New Member

by Maintarget Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:46 pm

Maintarget: Posts : 227
Join date : 2013-02-10

Post n°1

New Member

by Maintarget Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:46 pm

After much on line research I have narrowed my choice of entry into the world of dyi tube amps to the ST-120 kit.
The quality of the kit parts, options and instruction appear to be first rate thanks to Roy and Bob's commitment to quality at a fair price.
My only reservation is cosmetic in nature I just don't care for the location of the inputs, on/off switch and the sockets to set bias, my plan would be to build a larger custom enclosure of aluminum and relocate the on/off switch to the front and the inputs to the rear of the amp and use the M-125 style of pin sockets for biasing located on top near the driver board.
I would also clean up the top of the enclosure by mounting the driver board on stand offs so only the tubes are protruding out the top, the basic layout of all other components would closely follow the original layout.
My question is can this be done without degrading sound quality with careful wire routing/shielding?
Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

by **Bob Latino** Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:36 pm

Bob Latino

Bob Latino: Admin; Posts : 3277
Join date : 2008-11-26
Location : Massachusetts

Post n°2

Re: New Member

by Bob Latino Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:36 pm

Hi,

We have had a few people build VTA amp kits on a custom chassis that they designed themselves. About the only two things you have to worry about are ..

1. If you are going to place the power switch on the FRONT of the amp, twist the AC wiring from the power transformer and run it around one side of the chassis. IOW keep the AC wiring away from the driver circuit.

2. If you are going to place the input jacks on the rear of the amp either use shielded cable to run the wires to the driver board input eyelets near the front of the amp OR twist both pairs of input wires together and run them around the side of the chassis that is opposite of your AC power wires as mentioned in #1 above.

Bob

by Maintarget Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:08 pm

Maintarget

Maintarget: Posts : 227
Join date : 2013-02-10

Post n°3

Re: New Member

by Maintarget Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:08 pm

Thank you Bob, Ill be sending you a e mail with my order soon.

by Roy Mottram Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:11 pm

Roy Mottram

Roy Mottram: Admin; Posts : 1838
Join date : 2008-11-30

Post n°4

Re: New Member

by Roy Mottram Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:11 pm

have built dozens of amps in that fashion, see 3 examples of photos below:

New Member Gil1

by denny9167 Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:21 pm

denny9167

denny9167: Posts : 151
Join date : 2011-05-09
Age : 57
Location : Texas

Post n°5

Re: New Member

by denny9167 Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:21 pm

I have below an example of a pair of Mark IV's that
I built using my own design. I'm thinking on building a pair of Mark IIi's
Using the same layout. Which is good all the way around
I'm the same layout would work for a 120.

New Member 96bb44dd5421b96296bd85d6dff0d1d3_zps278050f2

New Member 96bb44dd5421b96296bd85d6dff0d1d3_zps278050f2

by Maintarget Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:37 pm

Maintarget

Maintarget: Posts : 227
Join date : 2013-02-10

Post n°6

Re: New Member

by Maintarget Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:37 pm

Beautiful work gentelmen!
These examples are more in line with my personal taste and the look I would like my amp to have, something about the combination of wood, aluminum and color/paint when done right that is pleasing to the eye.
I have sent my request to Bob now the hard part tempering my excitment until I actual recieve my kit....
Thanks

by denny9167 Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:38 pm

denny9167

denny9167: Posts : 151
Join date : 2011-05-09
Age : 57
Location : Texas

Post n°7

Re: New Member

by denny9167 Mon Feb 18, 2013 6:38 pm

I am also using Sketchup 8 and Povray to help me in the design of my amps. Would love to help any way I am able to.

[img] New Member Markiv_zpse980b33a

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