ST 35 Finally Powered.
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:29 am
Hi all,
long time lurker here with first post. Started out with KT88 PP then been using SE for maybe the last 10 years or so but have been contemplating a PP EL84 for awhile,(EL84 is great sounding, easy to drive and cheap - whats not to like!) as I have parts build it easily (could almost open a store with my parts collection over the last almost 30 years but as I get older I grow more lazy so and was going to order a Dynaclone ST35 kit instead but changed my mind. Ordered a ST 35 board and parts from Triodeel in the middle of September last year, received it about 10 days later (Cayman Islands) and built it maybe 2 weeks later. Finally powered it up yesterday, its just been sitting on my bench while I have been busy with life.
I used Hammond 300 series Power and 8H choke, F&T filter caps, Hexfreds, Hovland for coupling and cloth lead Z 565's which I had to renew the leads on as the insulation left a lot to be desired after 50 years. JJ 12AX7 / 12AU7 and Sovtex EL84's.
So far so good, my PS voltages are about 5% high so as good as perfect (AC outlets are ~123 VAC). Had a little hum, ground loop, but since I had out my meter I put in my shorting jacks and measured the noise on the outputs 1.35mV & 1.44mV Left and Right respectfully.
I was surprised at the bass, quite good, actually sounded a little more solid than an EL34PP AMP I built using same tube compliment.
Next up is a Tele 12AX7 and RCA 12BH7 and then not sure yet with the outputs and let it play. Then a clean up on the wiring.
Also built one of David Gillespies EFB circuits which I need to test. Its already installed but not connected. I think I need to get some tightly matched tubes even though my board has individual VR's for each tube beforehand.
I have some matched EI's somewhere but could not put my hand on them yesterday. Not sure what I did with them.
Any suggestions for current production EL84's?
long time lurker here with first post. Started out with KT88 PP then been using SE for maybe the last 10 years or so but have been contemplating a PP EL84 for awhile,(EL84 is great sounding, easy to drive and cheap - whats not to like!) as I have parts build it easily (could almost open a store with my parts collection over the last almost 30 years but as I get older I grow more lazy so and was going to order a Dynaclone ST35 kit instead but changed my mind. Ordered a ST 35 board and parts from Triodeel in the middle of September last year, received it about 10 days later (Cayman Islands) and built it maybe 2 weeks later. Finally powered it up yesterday, its just been sitting on my bench while I have been busy with life.
I used Hammond 300 series Power and 8H choke, F&T filter caps, Hexfreds, Hovland for coupling and cloth lead Z 565's which I had to renew the leads on as the insulation left a lot to be desired after 50 years. JJ 12AX7 / 12AU7 and Sovtex EL84's.
So far so good, my PS voltages are about 5% high so as good as perfect (AC outlets are ~123 VAC). Had a little hum, ground loop, but since I had out my meter I put in my shorting jacks and measured the noise on the outputs 1.35mV & 1.44mV Left and Right respectfully.
I was surprised at the bass, quite good, actually sounded a little more solid than an EL34PP AMP I built using same tube compliment.
Next up is a Tele 12AX7 and RCA 12BH7 and then not sure yet with the outputs and let it play. Then a clean up on the wiring.
Also built one of David Gillespies EFB circuits which I need to test. Its already installed but not connected. I think I need to get some tightly matched tubes even though my board has individual VR's for each tube beforehand.
I have some matched EI's somewhere but could not put my hand on them yesterday. Not sure what I did with them.
Any suggestions for current production EL84's?