ANK Mentor 2A/300B Construction Manual

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Mentor SET Power Amplifier

Construction Manual

2A/300B

Version 1.00-01 (Beta), October 2019

audionotekits@rogers.com

1-613-822-7188

Table of Contents

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Page 1 Mentor SET Power Amplifier Construction Manual 2A/300B Version 1.00-01 (Beta), October 2019 audionotekits@rogers.com 1-613-822-7188...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
……………………..………………………………………..….…… Bundling the Mains Wires …………………………....…………………………..…….…..…… Preparing the Mains Ground Wire ……........…………………….…………….…… 2.10 IEC PCB Wiring …………..............……………………………….…...…….…… 2.11 Connecting and Mounting the IEC Board …………....…………………………………...…….…… 2.12 Installing the Choke ……………………………………………………………………………………..…….…… Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 2...
Page 3 ………………………………………………………………………………...….…...………… Connecting the Mains Secondary Wires ……………………………………….…..….……………..…….…… The CHS Connection …………………………………………………….……….…………………..………………… 62 The Blue/White and LED NEGATIVE Connection …………………………………….……………………… The Remaining Connections ………………………………………………….……………….…….……….…… 63 Installing the Power Supply Board ……………………………………………….……………..…….…… Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 3...
Page 4 11.3 Initial Tests ............................11.4 First Power-Up ............................11.4.1 300 Filament Test ……………………………………………………………………………………..…….…… 11.5 Voltage Checks ............................97 11.6 Sound Check ............................11.7 Debugging ............................11.7.1 Mains Secondary Voltages ….…………………………………………………………………..…….…… Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 4...
Page 5 Tube Rolling ……………………..………………………….……………………………………………….…...………… 13.3.1 5U4G(B) ………..…………………..……….………………………..……………………...…………… 13.3.2 6SH7 ……………………..…………………..……….………………………..……………………...…………… 13.3.3 300B and 2A3 ……………………..………………………………………………………….…….…………… 13.4 Thanks ……………………..…………………………………………………..……………….…………….………………….… Appendix ……………………………………………..………………………………..….……….……….…… Wiring for 240V ………………………………………………………………………….………….…..…….…… 109 Resistor Color Code Reference ……………………………………………………….……………….…..…….…… 112 Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 5...
Page 6: Section 1 - Introduction
Section 1 Introduction Thanks for purchasing the ANK Audio Kits Mentor SET Power Amplifier. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality kit that you will build from scratch with these instructions. This is very high end and sophisticated piece of audio equipment that will surely become a showpiece of your sound system.
Page 7: About Ank Audio Kits
As a result, ANK Audio Kits began offering this service for some Level 4 and 5 products so that a significant investment in a kit could be turned into a work of art! Since ANK Audio Kits was born in 2004, over 2,500 kits have been shipped to customers worldwide. Clearly, there is a real demand for high end audio kits and ANK Audio Kits has been delivering the goods now for 15 years.
Page 8: Basic Operation Of The Amplifier
ANK Audio Kits and SET amplifiers go a long way back — right to the beginning in fact, with our Kit1 300B, which has had successive and very successful anniversary editions. Our single or parallel...
Page 9: Component Placement
It's an ideal 300B stereo power amplifier designed to mate with the Mentor pre-amplifier. It is modestly priced and, as such, an exceptional value. 1.2.2 Component Placement Mentor SET Power Amplifier Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 9...
Page 10: Pinout
Please pay special attention to this. FYI, here's the original Western Electric pinout Rotated left 90 degrees. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 10...
Page 11: Equipment
The solder should flow freely; if it’s forming balls then there is likely a problem with the tip, the temperature, or (sometimes) the surface. Feel free to contact us for help! For example, WBT-0800. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 11...
Page 12: Components
That way of looking at things sometimes now no longer applies. Please be assured that all resistors supplied with ANK Audio Kits are rated at least per the specified wattage: in some cases, a higher than specified wattage may be supplied.
Page 13: Diodes
This makes for easy soldering to a PCB, an RCA connector, or a transformer terminal. So it's a good idea to practice this a little before starting the kit. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 14: Wire Color
1.4.10 Optional Finishing Touches From time to time we get asked about some of the build details of the ANK Finished Products that you can see in the pictures in the "Assembled Kits Gallery!" (https://ankits.smugmug.com/) on our website.
Page 15: Organization Of This Manual
6. Output Transformers Installation 7. Power Supply Board Interwiring 8. Filament Supply Board Interwiring 9. Chassis-Mounted Output Section Installation 10. Additional Interwiring 11. Testing 12. Finishing Touches 13. Final Thoughts Appendix Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 15...
Page 16 Here's another way of looking at how the manual is organized and how the sections fit into the 'big picture': the manual sections generally mirror how the components are positioned in the amplifier. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 17: Electrical Safety Warning
There are sufficient voltages in this kit to give you a very nasty and harmful shock, so be very careful when powering on, debugging, and probing around. Please contact ANK Audio Kits via phone or email (audionotekits@rogers.com) to discuss any precautions necessary when building the kit if you feel unsure about what you are doing at any stage of the build.
