Status of GK-1 Builders

fred · « **on:** 13 Jan 2003, 09:01 pm »

I haven't seen many comments by people who have the kit and are in the process of building their GK-1. What going on out there?

aliseo · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jan 2003, 11:06 pm »

I have completed assembly since some days and now GK-1 is playing with Aksa 55w.
Astonishing is what I can only say...
Easy realization and following Hugh (and forum) suggestions everuthing works well without hum.
I have assembled PCB in a GALAXY HIFI 2000 container (steel and alluminium) http://www.audiokit.it/ITAENG/cabinet/hi-fi2000/Cat98-5.jpg
Code: GX388. Dimensions: height 80 mm, width 330 mm, deep 280 mm
PCB is vertical with tube horizontal inside (not visible outside).

Quote from: fred

I haven't seen many comments by people who have the kit and are in the process of building their GK-1. What going on out there?

EchiDna · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jan 2003, 11:17 pm »

it was my own fault, but hassling poor Hugh so much for my GK-1 kit meant that he sent it out before he had received the volume control pot, so my GK-1 is awaiting that final piece to really work... the 2$ stero pot in it now does not do it justice.

cmscott6 · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 02:58 am »

I'm trying to finish a homebrew aluminum and oak case now. My cats knocked the stuffed and soldered pcb off of the workbench and onto a concrete floor. Luckily, it seems that only one cap was damaged, so I'm waiting for a replacement. As usual, the instructions were well-written and easy to follow. Hopefully everything will test out fine with the new cap. I'm going to try the conventional mounting from the top plate with the tubes sticking out the top.

Pleb Plebian · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 06:52 am »

Umm - I've been too busy listening to take my proto GK off its sheet-steel plate (folded 'u' section: volume and power in the front, board on standoffs on the flat with the Tx's at one end, I/O RCA's and power IEC socket on the back), to bother moving it.

Mind you - ask those in the know: my bi-amped 55's are still sitting on the floor, upside-down on their heatsinks!! (Cases are 80% finished - but there's still more to do!)....

At the end of the day - its the sound that matters.

Of course, I have "my own" sound room - so the "discussions" re unpretty electronics spread over the floor don't necessarily apply

-Pleb

Larry · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 10:56 am »

In the same spirit of Pleb Plebian, ("At the end of the day - its the sound that matters.") I am posting some photos of my GK-1 and wish you

My creative plastic case It has stayed and will stay in this format for some time until I find a permanent home for her.

Component GK-1 The danger label is to scare my son and visitors away. My son's comments: he could draw the skull and bones better than me and I should ask him to help.

I have no hum etc, it's deadly quiet, so that I won't worry about the flying wires. But one thing to address later is the crosstalk between sources. If I turn the volume of CD to maximum without playing any CD, I could hear the radio which is the other source connected. At moment, the suspect is the toggle switch I am using (for time being.) (I would appreciate if someone could advice me whether a good selector, say DACT selector, suffers the crosstalk.)

AKSA · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 12:32 pm »

Hi Larry,

Great photos - wonderful work on the GK-1! Thanks for posting!

I suspect the crosstalk is because of the twisted pairs, particularly around the selector, and again from the wiper on the volume control, which is highly susceptible to crosstalk as it's very high impedance.

Try putting in 120 for R17 and R17'; that will reduce wiper intrusion.

Then, try putting tinfoil between the various inputs, and earthing them. This might set up sufficient Faraday shielding to prevent it.

I do like the 'Don't Touch' on the plastic transformer cases. But it should be said that your son carries your genetic stamp, and probably likes wires and high voltage. Warnings don't do much good then, I know from experience........

Cheers,

Hugh

Brad · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 12:35 pm »

Fred,

Have you gotten the GK-1 kit yet?
If/when you do, I'd like to check it out.

I'd still like to have you over sometime to hear the Hornshoppe Horns.

Cheers,

Brad

U4EA · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 08:46 pm »

I love it Larry! I had a computer that looked like that once.

EchiDna · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Jan 2003, 11:39 pm »

ok here is mine

still in the spirit of the above posts...

has anyone completly completed a GK-1???

and...

notice the use of a business shirt box (in part) to cover the transformers, the compulsory bit of gaffer tape and the recylced bit of plywood from a packing case it is sitting on

cheap ar5e Ic's not included...

Larry · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Jan 2003, 12:29 pm »

Quote from: AKSA

I suspect the crosstalk is because of the twisted pairs, particularly around the selector, and again from the wiper on the volume control, which is highly susceptible to crosstalk as it's very high impedance.

Try putting in 120 for R17 and R17'; that will reduce wiper intrusion.

Then, try putting tinfoil between the various inputs, and earthing them. This might set up sufficient Faraday shielding to prevent it.

