Bottleneck Push-Pull Salvage Amplifier Competition

[RayP]

At our recent Mid Atlantic Bottleneck meet we decided to hold our next competition at our meet on October 18. It will be for a push-pull amp to drive a pair of high efficiency speakers. To lower the cost, we have specified that you you use or reuse items from your stash. Details at

http://bottlenecksaudio.blogspot.com/2014/04/push-pull-salvage-amplifier-competion.html

As the rules state, we only allow entries that are carried in through the front door by the builder. However, there is nothing to stop you from planning what you would build if you lived in the DC area.

In past competitions we have specified that the container should come from Ikea (6V6 competitiion) and Target (line stage). This time, in line with the salvage principle, we ask that the amp be housed in or incorporate some piece of old audio or electrical gear such as an old receiver.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your soldering irons.

ray

 

[debk]

Can they be monoblocks or must it all be on the same chassis

Debra

 

[JamieMcC]

Interesting I don't suppose there is a page which has a some pics posted of previous competition entries? I would love to see some of the ideas you guys have come up with in past competitions. The idea sounds intriguing even though I havn't a clue what a push pull amp is...

Edit just found them on the blog page 

 

[debk]

It is a lot of fun.  I did their line stage conestest and had a blast.  Though it is a 7 hour drive for me, I am seriously thinking about building somehting for this contest.
A good way to use some of the parts I have accumulated over the years 

Debra

 

[Paul Joppa]

I happened to be on the East Coast at the right time, and attended the same meeting that Deb did. Had a great time, lots of excellent sound, and the creativity expressed in the various products was simply glorious! Both electronic and visual design elements were impressive.

 

[dbishopbliss]

The more the merrier.

Paul, will you be coming to Richmond this summer?  I'm sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy meeting you again.

 

[RayP]

Monoblocks would be fine.

ray

 

[Paul Joppa]

The more the merrier.

Paul, will you be coming to Richmond this summer?  I'm sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy meeting you again.

I expect to be in Richmond June 15-21 and could add a day or two on either end, i.e. Saturday 14th or Sunday 22nd. But the competition is a long time later!

 

[debk]

As much as I want to build something and enter the competition, I can't make it that date.  It is the same date as the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.
I have spent a bit of time looking  at diffrent ideas, I think I will build something anyways and see how it sounds.
Just what I need another amp 

Debra

 

[RayP]

That's a pity your can't come. Closer to the time of the competition, perhaps you could let us know what you finished up building.

I've started to build my entry. It's a challenge to work out how to get it all to fit into the shell of an old receiver and at the same time flexible enough to effectively bread-board the circuitry. It's already much heavier than the original receiver.

ray

 

[RayP]

Just a reminder that there are two months before the competition on October 18.

I'm actually working on two amplifiers in the hope that one of them actually works. I should have one cpmpleted by the end of August.

ray

 

[debk]

I have all the parts and just have to put it together.  Maybe I will have time near the end of the  month, first I need to finsh the rocket project I am flying next month in the Blackrock desert.

Again I wish I could make it to the competition, but I will let you know what I came up with

Deb

 

[RayP]

One month to go.

I'm hoping to start powering up an amp in the next day or so.

ray

 

[dbishopbliss]

Unfortunately, I don't think I will have an entry - I have the parts, but not the time.  I can bring a Dynaco ST70 or a Marshall 9004 (meant for guitar, but its a stereo amp) if there are not enough entries.

 

[RayP]

Is anybody other than myself actually building anything?

I'm hoping to fire up one of my amps tomorrow.

ray

 

[roscoe primrose]

Is anybody other than myself actually building anything?

Yeah, I'm planning to bring at least one

I'm hoping to fire up one of my amps tomorrow.

ray

Guess you're planning on more than one entry as well....

Roscoe

 

[debk]

As I said before I can't make it unfortunately.  However I still am building an amp.  Should be done this weekend or next weekend.  I will send in documentation for the fun of it.  Wish I could attend, the last one I attended was a blast!

 

[RayP]

That's great that you are building a couple of amps, Roscoe.  Could you bring along the amp you showed at the last meet as well. It should provide a good benchmark for the others.

And Deb, it's a pity you can't make it. We will look forward to reading about your amp.

I've just applied DC to the filaments of the driver tube of one of my amps. It's an ugly beast and keeps growing like Topsy.

ray

 

[RayP]

Just a reminder that the meet is a week from today.

ray

 

[RayP]

For those of you who are planning to turn up on Saturday, could you respond to let us know how many attendees we will have. If you are bringing an entry, could you mention it. It's fine if you aren't bringing anything other than your charming personality.

I'm still struggling with my amps. As usual, I made them too complicated and one of them has been really tough to fit into its receiver box. Even if they don't work, I'll bring them along for you all to gaze at in rapt admiration.

Still, I've got two days.

ray