moe's wopl 400 build

[moewillis]

i figured i would go ahead and start a thread for my wopl400 build.

this came in a couple days ago. works great, stock except for wopl led kit. unit seemed bigger in person. checked dc offset (about 15mv per channel) and fired it up with some speakers attached. sounded pretty good. anyways here's some pics. i will need a little guidance on getting everything for the wopl conversion.

 

[roccus]

Very nice I am doing a WOPL 400 build as well just waiting on parts to get started.... This is what I had to start this build with just a bare chassis with transformer...

 

[Northwinds]

That amp looks very familiar moe. Did you get it from an AK member by chance??? Seems like that is where I saw it before with that cab

 

[moewillis]

That amp looks very familiar moe. Did you get it from an AK member by chance??? Seems like that is where I saw it before with that cab

yes, i had a wtb thread for a 200wpc-ish amp with meters. the ak member i bought it from posted a couple pics in that thread. the case is nothing special but it does seem built quite well. i was thinking about veneering it but it makes the thing so big in may not fit on my shelf

 

[Northwinds]

Only problem with those cases is that they don't vent heat and the PL's require a lot of good air circulation around the heatsinks and the transistor covers. I never use fans anymore, the Clair never gets hot, maybe slightly warm at most

 

[moewillis]

i'd also like to source a new faceplate (with hardware) and maybe a top.... if anyone has one laying around they want to sell.

 

[Northwinds]

I have a beautiful factory original silver faceplate, also meters and bezels. Might have a top plate also

 

[moewillis]

I have a beautiful factory original silver faceplate, also meters and bezels. Might have a top plate also

oooooohhhh.... i dont have to have the bezels or meters but a good clean faceplate and a top would be nice. my top isnt too bad but it is scratched up in a few areas and my face plate is pretty rough. the holes have been unevenly wallard out and the lettering has been partially removed when the po pulled off some stickers. i just figured it too beat up for a wopl...

let me know what you need for them

 

[moewillis]

Wasn't sure where to post this so I figured put it here instead of starting a new thread.

How common are 1/4" inputs instead of rca jacks on the pl400s? They look factory but I don't see them in any pictures. Started noticing when I was looking into replacing them

 

[roccus]

Wasn't sure where to post this so I figured put it here instead of starting a new thread.

How common are 1/4" inputs instead of rca jacks on the pl400s? They look factory but I don't see them in any pictures. Started noticing when I was looking into replacing them

RCA jacks would normally be used for home use 1/4" jacks are usually used for PA or musician use

 

[moewillis]

Previous owner said he bought it out of Portland from a guy updating his music studio. When I got the amp it had rca adapters in the 1/4 inputs. I assumed they all came that way but after looking it seems uncommon

 

[roccus]

Previous owner said he bought it out of Portland from a guy updating his music studio. When I got the amp it had rca adapters in the 1/4 inputs. I assumed they all came that way but after looking it seems uncommon

PL history buffs may chime in on this but I know PL built some amps for commercial use I think special order with 1/4" jacks they has a pro line for the 700 not sure if they had one for the 400... it is not a huge job to convert rca jacks to 1/4" or visa versa if I were you I would get rid of the 1/4" jacks and install new rca jacks having adapters is just more crap to dirty the output... at least that is my take and yes studios would also use 1/4" jacks

 

[62vauxhall]

Previous owner said he bought it out of Portland from a guy updating his music studio. When I got the amp it had rca adapters in the 1/4 inputs. I assumed they all came that way but after looking it seems uncommon

My 700B had 1/4" jacks originally and it too was said to have come from a studio.

 

[moewillis]

i never updated anything in this thread so i figured id at least give a little good news update. i got the wopl driver board populated and installed. i also changed the caps, changed the rectifier and the outputs (quasi-comp). i have a protection board to install but i had to fire it up to make sure i hadnt jacked anything up too bad. no smoke, no fire

i had just "temporarily" stuck some spades on for the rectifier connections. i should probably solder those on but it works for now.

 

[laatsch55]

"works for now" is good....

 

[Gepetto]

View attachment 26484

i never updated anything in this thread so i figured id at least give a little good news update. i got the wopl driver board populated and installed. i also changed the caps, changed the rectifier and the outputs (quasi-comp). i have a protection board to install but i had to fire it up to make sure i hadnt jacked anything up too bad. no smoke, no fire

i had just "temporarily" stuck some spades on for the rectifier connections. i should probably solder those on but it works for now.

Nice Metcal iron. My favorite too...

 

[moewillis]

Nice Metcal iron. My favorite too...

my old man has been a rep of theirs for decades. i get the old demo models and what not. i have the pinching tweezer style and a pencil iron (with bases of course). i love that thing!!

its always messy on my bench. i've done everything from build motorcycle engines to load ammo and of course my soldering on that thing

 

[Gepetto]

my old man has been a rep of theirs for decades. i get the old demo models and what not. i have the pinching tweezer style and a pencil iron (with bases of course). i love that thing!!

its always messy on my bench. i've done everything from build motorcycle engines to load ammo and of course my soldering on that thing

Bench mess is like entropy, always increasing

 

[laatsch55]

Then there's a lot of entropy at my house!!

 

[Gepetto]

Then there's a lot of entropy at my house!!

Guilty as charged too...