Which DIY Cmoy is better: JDS or Tangent?

Humm...your not really comparing apples to apples.

JDS offers a kit of parts to buy that includes a circuit board.

Tangent is offering a set of instructions (for free) to build your own.

If you used the same parts in both CMoys, they should sound

pretty much the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilsRightHand 


Aren't they different designs? The JDS has a bass boost for one.

That's a feature, not a different design.  You can just as easily add a bass boost in Tangent's "version."

I'm biased, but the choice seems clear to me: do you want to do absolutely everything yourself, in true DIY fashion, or do you want some assistance?

I believe you learn more building the CMoy pocket amplifier my way, but obviously I also have nothing against projects based on professionally manufactured PCBs.

You simply pick the path that gives you what you want out of the project. If educational value is more important, you choose my path. If you're more interested in keeping the build time low, you pick the path that removes as many of the barriers as possible. If you're more interested in the final product than in the build process, I think it comes down to a personal judgement: do you prefer the raw perfboard build esthetic, or are you after something that approximates professionally manufactured electronics?

Definatly lots to be gained on the perfboard learning curve

you'll make mistakes and have frustrations but at the end it'll be all your own work and you'll understand it better

cheers

FRED

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred_fred2004 

Definatly lots to be gained on the perfboard learning curve

 

you'll make mistakes and have frustrations but at the end it'll be all your own work and you'll understand it better

 

cheers

FRED

Perfboard is definitely a learning curve.

I personally have a bit of trouble coming up with a really effective layout, putting the schematic in my mind into reality, so often have jumpers going everywhere and just sort of add things on here and there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangent 

I'm biased, but the choice seems clear to me: do you want to do absolutely everything yourself, in true DIY fashion, or do you want some assistance?

 

I believe you learn more building the CMoy pocket amplifier my way, but obviously I also have nothing against projects based on professionally manufactured PCBs.

 

You simply pick the path that gives you what you want out of the project. If educational value is more important, you choose my path. If you're more interested in keeping the build time low, you pick the path that removes as many of the barriers as possible. If you're more interested in the final product than in the build process, I think it comes down to a personal judgement: do you prefer the raw perfboard build esthetic, or are you after something that approximates professionally manufactured electronics?

this is very good advice. the cmoy is a great learning experience. if thats what your going for, tangents site has some great info. his page on choosing coupling capacitor values is top notch. 

the cmoy is a great learners project due to its simplicity, and with research you can definitely get a good understanding of how the circuit operates. also, its a great project to get an understanding of how gain effects the sound.

I voted for JDS labs, even though its not better. Just easier to stuff a PCB than to build multiples of something on perfboard. 

If you want better build a Pimeta, Mini^3, or O2. 

Good choice

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilsRightHand 

Actually, I'm finishing up my parts order on Newark based on your parts list.  What I want to do is, try different sets of caps and resistors on a breadboard till I find what I prefer, then solder it n a prefboard and find an original box/case for it. So I got all the parts you listed including the alternatives and optionals.  Fun times ahead!!!

I'd guess the dip8 socket is optional because you could solder the chip directly (I dont think thats a good idea  )

For the DC socket I use http://au.element14.com/lumberg/1614-10/chassis-socket-psu-panel-mount/dp/1243247 I think it may be the same part number

cheers

FRED