Help me find my way on the DIY path

Quote:

Originally Posted by mralexosborn 

I am in the middle of building a Cmoy. It is not going well. I have gotten to testing and the right channel does not work. I reheated all my joints, still no right channel. I am on the verge of not giving up, but moving on. (I have another thread about this)

 

 

I REALLY want to get into DIY speakers. I really want to build Cyburg Needles. But I need an amp...

What amp could/should I build? Of course it has to be simple. I think I have soldering down but the Cmoy is problematic because of that size and my poor eyesight. 

Also would an amp like the Bottlehead Crack be more difficult or easier than a Cmoy for me? It seems like just a lot of point to point soldering, which appeals to me more than a tiny PCB.

If I can't build this Cmoy successfully would it be a poor decision to move on to something better? I feel as though I have REALLY outgrown what a Cmoy is used for so I really have no motivation to finish it.

 

To clarify, I have a pair of HD650's and a Schiit Asgard; I have no use for a $17 Cmoy.

I want to keep my DIY speaker project under $300 total. I am estimating the Needles will cost $150. For an amp I'd really like to do something with tubes just for the heck of it.

Soldering is something I am somewhat comfortable with. I just hate small and CROWDED applications of it. That's why these other projects appeal to me more; most of them have the components spaced out a bit.

 

Cable making also appeals to me because it seems simple and there are many application of it. Suggestions for a "starter kit" or a how-to?

 

I am just a kid so if any of this seems like nonsense, you know why. I also have some money to work with so I truly have no solid budget.

 

Thanks in advance if you are helpful. 

I don't mean to sound harsh, but how do you think you can complete a $150 amp if you can't get a $17 one working? The Needles look cool though, I might be building one with you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mralexosborn 

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobSaysHi 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mralexosborn 

I am in the middle of building a Cmoy. It is not going well. I have gotten to testing and the right channel does not work. I reheated all my joints, still no right channel. I am on the verge of not giving up, but moving on. (I have another thread about this)

 

 

I REALLY want to get into DIY speakers. I really want to build Cyburg Needles. But I need an amp...

What amp could/should I build? Of course it has to be simple. I think I have soldering down but the Cmoy is problematic because of that size and my poor eyesight. 

Also would an amp like the Bottlehead Crack be more difficult or easier than a Cmoy for me? It seems like just a lot of point to point soldering, which appeals to me more than a tiny PCB.

If I can't build this Cmoy successfully would it be a poor decision to move on to something better? I feel as though I have REALLY outgrown what a Cmoy is used for so I really have no motivation to finish it.

 

To clarify, I have a pair of HD650's and a Schiit Asgard; I have no use for a $17 Cmoy.

I want to keep my DIY speaker project under $300 total. I am estimating the Needles will cost $150. For an amp I'd really like to do something with tubes just for the heck of it.

Soldering is something I am somewhat comfortable with. I just hate small and CROWDED applications of it. That's why these other projects appeal to me more; most of them have the components spaced out a bit.

 

Cable making also appeals to me because it seems simple and there are many application of it. Suggestions for a "starter kit" or a how-to?

 

I am just a kid so if any of this seems like nonsense, you know why. I also have some money to work with so I truly have no solid budget.

 

Thanks in advance if you are helpful. 

I don't mean to sound harsh, but how do you think you can complete a $150 amp if you can't get a $17 one working? The Needles look cool though, I might be building one with you.

Some of them are more simple with not having to deal with a PCB (just point to point) and others have labeled and drilled PCB's both of which give you ample room to work with. 

Maybe it's just me?

I see that you've built a Minimax, how much of a challenge was that?

To say it was a colossal failure wouldn't be too big of an understatement. It was my first build, and I spent like 3 months frustrated over not knowing how to fix it. I eventually sent it to tomb after he offered to fix it for me. I've learned from my mistakes, however it was at a huge cost. I've come a long way in the past couple months. I've built many PCBs (like 15ish) and one point to point, and I must say that point to point is the most challenging to me. I wouldn't recommend it. Keep in mind, I'm just trying to save you what could be a disaster, and you could be out of a lot of time and/or money trying to figure out what the problem is.

With that said, your thread might get more attention if you change the title to "Recommend a speaker amp for (x amount of money)", if that's what you are looking for. That's what I'm looking for at least.

i'm on the same road you're on. i've been trying to build it since august but have been procrastinating ever since i found one flaw on my amp (right channel doesn't work either.) anyway, don't give up. it'll become a habit, it's just a $20 amp. you've got nothing to lose (except time.) 

also, post pictures of your cmoy. tangent (the guy who made the "how to" article) browses this section and is very helpful. he is currently helping me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowjuan 

also, post pictures of your cmoy. tangent (the guy who made the "how to" article) browses this section and is very helpful. he is currently helping me.

He has another thread already, and is getting help.

Also, what drivers were you planning on putting in your Cyburgs? I'm slowly reading through the thread, but I know next to nothing about speakers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mralexosborn 

Thanks BobSaysHi!

 

I understand how quitting can become a habit but it is just so frustrating to gain nothing after it's done, you know?

 

Anyway, I think I found a rather seemingly straightforward DIY tube amp: The K-12M.

http://diyaudioprojects.com/Tubes/K-12M/K-12M.htm

 

Seems simple, can I do it?

That looks pretty simple. I'd say so, but keep in mind the lethal shock hazard. I'm reading through the modifications here. (http://diyaudioprojects.com/Tubes/K-12M_bh/)

I'll look around for a parts list, since I don't want to pay extra for a kit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mralexosborn 

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobSaysHi 

Also, what drivers were you planning on putting in your Cyburgs? I'm slowly reading through the thread, but I know next to nothing about speakers.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/47403-cyburgs-needle-tangband-w3-871s.html

 

 

Probably the Tangband that is mentioned. Or maybe some Fostex driver. I want to TRY to spend less than $100 on the drivers themselves. 

 

Ahh, the Tangband is discontinued.

I was thinking about the Alpair 6P (https://www.madisound.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=9031) Which were recommended near the end of the thread. It goes over your $100 driver limit though.

I wonder if that amp will go well with those speakers. I'm seriously considering purchasing these, which is never a good sign. I want a new DAC first, though. Hopefully someone will chime in and comment on our decisions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mralexosborn 

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobSaysHi 

I wonder if that amp will go well with those speakers. I'm seriously considering purchasing these, which is never a good sign. I want a new DAC first, though. Hopefully someone will chime in and comment on our decisions.

That's not too bad. What I am thinking is bad: "This would be a perfect start for a vinyl setup!"

 

Ouch. I'll be building a gamma 2 with a regulated power supply, so it won't exactly be cheap. We'll see how much money I'll have after finishing that up. Not to mention I also have to finish up my woodies for my Grados. Too much to do and too little money to do it with. 

My Mom told me that she might be working the late shift, and if that's true, then I'll have a lot of free time to spend with my new speakers.  I'm not really sure where I'll put them, my room is small, and there isn't anything resembling a dedicated chair to listen to them in.