DIY beginner

[mow_the_hawk]

I have been thinking about doing a DIY preject to try it out. I have pretty much no knowledge about that subject and I was wondering what a good thing to start with is?

 

[warrior05]

Interconnects. Take a look at the sticky. Piece of cake with very little initial investment.

 

[mow_the_hawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior05 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Interconnects. Take a look at the sticky. Piece of cake with very little initial investment.

Okay. thanks!

 

[xmokshax]

imo, a CMoy. interconnects are simple, but they don't really give you any feel for circuits or electronics. in addition, depending on what kind of connectors you're using, they can actually be harder to solder than basic through-hole parts - lots of thermal mass.

 

[mow_the_hawk]

okay. Thanks. I think I will build both. haha. I need it for a portable rig!

 

[Televator]

I just bought some decent tools (see Tangents site as well) and materials for Cmoy (2x) and lots of IC's and a grado recable... started with the Cmoy and a mini-mini and just went from there. Second Cmoy came out pretty well and my grado recable/re-screen looks (and sounds) very good!

Going for some Alien DAC's next, then a PIMETA and soon I'll be joining team MAX I hope

 

[xmokshax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Televator /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just bought some decent tools (see Tangents site as well) and materials for Cmoy (2x) and lots of IC's and a grado recable... started with the Cmoy and a mini-mini and just went from there. Second Cmoy came out pretty well and my grado recable/re-screen looks (and sounds) very good! Going for some Alien DAC's next, then a PIMETA and soon I'll be joining team MAX I hope

sounds like you're taking almost exactly the same route as me. i'm going to start assembling my PIMETA as soon as the board comes in from tangent. and of course, the MAX is the next attractive prospect on the horizon.

 

[Televator]

well, if two ppl agree on this route...it must be good

I still have to start ordering my PIMETA parts, but so far I'm having a blast DIY'ing. I also ordered the book "the art of electronics" so I learn what part does what in a system. My knowledge of electronics is pretty rusty though so I'm only advancing slowly through this big bible of analog audio

But still, if you want to learn more from DIY than soldering alone, I think it is a very interesting read!

 

[aaron-xp]

Unless you have a soldering iron with a fine tip, making interconnects is going to be really difficult. I've tried using one with a blunted/broken tip before, and all I can say is that I burnt quite a few things in the connector. A vice to grip onto the cable used would be good as well.

The good thing about making interconnects, however, is that the costs incurred is rather low and there is little harm (to your wallet) in damaging and throwing away parts. By the way, I think the RCA-RCA interconnect is one of the easiest to make, with only 4 solder points per interconnect (you need 2 though).

I'd second a CMOY though. Depending on the board you use, it's probably going to be easier than an average mini-mini interconnect.

 

[ruZZ.il]

a PIMETA is easier than an alien DAC. Remember, the A.DAC uses mostly surface mount devices. you'd need some solder/iron control and a steady hand.. a pair of tweezers too

may I suggest that a mini^3 fits quiet snug in that list, with just 2 SMD op amps (the alien dac has a 28pin chip or something like that, tiny contacts.. but with the right methods, easy to do). A good look at what Tengent has put together at Tangentsoft is a must. His tutorials will help a lot too.

I also believe that it's best to start with a CMoy, on perfboard(!) where you have to do the circuit. A PIMETA is easier to build cause you just put everything on and go, but it will be harder to figure out what everything does, and to troubleshoot.

 

[fordgtlover]

Learning to solder is probably the single biggest challenge. Tangent has videos on his website. They are well worth watching. A decent iron, a clean tip, decent solder and practice.

The cable only has 4 solder joints. This isn't great practice for soldering. The cmoy is a much better option.

I would suggest that you use header and pin type connectors for the jacks, maybe the LED and the switch. That way if the cmoy doesn't work out very well just build another one and you don't have to unsolder these parts.

For about $30 you can build two cmoy boards. Plenty of joints and opportunities to play around with some components (capacitors types and values for example).

The Pimeta build is in many ways easier than the cmoy because of the PCB, but the investment in the Pimeta parts is considerably more than the cmoy. Make your mistakes and practice soldering on the cmoys, and then take your time with the Pimeta build.

It is worth remembering that as the amps get more complex the troubleshooting becomes considerably more difficut. The build might be easy, but getting it working isn't always.

I am selling my Pimeta in the for sale section at the moment. Check it out. It was my first build after a few Cmoys. I've since built a Steps power supply and an M^3 (very nice amp), and am waiting on parts for a Millett Max, a Mini³, and an Sigma22 and Beta22. Its a great journey.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=260615

 

[Televator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruZZ.il /img/forum/go_quote.gif a PIMETA is easier than an alien DAC. Remember, the A.DAC uses mostly surface mount devices. you'd need some solder/iron control and a steady hand.. a pair of tweezers too may I suggest that a mini^3 fits quiet snug in that list, with just 2 SMD op amps (the alien dac has a 28pin chip or something like that, tiny contacts.. but with the right methods, easy to do). A good look at what Tengent has put together at Tangentsoft is a must. His tutorials will help a lot too. I also believe that it's best to start with a CMoy, on perfboard(!) where you have to do the circuit. A PIMETA is easier to build cause you just put everything on and go, but it will be harder to figure out what everything does, and to troubleshoot.

yeah, I know the A-DAC isn't the easiest thing with the hard-to-solder chip. But I really need one as my laptop's headphone out (12" PowerBook G4) died recently... and I have a Hakko 936-clone and selected tips and some decent tweezers as well (following Tangent's tools-list is a good way to go)

To be on the safe side I ordered an extra chip and one extra complete A-DAC kit with the chip soldered onto the board already (thank you Jrossel!) so I have a chance to practice but I will finish one A-DAC for sure

I recommend starting with a Cmoy (on perfboard or on radioshack pre-configured perfboard) as well. It might be 'harder' than a PIMETA or other kits that come with a prepared PCB, but it is very easy to troubleshoot.

 

[ruZZ.il]

hehe fordgtlover you lucky b.tard, you're overtaking me!

I really want to build a populated s22 now too but I dont really want to spend the $$ and my summer vacation is running out;/ I'm just going to build my other MAX, some dacs and miniminiminis to keep myself busy.. next summer I'll take on something a little heftier

btw, thanks for that ipod connector tutorial.. I use the pic with the pins to avoid confusion.

 

[XGJFilmsX]

i say go find some old drivers and try making your own pair of headphones. Get some wood and some padding and you can make a nice pair of headphones.

 

[mow_the_hawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Televator /img/forum/go_quote.gif yeah, I know the A-DAC isn't the easiest thing with the hard-to-solder chip. But I really need one as my laptop's headphone out (12" PowerBook G4) died recently... and I have a Hakko 936-clone and selected tips and some decent tweezers as well (following Tangent's tools-list is a good way to go) To be on the safe side I ordered an extra chip and one extra complete A-DAC kit with the chip soldered onto the board already (thank you Jrossel!) so I have a chance to practice but I will finish one A-DAC for sure I recommend starting with a Cmoy (on perfboard or on radioshack pre-configured perfboard) as well. It might be 'harder' than a PIMETA or other kits that come with a prepared PCB, but it is very easy to troubleshoot.

Thanks. I guess I will start with a Cmoy. I saw Tangets tutorial and I will start to order the parts.