Yeah, I know that but I've looked at all the thread responses. John's list is the back bone of the build in most respects. But to take a few random examples that I have noted for a list with points of interest:-
P8 #108 :- Adding resistors to heater lines keeping hum potential lower.
P10 #146 :- Valuation of various tubes tried.
p42 #618 :- Tweaked RIAA values R & C.
P8 #108 : This was to reduce heater voltage... he did it at the amp side not the supply side as is usually. The noise reduction comment was about two resistors on the same line, and it being wiser to not put them in a series like that but one on + and one on - rail. That guys build was pretty messy at first with no chassis so there's no telling what the story is with that completely.
P10 #146 : I remember reading the same thing, re: 6N2P and figuring it's not worth it (until I came back around just recently) bc: 1. You risk disrupting the magic 2. You will permanently modify the board if you snip the 9th pin (if you don't have room for an adapter) or have to get new tube sockets to go back to 12ax7. 3. ( Cost of the adapters ) + (Cost of 6N2P ) + ( Shipping ) = Roughly same cost of low noise selected new production 12ax7 from Tubedepot.
6 of one half a dozen of the other.... one says not much difference. If cost is a major issue, I don't think you are considering this build in the first place..... would be much better to get a little project or bellari or something.
Like rfgumby commented, this circuit was designed around the original tubes... and they'll last a really long time. Messing too much with that might defeat the purpose of an 834 clone altogether... perhaps some of that magic won't be there. I read the same page and thought no one is coming out saying it's BETTER than a 12ax7. I'm not a tube expert and I don't understand a lot of the info on a tube data sheet.... and there's a lot of figures to consider.
So, bottom line is I don't know enough to confidently suggest a 6N2P and it would require additional modifications to the parts list to account for the grid resistors, and just generally confuse people.... I wanted to keep the build guide as linear of an approach as possible.
Plus, like I said, grid resistors change with 6N2P.... the people who couldn't hear a difference were listening to a distorted RIAA curve with the 6N2P.. and couldn't hear that either... which should make you wonder.
p42 #618: The RIAA Modifications you are referencing are already in the build guide.
I took on the almost-asking-to-be-suicidal task of rereading the entire thread and copying the most relevant information, page by page, for the build guide. I then organized it by topic in a giant word doc, ran it by a number of people here and elsewhere, and then assembled the parts list yada yada.... and then put it all in one doc with pics etc.... still a work in progress in a few areas.
Before midway through I was thinking to myself, why the $*#(I)& do I get myself into %&#$*()@_ like this %*()#@)%#@.
So, I'm not saying don't read it, by all means go for it if you like that sort of thing... but you can sleep soundly knowing you have not missed any gems by just reading the build guide.
