eXStata DIY Electrostatic Amp for Intermediate DIYers

[wiatrob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsx_23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Damn, I need one of these in my life. Not too sure whether I'd go with tube or SS though.

One of the cool things about the design is that the Sand and Hybrid boards have the same footprint, so you can build both and if you use a trafo with a heater winding, swap the boards in and out of the same enclosure.

 

[sachu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiatrob /img/forum/go_quote.gif One of the cool things about the design is that the Sand and Hybrid boards have the same footprint, so you can build both and if you use a trafo with a heater winding, swap the boards in and out of the same enclosure.

And it only costs like about 50$ excluding board (and tube for tube version) costs to populate a stereo set.

 

[wiatrob]

More chum:

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Sweet - is that running and making noise now?

 

[wiatrob]

It's running - but it's not making any noise...

 

[les_garten]

Both amps are going to be single board footprints?

What tubes?

 

[runeight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachu /img/forum/go_quote.gif And it only costs like about 50$ excluding board (and tube for tube version) costs to populate a stereo set.

I hope you don't really mean $50. The amp should have a reasonable cost to build, but I don't think quite that cheap. Just so folks have the right expectations.

 

[runeight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by les_garten /img/forum/go_quote.gif Both amps are going to be single board footprints? What tubes?

Both amps have two channels on one board, but the boards are scored so you can snap them in half.

Tubes are 6S4.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by runeight /img/forum/go_quote.gif Both amps have two channels on one board, but the boards are scored so you can snap them in half. Tubes are 6S4.

Ahh, now I get it, thanx!

Any feelings how the amps sound from each other.

 

[sachu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by runeight /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope you don't really mean $50. The amp should have a reasonable cost to build, but I don't think quite that cheap. Just so folks have the right expectations.

Duly noted...rather than quote a number, it suffices to say that it cheap enough to build both versions

I am staring at two red boards in front of me with great anticipation while listening to the sand version and I am thinking..I just wonder how the tube version will sound. Would it sound as good as this one sounds.or would it be moar to my taste..and if so, I will be completely blown away..not that I am not already..

 

[runeight]

wiatrob is the only one who has both amps running. pabbi1 is close and sachu/ericj are working on it.

I'll probably build a tube version, but not just yet.

 

[sachu]

I will be in SFO this weekend...I can haul the sand version with me along with my Koss ESP950 if someone wants to listen to it.

Just give me a heads up..if no interest then I won't take the trouble.

 

[smeggy]

can those output doodads with heatsinks be mounted on the bottom so the tubes poke up through a lid? I wanna see toooobzz!

Nice work Runeight and posse

 

[sachu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif can those output doodads with heatsinks be mounted on the bottom so the tubes poke up through a lid? I wanna see toooobzz! Nice work Runeight and posse

They sure can be Smegster..am going to be doing that for mine..I suppose you want me to do the same on your board.

I wil have to make sure none of the vias are shorting with the heatsinks though underneath the board.

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachu /img/forum/go_quote.gif They sure can be Smegster..am going to be doing that for mine..I suppose you want me to do the same on your board. I wil have to make sure none of the vias are shorting with the heatsinks though underneath the board.

Doesn't that make the pinout on the board mirrored? I didn't think it was that easy to flip it over?