bluemonkeyflyer
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2011
- Posts
- 1,852
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'solderdude' has designed numerous DIY amps, power supplies, and much more...all free to the DIY community. He's also the designer of garage1217 tube amps and power supplies. He runs a very informative site HERE with tons of DIY information, guides, tutorials, and a blog about amps and headphones. All DIY'ers should check it out! His build guides, with photos and instructions are peerless and he's very responsive to newbie questions.
I'm currently building solderdude's Kameleon v2 amp that comes in a desktop and portable versions. The desktop amp has its own power supply. Both amps are configurable using correction filters to smooth out spikes and elevate bass and/or treble when needed for a wide variety of headphones. You simply build a correction filter for each of your headphones and easily switch them out via a DIP-8 socket mounted on the amp board. There are only a few SMDs and they're large 1206 size. I think this is a very easy amp to build as long as you follow solderdude's excellent build guide.
I'm looking forward to comparing Kameleon v2 with my finished DIY amps including: CK2III, Bijou, EHHA Rev A, and QRV-08;
and ready to build amps: F5 HA v2 GB and Neurochrome HP-1. I'll post listening impressions and comparisons when I finish my Kameleon v2.
Desktop Amp: The rear section is used for the portable version.
Kameleon v2 Desktop Amp and Power Supply
Important: Do Not use the DIP-8 shown in the picture, above,
because the correction filters will not fit! You must use a spring
loaded DIP-8 as specified in the BOM.
Note the yellow text, above, and the correct DIP-8. The vias
for pins 6, 7, and 8 were ripped out when I desoldered the
incorrect DIP-8. The green jumper connects Pin 6 to C104 to
make the repair. The yellow jumper is not needed since Pins
2 and 7 are not used. I clipped off the yellow wire.
Desoldering the incorrect DIP-8 destroyed the via in Pin 8. I
had to connect Pin 8 to C102 as a work-around.
Power Supply for the Desktop version:
Testing the power supply
Two, 15-0-15 7W toroids in parallel. The amp and
and power supply are working. Initial listening
impressions: very good.
EDIT: I subsequently installed a single Triad Magnetics 15-0-15, 25W toroid transformer in place of the 2 mini-toroids.
I'm currently building solderdude's Kameleon v2 amp that comes in a desktop and portable versions. The desktop amp has its own power supply. Both amps are configurable using correction filters to smooth out spikes and elevate bass and/or treble when needed for a wide variety of headphones. You simply build a correction filter for each of your headphones and easily switch them out via a DIP-8 socket mounted on the amp board. There are only a few SMDs and they're large 1206 size. I think this is a very easy amp to build as long as you follow solderdude's excellent build guide.
I'm looking forward to comparing Kameleon v2 with my finished DIY amps including: CK2III, Bijou, EHHA Rev A, and QRV-08;
and ready to build amps: F5 HA v2 GB and Neurochrome HP-1. I'll post listening impressions and comparisons when I finish my Kameleon v2.
Desktop Amp: The rear section is used for the portable version.
Kameleon v2 Desktop Amp and Power Supply
Important: Do Not use the DIP-8 shown in the picture, above,
because the correction filters will not fit! You must use a spring
loaded DIP-8 as specified in the BOM.
Note the yellow text, above, and the correct DIP-8. The vias
for pins 6, 7, and 8 were ripped out when I desoldered the
incorrect DIP-8. The green jumper connects Pin 6 to C104 to
make the repair. The yellow jumper is not needed since Pins
2 and 7 are not used. I clipped off the yellow wire.
Desoldering the incorrect DIP-8 destroyed the via in Pin 8. I
had to connect Pin 8 to C102 as a work-around.
Power Supply for the Desktop version:
Testing the power supply
Two, 15-0-15 7W toroids in parallel. The amp and
and power supply are working. Initial listening
impressions: very good.
EDIT: I subsequently installed a single Triad Magnetics 15-0-15, 25W toroid transformer in place of the 2 mini-toroids.