Copyright © 2019 AudioNote Kits
www.AudioNoteKits.com
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1.4 Tips and Suggestions
We have learned a lot about kit building over the last decade from our customers and I'd like to
share some tips with you to ensure a successful project. Please read through this section
thoroughly, it will give you a good idea of what's ahead and help ensure your success!
1.4.1 Soldering
We highly recommend using lead-based solder with some silver content
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on the build. You
should use lead-free ONLY if you are experienced using it and confident. Lead-free solder
requires a higher melting temperature and thus is more difficult to use. We don’t recommend
lead-free solder for first-time builders.
We suggest that you practice your soldering before starting on the kit. Feel free to request
practice parts with your kit so that you can practice tinning wires and making nice solder
joints. The key is a good soldering station with a sponge, the right temperature, a good size tip,
and experience; remember, tips can wear out so make sure your tip is working. (You can also
check out YouTube videos for soldering lessons and examples.) The solder should flow freely; if
it’s forming balls then there is likely a problem with the tip, the temperature, or (sometimes)
the surface. Feel free to contact us for help!
1.4.2 Components
Using the Ohm setting on your multimeter is very useful when building a kit. It's a good,
practical way of measuring resistors and continuity and is much easier than reading the color
codes on the side. (With practice, the color codes can also be a good way to determine the
resistance, but that method is better left to experienced builders.)
1.4.3 Resistor Sizes
Resistors today, particularly metal film resistors, are often smaller than you might expect. It
used to be that the difference between a 1/2W and a 1W resistor was obvious: the 1W was
considerably larger. That way of looking at things sometimes now no longer applies. Please be
assured that all resistors supplied with ANK Audio Kits are rated at least per the specified
wattage: in some cases, a higher than specified wattage may be supplied.
1.4.4 Capacitor Manufacturers and Voltage Ratings
Occasionally, depending on parts availability, we may use capacitors from different
manufacturers. These will always be of equal or higher quality! As a result, some of the
pictures in the manual may look a bit different at times. With regard to voltage ratings,
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For example, WBT-0800.
