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Wich DIY project build...

post #1 of 40
4/14/10 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
...around 130-150$ of budget?
I have a pair of akg 240 that have a warm sound but i believe that needs a good quantity of current to enlarge the soundstage
Looking on the forums i've seen something interesting like the CK2III, CTH and SOHA but i don't know their prices and where buy the parts.
I'd like spend around 150$ (psu and box not incluedd) and something not too big because i'm a student and sometimes i gotta to travel

Wich is the best amp for me?

P.S. what kind of psu use these amps?
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post #2 of 40
4/14/10 at 8:34pm
experience in diy??? I just finished my own ck2III, but it was my 3rd project. You could probably do the ck2III with little problems as it is all through hole parts. However 150 will only get you the raw materials.. you might have to spend a little more on decent casing and other options. you can just do dorkvader's digikey superbox case job for the time being.
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post #3 of 40
4/14/10 at 10:45pm
You will need to start by reading about each of the amps you listed (and others) as they are all different in things from fundamental operation to whether the psu in on-board or external.

Here is Alex's project site: Cavalli Audio
Here is Ti/AMB's project site: AMB Laboratories DIY Audio Site

Alex's amp boards and some kits are available form Glass Jar Audio.
Some of AMB's are as well.

AMB also has an online shop at his web site that will provide you boards and other misc components.
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post #4 of 40
4/14/10 at 10:53pm
I would recommend a pimeta as the cost is right and it's very flexible. You can use three different volume controls and they mount on the pcb. Tangent
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post #5 of 40
4/15/10 at 1:14am
Yes, I just built (except for a proper case) a CKKIII, and my total cost (not counting the new roll of solder I bought, IS counting the cables I made to make it work) is $141.26 That's also counting shipping. I, however, got a great deal on the board and most of the components.

Before that, I had specified a CKKIII for about $150, but I traded the sweet ALPS potentiometer for a case (as in, I was looking at cheap potentiometers, and existant cases over a great potentiometer and no case).

As far as difficulty, I found it easy, the only hard part was setting the current through the transistors (or whatever involves those trimpots) , and checking the LED polarity, which was cake. I'm not done with #1, but I feel like it's pointless to dial it in better until I put it in the case with heatsinks. (I'm not using it at the moment).

So I'd say that you could build one on that budget, but you might have to make unfortunate tradeoffs. The cool part is that you don't have to worry about a power supply.

'course, since the CKKIII has an onboard power supply, you can take your whole PSU budget and put it into there.

If I recall correctly, most other amps need a power supply, like a TREAD or two.
---
Also, When I was looking around for cool project to try, I read on several topics that the CTH isn't a great project to start with (with which to start) because it has such a great component density. Keep in mind, I haven't yet tried it, though.
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post #6 of 40
4/15/10 at 1:21am
Just to add to the list, I don't know if this meets your requirements but tomb offers a nifty MiniMAX kit.

The HeadWize thread is always worth a read as well, albeit now 3 years out of date.

Edit:
Quote:
Originally Posted by dorkvader View Post
<snip>If I recall correctly, most other amps need a power supply, like a TREAD or two.
Just to clarify, but I think he means running 2 TREAD's to make a dual supply. Almost all power supplies can't have their output voltages paralleled without dire consequences.
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post #7 of 40
4/15/10 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by particleman14 View Post
experience in diy??? I just finished my own ck2III, but it was my 3rd project. You could probably do the ck2III with little problems as it is all through hole parts. However 150 will only get you the raw materials.. you might have to spend a little more on decent casing and other options. you can just do dorkvader's digikey superbox case job for the time being.
I've done few days ago the oatley kit but i have some fairly good knowledge of electronics and this stuff

Quote:
Originally Posted by nattonrice View Post
You will need to start by reading about each of the amps you listed (and others) as they are all different in things from fundamental operation to whether the psu in on-board or external.

Here is Alex's project site: Cavalli Audio
Here is Ti/AMB's project site: AMB Laboratories DIY Audio Site

Alex's amp boards and some kits are available form Glass Jar Audio.
Some of AMB's are as well.

AMB also has an online shop at his web site that will provide you boards and other misc components.
I've already seen these pages
Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by dorkvader View Post
Yes, I just built (except for a proper case) a CKKIII, and my total cost (not counting the new roll of solder I bought, IS counting the cables I made to make it work) is $141.26 That's also counting shipping. I, however, got a great deal on the board and most of the components.

Before that, I had specified a CKKIII for about $150, but I traded the sweet ALPS potentiometer for a case (as in, I was looking at cheap potentiometers, and existant cases over a great potentiometer and no case).

As far as difficulty, I found it easy, the only hard part was setting the current through the transistors (or whatever involves those trimpots) , and checking the LED polarity, which was cake. I'm not done with #1, but I feel like it's pointless to dial it in better until I put it in the case with heatsinks. (I'm not using it at the moment).

So I'd say that you could build one on that budget, but you might have to make unfortunate tradeoffs. The cool part is that you don't have to worry about a power supply.

'course, since the CKKIII has an onboard power supply, you can take your whole PSU budget and put it into there.

If I recall correctly, most other amps need a power supply, like a TREAD or two.
---
Also, When I was looking around for cool project to try, I read on several topics that the CTH isn't a great project to start with (with which to start) because it has such a great component density. Keep in mind, I haven't yet tried it, though.
Thanks mate!
I think that the CK2III is a good choice, not too expensive and perfect for my AKG
I could buy the kit from glassjar (the audio parts especially) and all the rest in the shops here in my town (psu, case and other similar stuff) and build it with calm buying some pieces when are necessaries.
I know somebody that said me that the millett is not so good as many people says especially with my headphones.
The CK2III should be better imho for the great current and the good soundstage.
Right?
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post #8 of 40
4/16/10 at 9:08pm
Thread Starter 
If i don't have understand wrong to build the CKK2III i should buy...

