Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => TUBES TUBES TUBES => Topic started by: tinpan on December 30, 2010, 08:48:30 AM
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Ahhh yes, parts are finally coming in for my new system. My buddy Pete Fulton is building it and I though I would post some pics of it in progress
(http://images30.fotki.com/v473/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1663-vi.jpg)
First we start with the pre-amp chassis
(http://images46.fotki.com/v1492/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1668-vi.jpg)
This is what I like about Pete, notice how all of the ground straps are cut to the exact length and neatly soldered in place
(http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1671-vi.jpg)
Again all of the wires are cut to exact specific lengths and neatly organized
(http://images52.fotki.com/v637/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1674-vi.jpg)
The problem with Pete's builds i that all of this nice work gets covered up and nobody sees the quality of his work
(http://images34.fotki.com/v1193/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1680-vi.jpg)
Even things like the source selector connecting rod get polished. I'm not sure, but I think that is what he is doing there, based on past builds
(http://images32.fotki.com/v1102/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1691-vi.jpg)
This is where he is right now. He'll begin work on the mono blocks as we wait for the signature parts to come in
(http://images35.fotki.com/v1210/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3160-vi.jpg)
This is the system that is getting upgraded. I have the rack in place and I am waiting for the new amp stands. I also have the new Eastern Electric DAC in place
Now Pete's working on the mono blocks
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WOW! :o :o
Dale
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It look like Pete is winding up finishing my L3 Pre-amp. You can see most if the caps getting installed
(http://images54.fotki.com/v1616/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1716-vi.jpg)
You can see most if the caps getting installed
(http://images107.fotki.com/v67/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1761-vi.jpg)
Nice looking solder joints
(http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1769-vi.jpg)
(http://images12.fotki.com/v254/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1706-vi.jpg)
Here's the top of the board
(http://images55.fotki.com/v605/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1712-vi.jpg)
And underneath
Don't know that he'll have it wrapped up by this weekend, but looks like maybe the following weekend I may have my new amp to play with.
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Great looking preamp!!
It looks like the PCBs are from a kit. Can you provide some more information and maybe a web link?
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I'd REALLY like to hear those Audio Notes with the Lowthers in transmission line cabinets.
You're going to have a case of permagrin for a while once that setup is together. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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;) http://lmgtfy.com/?q=audio+note+kit (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=audio+note+kit) ;)
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This looks like the kit tinpan is having built.
http://www.audionotekits.com/l3linemk2.html (http://www.audionotekits.com/l3linemk2.html)
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;) http://lmgtfy.com/?q=audio+note+kit (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=audio+note+kit) ;)
That's cool Al!
The kits look really nice. I have no experience or knowledge about these kits. It doesn't look like they will sell you the boards and build information. The kits also seem to be a little pricey compared to Hagerman, Bottlehead or some others.
Great looking build Tinpan! I am envious! Very, very nice!
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These are indeed the Audio Notes Kits. I have the 300b Kit 1 set up running my Lowther Medallion speakers and it sounds sweet.
This set up will be the AN L3 preamp with all of the signature upgrades done. This pre amp will be driving a pair of AN Interstage 300b Monoblocks that Pete is also building.
Did you guys check out those solder joints? This is working out well, I hate building things and Pete loves to so it's a great combination.
My plans are to have a total of 4 300b SET amps built. The Kit 1 was the first and this is the second one.
Pete designed a smaller, less expensive set of AN Monoblocks, which I believe will be called the Legend series. I have a pair of those on order as well.
I'm not sure what I will do for the fourth amp. It will be for my dad who indirectly started this Lowther/ 300b Madness. I am still trying to figure out which speaker cabinet to have built, as well. It will be for PM4a drivers
You can buy these kits and build them yourself, they do come with a build manual.
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Here is the link to the amps:
http://www.audionotekits.com/monob01.html (http://www.audionotekits.com/monob01.html)
I wanted the single version but it's not available at this time so I ended up going with the signature dual tube version
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sweet looking build,,someone certainly has a talent,and it shows--congrats.
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Very nice.
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(http://images112.fotki.com/v495/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_1797-vi.jpg)
The pre-amp is done. Now I have to wait for the amps to be finished, hopefully, around the end of the month
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Received this email a couple days ago:
Robin,
I am currently working on your Interstage Mono's. Pictures coming soon.
Pete
And pics started arriving yesterday:
(http://images17.fotki.com/v62/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_2110-vi.jpg)
Here is the underside
(http://images107.fotki.com/v67/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_2111-vi.jpg)
And it's twin
(http://images50.fotki.com/v1514/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_2116-vi.jpg)
Here the pair is awaiting final build.
Hopefully in a few days these babies will be sitting in my basement...sweet!
I have my new speakers pretty much broken in for these amps, however, and I already call dibbs in case anyone figures out
where they are, these are for sale locally.
(http://images112.fotki.com/v502/photos/6/111916/8324195/pe5V45Z35R5b1cafcb3d9f71671a2b-vi.jpg)
I sent an email and wait to see if they are still available. Do I need them? No but...
