eXStata DIY Electrostatic Amp for Intermediate DIYers

[sachu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bada bing /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm wondering about sharing a single PSU between a sand amp and a tube amp, all in the same chassis. What are the downsides ? I have an extra "Nabu" case, which should be an adequate size ?

I had the same thought..but seems the PSU is speced for just one amp board. Having both means having 2 PSU boards. Also you will need a bigger transfromer.

 

[n3rdling]

Well, I've never built an amp before so I was a bit worried about killing myself with this build and ended up buying sachu's SS build. I will try to give you guys impressions on how this amp stacks up with my SRM1mkII/T1/T1S/717 via the SR5/Lambda/Lambda Sig/Sigma/Sigma pro/O2/HE60. I always try to give completely honest impressions, so hopefully they serve some use for both developers and potential builders.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n3rdling /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I've never built an amp before so I was a bit worried about killing myself with this build and ended up buying sachu's SS build. I will try to give you guys impressions on how this amp stacks up with my SRM1mkII/T1/T1S/717 via the SR5/Lambda/Lambda Sig/Sigma/Sigma pro/O2/HE60. I always try to give completely honest impressions, so hopefully they serve some use for both developers and potential builders.

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[audionut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by runeight /img/forum/go_quote.gif There have been only a few comments since my post about the diy beta build. I assume this is because some of you felt that the process was ok and are ready to go and some of you didn't and decided to not make a fuss over it. So, those of you would like to be part of the beta-builder team please PM me. If there is enough interest we'll go forward.

Runeight, Sent you a PM earlier this morning. Didn't know if you got it? Anyway, I can build one of these and would be interested in participating in the beta build. Would be interested in building the hybrid version, as I just completed building a P2P KGSS a few months back. I have the ESP950's for testing. Let me know if you still need diy beta builders and what details are involved. I can get parts from Mouser in one day here in Texas. Tubes are 3 days away. Thanks, Tommy.

 

[webbie64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaox2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Quote: Originally Posted by n3rdling /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, I've never built an amp before so I was a bit worried about killing myself with this build and ended up buying sachu's SS build. I will try to give you guys impressions on how this amp stacks up with my SRM1mkII/T1/T1S/717 via the SR5/Lambda/Lambda Sig/Sigma/Sigma pro/O2/HE60. I always try to give completely honest impressions, so hopefully they serve some use for both developers and potential builders. Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it.

Absolutely. X2. Very keen to read your impressions.

 

[ericj]

We do still need a few beta testers, and be clear: This design is essentially complete. Some resistor values and recommended test point readings might get changed.

We just need to assemble more group experience - for which there will be few enough builders concurrently that runeight can give sufficient personal attention.

For the hours that we've been able to run our prototypes it's been a very stable and good performing amp. But we only have, what, five of each? And know relatively little about what can go wrong when the builder makes a mistake.

I work in software quality - where we break things intentionally. Nobody wants to build an amp wrong on purpose, but sometimes it gets built wrong anyway.

So far I've personally discovered that reversing the zener that protects the positive power regulator fet doesn't kill anything if it's a brief error.

Tomorrow i get to figure out if i killed anything by powering up my 2nd ps with the N and P channel fets swapped.

I didn't intend to do that, but the way the power supply board goes together it made the most sense to me to mount the transistors on their heatsinks finger-tight, get the legs aligned in the board, then torque down the nuts good and tight. Which involved taking them back off the board and then putting them back on to solder them in finally.

And i guess i wasn't careful enough when i stuck them in the board the last time. Too much confidence from having mostly built the other three boards free of drama.

There really aren't bugs to be worked out of this design. We're at the tuning phase, and we need to have a better idea of how successfully other people can build them before boards go into full production.

 

[dracoV]

I've been following this since the old thread, really glad to see it come to life.

I've been itching to go for an electrostatic for quite a while; the only thing
that keep me from doing so is IT need a good electro-amp which cost quite a lot.

Now there's a reasonable one to build.

can't wait to build one.

It seem runeight's design often catch my interest. Cheers,

 

[sergery]

OK, on board for a beta build. My interest got the best of me. I decided to just scare up some cheap tester stats - I think anyone else in my position might consider this route also. LET'S BUILD SOME AMPS!

cheers
serge

 

[Emooze]

I put my name down as well. Was going to buy a DAC before I looked at another amp but this is worth the change of plans.

 

[DouglasQuaid]

If it's for the good of the DIY forum, I could put one together. It'd be nice to put it up against my KGSS once it's done.

 

[wiatrob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif We do still need a few beta testers, and be clear: This design is essentially complete. Some resistor values and recommended test point readings might get changed. SNIP There really aren't bugs to be worked out of this design. We're at the tuning phase, and we need to have a better idea of how successfully other people can build them before boards go into full production.

Agreed - all good points Eric...

I think another thing we're looking for are different sets/types of sources than the proto team had.

Is anyone who's thinking of building a Beta Build considering balanced or SE inputs, Hig or Mid or Low end sources? (We noticed at RMAF that this amp is particularly revealing of source strengths, weaknesses and quirks...) Different cans?

It might be good to compile a list of these, and apply some of that QA matrix testing i bet eric is familiar with. That way, insteaf of guessing how the amp will perform with a particular set of gear, we might have some evidence of performance or indications of problems with any givin setup.

AFAIK (and I know you all will be qucik to correct me if I'm wrong

), this slightly more rigorous testing has yet to be done for head-fi DIY. And I think it could be very valuable...

 

[Emooze]

I have a pair of Lambda Nova Signatures on the way. Looking at SE inputs with a low end source. Like I said, it'll be running out of my laptop, decent but very noisy, until I buy a DAC. The DAC I have my eyes on is the Valab NOS DAC.

 

[runeight]

Folks, I'd like to post the current tally of beta builders to the thread. We don't have quite enough builders yet and, in the meantime, I wanted to ask your review to see if I have the right board allocated for you.

If any of you who have contacted me with PMs don't wish to be listed please send me another PM.

 

[audionut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by runeight /img/forum/go_quote.gif Folks, I'd like to post the current tally of beta builders to the thread. We don't have quite enough builders yet and, in the meantime, I wanted to ask your review to see if I have the right board allocated for you. If any of you who have contacted me with PMs don't wish to be listed please send me another PM.

Runeight, Put me down for the hybrid, which I'm pretty sure you already know.

Ready and waiting for the boards/details.

Thanks, Tommy

 

[smeggy]

has this been bandied about it the stax and koss threads yet? If not, it needs to be.