Finished with my build :)

[atul.mehta6]

Finally I finished my S.E.X build.. It sounds good so far. I was planning to let it "burn in" over a few days and then try the stock kit and put in the C4S upgrade later. Does the C4S upgrade make a huge diff. to the sound (like Speedball does to the Crack)? I had one question around the stock kit. Is it OK. to try out diff headphones while the amp is running? Does it harm the amp to run with no output?

 

[mcandmar]

I would imagine so, but i have no idea as i never ran mine without the C4S installed.

There is no problem plugging or unplugging headphones while its running, work away.

 

[Karl5150]

The finish on the base compliments the paint on the Transformer bell and Plate Chokes. Nice work.
Karl

 

[Doc B]

Nice color on the iron.

 

[Natural Sound]

Does the C4S upgrade make a huge diff. to the sound (like Speedball does to the Crack)

In my opinion, not quite. Proportionate to the $50 vs $115 price difference I'd say. The C4S in the SEX is very substantial but night quite as "huge" as the Speedball. A very worthwhile and recommended upgrade none the less.

I recommend the path you are currently on. Get good and familiar with the sound of the stock S.E.X. amp first. A solid 75 to 100 hours should get you there. Then install the C4S, re-evaluate and report back to this forum with your findings.

BTW - I make one small tweak to my SEX C4S boards. The 499 ohm resistor is in the signal path. The supplied metal film resister is very good quality. However I use a Vishay / Dale RN55D4990FB14 in that position. I've done some testing and can tell a pleasurable audible difference albeit slight by using the alternative resistor. I can't tell you if YOU would notice a difference. It all depends on the rest of your audio chain and your ears. For a couple of dollars I find it's a nice little tweak. As they say YMMV.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay-Dale/RN55D4990FB14?qs=%2Fha2pyFadugp4AYbWju4DT2GOnmLjNiCBFRdeN%2Fkaml%2FuWIEz5IEpA%3D%3D

 

[atul.mehta6]

Hi All,

Quick question.. I am hearing a slight hiss on one of the (left) channel from my amp, even with no music playing. I switched the tubes around and I see the hiss goes around too. Now it is from the right channel. I guess a tube needs a replacement.. Am I correct?

Atul

 

[Paul Birkeland]

It's very unlikely that the tube needs to be replaced.  You may find that the hiss goes away completely if you leave the amp running for a week to let the tubes cook in.

 

[atul.mehta6]

I had put in sufficient burn in time for the amp.. But I will let it run for some more time.. Let's see..

Thanks!