Page 18: Section 2 - Mechanical Assembly And Initial Power Supply Wiring
 Hardware bag (made up of individual bags for each section of the kit)  IEC bag (containing the Rocker Switch, IEC, IEC PCB, prepared cables, fuses, etc.)  RCA jacks bag  Speaker posts bag Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 18...
Page 19: Installing The Feet
Install each foot in the hole in the chassis closest to the corner and secure it with an M4 nut on the inside of the chassis. Don't overtighten the screw; you could damage the foot. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 21: Installing The Iec Socket And Rocker Switch
Install the self-locking Rocker Switch by pressing it in from the back of the chassis; it will snap into position. The correct orientation of the IEC and Rocker Switch Here's a view of the rear of the chassis: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 21...
Page 22: Installing The Speaker Posts
To make it easier to solder a wire to a speaker post it's a good idea to orient the center tab facing up. Note the insulation against the chassis The view from inside the chassis: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 23: Installing The Rca Jacks
Tighten the jack ; it'll make soldering much easier. Make sure everything is snug and well tightened. We'll wire the jacks later. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 23...
Page 24: Installing The Chassis Ground Screw
Installing the Chassis Ground Screw Insert the M4 16mm Chassis Ground screw (from underneath) into the unpainted position near the corner of the chassis, as shown below: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 24...
Page 25: Installing The Mains Transformer
Now we're going to install the T-195 Mains transformer. We suggest that you read through this entire section to see what you'll be doing before you start. Let's have a look at the wiring of the Mains transformer: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 26 White, two Black, and the one Green wires go towards the back of the chassis. These wires are the Primary. Secure the Mains transformer to the chassis using the provided hardware in the "Mains" bag. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 27: Bundling The Mains Wires
In terms of the build, it has no significance. The Orange wires would be used in a 2A3 build. Don't cut much wire off, in case you decide to switch to a 2A3 amplifier at some point. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 28: Preparing The Mains Ground Wire
The lug will get hot so don’t touch it for awhile; let it cool! to bind to the lug. When you are done you should have a nice smooth solder joint. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 28...
Page 30: Iec Pcb Wiring
A common beginner mistake would be to push the wire all the way into the hole with the wire insulation pressing against the pad. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 31 Add the two jumpers as shown. (You can use some left over Black Primary wire or bare wire, as you prefer.) The wiring for 240V is given in the Appendix. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 31...
Page 32 Appendix shows the 240V wiring, so use the jumpers as shown above for 120V. Or Orange or whatever we've supplied. The color doesn't matter so long as you make the connections shown. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 33: Connecting And Mounting The Iec Board
Chassis Ground lug, as shown below. We'll add a third Ground wire later. Or whatever color we've supplied. Again, it's the connections that matter, not the color. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 34 IEC PCB to the back of the amplifier above the Mains transformer as shown in the picture above: use a 30 mm M3 screw, a short standoff, then the PCB, another short standoff, and finally the plastic insulating board and a nut. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 35: Installing The Choke
 4 M4 Keps K-Lock Nuts (these are M4 nuts with attached locking washers) Install the Choke as shown below: Congratulations on completing the mechanical assembly and initial Power Supply wiring! Now we'll move onto the Power Supply board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 35...
Page 39: Parts List
Take your time soldering on the underside of the board as it requires a fair bit of heat and solder to adhere the pins to the board. No rushing! Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 40: Installing The Resistors
(on a board from a different kit), we recommend using a narrow piece of cardboard cut to size as a 2–3mm spacer: this will still let you solder while ensuring that the resistor is not pressing against the board. The stencil may be partially obscured. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 40...
Page 41 . Note: If some part of this path has a assure yourself that both leads are properly soldered large capacitor in it, it may take a little time to register the value of the resistor you're expecting. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 41...
Page 42: Installing The Capacitors And Diode
Here again, as with the valve base, let's try it get it straight. See if you can find a book or something else to support the board so that the capacitor lies flat against it. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 43 Congratulations! You've now completed the Power Supply PCB. Place it aside for the moment. We'll install it later when we do the interwiring between it and other components. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 43...
