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In the Forum: Melquiades Amplifier
In the Thread: Planning my DSET

Post Subject: Top Plate Draft #1Posted by anthony on: 7/23/2015

I got some time on the PC to start to think about how to layout the DSET. I plan to build it a little like a skyscraper: multiple levels separated by component groups and functions.

So mains transformers, AC socket and perhaps time delay relays on the ground floor wrestled into their own sarcophagus that will use some sort of low frequency suspension/vibration management in an effort to keep mechanical vibrations from reaching the rest of the chassis. Then the AC-DC conversion on the first floor, filter caps and output transformers on the third level with the amplifiers sitting proud on top. I don't want to see any caps or transformers...just valves.

By attacking it this way I think that I will be able to build each "floor" on the bench and the hook them into place with minimal in-situ soldering. Over the top will go a nice wood or metal facade that will leave the valves exposed but cover the workings.

So in an effort to see just what sort of footprint I can get away with (prefer small footprint and tall height) I took to SketchUp and produced the first draft layout for the amplifier plate that will be the very top level. As can be seen below I can get everything to fit in about a foot square...which is great...but I doubt that I will be able to get the iron below into such a small footprint without splitting it over more levels...but we will see. I have tasked well regarded local fellow to produce all the iron that I will need: mains transformers, filament transformers, chokes, inductors, output transformers. We will see what he comes up with but I have not made a final decision regarding this stuff and I certainly as yet do not have dimensions of the gear, so laying out the lower levels is not quite possible at this time.

Here are a couple of images...notice that I have tried to keep the 6C33C's about two to three inches from the smaller tubes and about two inches separated from their brethren.

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