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Mini^3

post #1 of 8
10/21/10 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 

I'm considering looking into the DIY options available for my next desktop setup, but before doing that, what I think I want to do first is start with a smaller easier to complete project. Something more appropriate to my skill level. Having completed a CMOY amp, would I most likely be ready for a Mini^3? And would I learn enough to move into maybe a y1->y2?

 

Also, more importantly, is a Mini^3 a good option for my Westone UM1? I presently have no good portable amplification and I'm driving them off of a droid's headphone out. If I built this I'd move back to iPod -> LOD -> Mini^3 -> Westone UM1, and I'd probably upgrade my ipod to a larger capacity unit... but would this sound good?

 

Also, I have no intention of driving full sized cans on this amp. I'd need to build this for my westone UM1's almost exclusively, and potentially other OEM's in the future. Should I build the performance or battery life version? Which would sound better with IEM offerings?

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post #2 of 8
10/21/10 at 5:54pm

as far as i know all the mini^3 has over the cmoy is an active ground and a battery charging circuit. assuming you're going to be buying the board (or even if you don't), you should be more than prepared to handle this.

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post #3 of 8
10/21/10 at 7:13pm

Assuming "cmoy" here infers the use of OPA132 or OPA2132 opamp as described in Chu Moy's original project page and in tangent's tutorial, it won't be be happy with driving the super low impedance load of IEMs.  On the other hand Mini³ (particularly the high performance edition) will have no trouble.

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post #4 of 8
10/21/10 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by amb View Post

Assuming "cmoy" here infers the use of OPA132 or OPA2132 opamp as described in Chu Moy's original project page and in tangent's tutorial, it won't be be happy with driving the super low impedance load of IEMs.  On the other hand Mini³ (particularly the high performance edition) will have no trouble.



Awesome, thanks for the input Ti! As a more personal note, thanks for all you do!

 

I'll take your advice and go ahead with the performance version. This is something I expect to start sometime next month to get a decent IEM amp setup. I understand it drives headphones up to 300ohm with little issue so I'm also guessing it'd drive higher impedance IEM without issue also.

 

As another curiosity, I should have very little noise from this using IEM right? One of the main things I'm trying to achieve here is more power and control over the IEM and a blacker background.

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post #5 of 8
10/21/10 at 8:52pm

Most IEMs are so sensitive they need no amplification at all.  But if you must use an amp, set it up for low gain.  For Mini³ this means no higher than gain of 2.

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post #6 of 8
10/21/10 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by amb View Post

Most IEMs are so sensitive they need no amplification at all.  But if you must use an amp, set it up for low gain.  For Mini³ this means no higher than gain of 2.


Would you still reccomend the performance variation at this gain?

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post #7 of 8
10/21/10 at 9:35pm

Yes, high output current drive capability is always desirable for low impedance loads.

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post #8 of 8
10/21/10 at 9:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by amb View Post

Yes, high output current drive capability is always desirable for low impedance loads.



Thanks again ti.

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