Now this kit amp is actually meant for another tube (6N1 and 6P14), but looking at its schematic, I have no interest in building it. I was more interested in using its irons for my Gina – SV83 SE amp.
Out of all the kit amps, I chose this as it has everything needed for Gina – 3x 9-pin sockets, 1 octal socket, power transformer of right voltage, output transformers of right impedance/size and even a choke too.
So retaining only the stainless steel chassis (which is obviously very strong) and all the parts that I want, I set about to work on it.
Note : There are some cost cutting efforts. The speaker binding posts are terrible. I managed to break a few when installing them. I know I’m strong but not this strong. The wooden side panel doesn’t have guiding holes so could be a pain to align with the chassis. The stainless steel chassis could give you some cuts if you are not careful… you have been warned…
Anyway, mounted heavy stuffs, wiring of filaments and Power transformer secondaries.
95% done. Slight deviation from my Gina circuit – the usage of a small capacitor to boost up B+ a wee bit, 1 choke instead of 2, electrolytic 100+100uF capacitor since I can’t fit in 2 big plastic caps here plus judicious usage of 0.01uF oil caps to compensate for this.
Finito!
There you have it! An all-Chinese production.
Horn speaker kit made in China, assembled in Malaysia by a Malaysian Chinese, finished by another Malaysian Chinese.
Tube amp kit made in China, assembled in Malaysia by a Malaysian Chinese with own circuit.
Actually, that’s not true. The full range driver Merrill DCA4 was designed by the late Dave Merrill from the USA but its rights now owned by yours truly here.
Sonic wise, what can I tell you?
REAL MAN PLAY HORNS
First the horns. Together with the Merrill DCA4, it’s like it’s made for each other! I have never heard the DCA4 sing so well! My apprehension when I first bought this horn kit is “how much bass can we coax out of the DCA4?” Don’t forget, we are talking about a 4 incher here…
Gabriel told me there is nothing to worry about. True enough, I have never heard a finer sound coming from the DCA4! This is so true, many a full range drivers had been described as having sonic flaws, but put in a proper horn and she will give you a hard on! [An indescribable pain hits me each time I see a full range driver installed in a bass reflex. Nurse! More morphine!]
If you close your eyes, you will think you are listening to a much larger pair of speakers. The horns truly liberate the drivers and make a mockery of its 4 inch size. And if you want more bass, you know it’s time to get a BIGGER horn.
Dimension of this horn. Horn length of 129cm.
Considering most horn speakers score low on WAF and most guys meekly settling for small bookshelves… well, what’s your excuse now?!
Now on to the amp.
2W is plenty here
The amp kits’ irons are really up to par. I have said before elsewhere on this site and I’ll say it here again. It’s so much easier to wind small output transformers, so all things being equal, small output transformers give tremendous value.
This kit is no exception. Sonics wise I really can’t find anything to fault. Yeah, yeah, Gina’s circuit is solid or you could say the irons here are really good, or you could say Gina’s circuit and yours truly’s ears are full of shit. Your choice.
Anyway, the amp kit plus other components I put in… cost less than a pair of decent output transformers out there. What does this say about off the roof bang-for-your-buck value?
So there you have it! A little intro to what could be found on the Wonderful Wacky World of taobao…
ermmm…. what do they SOUND like?!
hi andrew
did you check out page 2 of the article?
yeo
Hi Yeo, long time didn’t hear, and me visit this site.
I looked at taobao just now. There are two suppliers for these kind of cabinet, and yours one I also found. The other seller have a different shape of internal enclosure, but it is very2 cheap.
My question is, is the cheaper one workable too? Hehe…
hi fauzi
thanks for stopping by.
obviously i can’t tell you how well it’ll perform as i don’t have direct experience with it, except for the horns i wrote about in this article.
go try it. it doesn’t cost much anyway and you know very well you can’t get this done locally at this price.
do update me once you have tried so. can even feature an article with your project!
thx!
yeo
Yeo,
Did you bought the cabinet direct from Taobao or via agent?
I want to do up my Coral too..(bought them from you years ago, now fixed them on open baffle)..
hi fauzi
i remember it was through an agent. due to the weight, it was easier thru an agent.
the corals would excel in a horn. that’s for sure!
yeo
Yeo,
For the cabinet, is the price quoted for 1 unit or for a pair?
the one i bought, they quoted one pair, but best is to clarify with the seller.
Hello Yeo
Nice article. I also found a lot of nice items on Taobao. But until now I have not dared to buy some items from this very big market place. But after your positive feedback I might give it a try. I have some questions where you maybe can help me. What does it mean to buy via an agent? And where do I find the matching agent for the Taobao offer I want to buy? How much were the shipping costs for your order?
Kind Regards from Germany and Thanks in advance for your help
Phil
PS: Almost ten years ago I bought USB Monica from you. Time is running way to fast. Of course I still have the Monica 🙂
hi phil
i’m sorry i couldn’t recommend an agent. ask around as these agents specialise in different countries.
i don’t need an agent as i could read/write mandarin and could order directly.
freight charge is different country to country. for malaysia, it’s not too extreme as i believe there are lots of freight containers playing this china-malaysia route.
for germany, i have no idea. best is to ask around. or go through an agent.
glad you still like your usb monica!
thx!
yeo