Copyright © 2019 AudioNote Kits
www.AudioNoteKits.com
[email protected]
Page 11
(obviously), which is a thinner shaft diameter than an M4; 16mm is the length of the
shaft; and the head type is CSK, which is a countersunk or flat head screw.
Once you have the screws mastered, look at the matching nuts such as M4 nut or M3 nut
and corresponding washers.
Standoffs are common in the kits (again, they are either M3 or M4 size, with different
lengths). They are typically threaded, so the screw goes into them.
If any of the hardware is confusing or something is not fitting right, please email us.
1.4.8 Wire Stripping and Tinning
When it comes to wires, we typically use 18 gauge (thicker) and 22 gauge in the kits. It's PTFE:
Teflon silver-plated copper wire. Basically this is classed as hook-up wire; we typically twist
wire for you when it needs to be. The other wire we use is called shielded cable, like an AN-A
(Audio Note (UK)) for some signals. This is two-conductor wire: one is for the signal and the
other (a big ground braid wrapped around the signal wire) is the shielding, which helps
prevent the cable from picking up noise. You should practice stripping some 18g or 22g wire,
and then try tinning this wire; this is the process of adding solder to the bare wire so that the
invisible coating on the wire is burned off. This makes for easy soldering to a PCB, an RCA
connector, or a transformer terminal. So it's a good idea to practice this a little before starting
the kit.
1.4.9 Wire Color
In the earlier sections of this manual, particularly those sections dealing with the Mains
transformer and Dyna-Choke wires, the colors of the wires should match the color of the wires
in your kit. If they don't, or if you're unsure about things, contact [email protected].
Later on, at the Interwiring stage, there may be some differences between the descriptions (or
pictures) of the color of wires that you will connect and the color of the wires supplied with
your kit; for example, depending on inventory, we may supply a Black–Red twisted pair instead
of a Green–Red (or vice-versa). Don't worry! Just be sure to check the wiring diagrams
carefully and connect the correct points together and all will be well!
1.4.10 Optional Finishing Touches
From time to time we get asked about some of the build details of the ANK Finished Products
that you can see in the pictures in the "Assembled Kits Gallery!" (https://ankits.smugmug.com/)
on our website. It's important to understand that these stunningly beautiful products were
done by an accomplished professional builder with decades of experience and that some
particulars of the build may be beyond most of us. However, experienced builders who want to
incorporate some of these finishing touches should feel free to do so. While we don't officially
support or supply parts for these optional enhancements, there's no reason why you couldn't
or shouldn't do them if you want to and feel that you can handle them. Without getting into the
details (you're on your own here), what you'll want to get hold of are: heatshrink (to bundle