Page 44: Section 4 - Filament Supply Board Installation
In this section we'll be populating the Filament Supply board. This board takes 7V AC voltages from the Mains Secondary and DC regulates them to 5V which will be used to supply the 300B filaments. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 46: Parts List
You'll see a notch on the Bridge Rectifiers (part number: KBU6J): match the notch with the '+' (POSITIVE) stencil on the board. Install the 2 KBU6J Bridge Rectifiers at B1 and B2. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 47: Installing The Capacitors
Again, use whatever props you need to get it straight. Follow the same process and install the other regulator at IC1. Note that they are oriented in the same direction. Congratulations! You've now completed the Filament Supply PCB. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 47...
Page 52: Parts List
Take your time soldering on the underside of the board as they will require a fair bit of heat and solder to adhere the pins to the board. Again, no rushing! Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 52...
Page 54 Congratulations! You've now completed the Driver PCB. As we did with the other boards, place it aside. We'll install it when we do the interwiring. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 54...
Page 55: Section 6 - Output Transformers Installation
Driver board and speaker posts, so we recommend starting this section when you're fresh and have lots of patience. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 56: Installing The Output Transformers
Route the Black Primary wires for both transformers along the front of the chassis heading towards the Power Supply board and the Red Primary wires from the back around and through the gap between the transformers and lay them towards the Driver board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 57 This way, you can keep your head straight when you do the interwiring. I'd recommend a little bit of masking tape marked 'L' and 'R' attached to each. That's it. We hope that wasn't too difficult. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 58: Section 7 - Power Supply Board Interwiring
2) to double check 'what goes to what'; 3) to think carefully about how you want to route the wires; 4) to measure the wire lengths carefully; and 5) to use some heatshrink or cable ties to keep things neat. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 59 Here's a picture that shows the wire routing that we're using in our build The colors of some wires may be different; it doesn't matter. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 60: Connecting The Choke
Route the wires under the board and connect them to CH IN and CH OUT (from the underside). There is no orientation — either wire can go to either solder tab. Trim off the excess wires on the top of the board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 61: Connecting The Mains Secondary Wires
Yellow wire is, in fact, the CT of the 5V supply, not, as you might think from the stencil ("HT TX") for the HT supply. In any case, that's our issue, which we'll correct in a future PCB revision. Just make the connection to the physical position shown in the graphic. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 62: The Chs Connection
Connect the end without the lug, from the underside, to CHS on the Power Supply board. Connect the other end to Chassis Ground screw, You should now have 3 wires going to the Chassis Ground screw, as you can see in the picture below: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 63: The Blue/White And Led Negative Connection
WITHOUT cutting into the part that has the Black LED wire Trim off the excess Blue/White wire wrapped around it The Remaining Connections Let's have another look at the wiring diagram. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 63...
Page 64 Before you install the Power Supply board, we strongly recommend that you go back to the beginning of this section and check every connection carefully! Make sure there are no solder bridges on the underside of the board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 65: Installing The Power Supply Board
Position all the wires going to — and coming from — the Power Supply board in the positions shown below. Install the board in the chassis by attaching it with 4 M4 screws into the standoffs from the underside of the chassis. That's it! Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 65...
Page 66: Section 8 - Filament Supply Board Interwiring
As we did with the Power Supply interwiring, these connections will be made from the underside of the board, so turn the board back and forth as needed to see where you'll make the connections. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 67: Connecting The Mains Secondary Wires
Cut the wires to the lengths needed, approximately as follows:  Purple and Black/Green wires 5"  Black and Green/Yellow wires 6 1/2" Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 67...
Page 68: Additional Connections
Again, before you go any farther, go back to the beginning of this section and check every connection carefully, making sure that there are no solder bridges on the underside of the board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 69: Installing The Filament Supply Board
Position the wires going to — and coming from — the Filament Supply board as shown below. Install the board by attaching it with 4 M4 screws into the standoffs from the underside of the chassis. That's it! Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 69...
Page 70: Section 9 - Chassis-Mounted Output Section Installation
