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Return of the original Miniwatt SET ( APPJ )

Hm, came across this thread while doing APPJ research and it certainly takes me back a few years. I had the N3. Around 2010 I think. I just purchased the APPJ/Gemtune headphone amplifier version of the N3.

I don't see any mention of cap mods, which is surprising. I think the board is easy to access from underneath and is a simple circuit. Should be able to swap caps and take this amp up a couple notches.
 
The S1 4 tube is the original MW and I've had mine since 2009. The S1 won 6 moons realization award. The only mod we did back then was the diode mod and upgraded tubes.

The N3 EL84 3 tube version came a little latter. Had one of those for awhile but preferred the S1.
 
i got one of these and did the tube upgrade, but left channel dodges in and out- if i fiddle with the tube, it'll come back in but the tube won't stay in position. i took the lid off to see if there is a loose solder joint, but the socket appears solid. reversing tubes and the dodgy channel stays on the left....i feel like sending it to the electronics recycling center, but hey, it sounded great
 
I'm still listening to my miniwatt that I bought from Massdrop at least a year and a half ago. It has been bullet proof and wonderful in my little office. It's even better in the winter when I enjoy the heat rolling off of the tubes! Seriously great deal in audio.
 
I have one of these fellas going my way. While I read through this, it seemed that converting the power tubes to 6aq5 or 6v6 is almost mandatory. I tried finding these small form factor adapters but no dice since the original store is empty.

I therefore tried designing my own.
Feel free to use it here: https://easyeda.com/extsimb/tubeadapter

You'll need the pins and the sockets, which is only available in higher quantities, but thats better than not being able to source the adapter! :-)

I am aiming to use it to power Klipsch RP-600Ms... anyone have experience with these?
 
Welcome BB to AK,

I do favor the 6v6 conversions but they aren't mandatory for the enjoyment of this amp. If your speakers are at least 93 dbs you'll be able to reap the full benefits of the APPJ/MW. Nice diy effort but the converters should be available by searching 6p1 to 6v6 on eBay.
 
Thanks PG,

I seem to have fudged some search parameters for the converters then, because the only converters I am able to find is the other way round, 6p1 to 6v6. The original link from some pages back point to a store called tubemalls, which now seems to have no listings at all.
 
BingBong said:
Thanks PG,

I seem to have fudged some search parameters for the converters then, because the only converters I am able to find is the other way round, 6p1 to 6v6. The original link from some pages back point to a store called tubemalls, which now seems to have no listings at all.
Click to expand...

The original tube is the 6p1 so 6p1 to 6v6 is correct.
 
Got it mixed sorry, those available are for using 6p1 tubes in a 6v6 socket, where we would need the other way round.
 
Search this on ebay which converts the stock 6p1 to 6AQ5.

1PC 6AQ5(Top) TO 6P1(Bottom) Tube DIY Audio Vacuum Tube Adapter Socket Converter

The way these converters are listed is confusing.
 
Poultrygeist said:
Search this on ebay which converts the stock 6p1 to 6AQ5.

1PC 6AQ5(Top) TO 6P1(Bottom) Tube DIY Audio Vacuum Tube Adapter Socket Converter

The way these converters are listed is confusing.
Click to expand...

Had intended to use Tung So 6V6s for the power tubes, and when I made the first post they were already on their way. Think the ones available are not as nice as the low profile you managed to get.
Thank you for explaining it to me!
 
Just received my appj miniwatt from Amazon a couple weeks back. I bought it mostly due to this thread and all of the praise it was getting. I was more curious than anything. I’m sure glad I did! It sounds great and I haven’t even started tube rolling yet. I have it pushing a set of Pioneer Sp-Bs22 bookshelves. It sounds very good and they aren’t even sensitive speakers!
 

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robseyes said:
It sounds very good and they aren’t even sensitive speakers!
Click to expand...

That probably helps to keep the hum below the annoyance threshold. Mine hums too much with sensitive speakers, tried various tubes to no avail. It now sits on a bookshelf as a decoration, oh well. Glad you're happy with yours.
 
My 10 year APPJ/MW is as quiet as a church mouse. I had another amp that hummed due to RF. Relocating it on another shelf stopped the hum.
 
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