- the pcb with pieces from glassjar (how many $/€??)
- a psu (toroidal or wall supply?? price?)
- a box case
There is all?

After all this i think that mount the pieces on the board is not so difficult if in the board there are the name written on it. Like others kit, right?
There's something that i'm dismiss from the mind??
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post #9 of 40
4/16/10 at 9:32pm
If you are decent at soldering through the hole components and you understand that some capacitor are polarized then you should be fine building the amp. You can use batteries for a PS if you feel uncomfortable building one.
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post #10 of 40
4/16/10 at 9:33pm
Sorry but I don't think Glass Jar has the CK2III kits. Maybe someone could put a kit together and ship to you in Sicily? Can you drill the holes and mount jacks and other components on the front/rear panels?
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post #11 of 40
4/16/10 at 9:53pm
I got a kit for a ckkiii from glassjar once. Just because its not on the website doesn't mean he doesn't have it.
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post #12 of 40
4/17/10 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rembrant View Post
If you are decent at soldering through the hole components and you understand that some capacitor are polarized then you should be fine building the amp. You can use batteries for a PS if you feel uncomfortable building one.
I'd say the CKKIII has a pretty easy power supply. It's on the board, so you might as well use it. I mean, you could use batteries to get +-15 volts, but I feel like that's more difficult.

I don't know what comes in the glassjar kit ('cause it's not listed) but you'll need (or probably need):

1. Circuit board with components to fill it
2. Input/output jacks
3. Power entry/fuse/switch (I have an IEC with fuse and a separate switch)
4. Transformer (with +-15V secondary)
5. potentiometer
6. hookup wire, soldering supplies, clipper, etc.-
-. You will probably NOT need a power supply, as it's already onboard (one reason I chose the CKKIII).

Note: on the transformer, you could put it in a box near the wall. I suppose if you got a +-15v AC-AC wall wart, that'd work out fine, too. (because it'd be about the same thing, I think). Many people opt to put it in the box with the amp, as evidenced by the pictures AMB has in the gallery.
---

Jezz: Thanks for the information on power supplies. I'll make sure to be more clear about it in the future (like how you may be able to use two TREAD's, you can't necessarily do that with other supplies). I don't want to give bad advice.
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post #13 of 40
4/17/10 at 9:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rembrant View Post
If you are decent at soldering through the hole components and you understand that some capacitor are polarized then you should be fine building the amp. You can use batteries for a PS if you feel uncomfortable building one.
Yes i know this difference on the caps

Quote:
Originally Posted by lacrossebowe8 View Post
I got a kit for a ckkiii from glassjar once. Just because its not on the website doesn't mean he doesn't have it.
Yes, exactly

Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_cool View Post
Sorry but I don't think Glass Jar has the CK2III kits. Maybe someone could put a kit together and ship to you in Sicily? Can you drill the holes and mount jacks and other components on the front/rear panels?
Yes, i can do this

Quote:
Originally Posted by dorkvader View Post
I'd say the CKKIII has a pretty easy power supply. It's on the board, so you might as well use it. I mean, you could use batteries to get +-15 volts, but I feel like that's more difficult.

I don't know what comes in the glassjar kit ('cause it's not listed) but you'll need (or probably need):

1. Circuit board with components to fill it
2. Input/output jacks
3. Power entry/fuse/switch (I have an IEC with fuse and a separate switch)
4. Transformer (with +-15V secondary)
5. potentiometer
6. hookup wire, soldering supplies, clipper, etc.-
-. You will probably NOT need a power supply, as it's already onboard (one reason I chose the CKKIII).

Note: on the transformer, you could put it in a box near the wall. I suppose if you got a +-15v AC-AC wall wart, that'd work out fine, too. (because it'd be about the same thing, I think). Many people opt to put it in the box with the amp, as evidenced by the pictures AMB has in the gallery.
---

Jezz: Thanks for the information on power supplies. I'll make sure to be more clear about it in the future (like how you may be able to use two TREAD's, you can't necessarily do that with other supplies). I don't want to give bad advice.
Glassjar should supply also the pot, the rest of the parts is not a problem for me.
I don't have understand why the power supply is already onboard
In the on the official site i have seen always a wall supply (marked cavalli) or a transformer inside the case
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post #14 of 40
4/17/10 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by netsky3 View Post
Yes i know this difference on the caps



Yes, exactly



Yes, i can do this



Glassjar should supply also the pot, the rest of the parts is not a problem for me.
I don't have understand why the power supply is already onboard
In the on the official site i have seen always a wall supply (marked cavalli) or a transformer inside the case
The power supply is more complicated than just a transformer. You need to convert AC->DC, store extra energy for peaks, smooth out the power etc. The board contains a section for this already which means all you need outside the board is a transformer. You could also use your own ps leaving off the parts on the board where the ps goes and wire it in correctly, but you wouldn't be doing that.
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post #15 of 40
4/17/10 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by xxbaker View Post
The power supply is more complicated than just a transformer. You need to convert AC->DC, store extra energy for peaks, smooth out the power etc. The board contains a section for this already which means all you need outside the board is a transformer. You could also use your own ps leaving off the parts on the board where the ps goes and wire it in correctly, but you wouldn't be doing that.
You mean that the "output" of a transformer at 15V can be directly connected on the circuit of the CKK if in the board is present the AC->DC converter and the filter? Right?
Practicallya toroidal on the case and the output directly on the circuit.
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