Although I have an Airbrake, I also wanted to try out Dana's VVR3 on my Rocket to hear what many have described as a great tool. So, many thanks to Dana, Gary, et all, that helped me sort of this addition. Its a great device and the tonal characteristics of the amp stay true to form. Oh yes, leleduke thanks for your pics on the rear mount work, I went for it as well, and its very quiet no issues.
BTW I did not install the extra caps & resistors, I did not have any noise issues as a result. No scratchy pots.
Yes indeed, I am experimenting with having both devices going on the amp. I am finding that the Airbrake is great for getting the maximum breakup out of the amp with the VVr dialing down the volume to taste. They work nicely together on my Rocket. I will see if i can get some clips of the amp.
Regarding "usable range", I meant does it sound the same throughout the range of the VVR control or does the sound start fizzing out when turned too low? Are you implementing VVR on the whole amp or just the power section?
Now, how about heat build up. I just checked mine after playing for a good 45 mins and the area on the chassis ( note my build has the mosfet pretty far to one side ) where the VVR is located is hot but not too hot to touch for an extended time. I can put the palm of my hand on it and not get burned.
Still, its pretty hot. Would a small heat sink be prudent just above the unit.
The amount of heat is proportional to the amount of power getting dumped. If you don't limit the output much, you generate less heat from the VVR. If you limit the output to bedroom levels, the heat will be much greater.
Others have shared their heat sinking strategies in previous threads.
Zippy wrote:The amount of heat is proportional to the amount of power getting dumped. If you don't limit the output much, you generate less heat from the VVR. If you limit the output to bedroom levels, the heat will be much greater.
Others have shared their heat sinking strategies in previous threads.
Here is a quote from Dana from when I was experimenting with VVR in my YBA-1:
"Your mosfet is going to get the hottest at between 1/2 and 3/4 power. A 50 watt amp is the max and it will definately require a much bigger heatsink that just a TO220 heatsink you get at Radio Shack. Once you reduce the voltage to say 1/4 your tubes won't be drawing as much current and the heat will go down from 1/2 voltage to it's lowest setting."
That's exactly how mine operated. The heat dropped dramatically once it got past 3/4 power or so.
Mark
"- Yeah, can we have everything louder than everything else? Right!"- Ian Gillan
1326]http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii9/ ... -Build.jpg[/img]
) and neighbors at bay with Dana's VVR. 
