Forums - Z1 kit new build by Radarek

Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Z1 kit new build by Radarek
09/18/19 at 17:22:30

Hello

I'm new to the tube world so to start with I have decided to build a kit first to understand the process and then maybe go with one of Steve's creation... plus been not building anything for last 20 + years makes it even more fun

Board is on the way. Now I'm working on the shopping list hence have some questions:

Transformers: will it make any better if I go with Hammond for example. PT and OT or just OT? Steve specifies that We can use any OT with primary impedance between 3000 to 9800 ohm, what will be the difference based on primary imp? Can I use multiple outputs: 4or8or16. Would prefer to use 8 or 16 as this will suite my speaker best- altec 604e.

Resistors: would it make any sense to upgrade them to Audio note or takeman for example?

Capacitors: which one to upgrade? Signal path to Jupiter HT for example?

Internal wiring: any specific wire to be used? Tinned copper 20ga would be good?

Sorry for bagging with those questions, all input highly appreciated.

Regards
Darius aka Radarek

P.s. English is my second language so excuse me all the spelling and gramma mistakes...

Thanks

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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #1 - 09/23/19 at 01:38:37

The Board arrived Friday. Shipment from Mauser is on the way and should be here Monday end of day. Went with stock parts as for now. Still a few are missing but should be here end of week. I have spent all weekend on reading all the threads in Zkit1 forum as far back as 2009. That gave me a bit of understanding of typical problems this amp had, and how it developed over the years. Great stuff.

Going to order trannies now... really thinking about Hammond iron.... 1608 for output and 372fx for power? Any suggestions? At least that what a search is giving me...

Case - probably will go with one of the hammonds stuff...

Still thinking about better coupling caps...

Is a silver wire good for jumpers.

Regards Darius

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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #2 - 09/23/19 at 01:43:43 My system for now. Can’t wait for this project.... just in case I have doubled and topped with extra my order from Mauser... who knows I may build another one... or more... we have saying back in Poland... first one for your enemy, second one for your friend and third one for yourself... lol...
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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #3 - 09/24/19 at 20:20:53

First shipment of the parts from Mouser arrived yesterday. Still waiting for partsconnection for some more.... very little changes... coupling caps changed to copper Jupiters, Solen ones to Mundorff...
Power tranny will be 272fx and 1608a for output.
Still looking for some good connectors...

Pic shows loose fit of the components...

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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #4 - 10/02/19 at 02:27:41 Hello Little update... Jupiter and Mundorff caps arrived but partsconnetion sent a wrong type of tube sockets so new one are on the way now... meantime I will be working on chassis... 10ga steel plate powder coated...
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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #5 - 10/08/19 at 05:38:17

Update...

All elements been soldered in. Proper tube sockets arrived today... jumpers made from 99.9% silver 1mm solid wire. WBT silver 4% solder. All components soldered from both side( reflowed). Took around 1 hour to do all, now need to clean a bit of residue from the board after soldering. Big wait for the transformers begin....

Regards

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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #6 - 10/08/19 at 05:46:50 Underside
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Steve Deckert Administrator If the 1st watt sucks why continue? Posts: 6445	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #7 - 10/08/19 at 17:27:04 Looks real nice so far! Thanks for posting this! Steve
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #8 - 11/02/19 at 01:03:29 Thanks Steve. It was great to watch live stream from decfest. Maybe one day... Very little progress... bought a nice piece of solid walnut wood for the case and a piece of 10ga steel for chassis. Can’t puncture any holes before I get output transformers first.. maybe before Christmas. Hammond 272fx arrived last week. Thx
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #9 - 11/21/19 at 01:02:10 Hello Package from Edcor arrived today. Seems like good ratio of quality to price. Now have all stuff needed to start assembly. Box is done, needs final sanding and wax. Plate will be drilled this coming weekend. Will drop it to powder coat monday. Now working on layout...
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #10 - 11/26/19 at 00:55:49 Hello Chassis is back from powder coating... charcoal... started to install in/out posts and mother board. Output transformers next. Power transformer will need two more holes drilled before. Small mistake. Want to have power transformer 90 degrees out vs output transformers...
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #11 - 11/27/19 at 04:16:42 Another look
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GroovySauce Seasoned Member Posts: 917	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #12 - 11/30/19 at 00:29:46 Looking really good! Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to your listening impressions.
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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #13 - 11/30/19 at 09:30:55

