Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

OK, I just noticed in this photo that there are printed circuit connections visible within the board forming a direct connection between what I (and you) had believed were the two pads/holes for C1, and likewise for C4. Given that, it becomes apparent that the uppermost ends of C1 through C4 should go to the pads at the top of the board that are adjacent to (and connected to) W20 through W23, respectively. And the reason you need replacements for the capacitors, of course, is that the leads on the original ones were trimmed for mounting in the more closely spaced holes, and will no longer reach the correct locations.

Wow! An understandable and easy to make error, if ever there was one.

Best regards,
-- Al

Eagle eye Al! 👏👏👏

You have just convinced me never to try this at home.

GSM, why the comment? If you are not the kind of person who wants to build, learn, test, fiix and understand your gear, then no you would never do this regardless of the outcome. Testing and trouble shooting gear is part of the process of learning and DIY. Cannot separate it. It comes with the turf as they say.

Rebbi I am impressed with your patience and dedication to the understanding and building of your amp. I have had to trouble shoot several of my projects of late and was forced to learn. One was particularly difficult to sort out, but I learned so much. You will conquer this gremlin and along the way learn a great deal about tube amps. Forge on you brave and capable tube amp pioneer!