moray james Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 The 6AQ5 is a fabulous sounding tube with all the beauty and sound quality of a 6V6 but with the rugidized build of a smaller tube format less of the octal 6V6 microphonics. I like them in triode but I love the balls they have when run as pentodes. Looking forward to your comments on the amp when you are done. Really nice looking build. Carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted February 28, 2016 Author Share Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) Here's a gander before I cover every thing up so I can wire the amplifier without getting any (or anymore) smudges and nicks on the chassis. The digi camera flash reveals a smudge on the front...the flash feature shows everything... Nonetheless, I think I'm ready to lay-out and wire the thing. Edited February 28, 2016 by mike stehr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Superb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Looking terrific Mike! Like everyone else, I'm anxiously awaiting the underside view and your impressions of the sound. Jim told me that he's pleased with the sound (in spite of the somewhat reduced power) after getting it back from me following the p/s modification. Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted February 29, 2016 Author Share Posted February 29, 2016 I'll try not to do a sloppy wiring job, folks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 So far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Looks great so far,and like Maynard and Wdecho say I am anxious to see the finished product and your impressions of how it sounds.I would also like to say thanks for taking the time to post pics as you build as they are a great visual aid for a first time builders. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 15, 2016 Author Share Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) Thanks Stacy. I appreciate the kudos. Slowly plugging away... Edited March 15, 2016 by mike stehr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Mike, I really like the layout !!! You can come over and work with me any time! Can't wait for your review of its sound with the CWs. Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Can't wait for your review of its sound with the CWs. Neither can I... Maybe fire is not a good work to use. I always hold my breath when I first plug a new build in even though I have done it many times. Magic Smoke Test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrome Magnum Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Nuthin' yet...just got the parts. Figured I start my own thread. It won't be a complete build thread, just a bread-board circuit for now. 001.JPG Annnnnnnd We're off!!! Looks like a very cool build!! Thanks for the pre-view! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Well????????? The suspense is killing me. I had to clarify some things with Maynard regarding main line input connections and the suppression capacitors involved. All the mains input wiring is done, along with the star grounding. All that is left is soldering the connections for the output transformers, the input jacks and potentiometers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Good news, you should hear music today then. Maybe over the weekend... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 (edited) I'm pretty sure I'm done soldering...just need to check over things first...I have the power resistor wires just tacked in, in case I have to use a different value once powered up and voltage/current is known. I hope I have those pots connected correctly. Mike Edited March 28, 2016 by mike stehr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Gorgeous Mike! I think your work is even more symmetrical than mine!!! Will anxiously await your listening impressions--- Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 I hope I have those pots connected correctly. heh...I didn't. It works, I and think I have the problem pretty much figured out, but need to get some clarification from Maynard. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Okay, after correcting a wiring mistake regarding the inputs, and help with Maynard drawing up a diagram to wire up the 10K switched pots correctly, (ear bleed circuit) I listened to the amplifier for about 2-3 hours tonight. It's a first take, and I'll need a bit more time to write up my thoughts on sound. but initially, things sound rather good. The bass can really pound with heavy bass content music, it's rather impressive for a little over four watts per channel. I have things to ask Maynard about maybe optimizing, but it works! The dog didn't seem to care... I don't know if 6005 tubes have this sort of glow normally, or if they are a little gassy, or maybe that the cathodes have a bit of contamination? I don't see any pink color in the glow. All four do it, but in varying amounts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Really beautiful Mike! What did you use to polish the chassis? I've had good luck with Mother's Aluminum Polish (although it's a lot of work), but it makes the chassis very prone to picking up finger prints. The blue glow is absolutely normal and is usually due to some residual gasses remaining inside the tube when the vacuum is created. The electron flow causes fluorescence. I really enjoy watching it with the lights out! As to the dog, that's a good sign! I had a cat for almost 19 years and, when she didn't like the way an amp sounded, she ran out of the room. If she stayed on my lap I knew all was well . So, now we'll all wait for the detailed listening report!!! Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesans Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Very nice work really clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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