[robertwstephens]

Hello!  I am almost done with my kit and need some specific instructions for a newbie.  1. How do I tell which way the LED is supposed to go. 2.  How do I solder in the heatsinks.  3. I bought some Vampire RCA's from Michael Percy Audio, but they came with no instructions.  Do the plastic washers go against the chasis on both sides?  It looks like you solder one wire in the center and one wire to a floating peace on the side.  There are 3 holes in the board for each pair.  I am a little slow and need pretty specific instructions. I have 24 guage cardas chasis wire or can use the remnants from the auricaps.  This has been a great process for me and I really appreciate the guidance I have received on this forum.  I would have been really lost without it.  Peace.  Robert

[hagtech]

which way the LED is supposed to go

On the silkscreen, look for the letters "LED*".  The short lead goes in that side.  Remember, in mounts in from the back.  Do not cut leads, solder in as high off the board as possible.  It will then fit perfectly into the dome.

Do the plastic washers go against the chasiss

Yes, this is for insulation.  The jacks should not electrically touch the chassis.  The shield wire (return) for both jacks can use the common ground hole.

jh

[analog97]

Robert,

I too am a newbie.  I built a Cornet2 (what a wonderful product!!).  The only mistake I made was the LED.  I put it in backwards.  It still glows red, rather than green.  But the performance is wholly uncompromised.  Re:soldering heatsinks.  I too had initial difficulty, until I learned the technique of a "solder bridge".    All this is is a way to improve heat transfer to the heatsinks.  Just melt a small dab of solder on the pad first, then keep the iron on the pad of solder......voila...the extra surface area of the molten solder will enable an easy solder weld now.  Maybe there are other techniques.  I used a very inexpensive soldering iron, 30 watts.  Thanks for asking about the LED.   I now can put this in correctly on my Clarinet I am finishing.   If you like analog, you will be astounded by the Cornet2!!  PS: I used the Auricaps and found clear evidence for a necessary break-in period.  Good Luck.