Thanks

This weekend will work on finishing internal wiring.
Two sets o tubes are on the way.
6n1p for driver
TAD EL84 STR Cryo
6p15 (SV83)

Now I really looking forward to hear it for the very first time.
Some changes are coming to my speakers... they will loose open baffle for replica of Altec 620 cabinets... Joe Stewart of StewartSpeakerSystem is working on this build.... Christmas Comes Early - my CCE mode...haha

Regards

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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #14 - 12/07/19 at 02:03:57

Hello

Still waiting for the tubes, but some great progress was done on the speaker boxes. Joe just sent me some pictures. I can hear them already. Nicely braced cabinets. Back wall is glued making cabinet more rigid with small opening to install driver. Crossover will be installed externally too. Side wall will be finished with walnut and front and back painted. Things looking great ....
Thx

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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #15 - 12/07/19 at 02:05:19 One more
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #16 - 12/07/19 at 02:07:13 And one more
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #17 - 12/10/19 at 19:03:59 Cabinets done and on the way to new home now. Really looking forward to have them here... big thanks to Joe from Stewartspeakersystems.
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #18 - 12/10/19 at 19:05:11 And back
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #19 - 12/10/19 at 19:06:47 And packaging...getting excited...
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #20 - 12/17/19 at 03:27:20 Hello Posting the progress... all wiring done... now waiting for the tubes and anniversary mod caps - those will be copper Miflex. Some say as good as copper Jupiter but third the price... we will see about that soon. Also today I have picked up my new boxes. Those will be in the work thursday... Almost there...
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #21 - 12/20/19 at 03:15:15 No tubes yet... :-[ But my drivers got new home...and they are :) happy
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #22 - 12/25/19 at 01:28:05 Yessss.... just on time.... up and singing.... still a bit of touch ups to do but amp is officially running. My first tube amp ever. Merry Christmas to every one. I got my present what is yours?
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GroovySauce Seasoned Member Posts: 917	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #23 - 12/25/19 at 03:49:09 Thanks for sharing your build process. The amp looks great!
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #24 - 12/30/19 at 23:39:11 Hey Groovy Did you get the carpet yet?
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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #25 - 12/30/19 at 23:40:54 Wondering now... how I'm gonna fit those...hmm....
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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #26 - 12/31/19 at 03:36:34

F..k I love this amp. Bit of massaging and all in, now up and playing. Had my wife coming down to the basement telling me that she started to hate this hobby.... too much time... eh... whatever....
After bypass caps went in voltages are
A - 352v
B - 309v
C- 10.4v
D left - 3 v
D right - 2.4 v

Can't find why is this different... gonna measure resistors values

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GroovySauce Seasoned Member Posts: 917	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #27 - 01/02/20 at 02:33:49 Hope you figure out the channel imbalance. I didn't go carpet shopping yet. Got distracted with the holidays and work things. Hope to find a nice one this month.
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Radarek

Senior Member

Posts: 75

Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek
Reply #28 - 01/02/20 at 19:05:32

Hi

Did check the resistor values and they both equal.. I'm still waiting for proper input tube. Now using cheap russian EH6922. Will measure again with new tube in. Amp is really opening up now, more airy and smother. Need another week of breaking, before more comments, right now I don't want to even plug back my Luxman....

Great only days are to short to have more listening time...

Regards

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Radarek Senior Member Posts: 75	Re: Z1 kit new build by Radarek Reply #29 - 01/18/20 at 18:26:11 Wife is out.... lets play some music....Brian Bromberg first...
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