Excellent kit. Instructions very clear and kit very simple to build. This is my second DIY audio project (the first one was an AudioNoteKits DAC for my room sound system five years ago -I love valves sound, as you can see-). I needed an alternative for my little moments working in my desk with my computer, so I found out your SS-II and said myself "this is it, this is what I need".
No doubt for me to choose the resistor option for the plate load, not the CCS. I use a pair of Final Sonorous III headphones and they work excellent with the SS-II. They move well and the sound is sweet and clear; the bass is enough and well controlled. Maybe I would like a little bit more power and punch in this part, but I insist: enough for price and for what I expected.
From the picture you'll be abble to see my provisional idea for the chasis. I expect to get your finer chasis next year. But for the moment, this is what I have.
Negative experiences:
I had real problems soldering the mass parts of all the components. Because all the PCB mass is a big surface of copper, my 25 W solder was not abble to compensate de heat dissipation, so after desperating tryings I had to use a pair of solders for each and every single mass pad! After 35 years soldering, this is the first time I've had to do something like this. But never mind: I could do it and... the result was good. Another experience for my soldering skills.
The only thing that really concerns me is that there are unnatural sounds in my left channel. They dissapear after some minutes of listening, but I have the impression that with the pass of the weeks, they need more time to dissapear, they remain longer. I know valves can do this things, but I wonder if this can affect some parts of the circuitry and if I will have to fix it.
To finish: I'm very very sorry for being the first to give the SS-II a four stars review. In fact, I'd prefer "four and al half", but there is no option for this.
