehehe.
I should start going to the local Audioholics Anonymous meetings soon

Bernardo, are you 100% done the KT88 OD?

_________________
[ DIY Mains AC Power Cable Cord ] - [ K-12 Tube Amp Kit ] - [ Tang Band D4-1 Horn Speaker Kit ] - [ Monoblock Push-Pull KT88 Tube Amp Kit ]

Hi Gio!

Today I could finally test my Gold Lion KT88s. They seem to be fine, will install them in the OD tomorrow.
I don't quite like the sound I'm getting from my EH KT88s, so I'll try these Gold Lions.

Cheers!

Hi bsgd,

Did you build or buy this KT88 amp? Do you have any pictures?

Hi 1timer!


Actually I built it myself, based on Bruce's 225 OD. Mine is the OD 264i (integrated amp wit 64wpc).

You can some pictures here:
http://www.htforum.com/vb/showpost.php? ... ostcount=1

And here:
http://www.htforum.com/vb/showpost.php? ... stcount=27

Cheers!

bsgd,

I cannot see those photos. I think you need an account, but I can't read the language. What language is that?