Posted on Friday, 20th April 2012 by Auw Jimmy

I bought Yamamoto 9Pin socket few weeks ago and I just realize that actually I need the PCB in order to make the soldering process easier. As you also notice, the 9Pin socket has very tiny pins. Soldering them probably would not be an easy job, especially if we are playing with big AWG cable (I’m using 12 AWG or 2 mm size for filament).

As my goods have been shipped out, then I have to arrange another shipment for this PCB. I contacted Shigeki in order to get this PCB. But suddenly, I got something flashing on my head. Why shouldn’t we try to make ourselves? It wouldn’t be much cheaper, but could have some fun. Anyway, I don’t really need extra pins on the PCB like shown on Yamamoto PCB below. I would prefer to have empty hole PCB to solder my cable. That would be easier, huh?

Below is very nice PCB by Yamamoto for it’s 9Pin socket.

The after several hours playing with DipTrace (no one got default library for 9Pin Teflon tube socket, I only could find the Ceramic type which is larger in diameter) – finally I came up with a new custom library for this socket. I printed it out and checked with the real socket to see if I made a good size for the pins. Voila, it’s just perfectly nice!

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Tags: DipTrace, PCB, Teflon, Tube Socket, Yamamoto
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (10)

Posted on Sunday, 1st August 2010 by Auw Jimmy

I designed a simple SRPP PCB for my own project. A special thanks to my friend, Mr. ATP who helped to process the PCB fabrication.

Well, later these days, I just feel more comfortable with PCB rather than point-to-point wiring. It’s nothing special, just an ordinary SRPP design.

Tags: PCB, SRPP
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (4)

Posted on Monday, 23rd June 2008 by Auw Jimmy

Well, this is a surprise news for me (at first). A “Made in America” PCB? Seriously?

Few months ago, my friend introduced me to TubeCAD (and finally led me to John Broskie). Actually, I knew his TubeCAD Journal and even his famous TubeCAD software 1-2 years ago (or more). But at that time, I didn’t have any interest on such technical things (like Broskie’s journals). Until finally, I heard his Aikido pre-amplifier and quite stunned how come a simple pre-amplifier (with cheap components) could lead into magical sound! Then I changed my mind and started to read some of Mr. Broskie’s journal.

My interest in some of his articles led me into a personal communications via e-mail (well, I do enjoy the modern technology, I wonder if I should send him an ordinary air mail to ask about his article – it will take years before I can get myself answered! With e-mail, within a night – due to different time zone, almost all of my questions could get the answers).

Finally, I decided to order his Aikido 9pin Mono PCB. John sent the package via express mail. It arrived around 2 days but due to custom issue, I accepted in around 5-6 days. Still quite a fast delivery

Here is the PCB. Dual sides, plated-through 2 oz copper traces. Don’t forget that both sides are silk-screened.

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Tags: 9pin, Aikido, DIY-Audio, PCB, Pre Amplifier, tube
Posted in Collectible Stuff, Personal | Comments (9)