zhtham
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2002
- Posts
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**Dedicated to Eleanor**
It's her birthday today, i used to make her DIY birthday cards every year
But I have been slackin' off recently... so here's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna call this particular amp I assembled "Ellen". There you go Eleanor, here's an Great lookin (IMHO), and Solid Amplifier name after ya'. How's that for a Birthday Card?
Happy Birthday! -Z
After months of part searching, assembling, configuring and debuging. I finally got this amplifier the way i want it to be.
I want to thank everyone that hangout in Head-Fi, I've learned so much from you guys. It feels GREAT to know that create sometin' out of a bunch of parts isn't a Mission Impossible anymore!
This is my second DIY amp, first one was a CHA47 in a Penguin mint box. Things i learned from building the penguin amp really helped a lot. I have some pictures of it in the link attached.
My advice to those who are thinking of making a DIY amp, look no further! Head-Fi & Headwize DIY forum is where you'll wanna be.
PART LISTS:
Power Supply
Board: META42 V1.0 PCB - Tangent
Buffers: Elantec EL2001CN * (3) - Tangent
V. Gnd: TI Rail Splitter TO-92 - digikey.com (296-1994)
D1: STM Diodes 3A/40V - mouser.com (511-1N5822)
LED: T-1 3/4 Red Diffused super-bright - mouser.com (604-L53SRDG)
RL: 15k 1% resistors - RadioShack
C2,C3: Panasonic FC Electolytic 470ìF/16V * (4) - digikey.com (P10275-ND)
C4: Wima MKS2 10uF/16V * (2) - Tangent
Amplifier
Vol: Alps Stepped Attenuator - Read this
OpAmp: Analog Devices AD8620AR - analogdevices.com
Adapter: Browndog SO8 to DIP8 adapter w/ pins - brndog.com (970601S)
C1: Wima MKS2 1uF/64V * (2) - erix
R1: 1k 1% resistors * (2) - RadioShack
R2: 200k 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (2) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-200K)
R3,R7,R9: 47.5 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (6) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-47.5)
R4,R5: 475 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (4) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-475)
R6: 47.5k 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (2) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-47.5K)
R8: Jumpered
Enclosure, I/O, & Etc.
PS jack: 2.1mm/5.5mm Panel Mount DC Jack - digikey.com (CP-5-ND)
Switch: Panel Mount SPST Rocker Switch - alliedelec.com (908-0100)
In Jack: 3.5mm Stereo Jack - digikey.com (CP-3535-ND)
RCA Jack: Panel Mount Insulated RCA Jack - partsexpress.com (091-1120)
Encl.: Hammond Aluminum Extruded Enclosure - alliedelec.com (806-3628)
Ph. Jack: Neutrik Locking 1/4" Phone Jack - markertek.com (NJ3FP6C-B)
Vol Knob: 0.925" Matte Black Volume Knob - alliedelec.com (664-1654)
IC Sockets: Mill-Max Gold DIP8 Sockets * (4) - digikey.com (MV8305-ND)
Screws: #4-40 x 1/2" machine screw * (2) - Home Depot (for the Neutrik Locking Jack, bcoz it doesn't come with matching screws)
BRIEF REVIEW
First thing that came into my mind when i fired up the amp was "Wow! Kick A**!" The bass is punchy, it really shook my brain I tell ya! I was using Cowboy Junkies - Miles From Our Home - Track 6: "Hollow As A Bone" as my test track
Drum beat was very controlled. I don't know how else to describe it.... You know when you hit a drum --- "boom...chzzz", the trailing sound "chzzz" is so realistic! I feel like i could touch the drum that's right in front of me
Next thing i noticed was imaging improved compared to my CHA47, i could tell the position of the instrument easier. I didn't have to try too hard to find out what's playin' where. High frequency is not shrilling when i turn up the volume. Now i can enjoy the music while trying to listen to the details in mid-high volume (i'm listening with the knob at 12~1 o'clock position now). Yeah, the vocal is just SWEET! You can hear how the voice of the singer trembles. Plus, the guitar strums is so realistic, just like the drum beat, i can almost reach out an touch it!
Well, overall, I've listened to different amps, and I think it's a great step ahead of CHA47, OBH11, or X-Can V2. BUT of course that's just my humble opinion
I will consider doing a more detail review if it's necessary.
BTW, i listen to the amp with my SONY CD3000 Headphone (a Low Impedence Headphone), and powered by 2 9V batteries in series (i tried 15v walwart, but it gives this soft but still audible hums, thinkin' of building a highly regulated Linear PS someday!).
THANKS & CREDIT
Big thank yous to Morsel, Eric343, Tangent, Apheared & Antness for making this whole amp possible! I used PRR suggested values for R3~R6 and it works like a charm. JMT sold me his extra Alps Attenuator so that i don't have to order em' from Hong Kong. Erix sold me some caps with a reasonalbe price and fast shipping.
