"Shortest Way" SW51 Amp Impressions (Simple SET Amp)

He'll be fine as long as Putin doesn't drop by to shake his hand

https://www.newsweek.com/russian-do...-last-week-tests-positive-coronavirus-1495329

 

This is not going to happen. Our chief, in times of danger, has a habit of disappearing into his bunker for two or three weeks.

I'm all right for now. I make amplifiers from pre-created stocks of components.

 

@Zampotech some international post offices are limiting packages to be sent to certain countries due to Covid. Is Russia Post doing that yet?

 

A month ago, shipments to Southeast Asia were closed. To be more precise, there was no official closure, there was a recommendation to refrain from sending due to the irregularity of air flights.
Now the usual post offices are closed, but the courier services are working as usual. But with a break for disinfection of premises. I can't get to an international parcel pick-up point right now, but I can invite an EMS courier. This is not very convenient, but it is a real possibility to send.
I don't send amps or issue invoices for any other reason. Now I have 18 amplifiers without output transformers. The manufacturer of transformers as all enterprises was closed. Yesterday they managed to send me transformers. The transformers are still on the road, I expect them in two or four days. After that, I will resume sending and receiving new orders.

This is the current situation.

 

GROSSSSSSSSSSS. The situation that is.

 

I am happy to inform you that the case has moved forward

The first batch of transformer coils arrived yesterday. This is about half of the ordered transformers



Today these coils have been processed and received cores



I'm starting the normal build procedure. First, I will test the transformers, then install the transformers in the amplifiers, then test the amplifiers and the mandatory run.

All paid amplifiers will be ready for shipment in the near future. I also start sending invoices and receiving new requests.

I understand that the current lifestyle of some users may not be ideal, so please let me know if you receive an invoice and are not ready to purchase.

 

Very good stuff @Zampotech. I like when you take pictures when you can on the future orders. I dunno why, this stuff is so interesting to me.

 

If anything, I'm just glad you still seem to be making amplifiers because I have no friggin clue if and when I'll be picking one up now, haha. The world's just such a weird place now, blergh.

All the best, man.

 

Welp since my ZDT just broke and I don't re-buy the snake that bit me looks like I'm hopping on this bandwagon Impressions to come in the 10-18 days that it hopefully takes to get here.

 

I'm thinking about making an "upgrade" power cord for the SW51, since I have some Techflex sleeving sitting around. Does anyone know if the ground pin is actually grounded, or is it just floating? I guess I could use a DMM and see if it's shorted to the chassis (assuming that's what everything is grounded to ...?).

 

The middle pin of the power connector is connected to the chassis.

 

This was kind of a mental exercise while at work and not able to access the amp (was wfh for 2 weeks, but minimal new cases so we all got called back into the office ). I would say pulling out a DMM and checking if the ground pin was shorted to the chassis would be easier than opening the chassis . In any case, now I know a proper 3-pole power cord will be required. The reason I asked is the Chinese LPS I bought for MCTH had a floating ground. My gut feeling was that Zamp would ground it properly, but figured I'd ask anyway.

 

The situation with amplifiers today:

All 220 volt amplifiers (Australia, India, Sweden, Germany, Indonesia) are fully manufactured, tested and packaged.
A courier has been called to send it to Australia, Sweden and Germany. The courier service is overloaded, so I'm in the queue.

Question to users from Indonesia and India. What are your options for receiving a parcel? If possible, a courier will be called for your amplifiers.

The 115-volt version of the amplifier is also available, but the 10-hour run has not yet been completed for all of them.

 

I will share a photo essay about solving a problem.
This will not be interesting for people working with metal, but it may be interesting for other users.

In the manufacture of transformers, these brackets are used for mounting.



The transformer manufacturer informed me that it had run out of these parts and the nearest delivery from Germany would not be until June. These parts are European standard and Russian companies do not produce them.

A way out of this situation was found.

I ordered laser cutting of metal and got these blanks.



The billet was cut



It was treated with orthophosphoric acid to impart anticorrosive properties (the gas bubbles are very smelly)



They turned out to be very decent staples. They are not as beautiful as from the factory, but they are just as strong.



Result of work. All transformers are mounted on amplifiers.

 

India is under Complete lockdown till this weekend. We will get to know on 03rd about future course of action by Indian Govt on opening up the country and allowing international flights

 

You're so dedicated to your craft, risking your health to provide us with high quality, high value audio products.

 

I can't wait, that's all. Good stuff.

 

I think I'm interested to order one. Is it possible to customize an order?

I'll send a PM!

 

The courier got to me today. I knew they were overloaded, but I didn't expect the magnitude of their overload. His Mercedes Sprinter van was half full of various packages, which he had collected in half a day's work. He said that elderly people are so scared of the epidemic that they send parcels to their neighbours from the next entrance of a house.
While I filled out the receipts for about an hour, he was happy to relax and drink tea.

I was able to ship the amps to Australia (all), Sweden (all), Germany (all), Canada (two), the USA (two) today. He no longer had any international receipts.


Now about the main topic of this post.

This batch of amplifiers uses rubber feet. They provide better vibration protection, but they have a drawback. Rubber can leave dark marks on plastic or on polished furniture. So I glued leather pads to each leg (they are light in the photo)
If you are installing an amplifier on furniture, please check these leather pads. Or use a computer mouse pad right away.
This will be doubly useful for vibration protection.