I have a (very) rudimentary understanding of the way tubes and SET amps operate. I can follow and understand most SET schematics and have calculated the (very) basics of monkey, other DC, and RC designs. I have even designed a couple, tho don’t know if the designs are sound. I have read up on safety and will do so again – probably a couple of times and then some!

I have a huge list of component suppliers. I have NO soldering skills nor tools, but I can gain these with some effort and practise and $. I can be methodical, pedantic, and altogether cautious, which is an advantage in that I will take my time and due care with any build, but…

Questions
Am I deluding myself in thinking that I can scratch-build my first project, maybe even one of my own designs or a modification of someone else’s? I have thought about kits, but none provide exactly what I am looking for, though at times I am not particularly clear on this either. Ever watch a dog chase its tail… for a year!

Other people have done a scratch build for their first project with seemly less knowledge; can I just take the plunge and ask for help where needed? Can I find help here? Maybe I am just looking for that extra shove to overcome first project inertia; is it time to stop conceptualising and start doing?

Kind regards
Raymond

I have a few layouts I can study and Morgan Jones gives some decent guidance; I also have a lot of info regarding hum reduction. I will probably build monoblocks in large cases, not so much for sonic reasons but for easier / more optimal of layout.

Thanx for the tip of laying down the AC first ; I will buy a used variac before powering up - they are not too expensive, considering the cost of an amp build.

I thought I had found someone to work with a few weeks ago - an old-timer with a lot of valve gear in his repair shop. I asked, but he suggested I just order a Chinese amp and be done...

Sincere thanx
Raymond

Soldering can be learned. Just do a search on ‘soldering tutorial’ in Google, there are dozens. All of them are good.

Trying to figure out what you want can put you into analysis paralysis. Pick something; get the parts, and do it. If you have a good digital camera, you can always take pictures where you are stuck and ask here or at www.diytube.com or a dozen other places. Most of the guys I’ve met online are friendly and helpful. More importantly, even if the amp is a failure, the most important and expensive parts are reusable in other designs. Most of us have a nice stash of parts lying around from other projects which will come in handy.

Soldering irons: I REALLY like wireless. I have both a butane and rechargeable. Love them both, although I use the rechargeable more often lately.

Boutique parts: Whatever. Don’t bother yet. Just get started. Yes. Some of the really expensive parts are really worth it. But, until you understand the sound of a base level amp, you have no basis for comparison. There are some boutique parts I swear by, but my opinion of what sounds good can be worthless if we listen to different kinds of music or our hearing is different.

Getting started: you can get your feet wet cheap by building interconnects or speaker wire. There are lots of interesting recipes out there. You get a bang for the buck and practice soldiering.

Also, there are kits out there for various things. Cheap. Low voltage regulated power supplies, etc. Again, you get practice without screwing up anything expensive. And they come in useful. I actually use a standard, regulated powersupply board for by tube preamp valve heaters.

Also take Steve's advice seriously. He has, I believe, more experience then me.

Welcome to the club. Once you have been seduced by the smell of melting solder, you'll never be the same. You have been warned.

Good advice for soldering practise – I will do this. I am thinking of the Hakko iron (936?) that was recommended here a while ago – although more pricey than some, it seems a very good product that should give a newbie a better chance at success.

As for analysis paralysis, I hear you. I have been more thinker than doer, though my completion of my first project will be a good step in managing this ailment!

I will take your advice re boutique parts on board. I do not necessarily believe more expen$ive is better, though will use tight tolerance parts where it matters, eg. Mills wirewounds at cathodes etc.

Thanx for the club welcome – I am warned

Thankyou
Raymond

Hakko makes a darn fine iron. I use the Micro Mark 50313 and like it a lot. But that's just me. People laugh at me when I tell them that, but I love the little bugger.

Do a search on 'VoltSecond' 'Things that make you say Ouch'. Good safety tips and a heck of a nice guy.

Which reminds me, there is a nice little K-12M kit (from, I believe S5 Electronics) which is a little push-pull stereo tube amp. Lots of soldering practice and you get a surprisingly good little amp for about $150 or so. That’s everything, board, parts, etc. This amp also makes a really good platform for testing boutique parts.

Safety tip: Electricity goes from high potential to low potential. Always. Don't get in the way.

Good luck, keep in touch, let us know how you are doing.