Jamem6,
My only major suggestion forthe Walton amp is that you start out with much better output transformers and chokes, they will have the biggest effect on sound and will provide a solid foundation for future upgrades to be revealed.
Magnequest makes fantastic X-formers. Their TFA-204 output tramsformers (3K:16,8,4 ohms, 8 watts, 60 mA) - $240 pair and BCM-19 filter chokes (10H, 200 mA, 109 ohms DCR) - $150 pair are perfectly designed for the job. You can buy them from Bottlehead (2/3 down page)
Of course, this adds significantly to the cost of the project at which point it might be worth it to consider a kit which comes with everything you need for a 1st rate set of amps. At the top of my list of kits would be the Diy HiFi Supply Lady Day amps.
About a 30-40% jump on price to the $1,200-1,500 range, but solid design with excellent parts and literally hundreds of already built kits. Diy HiFi has a builder's forum on Audio Asylum that is highly active for advice and ideas. Check out the forum and post a few questions.
More importantly, the Lady Day is designed to be an experimenter's paradise - the output transformer comes with multiple taps from 2k to 8k allowing the amp to easily be modified to run up to 8 different output tubes (10Y/205D/45/50/PX4/PX25/2A3/300B) and a myriad of input/driver tubes. You can try several classic circuit designs like WE91, MU, and SRPP.
The advantage of a kit is that:
1) you don't have to fiddle with finding, drilling, and modifying a chasis - BIG hassle,
2) no ordering or guessing on parts from 10 different sources, all w/ minimum order requirements
3) complete building instructions with photos and a support forum with lots of other beginner and expert builders
4) a tested and proven upgrade path for endless improvement. no flying blind.
5) Built-in resale value if you ever decide to move on to another amp.
6) Ultimate versitility
My only major suggestion forthe Walton amp is that you start out with much better output transformers and chokes, they will have the biggest effect on sound and will provide a solid foundation for future upgrades to be revealed.
Magnequest makes fantastic X-formers. Their TFA-204 output tramsformers (3K:16,8,4 ohms, 8 watts, 60 mA) - $240 pair and BCM-19 filter chokes (10H, 200 mA, 109 ohms DCR) - $150 pair are perfectly designed for the job. You can buy them from Bottlehead (2/3 down page)
Of course, this adds significantly to the cost of the project at which point it might be worth it to consider a kit which comes with everything you need for a 1st rate set of amps. At the top of my list of kits would be the Diy HiFi Supply Lady Day amps.
About a 30-40% jump on price to the $1,200-1,500 range, but solid design with excellent parts and literally hundreds of already built kits. Diy HiFi has a builder's forum on Audio Asylum that is highly active for advice and ideas. Check out the forum and post a few questions.
More importantly, the Lady Day is designed to be an experimenter's paradise - the output transformer comes with multiple taps from 2k to 8k allowing the amp to easily be modified to run up to 8 different output tubes (10Y/205D/45/50/PX4/PX25/2A3/300B) and a myriad of input/driver tubes. You can try several classic circuit designs like WE91, MU, and SRPP.
The advantage of a kit is that:
1) you don't have to fiddle with finding, drilling, and modifying a chasis - BIG hassle,
2) no ordering or guessing on parts from 10 different sources, all w/ minimum order requirements
3) complete building instructions with photos and a support forum with lots of other beginner and expert builders
4) a tested and proven upgrade path for endless improvement. no flying blind.
5) Built-in resale value if you ever decide to move on to another amp.
6) Ultimate versitility