[Hellesoe]

hey there

im new in the whole Head-fi world, and is therefore going to build me a complete beginner setup!

need to fit my soon to come AKG KI 701(hope they suite my taste rock/metal/symphonic)

so therefore im in need of a setup wich will run off 230V AC

i'll need a DAC + AMP that can drive my AKG 701.

im not a beginner within the eletronics world as im about to study to an eletronic engineer(next year) and have had several courses on eletronics on my former College(called HTX here in Denmark)

any help which DAC + AMP combo that would be good ?

 

[Hellesoe]

i think ill be building the Alien DAC

and then im thinking about building a CK2III - M^3 - Pimata or so... the only thing im going to figure out is how to make my power supply as most of the builds are with DC in and im using AC... any ideas ?

 

[MoodySteve]

I can vouch firsthand for the combination of the Alien DAC and CK²III, as I built this exact combo a good few months ago. The CK²III is a wonderful amp, especially considering its relatively low cost. It has its own on-board power supply section, so all you need to do is supply it with ±15VAC.

The main job of any power supply you'd build for these projects is to 'rectify' the AC coming from your transformer's secondaries into a more-or-less steady DC signal (the ripple will determine if it's 'more' or 'less'

).

 

[akione]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoodySteve /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can vouch firsthand for the combination of the Alien DAC and CK²III, as I built this exact combo a good few months ago. The CK²III is a wonderful amp, especially considering its relatively low cost. It has its own on-board power supply section, so all you need to do is supply it with ±15VAC......

A 'No-Brainer' to me. A Grossly under-rated amp.

 

[Hellesoe]

i think that those will be the first i build then damn i cant wait

hmm... first time SMD soldering

 

[MASantos]

If you want to keep your costs low and sourcing easy, you could order kits from Jeff Rossell. Check www.glassjaraudio.com

I've ordered from him a few times and never had customs charges.

He's a great guy to deal with and many headfiers use his kits.

The $/€ exchange rate is great right now so you get a great "discount" too.

If you don't want the trouble of SMD soldering the PCM IC Jeff can presolder it for you for a small fee.

Have fun and keep us posted!


Manuel

 

[Hellesoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MASantos /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you want to keep your costs low and sourcing easy, you could order kits from Jeff Rossell. Check Glass Jar Audio I've ordered from him a few times and never had customs charges. He's a great guy to deal with and many headfiers use his kits. The $/€ exchange rate is great right now so you get a great "discount" too. If you don't want the trouble of SMD soldering the PCM IC Jeff can presolder it for you for a small fee. Have fun and keep us posted! Manuel

you read my mind actuatly that was what i meant to do... and about the voltage HIt me har please -_- thought for a day that in Denmark we run on DC lol xP(we run on AC off course xP)

but well now i know that i will be building the Alien DAC now i just need to decide what amp,

currently between the Millet Max /hybrid or the CK²III proberly the last for now as it's a bit cheaper


EDIT:

amps i "want" to build

B22 2 channel
CK²III
Millet Max

any ideas what to build as first ? would like a great sounding one and actuatly the B22 2 channel isn't that exspensive... 162 dollars with parts isn't devestating...

 

[Ferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellesøe /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... currently between the Millet Max /hybrid or the CK²III proberly the last for now as it's a bit cheaper EDIT: amps i "want" to build B22 2 channel CK²III Millet Max any ideas what to build as first ? would like a great sounding one and actuatly the B22 2 channel isn't that exspensive... 162 dollars with parts isn't devestating...

I would recommend CK²III first. And if you are interested in a good Hybrid amp, you can better waiting for the SOHA II, which is using better audio tubes (instead of car tubes in the other amp). SOHA II will be released soon , very soon.
BTW, I don't think that you can build a 2 channel B22 for US$ 162, you probably have overlooked a lot of hidden cost.

(I'm typing this message while listening to music via my CK²III in the office)

 

[tomb]

The Millett MAX would be a better choice for the beginner - there's no line voltage power wiring or transformer to mess with. Although, most of the amps you list are not truly beginner's builds. The PIMETA probably comes closest and would be a reasonable first build if you skip the CMoy.

People love to diss the Millett's tubes, but they are cheap and there are many happy builders. There aren't many any other choices if you don't want to mess with line-voltage or high voltage.

EDIT: It's possible that the Starving Student Millett Hybrid might be the best choice for you as a beginner. There could be some changes coming that might make it a fairly simple build (even though it is already). It has the advantage of having an off-the-shelf power supply that it compatible with both 110 and 220 line voltage. That might make it pretty easy for a European build.

 

[m0b1liz3]

What is the change coming to the Starving Student model??? I am still considering giving it a go just because it can be made so small and looks cool.

 

[Ferrari]

I don't want to talk for Hellesøe but he is not a biginner as many other beginners we often see at this place.
With HTX back ground in Denmark (~ MTS in the Netherlands), his technical skills is at least above average comparing to Head-Fi folks around here. He might not have much soldering experiences, but he is not a "noob", Just FYI.

 

[Hellesoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferrari /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't want to talk for Hellesøe but he is not a biginner as many other beginners we often see at this place. With HTX back ground in Denmark (~ MTS in the Netherlands), his technical skills is at least above average comparing to Head-Fi folks around here. He might not have much soldering experiences, but he is not a "noob", Just FYI.

you hid the nail spot on

well ive been soldering since i was 13-14 years old (now 19) so well in that field i can deal with the most althoug i hate SMD components

 

[Hellesoe]

and another question where is there a link for a STEP power supply ? can't find anything about it anywhere althoug i see people build it

EDIT:

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CHOOSE xP now i just got a look at (actualy the one ferrari built) the B22 and beta22 and it looks exstremely nice, althoug i cant quite figure out the specs on the power supply or how to make it so i can use it

 

[akione]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellesøe /img/forum/go_quote.gif and another question where is there a link for a STEP power supply ? can't find anything about it anywhere althoug i see people build it

Is this what you're looking for ?

Tangent Easy Power Supply

 

[Hellesoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akione /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is this what you're looking for ? Tangent Easy Power Supply

thanks now i got the power supply and DAC "figured" out now i need to find my amplifier

(need to calculate so it fits 230V AC in and then the the destined out )