Par-metal group buy: MMM case
Mar 2, 2005 at 9:45 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 184

uzziah

Headphoneus Supremus
Joined
Oct 15, 2004
Posts
4,049
Likes
14
semi-final specs:

A. 6w x 8d x 2.5h
B. 12w x 8d x 2.5h

color: clear alodine or: black anodize front panel with black paint on rest of case
front panel: standard .12" thickness
counter sunk screws
slits on top, bottom and sides
no cutouts or hole punching

the only main question I have left is about where to put the top slits. my suggestion is:
A. 1" from left side (two rows of slits)
B. standard series-20 case slits

the price will most likely be around $30

shipping worldwide shouldn't be a problem

don't pm me with orders now, please. wait till we get final specs. then we'll make the list.

----------------------------------

i have 100% feedback on ebay: bowerbryan

instant messanger is fine
my email is: forwonderbear@yahoo.com
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 10:05 AM Post #2 of 184
I'd be happy to do distro in the UK but I'm not sure its the best approach.

A single case at $30-50 will slip past customs no problems but in greater numbers there would be a charge and its not always immediate (it can arrive months after the goods)

This makes it quite difficult to sort pricing out without ending up out of pocket.

Of course with 'creative' paperwork we could perhaps eliminate this problem.

I don't imagine there will be much interest over here anyway so a few individual shipments shouldn't be a problem.
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 11:03 AM Post #3 of 184
Quote:

Originally Posted by Magsy
I'd be happy to do distro in the UK but I'm not sure its the best approach.

A single case at $30-50 will slip past customs no problems but in greater numbers there would be a charge and its not always immediate (it can arrive months after the goods)

This makes it quite difficult to sort pricing out without ending up out of pocket.

Of course with 'creative' paperwork we could perhaps eliminate this problem.

I don't imagine there will be much interest over here anyway so a few individual shipments shouldn't be a problem.



good points. yes, determining interest is step numero uno
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 11:11 AM Post #4 of 184
IMHO, I think there should be two case sizes; one for the amp alone and one for the amp and PSU
smily_headphones1.gif



/U.
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 11:11 AM Post #5 of 184
im defn interested
smily_headphones1.gif


what size did u enquire on?

im in australia and would be willing to help out if i can.
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 11:36 AM Post #6 of 184
Quote:

Originally Posted by Nisbeth
IMHO, I think there should be two case sizes; one for the amp alone and one for the amp and PSU
smily_headphones1.gif



/U.



i was just coming here to post just that
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 11:37 AM Post #7 of 184
Quote:

Originally Posted by skyskraper
im defn interested
smily_headphones1.gif


what size did u enquire on?

im in australia and would be willing to help out if i can.



i wanted to know:
1. if the cost will be more for a custom case (compared to 20 series)
2. if we can get a continually better discount for more and more cases

i'll post when they respond
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 11:56 AM Post #8 of 184
maybe you could touch base with amb to work out what size he previously enquired on and what the minimum size requirements are etc.
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 12:20 PM Post #9 of 184
Quote:

Originally Posted by skyskraper
maybe you could touch base with amb to work out what size he previously enquired on and what the minimum size requirements are etc.
smily_headphones1.gif



the standard 20 series case is big enough to house the mmm and a psu

the issue with the 2" cases is that there will be little clearence between the case lid and the top of the heatsinks. this hopefully won't be a problem with amb's suggested mounting kit (see his site - i forget the name at the moment)
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 2:01 PM Post #10 of 184
uzziah, thanks for taking up this effort.

When I inquired with Par Metal, I called and talked to John. The phone numbers are listed on their web site. Emailing them may prove to be unfruitful, so I suggest that you call and talk to them.

The case I asked for a quote on was a Series 20, but in a custom size of 6"W x 8"D x 2"H. Note that this is exactly half the width of one of their standard size offerings, and it may prove to be easier for them to make (because they only need to change their jig in one dimension). The price I was given was $70 for one, or $30 for ten. This is without any options, but my impression is that options like countersunk screws and anodizing don't add much to the total cost (a few dollars per). All they need to work with is a good drawing of what you want.

At any rate, feel free to ask them if making the case 1/4" or 1/2" taller would add much to the cost. If that's feasible, it may be easier to work with, with the small downside that the case wouldn't as "slim and sleek".

The standard configuration, according to their web site, has vent slots on the bottom plate as well as on the side, and you could also have vent slots on the top. It would be very nice to have those vents directly over the heat sinks for best cooling.

For those who want to put the PSU inside the case, they have a standard size 12"W x 8"D x 2"H which could be used, but maybe there is interest in a custom size here too. They also offer an internal divider plate option (which acts as a shield) that might be a good idea for this.

Have fun!
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 2:12 PM Post #11 of 184
As I mentioned in the other thread, I have a standard size series 20. It has venting on the top, bottom and sides in stock form (I only requested anodizing and the internal divider plate). Although, the top venting is on the far left and right sides, so if you want it to be above the heatsinks, you would have to mount the amp on the left and PSU on the right (which seems to be opposite of standard practice around here).
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 2:27 PM Post #12 of 184
BradJudy, yeah, for having both the amp and the PSU in one case, the amp board should go on the right side because that's the side with the low level signals, and it should be kept as far away from the PSU as possible. In a custom Par-Metal case you could specify where you want the vents to be, so it's still possible to have them right over the heat sinks.
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 4:43 PM Post #14 of 184
Eliminating ventilation slots on the top of the case prevents dust and fluids from entering the amp easily, but results in more heat buildup. I prefer no top slots.

Mounting knobs and jacks exactly half way from the top/bottom look good, but require a taller case, or using 1" heat sinks, which in turn require lower bias. Perhaps someone can think of a good scheme to couple 1" heat sinks to the top of the case for thermal transfer, which would eliminate both the need for taller heat sinks and case ventilation, while requiring the use of heat sink insulators. Having said that, mounting knobs and jacks lower than the center line is not the end of the world.
 
Mar 2, 2005 at 4:50 PM Post #15 of 184
Quote:

Originally Posted by morsel
Having said that, mounting knobs and jacks lower than the center line is not the end of the world.


I too would prefer a closed case, I love the idea of coupling the heat sinks to the case for reduced thermal resistance.

If the internal layout dictates a certain front panel layout, so be it. I wince at pointy shoes, because people's feet don't look like that. Go with the layout forced by the design constraints, truth is beauty.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top