Komet preamp values

[erigm]

How does the Komet get away with using such high value coupling caps in the preamp (especially between the second and third stages compared to the express) and not sound mushy?

I have built an "express clone" with a PPIMV in a Traynor chassis doing as little work as possible (it really lookes horrible, and there is a terrible hum). I used the standard .0022u/150k values, and although the amp is quite bright it seems the values used in the trainwreck would turn the distortion to mush.

I intend to rebuild the entire amp and then tweak the values to my liking, but what have other peoples experiences been (I know there has been much discussion about this topic, but I am interested in the Komet values in particular).

[Guest]

Ask these guys

www.kometamps.com

Im sure they would be glad to share thier blood sweat and tears to help you out.

BTW They are in Baton Rouge La
Send $ Red Cross and help the people of the bayou state

[erigm]

Rocket,

Thank you so much for a helpful reply! If I were to go that route I think I would ask Ken Fischer directly since the Komet is his design, but my impression was that this BBS was to discuss things of this nature.

Maybe you could ask Howard Dumble what's under the goo!

[Guest]

How does the Komet get away with using such high value coupling caps in the preamp (especially between the second and third stages compared to the express) and not sound mushy?

Tell them your a hobbyist/builder and ask your question.
Perhaps they will tell you how they "get away" with it you never know.
Or buy a Komet and support the cause and learn at the same time.
You can always turn it and have a benchmark to acheive at the same time.

[dobbhill]

Check out the first gain stage's cathode cap. There's more than one way to tune bass response.
Now, send Holger and Mr. Kennedy some $$$$.

[erigm]

Rocket,

I thought your were being sarcastic in your first reply.

Dobbhill,

Thanks for the suggestion about the first stage.

Sorry, I have no money to send to the Komet guys. I just noticed that they (Komet) use a much larger cap between the second and third stage, and since everyone seems to be happy with the sound of their Express type amp with a small cap. I just wondered how the Komet used a much larger value and the bass doesn't mush out from the soundclips on their site. I thought it would be useful knowledge when tuning my Express type amp.

[dobbhill]

I was being sarcastic about sending the $$ to the Komet guys. Sorry that my humor wasn't conveyed appropriately, and probably was in bad taste. The 0.68uf cathode cap on the first stage rolls off much of the mushy bass that would otherwise be heard with such a large coupling cap. By rolling the bass off early in the gain stages, it doesn't present as much of a problem farther down the line.
Hope this helps, and once again I apologize for my lack of sensitivity.
D