[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb3k Just a quick question about RoHS compliancies...

RoHS is a European Union regulation, so it only applies there. The only reason you're hearing about it worldwide is that it does affect commercial operations, because almost everyone wants to sell to Europe.

EDIT: Oh, and even if you do have electronics to sell into Europe, the regulation doesn't take effect for another few months, roughly. (June or July 1, I forget.)

 

[Oistrakh]

how much did it cost? Do you think it would be a good first DIY project for someone like me whos never done any of this stuff?

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oistrakh Do you think it would be a good first DIY project

No. The PINT is more difficult to build than any other amp on my site in several respects. It's easier in others, but the point is that this is not a beginner project.

 

[Filburt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oistrakh Do you think it would be a good first DIY project for someone like me whos never done any of this stuff?

I would not recommend it as a first time project. Many people find surface mount soldering difficult, and the amp itself is fairly difficult in terms of getting everything right to make it work (see my thread, for instance). It's doable, but there is significant risk involved in making it a first time project.

 

[splaz]

That reminds me, is there any way to learn surface mount other than wrecking the 8397s ?

I would say I'm fairly proficient at through hole, although I do use a touch too much solder at times, but have never done surface mount. So is there a fairly cheap way to practice it ?

 

[dhp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by splaz That reminds me, is there any way to learn surface mount other than wrecking the 8397s ? I would say I'm fairly proficient at through hole, although I do use a touch too much solder at times, but have never done surface mount. So is there a fairly cheap way to practice it ?

order some cheap opamps, like the NJM4556AM, which runs around $.25, and is a legitimate substitute.

 

[cire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by splaz So is there a fairly cheap way to practice it ?

practice removing the components of old, unused PC hardware or anything with a circuit board.

 

[Filburt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cire practice removing the components of old, unused PC hardware or anything with a circuit board.

This is what I'd do, or find some broken piece of audio equipment at a thrift store. Some of those old portable radios are loaded with surface mount stuff.

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by splaz is there any way to learn surface mount other than wrecking the 8397s ?

First, watch my video on the topic. (#3)

Then go ahead and practice on existing equipment. Remove parts, put them back on, rinse, repeat.

If you want an intermediate project after that before jumping into a complete amp project, mount some SO-8 op-amps on Brown Dog adapters. This teaches you the skills without some of the consequences: you can plug the adapted chip into a socket that used to hold a DIP-8 chip. If it doesn't work, you can pretty confidently blame your soldering work, if you're using a chip that should just drop in if it's soldered correctly.

 

[Teerawit]

Well I got around to building the "low offset" version of the PINT...and even with the input caps, this amp sounds better than the Hornet. I recommend it over the Hornet. Thanks tangent

Clean sound, much better stereo separation. Can't stand the hiss issue nor the limited use of the volume pot even with the HD600, so I'm prolly going to mini^3fy it.

 

[dhp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teerawit Well I got around to building the "low offset" version of the PINT...and even with the input caps, this amp sounds better than the Hornet. I recommend it over the Hornet. Thanks tangent Clean sound, much better stereo separation. Can't stand the hiss issue nor the limited use of the volume pot even with the HD600, so I'm prolly going to mini^3fy it.

wouldn't it sound better without input caps?

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieInAFire wouldn't it sound better without input caps?

It theoretically would, which is why I want to mini^3fy mine.

 

[bhjazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 Pint -VS- Mint... anyone?? Garrett

I'm still hoping for it, myself!

Anyone?