Chassis-Mounted Output Section Installation Overview Now we'll install the chassis-mounted output section: the 2 tag strips and the 2 valve bases. Let's have a look at what we want to do: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 70...
Page 71 Here's some additional context, showing the interwiring for the 300Bs and the output transformers. This is work we'll be tackling in this and the next sections. (There is a high resolution version of this graphic on your disk.) Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 72: Installing The Tag Strips
 Use 2 short (about 3/8") dressings on the capacitor leads to avoid the possibility of a short. You can use some left over wire insulation. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 72...
Page 73 The 2 short jumpers can be bare as there are intermediary connections to the Grid resistor and you would quite likely create a short. Now, Add the 1K grid resistor, as shown below. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 73...
Page 74 Add the 2 1K5 10W resistors, as shown below. Add the Nichicon 220uf 100V electrolytic capacitor, as shown below. Be sure to connect the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE leads correctly. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 74...
Page 76: Installing The Tag Strips
The 1.5 10W resistors get hot, so, if you've routed wires along the side of the chassis and they're close to the 10W resistor, you can bend it up a bit to 'give it more air'. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 77: Installing The Valve Bases
Note that the 4 300B pin holes consist of 2 larger and 2 smaller holes: valve base orientation correct. We will install the valve bases with the larger holes nearest the Driver board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 77...
Page 78 While it's possible to splice any wire that, for one reason or another, is too short, it's really not something you'd want to have to do. And, finally, let's remind ourselves of the carpenter's proverb: "measure twice, cut once." Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 79: Wiring The Left Valve Base
Connect the Black wire coming from the Left GND on the Filament Supply board and the Black wire coming from the top tag on the tag strip to pin 1 (use 2 holes). Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 80: Wiring The Right Valve Base
1 (use 2 holes). 9.3.4 Installing the Valve Bases Using the supplied hardware, mount the valve bases to the chassis, oriented with the larger holes nearest the Driver board, as shown below: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 80...
Page 81: Section 10 - Additional Interwiring
Make the Red and Black connections to the lower (Left/Black) RCA jack using the shorter of the 2 prepared wire pairs. Make the Red and Black connections to the upper (Right/Red) RCA jack using the longer of the 2 prepared wire pairs. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 81...
Page 82: Driver Board Interwiring
Now it's time to work on how the Driver board connects to other boards and chassis-mounted components, including the RCA jacks. The Driver board will be positioned at the back of the chassis: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 83: Installing The Filament And Filament Jumper Wires
The Mains Secondary wires and the jumpers will be connected from the underside of the board, but this top view shows where we'll connect the 2 Grey Mains Secondary wires. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 84 Strip about 3/8" from each end of each of these Grey jumper wires. From the underside of the board, connect the tinned ends of these jumper wires to the right side filament solder tabs, as shown in the BOTTOM view above. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 85: The 6Sh7 And Gnd Connections
Similar to the way in which you added jumpers for the filament wires earlier, add a black jumper on the underside of the board to connect the 2 GND tabs, as shown on the next page: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 86: The O/P Connections
Trim off the excess wires on the top of the board. 10.2.3 The O/P Connections We've previously prepared a Black wire coming from each tag strip, marked: 'To O/P on Driver board', as shown below: Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 86...
Page 87 Now, referencing the graphic below: Connect these Black wires to their respective Left and Right O/P solder pads, from the underside. Trim off the excess wires on the top of the board. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 88: The Led Positive Connection
LED later for any reason, you'll know which is the POSITIVE lead (the longer lead) and will be able to reinsert it correctly. Insert the LED into the socket making sure that the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE leads are correctly positioned. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 88...
Page 89: Installing The Driver Board
10.2.5 Installing the Driver Board Add 4 M4 standoffs to the board. Position the wires going to — and coming from — the Driver board as shown below. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 89...
Page 90: The Signal Connections
GND solder tabs on the Driver board, from the top. Take care to prepare the wires so that they are straight and just long enough to make a good connection. We don't want any shorts underneath the board. Similarly make the connections from the Right RCA jack. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 90...
Page 91: Connecting The Speaker Posts
