barf_perro
New Member
This was my first time going and it was great. Met some great people, offloaded a receiver to a good home, and made out with a ton of records for a great price. Planning to come back in April! Thanks everyone. - Arthur
Time for the awesome Fall 2026 Frankenfest in West Boylston MA! October 17th 2026
- Thread starter w1jim
- Start date
Well THAT was sure fun! I only sold one cartridge, but I kind of expected that. What was really great was all the terrific conversations I had with the other attendees who took the time to look at what I'd brought and asked great questions about it.
I appreciated being invited by @Nyjblbob to setup the Luxman PD-121U turntable w/ Hana ML cartridge, and the Luxman EQ-500 7-tube phono amp. It (Dire Straits "Money For Nothing") sounded pretty good on those massive Tannoy speakers.
I appreciated being invited by @Nyjblbob to setup the Luxman PD-121U turntable w/ Hana ML cartridge, and the Luxman EQ-500 7-tube phono amp. It (Dire Straits "Money For Nothing") sounded pretty good on those massive Tannoy speakers.
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GD70
Lunatic Member
As always, thanks Jim for organizing another Frankenfest! Another terrific event in the books!
It was great seeing everyone again.
I have to say, the level of gear was outstanding today! Great sounding, and creative examples.
Ed, thanks for helping me with trying your amp to figure out what gremlins followed me from NY!
Connor, thanks for taking a look at my amp. I’ll reflow those solder joints you spotted, hopefully that’s all it was.
Looking forward to seeing more pics posted, and some video from the young lady (sorry, I missed your name) that was videoing the activities.
Hope to see you all in the spring!
Cheers!
It was great seeing everyone again.
I have to say, the level of gear was outstanding today! Great sounding, and creative examples.
Ed, thanks for helping me with trying your amp to figure out what gremlins followed me from NY!
Connor, thanks for taking a look at my amp. I’ll reflow those solder joints you spotted, hopefully that’s all it was.
Looking forward to seeing more pics posted, and some video from the young lady (sorry, I missed your name) that was videoing the activities.
Hope to see you all in the spring!
Cheers!
Nyjblbob
Hooked on Horn's and Tubes. Go big or go home
Hey Ken,
I was wondering where you went after hookup of your turntable.
I went down to grab a hot pizza and some other goodies down in the Kitchen,
And when I got back you and your awesome turntable and Phono preamp
Were gone? Were they Accu-phase?
I was sad to see that you left.
Maybe you didn’t understand the way me and my fellow guys,
6-8 systems ,
With even multiple components
Take turns!
So that everyone can play a song or 2 and move on.
We all had several times times around every song was his choice
YOUR TABLE RIG
Corrected many of the problems with my Streaming setup
There was no doubt a vast improvement with your table and preamp
When played with my Custom made Transformer coupled 300b SET amp .
8-10 watts.
And the Akitika SS preamp..
I finally got my system working with my cheap Audioengine Dac streaming Spotify premium.
Controlled by my Ipad. My speakers were the Tannoy V15’s Rated at 99 db efficiency!
A 15”Co-axial speaker but in small 3cu ft pa roadworthy cabinets pro touring quality!.
Keep in mind that they are always run with beefy high powered Subs!
I didn’t bring any
I was just demonstrating how a good 300b amp can have not only great mids but decent bass and highs as well.
I finally got a pair of chairs and separated the speakers better,
as all the good locations in the room were already taken.
I was the only tube system with horns! there!
Yea Tannoy coaxials have Horns.
I wish I had a better set up with my speakers setup much wider
And that table Rig together would have given me a better shot at competing with the
Other high powered systems many ,with powered Subs.
All the systems were very good and very different
Glen even brought the Maggie’s with subs! Quite good once sitting in the seats in front
Congrats for getting it going with the other amp.
Shame you couldn’t get the High End JVC amp sorted out.
They are Quite good I have one also!
Any way a great time, was had , great PEOPLE, eats ,great music ,
some real Bargains downstairs.
And the best turnout I’ve ever seen.
I look forward to the next one
I might be forced to bring some JBL’s and blow that room away
Bobhorn
I was wondering where you went after hookup of your turntable.
