I've built 3 kits: sex, crack, and quickie. Then upgraded all with the oem upgrades. Honestly, I still have know idea what i'm doing. I can follow instructions and i get great results. But i read these forums and posts and wonder what the hell are these guys talking about. I barely know the difference between a transformer, and a capacitor and a resistor. When i built the SEX i'd tell people all you do is solder this stuff and, wire these things, and it somehow produces sound. I'm amazed each time i finish a project. Do i need some kind of college degree or electrical engineering background to understand. Is there some kind of home work i need to be doing? or should i just keep building and it'll all make sense eventually? thanks!
am i the only one that doesn't know what you guys are talking about?!
- Thread starter guf
- Start date
16 years ago I built my first tube preamp based on a one sheet schematic which I had just barely learned how to read. It was noisy and tubey and poorly assembled but it worked!
It also became the start of a fascinating, complex, and extremely rewarding hobby. It's up to you if you want to learn more.
It also became the start of a fascinating, complex, and extremely rewarding hobby. It's up to you if you want to learn more.
I can't count the hours Grainger has spent trying to teach me and I have built multiple kits and installed multiple upgrades. I still can't make heads or tails of a schematic, don't understand concepts such as why anything would ever go to ground and the circuit not completely cease functioning, etc... And yet I still try. So don't feel too badly, I don't.
azrockitman
New member
This is the funniest caption I have read on the forum and speaking for myself, I related immediately, even prior to reading your post. ;D
I've tried to grasp a deeper understanding but so far, that "ah-ha" moment escapes me. I'm on my third build right now and enjoying every minute of it. I'll enjoy it even more when I can add my Eros into the loop.
Like others have said, I don't fret the lack of true understanding.
Since there is obviously a bit of a "naughty" side to Bottlehead, I'll use this analogy: I don't understand 100% of the physiology that goes on underneath the sheets in the bedroom, but I sure never let that get in the way of the enjoyment. ;D
I've tried to grasp a deeper understanding but so far, that "ah-ha" moment escapes me. I'm on my third build right now and enjoying every minute of it. I'll enjoy it even more when I can add my Eros into the loop.
Like others have said, I don't fret the lack of true understanding.
Since there is obviously a bit of a "naughty" side to Bottlehead, I'll use this analogy: I don't understand 100% of the physiology that goes on underneath the sheets in the bedroom, but I sure never let that get in the way of the enjoyment. ;D
denti alligator
New member
Count me as another "stoopid" one. It's all Greek to me, but the amps sound great!
You know, there are probably a lot of us like this. Seriously, that why we're here. If I could completely scratch build I probably would. I buy Bottlehead gear because its not only great sounding and relatively inexpensive compared to what you would have to spend for gear that sounds as good, but we're here because there is simply no one who makes better manuals. No one. All you need to understand, as you basically state yourself, is how to solder. In the end, it's really about the music, right?
Hey Guf and guys,
Nobody's stupid here, but indeed some of do come from more technical backgrounds and/or have been interested enough to make the investment in time and effort to learn about circuits -- it is not a requirement at all.
My background happens to be in EE and computer science, but my dad was a mechanical engineer and he's the one who got me started this and on working with my hands and building all kinds of things. That only means I understand a bit more of what's under the hood, but when it comes to listening, we are all probably seeking a higher level of musical enjoyment (which also takes time and effort to develop) and bottlehead is truly unique in this respect -- something even people with zippo for background can and do successfully build these kits and go on to love the sound, maybe even a bit more because of the proud poppa symdrome one gets from building it yourself. They also happen to sound fantastic and in the world of outrageously priced audio gear, they more than hold their own against things an order of magnitude greater in price. I can and still do scratch build, but my reference system is exclusively Bottlehead for amplification. I've also had much more expensie gear and nothing sounds as good as what I have now.
So, if you're so inclined there are plenty of resources to learn electronics on the web, at local community colleges, etc. should you want to, but that won't make the music any better, and after that, it's totally your own call as to whether the increased knowledge makes you feel any better about the gear.
Good luck,
Jim
,
Nobody's stupid here, but indeed some of do come from more technical backgrounds and/or have been interested enough to make the investment in time and effort to learn about circuits -- it is not a requirement at all.
