Castanet - Oh snap. It's coming.

[laxx]

Haha I guess it's because I attended a school where "oh snap" and "oh shiiiii-" were the most common phrases for expressing realization, recognition, surprise, acknowledgment, and/or appreciation.

I remember the days of "oh snap." It was over 10 years ago.

[slwiser]

Jim is ready to take pre-orders for his new headamp half-kit. Check out his latest blog update:

http://www.hagtech.com/blog07.html

[n_maher]

I have to be brutally honest, $100 for a PCB, instructions and what sounds like just standoffs and a few other minor parts doesn't excite me enough to order it.

[JBLoudG20]

I have to be brutally honest, $100 for a PCB, instructions and what sounds like just standoffs and a few other minor parts doesn't excite me enough to order it.

My sentiments exactly.

http://www.hagtech.com/images/castanetschem.jpg

That's a pretty easy p2p job.

[kevin gilmore]

That is no way to do low impedance headphones, with one winding completely

unterminated. Needs to be wired with a switch that puts both secondaries in

parallel for low impedance phones.

[JBLoudG20]

That is no way to do low impedance headphones, with one winding completely

unterminated. Needs to be wired with a switch that puts both secondaries in

parallel for low impedance phones.

I didn't even notice that, but I didnt look at the wiring over there much. That does look pretty silly.

[fierce_freak]

That is no way to do low impedance headphones, with one winding completely

unterminated. Needs to be wired with a switch that puts both secondaries in

parallel for low impedance phones.

Any other thoughts on the circuit? I'm planning a very similar build for my first tube amp with CCS instead of chokes for the plate load.

[JBLoudG20]

To my untrained eye (Kevin can correct me) it sure looks like a pretty run of the mill common-cathode (unbypassed) transformer coupled amp. Sound quality will greatly depend on the output transformers that are chosen. I don't know what was spec'ed as I really didnt look into the parts list.

[n_maher]

I don't think the parts list is available, Jay, that's part of what would come along with the documentation of the amp.

[slwiser]

That is no way to do low impedance headphones, with one winding completely

unterminated. Needs to be wired with a switch that puts both secondaries in

parallel for low impedance phones.

Partial answer:

Hey, that would be great, if only there were two secondaries! The 119DA has only one with two taps (autoformer style) of different ratios. No possible way to wire in parallel.

[aerius]

To my untrained eye (Kevin can correct me) it sure looks like a pretty run of the mill common-cathode (unbypassed) transformer coupled amp.

Choke loaded parafeed, with ultrapath connection and bypassed cathode. It's not something I see every day.

[Nanoha]

Choke loaded parafeed, with ultrapath connection and bypassed cathode. It's not something I see every day.

What are your thoughts on what KG said?

[JBLoudG20]

bypassed cathode. It's not something I see every day.

I think I meant to write bypassed. Either way, it was a bit different that what I was referring to, hence my apprehension.

[fierce_freak]

Any other thoughts on the circuit? I'm planning a very similar build for my first tube amp with CCS instead of chokes for the plate load.

Anyone else have an opinion on the circuit?

[aerius]

What are your thoughts on what KG said?

Fully agree. I learned the hard way from personal experience.

Any other thoughts on the circuit? I'm planning a very similar build for my first tube amp with CCS instead of chokes for the plate load.

Better hope you have Grados and a source with a healthy output. The circuit has very little gain so with Senns or AKG's you might well run out of volume. I'd say try out the Less-pressivo, but those 6C45P tubes are pretty twitchy so you'll have to do a good job on your layout and grounding.

[fierce_freak]

I'm actually planning on the Less-pressivo with a 6H30, and I'm using RS-1's. I just asked about thoughts on this schematic as it's similar in idea to the Less-pressivo.

[deepak]

I'm actually planning on the Less-pressivo with a 6H30, and I'm using RS-1's. I just asked about thoughts on this schematic as it's similar in idea to the Less-pressivo.

What transformers are you using for your Less-pressivo? Hammonds?

[aerius]

Donuts are your friend. The Amveco 6208X series transformers work great as parafeed or push-pull output transformers. I used them in my 6C45P and 13EM7 test builds, both were parafeed output. I think they're better than Hammonds, even though they're meant to be power transformers.

[fierce_freak]

I was going to go with the hammonds, but aerius' suggestion to use a toroid intrigues me. I've read about a couple applications where they work well on output.

Of course, if I like the sound enough, I could end up getting a set of better output transformers like Elecra-Prints or Lundahls.