kgst

[chinsettawong]

Wow! Nice! 

[Kerry]

Thanks

 

This is a fun project for me.  It will ultimately become my office rig.

 

Yes it was a challenge to get those transistors on (lots of magnification).

 

Runs pretty cool as well.

[spritzer]

This certainly isn't BH levels of heat which does make it more user friendly. 

 

The "normal" board is still on for production, just finishing up one other design to save on shipping. 

[sethbc]

Stunning work Kerry.  Q1 and Q5 are silly small so congrats on being able to hand solder them. 

I could barely find Q1 and Q5 on the image

[spritzer]

Same size IRC as the dual fet we put on the KGSSHV board.  Almost impossible to solder... 

[Kerry]

I got the other channel built.  Came up just fine

 

I'm really loving the sound.  I haven't compared it yet to the BH or KGSShv.

 

The width on this is 7".  So far so good.

 

Edited May 13, 2014 by Kerry

[eggil]

Very nice Kerry. The small size is very appealing.

[johnwmclean]

Brilliant work. Loving the compact footprint as well.

[Victor Chew]

Very nice work Kerry.

[chinsettawong]

Wow! Really nice work Kelly!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[nopants]

What are your plans for the PSU? separate chassis, split rails?

[Kerry]

Great question.  I'd like to do a single chassis 7" x 12" x 2".  The Transform would be mounted on top in the back.  I can fit everything, but wouldn't be able to do a delayed start for the HV.  I'm giving it a good think though and might need to go just a bit deeper.

[spritzer]

Well this is up and running... 

 

 

I decided to scrap my old hacked KGST boards and reuse the chassis.  This one runs at +/-350V and sounds brilliant.  Very stable too and no heat issues with the 2.5" sinks. 

[Kerry]

Nice

 

I'm curious how you think this compares to the KGSSHV and the BH.  I haven't been able to run the three side by side yet.  I'm being lazy and I've got to move a bunch of stuff around since the KGST is stuck on my bench.

[spritzer]

I haven't had enough time with this version yet but the design offers a nice middle ground between the BH and the KGSSHV.  That's also why we picked it as a starting point to do a 009 amp... 

[spritzer]

Been listening to the KGST and it does sound pretty good indeed.  It's a bit shocking how close it comes to the BH, throwing that same deep soundstage with a rock solid foundation.  Now the BH is still better but this is damn close... 

[headinclouds]

Thanks again Kevin and Birgir for coming  up with a fantastic project.  A great inspiration to us. This looks a really nice one to build and the valves/tubes are not expensive.

The only way I’m likely to hear one is to build it so here we go.  l have to get some boards made for my use.   If you’re  happy with the boards version as it is now  I can offer to do a group buy.  I have looked into pricing.  If 10 sets are ordered they would come out at around  £42 delivered to US, from England.

If 20 sets were ordered it would be around £34 delivered to US.  This ignores paypal fees so a few $$ more for that and currency conversion.  (A set is two amp pcbs and one PS pcb.)

When the order is in, delivery would be 15 working days to me and then about a week to US/Europe.

pm me with your  interest.

 

Of course Europe is not the cheapest place for buying pcbs - if you guys Stateside can get better prices then perhaps you can get some arranged for me.

 

 

To save you working it out those approx delivered prices £42=$70, £34=$57

Edited June 7, 2014 by headinclouds

[headinclouds]

So I've been having some fun with this design.  I've gone ahead and shrunk this thing way down.  Each channel is 2" x 4.5".  I've used some really small SMD parts so not for the faint of heart.

 

Here's the boards:

 

 

I mustn't forget to add my praise to that heaped upon Kerry for this fantastic work.  So impressive!

Edited June 8, 2014 by headinclouds

[ChrisX]

I can offer to do a group buy.

 

 

Thanks in advance for your efforts. I just didn't get which version of the boards you plan to order? Kerry's SMD version or Kevin's/Birgir's through hole version? (Personally I would prefer the latter)

[headinclouds]

Thanks in advance for your efforts. I just didn't get which version of the boards you plan to order? Kerry's SMD version or Kevin's/Birgir's through hole version? (Personally I would prefer the latter)

 

Yes it's the through hole version - I'm not that brave.

 

I have received a number of pms of interest and we're already over 10 sets so the price is looking good.  Incidentally it doesn't have to be a set; it can be just amps (or PS!)

 

pm me with your wants

[spritzer]

Just so people know this version of the amp boards has been proved working.  Pretty much the same as my sets except I fixed some minor labeling issues.

 

Power supply is a variation of the Blue Hawaii design and a slightly different version to the one I used. 

[headinclouds]

Thanks for the clarification Birgir.

 

I'll check for any last minute revisions with you before placing an order.

[luvdunhill]

Kerry/Justin/Kevin/Birgir:

What smd resistors are you using for designs?

[mschneider]

Thanks for the clarification Birgir.

 

I'll check for any last minute revisions with you before placing an order.

I guess I am too new to pm, but I am interested in a set of boards....

[spritzer]

No SMD here...