I do like the 'Don't Touch' on the plastic transformer cases. But it should be said that your son carries your genetic stamp, and probably likes wires and high voltage. Warnings don't do much good then, I know from experience........

Thank you, Hugh, for taking your valuable time to help.

I will certainly look at your suggestions and believe that the problem will be solved having your advice. However, (thank you for your warning) I feel I should not leave GK-1 naked on the table any longer, with a kid running around the house. I must get a enclosure first.

I envy people who have the skills to come up with a beautiful case. I have no confidence on the craftsmanship of myself.

I offer an opportunity to cooperate on this project with an potential GK-1 owner who doesn't want to solder the PCB himself but likes to own a GK-1. How about that you design and make two cases, one for yourself and one for me. (I don't demand too much on the case design, just as good as the one Hugh posted under the "GK-1 Picture" thread

) And I build the GK-1 and test it up to the specification that Hugh says yes (you order the kit from Hugh).

This person is preferably in Sydney as I don't want to bother myself with packaging etc; I only do this once with one person as I only need one case. (unless Hugh would come up with GK-2 sometime later) If there is no one coming forward, I may just grab a 3U case from Jaycar.

fred · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Jan 2003, 12:49 pm »

Quote

Have you gotten the GK-1 kit yet?
If/when you do, I'd like to check it out.

Hi, Brad,
I'm 2 or 3 months away for getting a GK-1. I'm waiting on two things: stage 3 to be available, and paying off Christmas bills. I'll let you know when I get it. If you get one first, let me know.

Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jan 2003, 12:25 am »

hello larry,

why don't you try something similiar to what darren has done with his gk-1. i've pinched his idea and approached a laser cutting business and have organised for a new front plate and top for my aksa 100 amp.

it will cost me $110 and then i thought i might get it polished as well just to finish it off. i'll let you know how it turns out.

regards

rod

econ · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jan 2003, 07:42 am »

Larry , would you be interested in a solid timber case ? econ

Larry · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jan 2003, 09:39 pm »

Quote from: econ

Larry , would you be interested in a solid timber case ? econ

econ,

A metal case is desirable for a preamp. I am going to stack it with and place it close to other "noisy" stuff.

Larry · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jan 2003, 11:34 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

hello larry,

why don't you try something similiar to what darren has done with his gk-1. i've pinched his idea and approached a laser cutting business and have organised for a new front plate and top for my aksa 100 amp.

it will cost me $110 and then i thought i might get it polished as well just to finish it off. i'll let you know how it turns out.

regards

rod

Yes, rod. It sounds easy for you, but to me a bit difficult as I have no experience in organising such thing. Maybe, one day once I get started, I may not be able to stop changing all the front plate of my DIY gears.

At this stage, I am comfortable to sit in front of a table and solder a PCB beautifully.

BTW, as I have WBT silver solder readily with me, I will use it for the abovementioned GK-1 soldering throughout the PCB. I did for my GK-1.

Rocket · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Jan 2003, 12:57 am »

hello larry,

well your 50% of the way there and i think the hardest part is what you have completed. i'm thinking about completing a basic electronics course at tech this year as i think diy is the way to go.

hopefully someone living close to you may be able to help you with the chassis.

regards

rod

AKSA · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Jan 2003, 01:00 am »

Hi Larry,

Can you work well with timber?

If so, then build the case in wood, then have the metal cut and polished to size, and merely screw it onto the wood, making the box look like metal! It saves on joining the metal, looks very accurate and neat, and gives you the necessary shielding. It thinks it's a great idea.......

Cheers,

Hugh

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jan 2003, 03:56 am »

Hi Larry
I buy the rack cases from Altronics. I bought a 3RU for the GK-1.
It assembles in 5 minutes.
I live in Gymea (Sydney), if you want a hand.

email me on [email protected]

Cylon · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Jan 2003, 11:25 am »

Well, I shall also be buying the GK 1 in a couple of months, yup also have to pay off the xmas bills.....

As for the case getting done at a local sheetmetal shop may have to suffice.

I WAS going to get a guy in Melbourne to whip up a really cool copper relief faceplate. However he became awfully hard to get hold of and never got back to me with a price. It wasn't a difficult design so my suspicion is that although he sells his wall hangings at the St Kilda markets that he lies and does not actually make them himself, that he lacks the artistic and mechanical talent to do so. Luckily I didn't part with any cash so nothing other than time lost. Hence the still unfinished box at the bottom of the rack!!!!

Oh, and now the right speaker has developed a rattle... time for that project too methinks, Hiquphon for the tweeters, Accutron or Seas for the rest methinks. Series crossovers too. MDF construction with a 10mm panel of sandstone cladding each side (for looks as much as resonance nullification).