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CKKIII, Dual mono?

post #1 of 12
4/23/10 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
Hey all!

I'm attempting to make a balanced CKKIII. I already bought all the parts needed from the AMB shop, and I'm in the process of ordering the other parts from mouser, digikey and such. What would be the optimal way to do it? I'm guessing that having two transformers, two power inlets and having + and - on the same board would make it absolutely true dual-mono, isn't it? But I'm a little concerned about having to get different parts, or using different settings during setup (DC offset and such).

Could someone please point out the things I should be concerned when making it balanced vs single-ended? I plan on buying more parts of each than needed and try to hand-pick the ones that are closer in value to match closely both channels.
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post #2 of 12
4/23/10 at 9:09pm
Keep 1 power inlet, power is shared for outlet anyway.

What "different parts" are you concerned about? There isn't that much that needs to be matched in the CKK-III except the 74/170 pairs and that's not really a concern if boards don't match.
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post #3 of 12
4/23/10 at 9:19pm
Thread Starter 

problem fixed

Well, I had guessed that since I intend to use it with my ATHs, which are very sensitive, I might have to lower the power somewhat, but I just remembered that I switched the R and C values to have the gain lowered.

If I make it with 2 transformers, how shall I wire them to the inlet?
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post #4 of 12
4/23/10 at 10:34pm
Makes you wonder why you want a bridged amplifier then. At 102dB/mW sensitivity and 40 Ohms impedance, those ATH-AD2000 are not going to give you a lot of volume control range even at 4x gain per board (8x combined). Hope you're going with a very good quality POT or you have a low voltage source (or you go with something like a Joshua Tree relay-based attenuator that has 128 steps).
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post #5 of 12
4/24/10 at 12:28am
Thread Starter 

Alps

I will use two ALPS blue velvet, the ones supplied by AMB. I've settled on the 4.1x gain SE, which should make a 8x gain in balanced mode. I guess it'll be a lot more than needed but I will also be able to use the amp with my Hd600s.
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post #6 of 12
4/24/10 at 12:37am
Hmm, why not just use a 4-gang pot?
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post #7 of 12
4/24/10 at 1:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Knight View Post
Hmm, why not just use a 4-gang pot?
or a balanced 2-deck shunted pot.

Double knobs are no fun unless you have steppers, in which case they are only somewhat unpleasant.
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post #8 of 12
4/24/10 at 2:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikongod View Post
or a balanced 2-deck shunted pot.

Double knobs are no fun unless you have steppers, in which case they are only somewhat unpleasant.
Thanks, I really needed to choke on my drink just then.
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post #9 of 12
4/24/10 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 

pots

Already bought the pots .

Also, I'm looking for the correct IEC. I can't seem to find the CKKIII's peak power consumption, which I guess by P = U I would give me the maximum current rating. Even then, I guess something like 5A would be enough? I can't see where this kind of amp would need more than 115V*5A= 575W of power... I just want to have the fuse and power switch in the IEC so I don't have to mess with connections, and fused+switch IECs' prices go up really quickly as current capacities go up.
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post #10 of 12
4/24/10 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by papomaster View Post
Already bought the pots .

Also, I'm looking for the correct IEC. I can't seem to find the CKKIII's peak power consumption, which I guess by P = U I would give me the maximum current rating. Even then, I guess something like 5A would be enough? I can't see where this kind of amp would need more than 115V*5A= 575W of power... I just want to have the fuse and power switch in the IEC so I don't have to mess with connections, and fused+switch IECs' prices go up really quickly as current capacities go up.
Recommended fuse for one CK2III is 250mA, so a 5A IEC is plenty.
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post #11 of 12
4/25/10 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by papomaster View Post
I will use two ALPS blue velvet, the ones supplied by AMB. I've settled on the 4.1x gain SE, which should make a 8x gain in balanced mode. I guess it'll be a lot more than needed but I will also be able to use the amp with my Hd600s.
In my experience, that will be WAY too high with Audio Technicas.

My M3 has a gain of 2, and I have only 1/6th of a rotation on the volume control from no noise to deafening. The actual adjustment range I use with different music and games is less than 1/10th of a rotation.

So imagine how difficult it is going to be with higher gain giving even less usable range, AND two pots to deal with?
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post #12 of 12
4/25/10 at 4:45pm
Thread Starter 

solving it

So how should I solve my problem? Having something to lower the gain would be nice but I have no idea on how to implement it. On the AMB website, they give indications on how to have the gain at 4.1x, but not how to make any value if that is doable.
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