[Domo Kun]

Looking into making my own.

Noting that most people use Altoids, or similiar.

Is there a way to squeeze possibly a lesser quality Amp into a Vaseline tub or something along those lines?

Thanks.

 

[mape00]

Using the vaseline tube you might be able to squeeze it into places...

If you have the capacity to do SMD you can make it really, really tiny. If you look at the FiiO they haven't used the smallest size components and it's TINY. The biggest problem, if you can design your own SMD boards, is fitting the battery. A vaseline tube would be no big deal.

 

[ruZZ.il]

Sijosae's DIY Gallery

 

[ericj]

I was just going to point out sijosae's work.

He's crammed an amp into the shell of a 9v battery - retaining the clips so that you can attach it to a 9v battery.

Using through-hole parts, no less.

 

[joneeboi]

I recall seeing a CMoy fit into the shell of a Duracell 9V battery, which was coincidentally powered by a 9V battery. Can't find the photo though.

edit: Beat to the punch. =P

 

[FallenAngel]

The Dynalo in a mint tin is crazy!

 

[Stikk]

I once built a cMoy amp that fitted into an eclipse mint tin (pic). It was quite impressive, I thought, I soldered it point to point (with no circuit board) and used better caps than the original design to get better bass response. I managed to fit the whole thing, just about, into the in WITH a 9V battery! Sounded good until I dropped it and couldn't be bothered fixing it.. Might make another one, actually, I haven't built an amp in a while and wanna get back into it..

 

[Hayduke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruZZ.il /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sijosae's DIY Gallery

Quote:

Originally Posted by joneeboi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I recall seeing a CMoy fit into the shell of a Duracell 9V battery, which was coincidentally powered by a 9V battery. Can't find the photo though. edit: Beat to the punch. =P

We all have this gallery linked huh? lol

Jon, I think you meant this one:
http://www.headphoneamp.co.kr/ftp/si...OY/CMOY-4d.jpg
And it is SMALLER then the 9V battery! hehe

Revisiting Sijosae's site has inspired me! I want to make a tiny amp now too. His tiniest don't have a volume control though. I want one, so mine will have to be a little bigger

I wonder how small of a pot I can get from Mouser or Digi-Key.

/e wonders off to read electronics catalogs

Edit: This one amazes me. That's some pretty good soldering

http://www.headphoneamp.co.kr/ftp/si...OY/CMOY-9c.jpg

 

[diredesire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stikk /img/forum/go_quote.gif I once built a cMoy amp that fitted into an eclipse mint tin (pic). It was quite impressive, I thought, I soldered it point to point (with no circuit board) and used better caps than the original design to get better bass response. I managed to fit the whole thing, just about, into the in WITH a 9V battery! Sounded good until I dropped it and couldn't be bothered fixing it.. Might make another one, actually, I haven't built an amp in a while and wanna get back into it..

Yeah, I did the same with a CMoy.

I fit it with a volume knob (alps RK097) with battery. Just attempt to make the CMoy very long and skinny and there is no issue. The eclipse mint tin is actually nice and roomy

I recently build a CMoy circuit just for fun inside a starbucks mint gum tin.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...huffleidea.jpg
Here is an idea of the size. The 9v will barely fit, and you have less than 1" of space to fit all your components. It is doable, you just need low profile headphone jacks, and a really flat CMoy (i.e. use SMD components). I'll take pics later of the circuit.

 

[AudioCats]

do you want a volume control? if so, the volume control will be huge, comparing to the amp circuitry. Especially the nice volume knob.

Also the input/output jack will be huge, despite the name "mini jacks".

It is the human interface parts that prevent the amps from being super tiny. Electronic stuff can be made to micro size with no problem.

 

[roggom]

Here is one of the first CMOY's I built. It is in a small PacTec enclosure. The pcb is snipped down to about 3cm or so. I used an old 1/8" extension for my in/out and I have a few Koss VC/20 headphone volume controls for attenuation.
Not going to win any awards with this one, but it sounds good and is quite durable.

 

[diredesire]

Just a comparison shot to a 9V & Alien DAC

A closer look at component layout. I'm using 08 sized SMD Resistors and a 10uF ceramic cap from rails (power pins) to gnd. Ground is the trace running all the way across the board (zig zags at the bottom).
Input is the braided cable coming in on the bottom right, output is the headphone jack (Alien DAC is being amped). Obviously, Alps RK097 at the top.

Top view of the comparison shot. Alps, .22uF poly box film caps, OPA2227 (now OPA2134). 470uF SMD tantalum cap for power supply resevoir, and a TLE2426 sitting below the Tant cap (you can't really see it well in these pictures).

Showing the tant mounted.

Trying to catch a peek at the TLE underneath the tant.

This is the best view I can show

 

[Hayduke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by diredesire /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://students.washington.edu/jdeng/amp/umoy1.jpg Just a comparison shot to a 9V & Alien DAC http://students.washington.edu/jdeng/amp/umoy2.jpg A closer look at component layout. I'm using 08 sized SMD Resistors and a 10uF ceramic cap from rails (power pins) to gnd. Ground is the trace running all the way across the board (zig zags at the bottom). Input is the braided cable coming in on the bottom right, output is the headphone jack (Alien DAC is being amped). Obviously, Alps RK097 at the top. http://students.washington.edu/jdeng/amp/umoy3.jpg Top view of the comparison shot. Alps, .22uF poly box film caps, OPA2227 (now OPA2134). 470uF SMD tantalum cap for power supply resevoir, and a TLE2426 sitting below the Tant cap (you can't really see it well in these pictures). http://students.washington.edu/jdeng/amp/umoy4.jpg Showing the tant mounted. http://students.washington.edu/jdeng/amp/umoy5.jpg Trying to catch a peek at the TLE underneath the tant. http://students.washington.edu/jdeng/amp/umoy6.jpg This is the best view I can show

That's a really nice build! How does it sound? After building Cmoys with TH components, I've wondered if using SMDs made a difference in SQ.

I like that Alien DAC too. I saw the thread about it, but that may be the first picture I've seen. I've got a parts list going already. I think I'm gonna have to add the components to make one of those to it

 

[diredesire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayduke /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's a really nice build! How does it sound? After building Cmoys with TH components, I've wondered if using SMDs made a difference in SQ. I like that Alien DAC too. I saw the thread about it, but that may be the first picture I've seen. I've got a parts list going already. I think I'm gonna have to add the components to make one of those to it

Thanks!

As far as component choice, I don't hear much of a difference, it's for sure not worse. From what I've read though, the SMD resistors just don't dissipate as much power, but for this application I'm not particularly worried. The amp + alien sounds very punchy, maybe even a little bright, but I'm still working on the "burn in" period. I'm pretty impressed since this whole system isn't exactly a wallet killer.

 

[Zigis]

If you use DAC with Cmoy hardwired, you can bypath Alian's original output el. caps, Cmoy's input film caps block DC.