Bob S wrote:
Think I'll gut mine & start again - again.
I just finished gutting and rebuilding mine. I can't get this thing anywhere near a 12AX7 in the PI. An AT is as high as I can go in V1. It's monstrous and untamed otherwise. I saw it written that the Express is not a beginners amp build. Wish I'd known that going in but it's been fun. This thing will be a learning experience for sure.
Ok so I gave up on the Mallory TC78 (40uF) but I got CDE. I think Ken used those servicing amps when he didn't find Mallorys of same value and I think the 20uFs in Ingrid are actually CDE's so we'll see how it turns out!!
I got the 3 Mallory-PVC 601's!! Thanks Stephen!! I didn't know they were brown before!!
4 OEM nos AC-425, 6 custom fabricated using the same material based on an original, 2 new bud AC-425 samples from the chassis run I tried to do a while back... (Single weld).
redshark wrote:What is in your opinion the 5 most important things to get if you want a succesful express build and as close as posible to a KF original?
...
2. Tubes: A well matched set of Siemens EL-34 are the most comon power tubes in originals but vintage mullards or telefunkens are great. For preamps most use tungsram and Ei but amperex and mullards are very good too. Put special attention to V1.
3. Capacitors: Mallory filter caps are pricey but worth it. Mallory PVC for preamp are the ones but....what to use now that we don't have 0.1 uf anymore....
2. actually mismatched RFT el34s sound best to me. mine are around 10mA appart.
3. BC Vishay 450v axials sounds best to me in this circuit
This thing will be a learning experience for sure.
