Aion Refractor B100K dual gang issue

[Frank_NH]

I have built the Aion Refractor (twice!) and it definitely gets distorted when the gain is maxed.  I would check all of your components carefully - you may have used an incorrect value of a key resistor or capacitor somewhere.  If you post some high-res pictures of your build, we can collectively have a look at it.

[EBK]

My Refractor sounds horrible with the gain maxed.  Dirty, yes, but not in a useful way.  With the gain at around 75-80%, I've reached what I consider the usable max.

[tedsorvino1]

I guess it's a matter of taste...but the refractor (and any klon clone) really gets up to crunch level. So I think it's some kind of circuit problem if it remains clean throughout the gain pot distance. First check the gain pot itself. It's a dual gang pot, so be extra careful. All the connections around IC 1 and the diodes.

[thermionix]

My Refractor sounds horrible with the gain maxed.  Dirty, yes, but not in a useful way.  With the gain at around 75-80%, I've reached what I consider the usable max.

I agree they don't sound very good at max gain, I don't think many people like to run them with the gain past half way.  But what the dirt actually sounds like seems to be rather hugely dependent on the clipping diodes.  I first built mine with Tayda 1N34A or 1N270 (same?) with Vf close to the .35V that is often recommended.  The distortion was really dark/dull.  Then I switched to the D9Es with lower Vf and the dirt became much more midrangey and almost tube screamer-ish.  Much better to me, so I left it like that.  I've never played a real Klon so I don't know how it's supposed to sound, but probably not so dark.