Magnavox Flea Power: Getting More Out Of The 8600 Series - A Lot More!

Build #4 completed, this time doing a scratch build. Thanks again to dcgillespie and Wharfcreek for their help and input! Turned out better than I imagined, definitely going scratch built from now on (unless I come across another 8600!). I just need to tweak the voltages a little, pin 7 and 9 are about 5-7v high, but other than that it sounds simply incredible. Thanks again Dave for creating this amazing amp!

Dennis
 

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Dennis, your pic 222-4...... THAT's the 'money shot' right there!! Again, GREAT work!! You're an 'Art-Tiest!!'
Thanks Tom! I forgot to stop and get the resistors today, I was five miles from the local electronics store this afternoon and completely forgot. I guess I'll have to order them online!
 
Build #4 completed, this time doing a scratch build. Thanks again to dcgillespie and Wharfcreek for their help and input! Turned out better than I imagined, definitely going scratch built from now on (unless I come across another 8600!). I just need to tweak the voltages a little, pin 7 and 9 are about 5-7v high, but other than that it sounds simply incredible. Thanks again Dave for creating this amazing amp!

Dennis
Just curious - what OPTs did you use? Hammond?
 
That's cool
I thought mine came out pretty nice but it puts mine to shame.

I'm a little curious about the high wood sides.
What gives?

PS
Since RS closed, I don't think I ever get closer than 50 miles to a resistor source :)idea: unless you consider the artist formerly known as Tcomisky:D)
 
That's cool
I thought mine came out pretty nice but it puts mine to shame.

I'm a little curious about the high wood sides.
What gives?

PS
Since RS closed, I don't think I ever get closer than 50 miles to a resistor source :)idea: unless you consider the artist formerly known as Tcomisky:D)
Thanks! The wood sides are temporary, so I can flip it over. I'm not sure what I'm going to use yet. I've got some maple, cherry, white oak and mahogany scraps. I just can't get to my woodworking equipment in my garage! The last electronics store in the Puget Sound area that I know of is about 30 miles from my house.

Dennis
 
20190127_000927.jpg I finally had a chance to dial in the voltages yesterday. I ended up changing out the 5 watt 270 ohm resistor with a 5 watt 220 ohm, and adding a 10 watt 50 ohm resistor from the rectifier to the first capacitor. My voltages are now 263v B+, 254v at pin 7, 255v at pin 9, and 143v at pins 1 and 6 on the 12ax7. I used a 100 ohm pot and a 100 ohm resistor in the bias network, and set the bias to 4.9v. Time to build a proper base and figure out what to build next! Thanks again to dcgillespie, Wharfcreek and the rest of the AK community for their help and inspiration!

Dennis
 
Finally finished the base, I used walnut with an aluminum strip to match an ELAC turntable I recently picked up. Thanks to Dave, Wharfcreek and everyone else for their help and inspiration on these wonderful little units! On to the next build, this is addicting!

Regards,
Dennis
20190217_171058.jpg 20190217_171200.jpg 20190217_171227.jpg
 
Dennis,
Beautiful job. It's also neat to see someone close to home. I live in Kent and have been working tube amps for a number of years. Not much lately as I'm getting ready to move.
John
 
Dennis,
Beautiful job. It's also neat to see someone close to home. I live in Kent and have been working tube amps for a number of years. Not much lately as I'm getting ready to move.
John
Thanks John, are you staying local in your move? I've got another one of these to build for my brother's friend, then I'm going to finally get to a Pilot 232 I've had on my shelf for about 5 years.

Regards,
Dennis
 
Hi Dennis,
Sent a PM for the personal side of the conversation. On the amp side, do you know if Transcendar is still selling transformers? Nothing at auction and the website shows all the transformer data but can't find any contact info.
John
 
Ah. Too bad those are NLA. :(
I contacted Gery at Transcendar today, he is still building! He says sometimes he gets too busy with orders and basically has to put a halt to new orders. He says he can take orders at this time. Just email him with what model transformer you are interested in and he'll respond with a price. The 7 watt OT's I've been using are TT-234-OT w/o UL taps. $68/ea plus shipping. Send funds via Paypal. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to post commercial stuff, if it's okay to post his email address let me know and I'll post it.

Regards,
Dennis
 
I contacted Gery at Transcendar today, he is still building! He says sometimes he gets too busy with orders and basically has to put a halt to new orders. He says he can take orders at this time. Just email him with what model transformer you are interested in and he'll respond with a price. The 7 watt OT's I've been using are TT-234-OT w/o UL taps. $68/ea plus shipping. Send funds via Paypal. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to post commercial stuff, if it's okay to post his email address let me know and I'll post it.

Regards,
Dennis
How about you PM it to me?
 
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