And hats off to all the people out there that contribute to the META42 project.
Cheers,
Z.
p.s. Pictures of Amps are here.
Following is picture of miscellaneous parts:
It's her birthday today, i used to make her DIY birthday cards every year
After months of part searching, assembling, configuring and debuging. I finally got this amplifier the way i want it to be.
I want to thank everyone that hangout in Head-Fi, I've learned so much from you guys. It feels GREAT to know that create sometin' out of a bunch of parts isn't a Mission Impossible anymore!
This is my second DIY amp, first one was a CHA47 in a Penguin mint box. Things i learned from building the penguin amp really helped a lot. I have some pictures of it in the link attached.
My advice to those who are thinking of making a DIY amp, look no further! Head-Fi & Headwize DIY forum is where you'll wanna be.
PART LISTS:
Power Supply
Board: META42 V1.0 PCB - Tangent
Buffers: Elantec EL2001CN * (3) - Tangent
V. Gnd: TI Rail Splitter TO-92 - digikey.com (296-1994)
D1: STM Diodes 3A/40V - mouser.com (511-1N5822)
LED: T-1 3/4 Red Diffused super-bright - mouser.com (604-L53SRDG)
RL: 15k 1% resistors - RadioShack
C2,C3: Panasonic FC Electolytic 470ìF/16V * (4) - digikey.com (P10275-ND)
C4: Wima MKS2 10uF/16V * (2) - Tangent
Amplifier
Vol: Alps Stepped Attenuator - Read this
OpAmp: Analog Devices AD8620AR - analogdevices.com
Adapter: Browndog SO8 to DIP8 adapter w/ pins - brndog.com (970601S)
C1: Wima MKS2 1uF/64V * (2) - erix
R1: 1k 1% resistors * (2) - RadioShack
R2: 200k 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (2) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-200K)
R3,R7,R9: 47.5 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (6) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-47.5)
R4,R5: 475 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (4) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-475)
R6: 47.5k 1% Metal Film D-Vishay * (2) - Mouser.com (71-RN60D-F-47.5K)
R8: Jumpered
Enclosure, I/O, & Etc.
PS jack: 2.1mm/5.5mm Panel Mount DC Jack - digikey.com (CP-5-ND)
Switch: Panel Mount SPST Rocker Switch - alliedelec.com (908-0100)
In Jack: 3.5mm Stereo Jack - digikey.com (CP-3535-ND)
RCA Jack: Panel Mount Insulated RCA Jack - partsexpress.com (091-1120)
Encl.: Hammond Aluminum Extruded Enclosure - alliedelec.com (806-3628)
Ph. Jack: Neutrik Locking 1/4" Phone Jack - markertek.com (NJ3FP6C-B)
Vol Knob: 0.925" Matte Black Volume Knob - alliedelec.com (664-1654)
IC Sockets: Mill-Max Gold DIP8 Sockets * (4) - digikey.com (MV8305-ND)
Screws: #4-40 x 1/2" machine screw * (2) - Home Depot (for the Neutrik Locking Jack, bcoz it doesn't come with matching screws)
BRIEF REVIEW
First thing that came into my mind when i fired up the amp was "Wow! Kick A**!" The bass is punchy, it really shook my brain I tell ya! I was using Cowboy Junkies - Miles From Our Home - Track 6: "Hollow As A Bone" as my test track
Next thing i noticed was imaging improved compared to my CHA47, i could tell the position of the instrument easier. I didn't have to try too hard to find out what's playin' where. High frequency is not shrilling when i turn up the volume. Now i can enjoy the music while trying to listen to the details in mid-high volume (i'm listening with the knob at 12~1 o'clock position now). Yeah, the vocal is just SWEET! You can hear how the voice of the singer trembles. Plus, the guitar strums is so realistic, just like the drum beat, i can almost reach out an touch it!
Well, overall, I've listened to different amps, and I think it's a great step ahead of CHA47, OBH11, or X-Can V2. BUT of course that's just my humble opinion
BTW, i listen to the amp with my SONY CD3000 Headphone (a Low Impedence Headphone), and powered by 2 9V batteries in series (i tried 15v walwart, but it gives this soft but still audible hums, thinkin' of building a highly regulated Linear PS someday!).
THANKS & CREDIT
Big thank yous to Morsel, Eric343, Tangent, Apheared & Antness for making this whole amp possible! I used PRR suggested values for R3~R6 and it works like a charm. JMT sold me his extra Alps Attenuator so that i don't have to order em' from Hong Kong. Erix sold me some caps with a reasonalbe price and fast shipping.
And hats off to all the people out there that contribute to the META42 project.
Cheers,
Z.
p.s. Pictures of Amps are here.
Following is picture of miscellaneous parts: