Karl5150
New member
The Reduction was my first kit and after adding oversized toggles for the second set of outputs to what was already a rushed build by a complete novice (me) I decided to do a transformer forward re-do.
Using the parts list, I i-sourced mostly Vishay-Dale 1% replacements, direct replacement of the electrolytic caps, and upgraded to Clarity ESA for the film caps.
I'm still a novice, but I trust my solder joints a little more now and put it back to work. The break-in was more pronounced than the original build but after about a month I was very happy with the sound. Even without the Integration re-installed the soundstage often extended beyond the speakers.
I still can't figure out how to get wire to lay like many of the drool worthy build photos that populate this forum, but it works...very well!
If you notice the numerous strands of wire sticking up in the under hood photo, I prepped it for the Integration during the build, just taping the ends for the break-in. That made installing the original boards a snap yesterday.
The extra 4 dBs is much needed for the SEX to drive my 94 dB OB Hybrids. I won't say it is harsher with the Integration, I believe more revealing. It also highlights the Fostex shout a little more. I find myself picking LPs that I know have less edge in the recording/mastering.
There never was a headphone jack on the SEX, I opted for a Crack, but the other photo shows 2 volume knobs. I added a mono Alps, disconnecting 1 channel from the previously upgraded stereo Alps pot.
I have always had room, speaker position, and hearing issues that caused me to fixate on the image not being well centered. Add to that any channel output mismatch and I became a basket case. It sometimes takes getting out of the chair an extra time now but then I can relax and enjoy without any of those tics and twitches I was developing.
I also built the Speedball boards this weekend so there is even more BH tweaking in store!
Using the parts list, I i-sourced mostly Vishay-Dale 1% replacements, direct replacement of the electrolytic caps, and upgraded to Clarity ESA for the film caps.
I'm still a novice, but I trust my solder joints a little more now and put it back to work. The break-in was more pronounced than the original build but after about a month I was very happy with the sound. Even without the Integration re-installed the soundstage often extended beyond the speakers.
I still can't figure out how to get wire to lay like many of the drool worthy build photos that populate this forum, but it works...very well!
If you notice the numerous strands of wire sticking up in the under hood photo, I prepped it for the Integration during the build, just taping the ends for the break-in. That made installing the original boards a snap yesterday.
The extra 4 dBs is much needed for the SEX to drive my 94 dB OB Hybrids. I won't say it is harsher with the Integration, I believe more revealing. It also highlights the Fostex shout a little more. I find myself picking LPs that I know have less edge in the recording/mastering.
There never was a headphone jack on the SEX, I opted for a Crack, but the other photo shows 2 volume knobs. I added a mono Alps, disconnecting 1 channel from the previously upgraded stereo Alps pot.
I have always had room, speaker position, and hearing issues that caused me to fixate on the image not being well centered. Add to that any channel output mismatch and I became a basket case. It sometimes takes getting out of the chair an extra time now but then I can relax and enjoy without any of those tics and twitches I was developing.
I also built the Speedball boards this weekend so there is even more BH tweaking in store!