I went down to grab a hot pizza and some other goodies down in the Kitchen,
And when I got back you and your awesome turntable and Phono preamp
Were gone? Were they Accu-phase?
I was sad to see that you left.
Maybe you didn’t understand the way me and my fellow guys,
6-8 systems ,
With even multiple components
Take turns!
So that everyone can play a song or 2 and move on.
We all had several times times around every song was his choice
YOUR TABLE RIG
Corrected many of the problems with my Streaming setup
There was no doubt a vast improvement with your table and preamp
When played with my Custom made Transformer coupled 300b SET amp .
8-10 watts.
And the Akitika SS preamp..
I finally got my system working with my cheap Audioengine Dac streaming Spotify premium.
Controlled by my Ipad. My speakers were the Tannoy V15’s Rated at 99 db efficiency!
A 15”Co-axial speaker but in small 3cu ft pa roadworthy cabinets pro touring quality!.
Keep in mind that they are always run with beefy high powered Subs!
I didn’t bring any
I was just demonstrating how a good 300b amp can have not only great mids but decent bass and highs as well.
I finally got a pair of chairs and separated the speakers better,
as all the good locations in the room were already taken.
I was the only tube system with horns! there!
Yea Tannoy coaxials have Horns.
I wish I had a better set up with my speakers setup much wider
And that table Rig together would have given me a better shot at competing with the
Other high powered systems many ,with powered Subs.
All the systems were very good and very different
Glen even brought the Maggie’s with subs! Quite good once sitting in the seats in front
Congrats for getting it going with the other amp.
Shame you couldn’t get the High End JVC amp sorted out.
They are Quite good I have one also!
Any way a great time, was had , great PEOPLE, eats ,great music ,
some real Bargains downstairs.
And the best turnout I’ve ever seen.
I look forward to the next one
I might be forced to bring some JBL’s and blow that room away
Bobhorn
The turnout today was fantastic… It was nice to see the usual familiar faces and also meet a ton of new people, too.
The systems today sounded great as well, with tons of variety. I especially liked Mattie’s custom omni-directional speakers and Krell KSA-50 clone. The church hall always seems to give most systems a magic touch acoustically.
Thanks as always to Jim and everyone for helping set up (and break down!) these events. As Jim mentioned, we have lots of momentum going on with FrankenFest, and I’m hopeful that they continue long into the future. Can’t wait for April!
The systems today sounded great as well, with tons of variety. I especially liked Mattie’s custom omni-directional speakers and Krell KSA-50 clone. The church hall always seems to give most systems a magic touch acoustically.
Thanks as always to Jim and everyone for helping set up (and break down!) these events. As Jim mentioned, we have lots of momentum going on with FrankenFest, and I’m hopeful that they continue long into the future. Can’t wait for April!
Glenn,
Thanks for making the drive. Support like yours is one reason FF is so speacial.
Jim
Connor,
It was great seeing you and the other "younger" generation bring such terrific and innovative gear to the events.
Many of us are grey (or no) haired audio dinosaurs that enjoy your energy.
Hi Bob,
Apologies that I had to clear out rather quickly. I was certainly happy to have been given the opportunity to demo the LUXMAN PD-121U turntable and EQ-500 phono amp that I am (still) selling, without having to bring the only power amp and speakers I have remaining.
My exit was orderly if rapid because I even though I live in nearby Spencer MA, I had to run home and ditch the stuff I had so I could load up the better turntable I had @ home. I had a buyer from Brooklyn meeting me in New London CT, and for the $5k he was paying I knew I wasn't going to see that from the event. As is said in FB Groups, 'it's not an airport so I didn't need to announce my departure.'
Who knows what the future and the spring FrankenFest might bring? April-May next year is when we'll be actively selling our current home to get something smaller, and my current speakers and amp (separates) could be in boxes. If they are, perhaps I'll drag them to the AK FF and demo something you might rarely see outside of a high-end dealer's showroom.
It's all good, and I do truly appreciate the group! My greatest pleasure lies in seeing the young people with a profound interest in it. For that, I will always like to share and see them shine!
