Abe, thank you for chiming in and posting those documents. Awesome!!
I have few questions before I start ordering components.
1) You mention that release pot can be 5M for long release. What about using standard 1M pot in series with 1M switchable resistor? Would that be usefull?
Possibly, I haven't tested the 5M yet either. The 1M is fine but sometimes a really long release could be useful like the original sta-level or something. You could just switch the 1M completely out of the circuit for a very long release also.
2) Are all the 47uF lytics in the power circuit as you state in your bom? So I shouldn't care if they are audio grade and I can go with whatever model?
Sorry I should be more clear in the manual. "Audio Grade" is just a loose term. Some people like to know which caps have audio going through them for reasons you mention like replacing them with film or something. You could use Bi-Polar just like you can use film, power supplies, where ever. There is no reason not to always use bi-polar if you find an inexpensive and good source for them.
3) Put input pad on a switch - does that make sense?
Yes, thats not a bad idea. But try it out, you might find you don't need it.
4) Few caps are NP - thats nonpolarized, right? So I could use (wima) film caps, right?
sure! They would be pretty large though. And you don't have to use bi-polar. Bi-polar seem to sound better, but A LOT of really great sounding things use polarized in the signal path, so use whatever you want.
5) In europe, with our 230V mains, it's hard to find power transformer with 110+18+18 secondary. So i have to order custom made one. What amp ratings should I specify for those secondary windings?
Actually, I'm pretty sure you all can just replace the "1k 2watt" resistors in the power supply with "3k3 5 watt" resistors and be fine using 240V instead of 120V...I've done the calculations and nothing *should* blow up. Some one try it for me, or correct me if this is a mistake!! That would be A LOT easier for you guys, us 120V can't have all the fun.
Also for reference, it will be about 40ma of current total for the tubes.
:-)