BamaMike 117 Posted November 3, 2019 So my wife, the electronic technician, recently diagnosed and repaired an issue with one of my Quicksilver Silver Mono Blocks. God bless her! So now she wants to build an amp or a pair of mono blocks. I have started researching kits but thought I would ask you all for any recommendations. Want something that looks as nice as it sounds. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinmi 659 Posted November 3, 2019 I like Bob Latino's kits.http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amped 9 Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, kevinmi said: I like Bob Latino's kits.http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm I second that. This is mine (not red plating BTW) Edited November 3, 2019 by amped added photo 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MechEngVic 274 Posted November 3, 2019 I third that. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blvdre 91 Posted November 3, 2019 Maybe an OTL design? Transcendent Sound 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BamaMike 117 Posted November 4, 2019 19 hours ago, MechEngVic said: I third that. Impressive looking, to be sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark1101 721 Posted November 4, 2019 That's cool having a wife that can fix your tube amps. A++++++++ 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CECAA850 29063 Posted November 4, 2019 8 minutes ago, mark1101 said: That's cool having a wife that can fix your tube amps. A++++++++ He needs to make her a sandwich. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BamaMike 117 Posted November 4, 2019 1 hour ago, CECAA850 said: He needs to make her a sandwich. She's also a culinary genius. Follow her on FB... "Cooking with Treva". I'm a lucky guy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimjimbo 10232 Posted November 4, 2019 25 minutes ago, BamaMike said: I'm a lucky guy. You can say that again......just looked at her FB page...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nikon f 42 Posted November 5, 2019 Bottlehead Stereomour, 3.5 watts using 2A3 tubes. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BamaMike 117 Posted November 5, 2019 16 hours ago, jimjimbo said: You can say that again......just looked at her FB page...... LOL... thanks. Plus - She hates shopping, loves martial arts and action flicks, wears little to no make up and does not carry a purse... AND... she shares my love for fine bourbon and tequila. HA! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BamaMike 117 Posted November 5, 2019 13 hours ago, nikon f said: Bottlehead Stereomour, 3.5 watts using 2A3 tubes. Cool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhing 74 Posted November 8, 2019 The Elekit TU-8600R with upgrades including Lundahl output transformers is high on my list. https://diyaudiostore.com/products/elekit-tu-8600r 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seti 643 Posted November 11, 2019 Bottlehead Kaiju 300B with DC filaments. https://bottlehead.com/product/kaiju-300b-amplifier-kit/ I would mod the chassis maybe add meters and use a more exotic wood. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadChile 38 Posted November 13, 2019 Couple other thoughts: Bottlehead is releasing a pair of 2A3 based monoblocks for under $2,000 in the coming months but I can't find the link to the amp (early morning / lack of coffee / general tiredness). If I recall correctly they're priced under $2,000 for the pair. Will edit this post if I find information on the amps. The Elekit amps are well finished and well reviewed. I built and run a TU-8200 (6L6GC based, also runs EL34, KT88 and associated tubes), and if in the states, now that VK ships these out with JJ tubes I suspect they'll gain more of a following as the 12AU7 that was shipped previously was a major weak link in the amp as-built. In addition to the TU-8600 (300B based amp) listed above, there is a soon-to-be released single ended TU-8800 based on the KT88 that produces slightly more power than the TU-8200 and has a tube cage unlike the TU-8600. Additionally, the upgraded transformers are available for the TU-8800 at launch while TU-8600 owners are still in a holding pattern. As a bonus - headphone tap off the tubes so all Elekit amps double as a quality headamp. Note that Bottlehead and most of the Elekit prices include tubes with the exception of the TU-8600. But the reality is you can't go wrong going down this path rabbit hole of DIY audio. I remember silently laughing at people who spent $60 on four coupling capacitors and now here I am one of them.... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BamaMike 117 Posted November 18, 2019 On 11/13/2019 at 6:57 AM, BadChile said: Couple other thoughts: Bottlehead is releasing a pair of 2A3 based monoblocks for under $2,000 in the coming months but I can't find the link to the amp (early morning / lack of coffee / general tiredness). If I recall correctly they're priced under $2,000 for the pair. Will edit this post if I find information on the amps. The Elekit amps are well finished and well reviewed. I built and run a TU-8200 (6L6GC based, also runs EL34, KT88 and associated tubes), and if in the states, now that VK ships these out with JJ tubes I suspect they'll gain more of a following as the 12AU7 that was shipped previously was a major weak link in the amp as-built. In addition to the TU-8600 (300B based amp) listed above, there is a soon-to-be released single ended TU-8800 based on the KT88 that produces slightly more power than the TU-8200 and has a tube cage unlike the TU-8600. Additionally, the upgraded transformers are available for the TU-8800 at launch while TU-8600 owners are still in a holding pattern. As a bonus - headphone tap off the tubes so all Elekit amps double as a quality headamp. Note that Bottlehead and most of the Elekit prices include tubes with the exception of the TU-8600. But the reality is you can't go wrong going down this path rabbit hole of DIY audio. I remember silently laughing at people who spent $60 on four coupling capacitors and now here I am one of them.... Thanks... I'm headed off to find more info. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadChile 38 Posted November 18, 2019 5 hours ago, BamaMike said: Thanks... I'm headed off to find more info. Sorry about this - I completely forgot to post the information on the Bottlehead 2A3 monoblocks: https://bottlehead.com/product/mon-amour-2a3-monoblock-amps-kit/?fbclid=IwAR1jR_QIiDctc0hEZuGjEiwfmmkVWGBfqttzWDuSVChvlkYr0dre8h403OU 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfbane 1671 Posted November 19, 2019 On 11/3/2019 at 7:22 AM, BamaMike said: So my wife, the electronic technician, recently diagnosed and repaired an issue with one of my Quicksilver Silver Mono Blocks. God bless her! So now she wants to build an amp or a pair of mono blocks. I have started researching kits but thought I would ask you all for any recommendations. Want something that looks as nice as it sounds. Have a look here: Elekit - https://www.elekit.co.jp/en/product/TU-8600 and here: http://grantfidelity.com/site/ All made in Japan. Wb 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BamaMike 117 Posted November 26, 2019 Thanks! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites