Anyone here built a Matchless dc30????

[playonit]

I would like to put one together and have a few questions....... So if you have built one and don't mind me bending your ear a little???

[paulster]

Dartanion's your man.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=3816

[playonit]

What Trannies can I get in the States that will work with this build??? Niks are out (shipping to high) and Westlabs look ($$$) good are there any other sources and if so what part #'s. also any 6 way switch suggestions??

Thanks

[dartanion]

I've used Nik's and they sound really nice. I've used hammonds and those work well and sound good too. I've also used salvaged transformers from old dumpster tube gear with great success.

Use the right mixture of parts and get some good NOS tubes. I think leaving the half power switch out of the build is a good idea. Not a huge change in performance unless you're cranking it up pretty loud, then it breaks-up a bit earlier. The 12AX7 channel is best played clean to mild distortion for my tastes. It has a nice swirl to it from the parallel triodes. The EF86 side is a killer distortion machine with a very characteristic Brian May flavor when pushed wide open. A good A/B(/Y) box is great with this amp.

[playonit]

Thanks for the response. I am looking very forward to this build it will be my second so I am somewhat of a rookie. How would someone go about getting the Transformers from a vendor like Hammond. Do you e-mail and say I need Power and o/t tranny for a dc30 and what part numbers do I use???

[dartanion]

If this is your second build, I would recommend sticking with a kit, otherwise you'll pay a small fortune buying parts from all over creation and all the associated shipping fees add up. If you have an already well stocked shop, then it's not so bad, however that crazy shipping from Malaysia isn't so bad after all. One option would be to get the kit sans transformers from Nik, then get Hammonds from someplace like Angela Instruments (www.angela.com) or AES (www.tubesandmore.com). You could also contact Heyboer and have them wind you a set of DC30 transformers. Heyboers are top notch, so a set is going to run about $300.

Hammond:
PT = 270HX, 290NX, or 290MX
OT = 1645, 1750V, or 1750T

[Funkalicousgroove]

These guys made the original trannies- http://transformerdesignandsupply.com/

[dartanion]

These guys made the original trannies- http://transformerdesignandsupply.com/

The TDS DC30 OT is a very nice sounding unit. Can't go wrong there either. I've got on left to use in a Rocket.

[txbluesboy]

Channel 1 of a DC-30 is the exact same thing as a Rocket. I have built 15 watt versions of this amp, they sound reallt nice. You need a real good EF-86 the best sounding one I have is a Telefunken. I used West Labs 15 watt set. Terry

[dartanion]

Channel 1 of a DC-30 is the exact same thing as a Rocket. I have built 15 watt versions of this amp, they sound reallt nice. You need a real good EF-86 the best sounding one I have is a Telefunken. I used West Labs 15 watt set. Terry

Channel 1 on the DC30 has parallel triodes at the input, whereas a Rocket has a single triode.

[playonit]

If this is your second build, I would recommend sticking with a kit, otherwise you'll pay a small fortune buying parts from all over creation and all the associated shipping fees add up.

To late for that ordered everything but the trannies and chassis which I hope to do tommorow. On my first build a 5e7 I went the same route. Without tube I'm bit more then the kit price but have some upgrades in there. Thanks For the iron info. Now about chokes any suggestions????

Thanks so much dartanion

[playonit]

double post

[Mastervolume]

These guys made the original trannies- http://transformerdesignandsupply.com/

I have built the C-30 with these and it sounds great. Robert makes the trannies for the original matchless and the divided by 13 stuff. Can't go wrong and his prices are good.

I'd go that route if you were planning on being accurate.

[playonit]

I have built the C-30 with these and it sounds great. Robert makes the trannies for the original matchless and the divided by 13 stuff. Can't go wrong and his prices are good.

Thanks..... I have sent an email to Robert to get a quote

[playonit]

Well I was pleasantly surprised when I found TDS had exactly was I was looking for transformer wise, and reasonable..

How important is lead dress going to be on this build??? I need to buy some teflon coated wire how many feet each of 18g, 20g and 22g....???

Thanks