My background happens to be in EE and computer science, but my dad was a mechanical engineer and he's the one who got me started this and on working with my hands and building all kinds of things. That only means I understand a bit more of what's under the hood, but when it comes to listening, we are all probably seeking a higher level of musical enjoyment (which also takes time and effort to develop) and bottlehead is truly unique in this respect -- something even people with zippo for background can and do successfully build these kits and go on to love the sound, maybe even a bit more because of the proud poppa symdrome one gets from building it yourself. They also happen to sound fantastic and in the world of outrageously priced audio gear, they more than hold their own against things an order of magnitude greater in price. I can and still do scratch build, but my reference system is exclusively Bottlehead for amplification. I've also had much more expensie gear and nothing sounds as good as what I have now.
So, if you're so inclined there are plenty of resources to learn electronics on the web, at local community colleges, etc. should you want to, but that won't make the music any better, and after that, it's totally your own call as to whether the increased knowledge makes you feel any better about the gear.
Good luck,
Jim
,
Zimmer64
New member
Hi guf,
I totally feel the same way. I have three kits under my belt now and would really like to understand, how these circuits work. I just bought a book called Tubes and Circuits, which arrived yesterday in my mailbox. There is also lot's of stuff on the web. In the diyaudio forum, there is a thread for us newbies listing useful sources: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/38278-line-tube-learning-newbies.html
Best
Michael
I totally feel the same way. I have three kits under my belt now and would really like to understand, how these circuits work. I just bought a book called Tubes and Circuits, which arrived yesterday in my mailbox. There is also lot's of stuff on the web. In the diyaudio forum, there is a thread for us newbies listing useful sources: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/38278-line-tube-learning-newbies.html
Best
Michael
rockdrummer
New member
I don't have a clue either. But with the itty bitty amount of information I can explain to friends and family makes me look like a brainiac compared to what they were expecting me to know!
I read and read and read and read. However, I remember some, forget the rest, and actually understand very little. However, still very interesting and I enjoy every minute of it!
ben
I read and read and read and read. However, I remember some, forget the rest, and actually understand very little. However, still very interesting and I enjoy every minute of it!
ben
denti alligator
New member
I've decided I don't have the time to learn, and that's fine. I would like to, but I just don't have the time right now, and what time I've got I'd rather spend listening. Maybe in 30 years when I retire... I'm just glad I don't need to know to build these things!
Armaegis
Member
corndog71 said:
Fixed that for you
I know in theory DIY might sort of be cheaper once you're established and have all your tools etc, but I look around at my workshop with all the half finished stuff, all the extra parts that I'll never use but I bought them "just in case", all these supplies for ideas that have never even left ground zero but percolate in my head, etc.
4
4krow
Guest
We used to reload ammo for the idea of it being cheaper. Now we understand it to be far better than factory loads, and becomes 'dedicated' ammo for your rifle. In the end, it isn't about money, it's about shootin' straight.
4
4krow
Guest
who are you, and how do you know my language?
InfernoSTi
New member
If you want to really learn this stuff, try to build a tube buffer from scratch. I guarantee you will learn a ton just finding the parts list, figuring out how to connect the wires like the schematic shows, and will be amazed once it passes audio signal that is tube buffered! That is what I did after about 5 or 6 kits and it really taught me a ton. And it took me months. I think I spent a month figuring out a power supply (transformer, bridge rectifier, CRC) for both B+ and heaters. But it builds a lot of confidence (perhaps too much as I really don't know anything REALLY, just mostly what the parts are).
And there are two books that if you really like to read that I thought were head and shoulders over the other ones I've seen: "Valve Amplifiers" and "Building Valve Amplifiers" by Morgan Jones. I read both, then built the tube buffer, then reread both. I think once I finish my Paramount project (yeah, I know), I'll try to build an amplifier from scratch.
Interestingly, I have a lot of respect for the top plates with the perfectly placed holes. This was the hardest part to get right without a shop. I ended up buying some simple metal punches and using a hand drill...but that square hole never really was square!
In the end, it has to be fun to learn what you can rather than trying to become an expert. I worked pretty hard for a year and only got as far as feeling comfortable with all the parts on the parts list!
Best,
John
And there are two books that if you really like to read that I thought were head and shoulders over the other ones I've seen: "Valve Amplifiers" and "Building Valve Amplifiers" by Morgan Jones. I read both, then built the tube buffer, then reread both. I think once I finish my Paramount project (yeah, I know), I'll try to build an amplifier from scratch.
Interestingly, I have a lot of respect for the top plates with the perfectly placed holes. This was the hardest part to get right without a shop. I ended up buying some simple metal punches and using a hand drill...but that square hole never really was square!
In the end, it has to be fun to learn what you can rather than trying to become an expert. I worked pretty hard for a year and only got as far as feeling comfortable with all the parts on the parts list!
Best,
John
