henry4841

This is an amplifier I built many years ago but in what I call my test wood box containing the power supply section and transformer. Most of the Firstwatt projects use the same voltage PS which makes this possible. I have been using a test box to determine if I want to make a complete amplifier from a new design with boards when a new project is introduced. If I like the sound of the new project I give the boards a proper home. After listening to this amplifier for many years in it's ugly wooden case I decided to fork over the money for a proper chassis. I bought this chassis almost 6 months ago intending to finish it then but other projects got in it's way. All I did is move the heatsinks with the boards attached into a newly built PS section and with an old 500VA 18v Antek transformer I had in stock. Overkill on transformer but workable. Some may consider even better. This SE Aleph J is one of my favorite SS amplifiers.

Just thought I would add, unsold electronic equipment may sit for years in the storeroom before finding a home.

I have many amps I have not used in a year or two. I just fire them up with no problem. Reforming caps usually means many years or even decades old caps not recent ones.

Just leave it be is best advice. Effects the sound in no way. It is just what it says it is, a dust cover to prevent dust getting inside the voice coil. Irritating I know but hurts nothing being dented in other than appearance. Never seen when front cover is in place.

Possible you take what you can find these days. Terrible electronic part shortages for the last couple of years.

Be sure and post this picture in the "Pictures of your tube amp" section as well.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Rubycon/100NA22MEFC10X12.5?qs=T3oQrply3y8Hzo43umkf%2Fw%3D%3D Close enough in my world. That or make you own non-polar with two of these. https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Nichicon/UVR2A470MPD?qs=JKvaGoKVme%2BftB%2FxL4buUg%3D%3D Google how to make non-polar electrolytic capacitor from two capacitors. Not hard.

Looks like you are ready. If that is lead free solder set it aside and get 60/40 solder. Lead free is for more experienced users. PIA in other words. Not the kind you want to learn how to solder with. Just remember you do not melt the solder with the iron. Heat the two connections hot enough to melt and flow the solder. Plenty of youtube video how to.

Yes, among others. If you have Klipsch speakers the Amp Camp should be enough without an active, gain, preamp. At least it is for me. I do use an active buffer, Firstwatt B1 version 2 clone I built, with no gain. What you show above is nothing more than a potentiometer in a case. Should work fine though. You could just install a 100K dual potentiometer on the amp camp someway and save a few bucks. https://www.amazon.com/Taiwan-Electronic-RV24BF-10-15R1-A100K-Potentiometer-Tolerance/dp/B06X3VS1SL/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1MPJFNVCMMDBN&keywords=dual+potentiometer+100k&qid=1672833495&sprefix=dual+potentiometer+100k%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-7 You can find it cheaper elsewhere but adding shipping will make it more expensive.

It is just the power amplifier so yes you will need some kind of volume control. With our speakers you may get by with just a passive preamp. Cheap on Amazon.

I agree, no political postings. I just know what I see and feel when I go to the grocery store or purchase anything online. Eggs have gone from $1.25 a dozen at Wal-Mart in my hometown to real close to $5.00 a dozen in just a few months. That is if they even have any. Just an example. Do not know reason or whys just what I see and feel. Reminds me of pictures of Russian stores with empty shelves I saw decades ago when I have to go grocery shopping.

I am just using common sense I can actually feel myself when I go shopping. Worse I have seen.. No bureaucrat figure is going to change what I can feel in my pocketbook. Do not believe what you see, believe what I tell you is what you hear a lot these days.

I will agree about prices but it is the same with almost everything you buy these days. Worse inflation I have ever seen in my 73 years. Call it what you want.

Pictures tell a thousand words. Members like seeing people on this forum doing something with pictures.

My kind of guy, a diy'er like myself.

What are you driving them with. I see the gear and was wondering.

Tubedepot. Excellent service.

I have lost lots of friends of late and wonder why them and not me. It is certainly not that I am or was better than them. I consider myself blessed to see another year, day.

Sorry for quality but it is the best I can do due to scanner not working. The schematic is from a Chinese kit I bought on Ebay that I liked so much I decided to build the one shown with better quality parts. Doing a quick google there are others out there. The called for 6N8P is the equivalent of the 6SN7. It has been years since I built it but there does still appear to be a kit and or finished version like the first one I built available on Ebay. Price has really increased over the years though. Defiantly not the same seller so buy at your own risk. The FU-50 is the Chinese clone of the Russian GU-50. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&_nkw=Fu50+Vacuum+Tube+Amplifier+Diy+Kit+&_sacat=0

My understanding as well but why take a chance. Probably best not to have a signal though if turned on without load. Tubes still rule when it comes to sound. At least in my world.

Come on, you know members here will not tell.

Some of the best looking Amp Camps I have seen built. Kudo's

Listened to my LaScala's for decades without a sub and was well satisfied. With a sub though you will experience a bass guitar much more. That and more punch on the bottom end. Just be sure you get a sub worthy of the LaScala.

Pretty much holds true for any speaker. Corners best spot for speakers for best bass.

My 2 cents. In a proper room of the correct size and corners with a center channel Cornwall or LaScala the sound will be outstanding with a pair of K-horns. Unfortunately most of us do not meet these qualifications so I would say go for the LaScala's with a big quality sub. At the time I bought my LaScala's price was a big consideration as well but now the price difference is not that great. I thought I compromised and still wished for the K-horn for a number of years but after 37 years with my Lascala's I feel like I made the right choice. You only sacrifice an octave or so on the bottom end with a LaScala vs K-horn but now with great sub offerings the sacrifice is easily solved. In other words the LaScala will fit many more rooms. K-horns really are cool looking though. The choice is ultimately going to be yours "big investment in my world" but it is nice having a forum with others giving the experience and thoughts as well.