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Olson Clone III

Redboy

Redboy

a few good watts
I just finished another one of these little amps a few nights ago. This one's exactly the same as the last one I built, which now belongs to member bsujeep. I realize it isn't very original to build a clone of a clone of a clone, but the little Olson amp that started my love affair with single ended tubes holds a special place in my audio heart... Cheesy, eh?

I had been thinking it would be nice to have one onhand to compare to other amps I have, and since I had the parts around, I started knocking holes in the chassis about a week ago.

In a bold moment, I just put it into the system and plugged it right in...

Music! :)

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What's it look like under the hood? I'm trying to decide on a build for a small battery powered amp and I'm already playing around with a 6V6 and 807 SE and I should add a little EL84 to the list. Nice looking build, what did you use for a chassis?
 
Nate, that is one of the cleanest looking amps around.

Outstanding my friend.

How's she compare to the 2A3?
 
Scuzzer said:
What's it look like under the hood? I'm trying to decide on a build for a small battery powered amp and I'm already playing around with a 6V6 and 807 SE and I should add a little EL84 to the list. Nice looking build, what did you use for a chassis?
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Scuzzer, I'll shoot some pictures when I pull it out a little later to put some holes in the bottom plate. I documented the whole build with the last amp in this thread. The chassis is a Hammond aluminum box and it's pretty tight - only 7" square.
 
mhardy6647 said:
I have yet to hear a bad-sounding EL84 amplifier, SE or PP; triode or pentode.
Just sayin'...
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Yep. :yes:

ejfud said:
Nate, that is one of the cleanest looking amps around.

Outstanding my friend.

How's she compare to the 2A3?
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Thanks Gary! This whole thing was made unnecessarily complex with the subplate assembly, but I wanted to eliminate as many fastener heads from the top as possible.

I can't fairly compare it to the 2A3 because my speakers at the moment are pretty limited, but the last one I built did a nice job of running with the big boys. I really like the sound a lot, but this one's still breaking in.
 
Redboy said:
The chassis is a Hammond aluminum box and it's pretty tight - only 7" square.
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I was thinking of using the 7.4"x4.7"x2" Hammond for my build but I've got a steel sheet in the garage that's just begging to be turned into an amp chassis. I'm trying to make an ultra small battery powered integrated tube amp and I might be able to fit it all into a 5"x4"x3" enclosure.

Thanks for the link with the detailed pics.
 
It's Deja vu all over again ;)

I liked that amp (clone v.2.0) when I had it at the house for a spell :thmbsp:

RC
 
doucanoe said:
It's Deja vu all over again ;)

I liked that amp (clone v.2.0) when I had it at the house for a spell :thmbsp:
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Yeah, bsujeep (Bill) has been enjoying that one for a while now. I know he's rolled a few different tubes through it to good effect, and might have some suggestions for what to try.

This one will make an appearance at a certain May shindig. :)
 
I'll be bending the copper into the same basic layout as the original but the sub-plate is a really nice idea. :yes: I don't have any extra so I would probably make it out of aluminum instead. I could get more but don't think it would be worth the extra cost.
 
Hey give me back my amp!! oh never mind it's still here phew almost had a heart attack!

I am sure it's little brother will sound sweet with a little break in time and roll some telefunken el84's, older bro LOVES them. I have rolled a few including a set of amperex bugle boy 7189's that I borrowed from sparksaflyin. Telefunken el84's and 12ax7's with a TVC pre into Khorns was just magic. It doesn't sound too bad through the ewaves either.

Bill

Proud owner of Dolly II:D
 
You know, I'm pretty sure I've got some Tele EL84s around here, too! I'll have to test them at some point since they came from a console pull, but with luck they'll still be fresh. 12AX7s I have many. Enough, anyway.

Bill, I know we talked about it but did you ever get around to putting ventilation holes in the bottom plate of your amp?
 
Redboy said:
You know, I'm pretty sure I've got some Tele EL84s around here, too! I'll have to test them at some point since they came from a console pull, but with luck they'll still be fresh. 12AX7s I have many. Enough, anyway.

Bill, I know we talked about it but did you ever get around to putting ventilation holes in the bottom plate of your amp?
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No I didn't put holes in it, instead I used small washers and lifted the bottom plate about 1/8" to allow air to come in and out the top. Didn't do any before after measurements, should have I guess, but it makes me feel better anyway.

I wondered if when you wired this one up if you changed the order of the heater chain so the 12ax7 was last?
 
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Pictures

Okay, some inside pics. This was an excercise in short signal paths and soldering in tight spaces:

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