Well, it took Canada customs a while for them to release my Piccolo from their grip, but I finally received it this week - so of course I began my Piccolo build, being as impatient as I am. Having built the Cornet2, I was very jazzed to get this MC amplifier as I have been messing around with a Cinemag step-up for about 6 months without success on the hum - close but no cigar. And since this was my second Cinemag attempt, I thought surrender and then found the Piccolo.
Well, this kit is different as it has far more intensive soldering. Not more difficult, but more requiring heat sinks and that nasty little IC and voltage regulator. Considered using a socket for the IC, but the kit did not ask for one and Jim's pictures showed no socket, so I assumed the "stick to the plan" approach and braved it. After a bunch of work, in which I really should have stopped, I completed the board populate and soldering after about 4 hours - must get new soldering iron tip now .....
Wanting to eliminate any chance of hum, am using the battery pack. Case still not done but thought about a test, just for the additional motivation. So I popped in the batteries and NO LED. Batteries in, batteries out - repeat - speak a few un-nice words and think about going to bed. Instead, I figure, why not try it out with signals. So, after connecting it all up and replacing batteries, I powered up the Cornet2 and the (non-Hagerman) headphone amplifier. And magically sounds appear - pops between gain setting changes and definite gain going on. The loading rotary switch acts a but funny - it was sticky so I had to take it apart and now it goes to mono in one setting - must take a look at that. But it worked - with NO LED still. So I guess I have either reverse soldered the Diode or blown it completely - not sure yet but since it is working, I am more than slightly chuffed. But did notice some hum and was mildly concerned. Since it was not in the case yet, I figured that would be contributing to the hum issue, but when I grabbed the board, the hum very nearly disappeared - looks like one of the RCA jacks is wonky. This I can deal with.
So this morning I mounted and and aligned my beloved (and very nuded) Denon 103. Ah, just a like meeting a long lost friend all over again - even now listening to a BAD copy of Bowie's Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and a great copy of REM , Green and am amazed - so nice, so right. Nice polite top end, bass as I want to hear it and that beloved mid range - and it sounds even better than I remember it. The Piccolo has brought it to a new level having come from an old Project Phono Box MM/MC phono amp and then via the failed Cinemag efforts.
So hopefully I will complete the chassis drilling/punching tomorrow for a good, tighten the screws down, test. This Piccolo is really something special - I am very impressed - thanks Jim yet again for a great kit that even a two-thumbed monster like me can build with some success! Maybe the Castinet kit is next ......
Chris
