[ClefChef]

I have completed my build of John Broskie's Aikido PH-1. The power supply was built on PS-1 kit also available on TubeCAD. I decided to use the "standard" 12ax7 12at7 configuration for various reasons, and I think I chose correctly - the sound quality is simply astounding. I am using Denon DL-110 high output MC cartridge into 47k load.

The sound is the closest to "live" feeling of it. The timbres, spacial information - it's all there, nothing added, nothing missing.

I used my own components to build the preamp and power supply. John supplies the kit with a garden variety of metal film resistors which are OK, but not great. His choice of capacitors, however, is spot on, in my opinion.

So the resistors are as follows - naked Z-foil for load resistor (lowest noise), Allen-Bradley carbon comps for grid stoppers, Kiwame for tube cathode, Mills MRA non-inductive for RC filtering, precision Z-foils for RIAA network, the rest is precision Dale.
Tubes are Mullard re-issues, and they are excellent.

Power supply was configured to supply 335V for B+ and 12.6V DC for the heaters.

[poseidonsvoice]

Awesome work bud! 

It's great to see somebody who is into DIY as well and you're local!!! We need to get together at some point!

Fanatical attention to detail my friend.

Kind regards,

Anand.

[ClefChef]

What part of Charlotte are you at, Anand?

[neobop]

That baby looks sweet as sugar.  The supply with the 2 torridals is for the phono stage? 

What are the other tube options,  6DJ8 ?

Clean looking system you've got there.  Fostex open baffle spks?

Tube CAD Journal:
http://www.tubecad.com/

I have cousins in Charlotte.  I've never been there, but I hear it's a nice place.
neo

[ClefChef]

That baby looks sweet as sugar.  The supply with the 2 torridals is for the phono stage? 

What are the other tube options,  6DJ8 ?

Clean looking system you've got there.  Fostex open baffle spks?

Tube CAD Journal:
http://www.tubecad.com/

I have cousins in Charlotte.  I've never been there, but I hear it's a nice place.
neo

That's correct, both torroids feed the phono stage, one for he heaters, one for B+. 6dj8 is an option, although with much lower gain.
Speakers are early Tekton design - hybrid open baffle, OB45.

[GentleBender]

Quite the looker. Most definitely a labour of love. 

[rif]

Those are beautiful cases - are they hifi 2000?  Did you do the metalwork on the PS chassis youself?

[JoshK]

Excellent job!  I've always wondered how they would sound.  I just don't have the patience for much DIY anymore.  I mean I have been doing a little with speakers but that is it these days.   Have you compared it to any other phonos?

[ClefChef]

Those are beautiful cases - are they hifi 2000?  Did you do the metalwork on the PS chassis youself?

Those are from eBay. All metalwork is mine - drill presses, hole punches and so on.

[jtwrace]

What part of Charlotte are you at, Anand?

Where are you at?

[DaveC113]

Nice!

Kiwame as cathode resistors adds a lot of warmth and smooths over a lot of detail though. Mills are far more neutral or Riken/AmTrans if you want a better carbon resistor.

[DaveC113]

Excellent job!  I've always wondered how they would sound.  I just don't have the patience for much DIY anymore.  I mean I have been doing a little with speakers but that is it these days.   Have you compared it to any other phonos?

The Aikido circuit is excellent for any kind of voltage gain as well as SET amp driver circuit... I've found nothing better although if you need a lot of gain mu follower is very good.

I used the Aikido tube buffer circuit in my latest preamp and it's also excellent if you don't need the gain. It has the typical 6SN7 sound but much cleaner than a typical 6SN7 circuit. I've heard SS circuits that are more "tubey" vs the Aikido.

[ClefChef]

Where are you at?

South Charlotte now, Ballantyne in a month.

[ClefChef]

Nice!

Kiwame as cathode resistors adds a lot of warmth and smooths over a lot of detail though. Mills are far more neutral or Riken/AmTrans if you want a better carbon resistor.

I tried other resistors there - Holco, Dale - anything metal film sounds too harsh, perhaps due to the nature of Aikido - the overwhelming exactness of high end detail. Kiwame does smooth it out a bit, but it does it in a way that makes it for a very pleasant presentation, without the loss of detail.

[jtwrace]

South Charlotte now, Ballantyne in a month.

Ah perfect.

[simoon]

That looks great!

I am just about to start an Aikido preamp kit, from http://www.tubenirvana.net/pas3-main.html, using an old Dyna Pass 3 chassis.



I am quite good with the electronics side of DIY, but not with chassis work, like you.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Absolutely awesome build.  Hope you receive a lot of enjoyment from the kit.

Cheers Rod

[abernardi]

Holy crap, those are beautiful!!   

Will you build one for me? 

[ClefChef]

Holy crap, those are beautiful!!   

Will you build one for me? 

Thanks!

I can build it, but it is a bit expensive:
$200 Aikido kit
$75 PS-1 kit
$150 8 tubes (new)
$100 decent resistors
$100 chassis
$20 aluminum feet
$45 power transformers
$40 RCA plugs
$20 power cable & connectors

Add drilling, punching, tapping, wires, tube sockets, tooling costs, etc...

[ClefChef]

Custom milled front panels.