[coinmaster]

Those caps are wired wrong. 
This is what will happen if you put them in like that

 
The mundorf ones I'm not sure about, you're going to have to refer to the datasheet but the red ones go the other way.

 

[Maxx134]

SMLD MODS:

Stage 5 - Soldering: Caps

More battle scars, are these OK? I could cover it over with elastoplast!




I hope this is correct? If so the RIFA legs are just long enough lol.

Cover the melt scars on caps with tape like what I did.

The red caps don't wire in the long way.
Turn around and connect the closer pins together:

 

[Maxx134]

Those caps are wired wrong. 
This is what will happen if you put them in like that



... the red ones go the other way.

Coin is right.
Although the caps won't get damaged at all.

The problem is You just created a short with the wiring.

But if those caps did explode, it would be a mess like that pic lol.

To get a cap to explode would require it to have voltage exceeding it's value..
So no worries there as the caps are all above 250v rating

 

[Maxx134]

Where is your missing resistor?
If it too big no problem, just file the leads thinner to fit the hole...

 

[coinmaster]

Coin is right.
Although the caps won't get damaged at all.

The problem is You just created a short with the wiring.

But if those caps did explode, it would be a mess like that pic lol.

To get a cap to explode would require it to have voltage exceeding it's value..
So no worries there as the caps are all above 250v rating

Yeah but with a 4 pole cap like that I suspect he will be creating a complete short to ground. That's asking for a disaster if the fuse doesn't blow in time.

 

[baronbeehive]

Thanks guys I'll change round the wima/rifa combo, I liked it the way I did it though lol.
 
Quote:

Where is your missing resistor?
If it too big no problem, just file the leads thinner to fit the hole...

 
I've got new ones for there. The originals had slight corrosion on the legs and I didn't think I could solder wire to it so I got new ones.

 

[Maxx134]

I like to give some thoughts on the MK8..

Actually, There is a quality to both amps that I like to point out.
The "overdone", "musical" , and even "simple" PSU stage.

The MK8 has an ability to try a wider range of driver tubes than ANY amp I am aware of...

Every single 12at7,12ax7, 12au7,e180cc, and even the hard to drive largest 9pin like the e80cc with huge heater demands at double the current loads...

There is simply no other amp I know that does this.

I believe it is the fact that this unit runs the heaters off large transformer AC feeds.

There is a stigma about "A/C" fed heaters...


In these amps, it is a plus...

 

[Mogos]

I think it is important to know how it all started.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/522099/little-dot-mk-vi-little-dot-mk-viii-se-owners-unite
 

 

[baronbeehive]

  I think it is important to know how it all started.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/522099/little-dot-mk-vi-little-dot-mk-viii-se-owners-unite
 

 
Where will it all end though

.

 

[baronbeehive]

I like to give some thoughts on the MK8..

Actually, There is a quality to both amps that I like to point out.
The "overdone", "musical" , and even "simple" PSU stage.

The MK8 has an ability to try a wider range of driver tubes than ANY amp I am aware of...

Every single 12at7,12ax7, 12au7,e180cc, and even the hard to drive largest 9pin like the e80cc with huge heater demands at double the current loads...

There is simply no other amp I know that does this.

I believe it is the fact that this unit runs the heaters off large transformer AC feeds.

There is a stigma about "A/C" fed heaters...


In these amps, it is a plus...

 
My favourite 12ax7's are Amperex Bugle Boy or equivalent, or even better Sylvania JHS 5751 but I prefer above all the TS JTL 5751. The 5751's are preferable to the 12ax7's, the sound goes up a  notch with these. I know this because I use them on my Miniwatt. I didn't think the 12ax7's were compatable with the 12at7's for example though.

 

[Maxx134]

I like to give some thoughts on the MK8..


Actually, There is a quality to both amps that I like to point out.

The "overdone", "musical" , and even "simple" PSU stage.


The MK8 has an ability to try a wider range of driver tubes than ANY amp I am aware of...


Every single 12at7,12ax7, 12au7,e180cc, and even the hard to drive largest 9pin like the e80cc with huge heater demands at double the current loads...


There is simply no other amp I know that does this.


I believe it is the fact that this unit runs the heaters off large transformer AC feeds.


There is a stigma about "A/C" fed heaters...



In these amps, it is a plus...

...I didn't think the 12ax7's were compatable with the 12at7's for example though.

Compatability depends mainly on amp...

In the driver stage,
The MK8SE can take any and all 9pin "dual" or "twin" triode tubes. .

All that I have tried, regardless of number, or type or heater current... (!)
Here is one of three boxes of tubes I gathered.
All compatible..

Every single one compatable, which is very unique.

 

[Maxx134]

Redge78 has suggested in the past,
that we should compile a list of best tube choices for both amps. ..

I have hesitated,
because a "best tube" can be misinterpreted as a personal choice..

So first we will develop some guidelines.

Like brief descriptions of each tube as it performs in the amp.
Not anywhere else.

My basis for a good tube depends mainly on clarity and soundstage.

The inevitability of other factors will also come into play,
but to a lesser degree. .

 

[baronbeehive]

Compatability depends mainly on amp...

In the driver stage,
The MK8SE can take any and all 9pin "dual" or "twin" triode tubes. .

All that I have tried, regardless of number, or type or heater current... (!)
Here is one of three boxes of tubes I gathered.
All compatible..

Every single one compatable, which is very unique.

 
Great choice  of tubes there. http://www.watfordvalves.com/ do cryoed GE's which are TOTL as well. I haven't tried them because I have my own favourites which I'm happy with.
 
A tube list would be a good idea, I've tried all the ones I'm interested in including the Amperex, Sylvania and TS which are TOTL. Others I was interested in are the Raytheon, and GE's but I doubt if I will try them now.

 

[baronbeehive]

SMLD MODS:
 
Stage 5 - Soldering: Wiring, Caps. (Total time spent so far, about 45 hours).
 
Output wiring on reverse of board finished. Need to reattach some old red and white wires which have come off before putting back PCB. Need to refer to my wiring diagram again.
 

 
Cathode bypass rifa's on reverse of board, could have done a better job but that should do.
That red twisted wire needs surgery, it's been burnt, pierced and god knows what.
 

 
The MCap has seen a surgeon lol.
 

 
Spent nearly all yesterday trying to tin the leads of the Audyns and gave up. They have an odd coating which makes it impossible to solder. I tried to remove it but couldn't.
 
Coming to the end now, starting to think of what it will sound like, if it works at all

.

 

[SonicTrance]

Great to see progress Baron! What I don't get is why you didn't put the cathode resistors by the board vents, like this?
 

 
I'm having trouble with my amp ATM. Something broke and I don't know what. Redge and Maxx are helping me so hopefully I'll get it fixed.