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Getting closer on the Mono Blocks
(http://images51.fotki.com/v731/photos/6/111916/8324195/copyIMG_2186-vi.jpg)
Love the neatness
(http://images56.fotki.com/v773/photos/6/111916/8324195/copyIMG_2204-vi.jpg)
Got the skin on one
(http://images53.fotki.com/v1578/photos/6/111916/8324195/copyIMG_2229-vi.jpg)
Got one buttoned up. I cannot frickin wait to hear these
Someone beat me to the Khorns, man they were $1,500 and all refinished. Someone in Richmond got some nice speakers.
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(http://images110.fotki.com/v606/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_2231-vi.jpg)
My Mono Blocks are all finished and are going through a break in on a pair of Altec V.O.T.T.s
Hopefully i will have them by this weekend
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The big day arrived and i went to pick up my new pre amp and amp yesterday. I also got to listen to them set up on Pete's fabulous Altec Voice of the Theater speakers. Man of man are they nice.
(http://images107.fotki.com/v70/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3353-vi.jpg)
Here is everything all set up. You can see the Lowther Medallions are in place replacing the Cain & Cain Abbeys. Originally I planned on using the Maple Alerions here instead of the Oak cabinet clad Medallions.
The new matching amp stands are in, they are Curly Maple trimmed in Bloodwood. Since an Audio Note phono stage followed me home I'll need to re think my stand again. Were the hell am I going to put a turntable?
I even treated the wall with a coat of melon to match the painting and framed some of Luke's art work to hang there as well. It doesn't exactly match, but he gets a kick out of seeing it and i really like looking at it as well.
(http://images55.fotki.com/v507/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3349-vi.jpg)
Here is a little closer view of everything. The Eastern Electric DAC is sitting on the phono stage, the Apple TV ( looks like I need to switch it out for a black one) is sitting on Mr. 500T's Risers. You may notice some other familiar products.
(http://images56.fotki.com/v127/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3356-vi.jpg)
Here is the left amp and you can see how nice the River Current speaker cables look connected to it. This is the first pair I got, Tom suggested spades on one end and bananas on the other. In hind sight Tom was very smart because the Lowthers have a really cool Cardas terminal that locks those spades down nice.
(http://images16.fotki.com/v272/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3252-vi.jpg)
Here is the Cardas connector on the Medallion. Again, see how nice that looks? It sounds just as nice. I was using Anti cables buy I think the River current cables took the harshness out and made it a smoother sound.
(http://images54.fotki.com/v452/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3355-vi.jpg)
Here is the left amp. These are 300b PSE ( Parallel Single Ended amps). The Bottle Heads were 3 watts, the Kit 1 was 8 watts and these are 18 watts per channel. It is actually way more power than I need for these speakers, but, man o' man the sound is incredible. See how nice the Carversite Inter-connects look? I wasn't sure if 1 meter cables would be long enough. Since ever detailed Tom asked what size I needed I ordered 1 meter and 2 meter cables. Funny thing is they arrived yesterday, he beat the pair I ordered direct from the manufacturer by a month. These replaced the Anti Cable Interconnects I was using, I think they are smoother and sound fuller than the Anti's. The Anti's performed really well in the Bottle Heads.
(http://images110.fotki.com/v606/photos/6/111916/8324195/1293593704-vi.jpg)
Here is the turntable i ordered last week from Agon, still waiting for it to show up. I am going to have to re think my audio racks when it shows up.
(http://images55.fotki.com/v507/photos/6/111916/8324195/IMG_3345-vi.jpg)
And the cats just watched on. They tolerate 2 channel music but the black one HATES surround sound. She can be asleep in my lap and when I put a movie on she stares at the screen, indignantly, then leaves.
It's been a long time in putting this system together. I absolutely love it, it is well worth the effort. These Interstage Mono Blocks are the bomb, a friend of mine Matt suggested them and another buddy built them. Combined with Lowther speakers they just utter nothing but sweetness.
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WOW!!!! That is an awesome system. :o :o :o :o
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Looking nice!!!!! ;)
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Very impressive. enjoy it!
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Looks amazing! Thanks again for the cable orders and kind words.
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Absolutely stunning looking system!!
Were those the Altec A-7 cabinets?
Also, your new TT looks great! What is it??
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Yep those are vintage A-7 cabinets. Pete made a custom crossover and added that vintage Altec dual horn. They are unreal. I could see picking up a pair of those very easily.
The turntable is a Thorens TD-60. I really tried to resist the urge to dust off my old Kenwood turntable. Sure enough, dusty as hell, it still worked. So I bought this as a little nicer unit to play around with. You would think I would be happy with my itunes library
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If you are seriously considering Khorns I have a pair of them along with a pair of Altec model 19's I may part with in the upcoming future. You could bring your amps over and listen to them on them if you like.
Let me know, Brett
Artvandelay1@verizon.net
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Brettl,
Thank you but I have too many speakers, I don't have any room, under no circumstances could i possibly consider picking up a another pair of speakers, let alone Khorns...
Um... where are you located? :-\
Hmmm, wonder what they look like? :-[