Triode Electronics Audio Board

Hi all,

I'm completing an ST-70 clone from parts I collected from various places, and I'd like opinions on Triode Electronics 6AU6 audio board. I got one a while back, and populated it with parts from dynakit parts using metal film resistors and all stock values for resistors and capacitors. I'd just like to hear from anyone that used it as to how it sounds. I have more assembly to do, and at the rate of finding time, it may be a week or two before I finish.

Thank you,

Tony

Bob,

The Triode board comes in two flavors. Mine uses 2 6AU6's and either a 12AU7 or 12BH7. The other uses the 12AU7/12BH7 and 2 EF86's or 6922, 6DJ8, 7308, 6CG7. The circuit is the same as the original Dyna 7199x2 board. I have seen the 6AU6 used in audio applicaitons and it didn't sound bad, but since I got the board, I might as well try it.

You have to understand at the time I collected the parts to build my clone, I hadn't heard of you, dynakitparts.com, just what was available at Triode and ebay. I finally overcame my fear of cutting the leads on the transformers to actually begin assembly. I'm now up to wiring the board to the chassis. Hope to find time in the next couple of weeks. I can then compare it to an original I've had about five years to see how the different tube types compare.

Thanks for the reply,

Tony

Ok,

Finally finished building the amp a short time ago. I let the ran the amp without any input for 30 minutes to allow the tubes to warm up before adjusting the bias. It was almost perfectly even at the middle of each pot. Had to replace a bum 6AU6 because of a slight hum.

I set it up with a CD player and a pair of test speakers. I chose my all time favorite songs Blue Rondo A La Turk, and Take Five from The Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall. I almost can't wait for the tubes to break in! It sounds absolutly fantastic.

Ebay: Chassis & Top Cover
Triode Electronics: Transformers and SDS Labs board
Electro Harmonics EL34's
Shuguang GZ34
RCA 12AU7
Vintage 6AU6's

Tony

I heard one of these about a month ago on a amp I was servicing for a customer.
He had the EF86 version. It sounded OK, I'd place it about halfway between the old original stock unit and our VTA70 mod kit. Customer wanted to know if he should upgrade to our VTA70 board, and I told him to save $100 if he liked the way it sounded. On the other hand, if you are someone who would spend $100 on interconnects or on speaker cables, I would recommend doing our upgrade first because you will hear the difference.
Yes, everyone is gonna say I'm biased. I'm not, but my tubes are . . . .

"the path of least resistance is thru a vacuum"