Both the EI-Core and the C-Core output transformers have three colored wires on the Secondary:  Green is Ground  Blue is the 4 ohm tap  Purple is the 8 ohm tap Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 91...
Page 92 Connect the Purple wire coming from the Left output transformer to the Left Red speaker post. Connect the Green wire coming from the Left output transformer to the Left Black speaker post. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 93 Connect the Green wire coming from the Left output transformer to the Left Black speaker post. Right Speaker Post 4 Ohm Wiring Similarly, make the connections from the Right output transformer to the Right speaker posts. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 94: Section 11 - Testing
 Test with a 'cheap' speaker for sonics and hum. If all is well, play in a proper system, enjoy! Before testing, it's a good idea to blow some air into the unit to make sure that there are no small pieces of wire or solder floating around. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 95: Installing The Fuse
Turn the amplifier on. If the fuse does not blow, continue to the next step. If it does, jump ahead to "Debugging." Turn the amplifier off. If all is well you can change to a 2A fuse. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 96: Initial Tests
PLEASE BE AWARE OF PROPER ELECTRICAL SAFETY. There are sufficient voltages in this kit to give you a very nasty and harmful shock, so be careful when powering on, debugging, and probing around. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 97: Filament Test
ASAP, unplug it, and contact us at audionotekits@rogers.com before proceeding. We'll be happy to provide you with advanced troubleshooting advice. Note: we may ask that you send us high quality digital pictures of the internals of the amplifier. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 98 Pin 6 of 5U4G(B) 850V AC If your multimeter doesn't go this high, you can perform the 2 GND TX to HT TX tests in 'Debugging'; it will amount to the same thing. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 98...
Page 99 7V AC AC-3 AC-4 7V AC Repeat this test on the other 'side' DC-1 and GND. It should also be 5V DC. This is a good example of a "floating ground". Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 99...
Page 100 Note: Repeat the following measurements for each channel. Approximate Multimeter Black Lead Red Lead Setting Reading 1.25-1.5V DC GND on Power Supply Board 120V DC 260-280V DC Pin 2 of 6SH7 Pin 7 of 6SH7 6.3V AC Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 100...
Page 101 Power Supply is operating properly. Turn the amplifier off. Well done if all these voltages are good! Let’s move on to the sound check. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 102: Sound Check
(or, in our real world case, the DC voltages) settle. If this checks out, congratulations! You should have a working Mentor SET Power Amplifier. Feel free to contact us to share your excitement. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 103: Debugging
 Recheck the wiring in the Power Supply and the interwiring between the PCBs. If that doesn't fix things, contact ANK Audio Kits at audionotekits@rogers.com. We'll figure things out. Please have a few telling digital pictures ready to share with us.
Page 104: Section 12 - Finishing Touches
— like the tubes and the 10W resistors on the tag strips. 12.4 Installing the Chassis Top Install the chassis top using the provided hardware. Or Stik-Tak, or other adhesive. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 104...
Page 105: Section 13 - Final Thoughts
Power Amplifier into your system and enjoy it. 13.2 Cables In our experience, a high quality power cable and good interconnects and speaker cables make a noticeable improvement to the sound. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 105...
Page 106: Tube Rolling
13.3 Tube Rolling We feel that the sound of the ANK Audio Kits Mentor SET Power Amplifier is truly sublime and that is destined to become a popular kit. It provides a highly detailed and transparent presentation with gorgeous sonics. Rolling some quality new production tubes and/or some nice NOS tubes will allow you to tailor the sound to your particular preferences.
Page 107: And 2A3
NOS tubes are quite rare and the prices can be astronomical. 13.4 Thanks Thank you for investing in the ANK Audio Kits Mentor SET Power Amplifier and congratulations on working your way through the build. The kit is new and we would welcome your feedback. Please email us at audionotekits@rogers.com and let us know how everything went: were there any errors...
Page 109: Wiring For 240V
In the picture above they are connected from the underside. Strip and tin the ends. (You can add some heatshrink if you like.) Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 110 Connect these four Primary wires to the IEC PCB, as shown in the diagram below. Cut off the excess wire. Add the jumper as shown below. (You can use the left over end of the Black Primary wire or a bare wire, as you prefer.) Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 110...
Page 111 Or Orange or whatever we've supplied. The color doesn't matter so long as you make the connections shown. Each of the four pads has four connected solder pads so you have some flexibility as to how to do this. Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com...
Page 112: Resistor Color Code Reference
Color Code Reference You can also find an 'Interactive Resistor Color Code Calculator' on our website (available from the Links page). Copyright © 2019 ANK Audio Kits www.AudioNoteKits.com audionotekits@rogers.com Page 112...

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