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GD70
Lunatic Member
Yeah, sounded GREAT!Well THAT was sure fun! I only sold one cartridge, but I kind of expected that. What was really great was all the terrific conversations I had with the other attendees who took the time to look at what I'd brought and asked great questions about it.
I appreciated being invited by @Nyjblbob to setup the Luxman PD-121U turntable w/ Hana ML cartridge, and the Luxman EQ-500 7-tube phono amp. It (Dire Straits "Money For Nothing") sounded pretty good on those massive Tannoy speakers.
Nyjblbob
Hooked on Horn's and Tubes. Go big or go home
A Heads up to Neil.
He builds some awesome Mini-towers,
that excel way above their price-point!
How he can get deep bass out of those small woofers,
Is amazing.
We had a very informative conversion about
cross-over components.
He has a wealth of knowledge that only
very experienced speaker builders know.
This from many many hours of testing countless different combinations!
bobhorn
He builds some awesome Mini-towers,
that excel way above their price-point!
How he can get deep bass out of those small woofers,
Is amazing.
We had a very informative conversion about
cross-over components.
He has a wealth of knowledge that only
very experienced speaker builders know.
This from many many hours of testing countless different combinations!
bobhorn
dwwjr56
Member
In the first picture above of the hand built speakers in mdf, were they built from a kit, well I should say a plan that’s available somewhere? I really didn’t get to talk to the owner much, and not sure who the owner is by name. I think I might want to try something like that. Hopefully there are plans somewhere for them. Please let me know. I have also been in touch with Neil regarding his plans as well. If the person who built these could contact me or someone that knows the person, please let them know I’m interested. Thank you!
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GD70
Lunatic Member
GD70
Lunatic Member
Hi Mattie,
Tell us more about the Krell clone build. Did you document the build?
Very impressive sounding system you demoed.
Glenn
dwwjr56
Member
Thank you Gd70. Also glad you got your onyko fixed! Wish we could have heard it. Maybe in April?
GD70
Lunatic Member
Yeah, thanks. It was frustrating, was fine at home before.
April will most likely be a different system. Planning ahead, probably my JVC AX-Z1010 Super Digifine integrated, and Vienna Acoustics Mozart’s.
mattie_ma
New Member
Thank you Glenn! I had a lot of fun and spent many rewarding hours last winter researching, planning, building, testing, breaking, fixing, testing, breaking, fixing... that amp. I feel very proud that it worked smoothly and sounded as good as it did for as long as it did last Saturday! I haven't documented the build yet, but hey, I suppose I could that now, right?
Circuit boards:
KSA-50 clone PCBs from Jims Audio (jimsaudio.com)
Soft-start modules from Antek
Speaker protection modules (UPC1237) from Epicurus DIY Audio
Components:
Heat sink from Aavid Thermal Technologies
Filter caps: 47000 uF (each), Kemet
Transformers: Hammond Manufacturing 625VA (each)
Output devices: Onsemi MJ15003G/MJ15004G (matched for hFE)
Cooling fan: Be Quiet Pure Wings (powered by 12VDC SMPS module; no PWM). True to its name it is very quiet!
Custom parts:
Bent aluminum enclosure fabricated by SendCutSend
Milled aluminum faceplate and handles fabricated by PCBWay
I found that thermal management, consistent with the well earned reputation of these Class-A amps, was very challenging. Krell mounted the heat sink flush with the bottom of the enclosure to make sure all the air passed through it was vented directly out, versus re-circulating through the enclosure. Since my heat sink was stilted on 40 mm risers, my solution was to commission a 3D printed duct (made of suitably heat-tolerant polymer) to span the gap and carry hot air out the bottom. Mains power are on a thermal fuse for added safety.
Key resources:
Krell KSA-50
Following on from my birthday thread I've decided to give the Krell KSA-50 a go. I've always fancied a Krell, so here we go. There is a huge thread on DIY audio around an in house PCB and later in the thread the PCBs from Ebay. I'm working my way through the thread, it is over 15 year old...
pinkfishmedia.net
Krell KSA50 PCB
Hi, I have schematic of Krell KSA 50 - it is great amplifier, but I need pcb for it. Maybe someone can project this. I'll send circuit on email. braa@poczta.onet.pl
