[TV MAN]

What better way to hibernate on a snowy winter day than to spend the day in the radio room than to grab a tall cup of coffee, open the blind so I can watch it snow and break open a brand new kit! Oh, cant forget the really cool nostalgic music playing on a tube amp I built a few years ago! Ok, so I found a deal on this kit and pulled the trigger. It's not a Knight or Heath, but really isn't bad. It is the Douk kit using 6 tubes, basically a 6GH8a driver phase splitter and a pair of 6BQ5 outputs in push pull. They are really a 6P1 set, which is electrically similar to the 6BQ5/EL84 but suppose to be a kinda industrial version. The pinout is different so it's not a direct swap. Pinout on the 6F2 is identical to the 6GH8a, 6U8 and a couple others I think. My experience with the China tubes probably means a NOS set will find their way into the socket. But I'll give them a chance. Since this kit uses a PC board, rewiring the socket to use a 6BQ5 or 6V6 isn't easy, so for now, I'll run what is supplied with the kit. I think using the PC board will make things simpler. As in previous offerings, no instructions and need some mods, but so far hasn't been too bad. I'm taking notes as I always do, so if anyone wants to tackle one of these after I get finished, just fire me a PM and I'll send my notes. It's rated at 12w per channel, and can be had on the auction site for the neighborhood of $250, although I bought mine for less on sale.

Alright, here we go:

   
Break open the box
   
A pile of parts. Nice solid chassis!
   
Putting on the end panels. These are actually solid wood and nicely finished. Mark these carefully and drill pilot holes. They fit real nice.
   
Peeling off the protective layer. Take care not to scratch the stainless chassis while assembling. Slow and easy takes you all the way here!