Hello!
> The thing about wiring this kit is that you want to get it right the first >time... rewiring would be a real hassle, as far as I can see.
Re-wiring is not something anyone is likely to do - although the vast majority of conections are from the tx102 itself to the switch - and that wiring is fixed as it comes attached to the TX102 at one end!
>Thus, having experimented quite a bit with using different natural >materials for insulation, I definitely *would* prefer seeing a solid core >silver wire/cotton tubing option for the kit, like Brian offers.
I have tended back to copper for copper tx102 based pre-amps - keeping the number of metals in the path down to a minimum. The silver with cotton I think would work out fine too. Copper with cotton might be fun to try - although the Chimera wire with the minimal dialectric has worked out very well.
>The ultimate so far, in my experience, are interconnects made of solid >core 24/25 AWG 24K gold conductors with silk tubing and then cotton >tubing, the plugs having no plastic but instead ceramics for insulation. >(I'll> just make a pause here, until you're done laughing... >[icon_smile.gif] )
Nothing we do in this hobby can be considdered practical really but I think this would be a bit much inside the pre-amp - and especially where the leadout wires from the tx102 are concerned! Bet it works great as an interconnect though.
>Non-magnetic materials in the chassis and elsewhere (even the clamps >for the TX102?), are definitely preferrable. The ultimate within reasonable
> limits would be copper, I think, although again the cost would be high. >And there's the question of mechanical strength.
Copper is great for chassis but cost prohibitive for a kit offering. The case I make is non magnetic stainless with acrylic sides and front. The clamps are copper straps.
>I'm about to order parts for a TX102-based volume control, but having a >real headache about wanting half the parts from Diy Hifi Supply and the >rest from Bent (including copper TX102s). I definitely prefer the looks of >the Django over the generic case you use at Bent,
I like Brians kit as well but the case we make here is not generic at all! It is made totally custom from scratch. The case body is actually tapered from front to back to allow a small profile on front and yet have enough space inside for the tx102's and nice space at the back panel for connectors. It was a pain to get made! Still the looks may not suit everyone. I try and offer something different than what else is out there so I went for a high tech look with stainless, acrylic, blue leds, etc rather than the wood front panel Brian has.
> but in the end, it seems I'll have someone make me a copper chassis, >which will be fitted with wooden parts for vibration damping.
This'll work out great - please send pics or post when it is done!
Many Thansk!
John Chapman
www.bentaudio.com