Finally got the courage to start a D build..

[azatplayer]

Been too scared thus far with relays mainly. But my new to me Hamer Newport is just begging for that kinda tone so..
Im looking at easing my way in with a Dlite 22, and happy to take whatever advice i can get. I see the spec for the PT wants 325-0-325 @ 200ma, i have a PT with 320-0-320 @ 200ma, is the plate voltage critical to within 10V?
Gotta get some faceplates in first, think ive got the rest of it on the shelf except the 6PS caps.

[brentm]

Not having any personal experience building, I can't offer any first hand advice. But the relay boards don't look tough at all. http://www.agbamplifiers.com/ has boards for sale if that helps? I know if/when I start my own d-style amp, I'll be buying boards from this seller. They look to be of excellent quality.

There are also application notes for each board on that site.

[Chris Brown]

Take the plunge you wont regret it!

I just finished converting a twin reverb reissue to ods 124 spec... I had about a year of experience doing basic amp mods and and 5 years building effects... I stocked all the parts for my dumble build and then slowly researched each section of the layout until I had a good understanding of what was going on...


I ordered relay boards but did all the other boards by hand... next time I'll do the relay boards myself.

I drilled, eyeletted and populated the boards... researched more... wired the tube sockets... researched more... eventually I was down to wiring it all together... by that point it was just solder work.

Troubleshooting was tricky because my pt had no center tap and I had to use a fw bridge rectifier... I didn't realize that until first power up with a bulb limiter and asking for help here.

Overall I spent about 10 months on the project from initial research to completion... I populated the boards about 6 months ago but the majority of the work was done in the last 3 weeks. The next time I build an amp the whole process will take about a week lol.

The result is a great sounding amp... best amp I've ever played.

Take your time and build the amp... the results are worth it.

[Structo]

azatplayer good decision, a ODS amp would allow your Newport to excel.

I have built a D'lite 44 and a 100w ODS amp.
Both are great amps.

The D'lite's however, have proven difficult to get so I can't recommend them.
Do a search on them and you will see.
Some guys have waited a year or more.

Unfortunately that was about the only Dumble style kit.
Ceriatone was the other alternative, but Nik stopped offering kits.

RJ from the Trainwreck section may be able to hook you up with a kit of sorts.

After I built my D'lite and had tweaked it three ways from Sunday I decided I wanted to try a scratch built 100w ODS.
Glad I did as it is awesome and my #1 amp now.

I used the chassis from CE, the members Odourboy and MRoberts had made.
Awesome chassis and good silk screen print job on the panels.

I used Twin Reverb iron from Magnetic Components and they seem to work fine.

The 100w amp is recommended over the 50w.
The 100w is not that much more expensive to build, a handful more components, a 100w output transformer and the extra two power tubes of course.
It's hard to explain but the main difference between the 50w and 100w amps are tonal. More power of course in the 100w but it's more than that.

Also, many agree as well as I that a Dumbleator tube buffered loop is pretty essential for the Dumble to reach it's full potential.
But you can always build that a little later as funds allow.

As for which model to build?
I've had my amp at Fords specs but now it has more of a #183 preamp with a 6L6 power section and I like it a lot now.

Good luck and you will have all the help you need right here to get you through the build.

[rogb]

Hi mate and best of luck with a Dlite. Tom has been there and done it so I would take his advice on board. He can also help you if you decide to go 22w.

Tony (Talbany) also has a very good handle on the 22w thing, just have a listen to Jack Pearson and see if you like those tones. I'm sure he can give some good advice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qKiOg9U ... re=related

[ToneMerc]

The first D style amp I built was 50 watter "Tweaked D'Lite" using a Brownnote chassis and custom trannies I had Heyboer wind for me. It runs just over 460V on plates and a sweet lil little piece.

TM

[azatplayer]

Thanks Tom, was looking for your advice
I have the info on the Dlite, had it for ages, just now getting keen to try it.
Ive always knocked up my own chassis, as nice as it would be to get one done, maybe i will try and get an ODS chassis after i try out the 22 watter.
I pretty much got everything i need for a 6V6 amp and have some of Colossals relays, i just need to work out faceplate drawings and move ahead.

I was concerned about doing a 100 watter, just completed a Concorde and my ears have been hammered thru debugging. Thats a loud fitty watter. But yeah, as far as loud gos 2 tubes more dont add a lot of volume but definitely do something tonally. Good tip.
Guess i'll keep my eyes out for a chassis for an ODS, and start getting parts in for that build too. Cant wait to get the little one happening.
Great tones too Rog, i'd be happy with that!
WIll Brownnote sell just a chassis?

[ToneMerc]

WIll Brownnote sell just a chassis?

Yes, thats how I built my 50 & 100 watter sourcing only the chassis from Moss. However, unless there's been some magical customer service epiphany....good luck.


http://store.bnamp.com/dchpr.html



TM

[Structo]

The D'lite is a good amp.
It just depends how close to a Dumble you want it to be.