WHAT NEXT?!?!

[bperboy]

Okay, so thanks to all the help on this forum, I've completed my first cmoy amp. I'm currently building another with a built in linkwitz filter from cmoy's site. After that, I have a friend that wants to buy one from me. What should I use in the way of shrinkwrap or something else to make finishing touches? Also, I want to move on to bigger and better things for myself, like a really high-end amp. My cans are senn hd580, and I was wondering what people would recommend for me to build to fit them. Also, it would be helpful to post links!

Thanks for everything head-fi!
bperboy

 

[bperboy]

anyone please?

 

[deek]

You could always try a Millett Hybrid

http://DIYForums.org

 

[NeilR]

If you want a high end pocket amp, look at the Pimeta in a small case. Or max it out in a desk top. Or build a Millet (I did both)

You should think backwards from your needs.... there are pocket amps, "transportable" amps and high end desk top amps. Determining your needs helps to decide on the design compromizes inherent in each amp. Even if you think the amp that fits your needs is beyond your ability now, it at least establishes a learning path.

 

[NeilR]

Delete....

 

[bperboy]

I want the absolute best sound that I can get, and I want lots of experience building electronics. so, in other words, I WANNA BUILD EVERY AMP IN EXISTANCE!!!!!!!!

mwahahahaha
Seriously, I think i'd like to build a high end tube amp. Suggestions?

 

[blip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bperboy I want the absolute best sound that I can get, and I want lots of experience building electronics. so, in other words, I WANNA BUILD EVERY AMP IN EXISTANCE!!!!!!!! mwahahahaha Seriously, I think i'd like to build a high end tube amp. Suggestions?

We all feel that from time to time... High end tube amp? If you've only experience is the cmoy's I'd hold off on that for a while... the voltages involved can be... unpleasant. (To put it mildly).

Think about a millet hybrid next or if you want something a bit less documented (more tweaky) look at the SOHA (http://headwize.com/ubb/showpage.php?fnum=3&tid=5896).

If you're dead set on working with deadly voltages though you might think about doing a morgan jones (http://headwize.com/projects/showfil...=cmoy5_prj.htm) or one of its many other versions. Another option would be the Cavilli-Lovell 2 (http://headwize.com/ubb/showpage.php?fnum=3&tid=5726). Both are very respectable amps. Also, think about the foreplay kit (http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobesp.../foreplay3.htm)

If you want something more exotic than that, give us a price range and I'm sure somebody can throw out something less common.

 

[bperboy]

What is the official website for a millett hybrid? exactly what makes it good?

 

[bperboy]

also, what is the difficulty of ppa vs mint vs pimeta? I'm a bit confused by the torrent of models on tangent's site.

 

[blip]

The place where you order boards is over on head-fi's little sister: http://www.diyforums.org/millett.html

As for what makes it good, I can't comment because mine is still under construction and I haven't done critical listening with one. Do a little digging in the archive though and you'll find 100s of reviews of the sound. The general opinion is that it is fairly warm and musical... euphonic is the word that is often used. Plus it is VERY safe to work with and there are quite a few people around here who have built it and would be willing to give you advice if you run into trouble.

A consensus is still forming over whether or not it sounds better than the other low voltage amps like the SOHA, MHAA or YAHA (see headwize's diy forum) but I can't think of too many people who have been unhappy with it. Some even prefer it over more expensive diy amps.

None of the Tangent amps are all that hard to build. The PPA is probably the most complex but still do-able.

 

[bperboy]

sorry, one more question. What does everyone use to finish up their amps, cleaning wiring, shrinkwrap etc.?

 

[NeilR]

The Millet is great because it has a proven board and you can build it, then prod it and poke at it without worrying about the voltage. Playing with a high voltage tube amp is more or less like poking a stick at a lion. If you want to learn about tubes, it is a good way to start. After you do that you will have a little more appreciation for the issues in the more complex high voltage projects.

Tangent's amps run a progression, more or less, of increasing cost, complexity and size:

1) Cmoy (Pocket amp - simple one chip design).

2) Mint (Add a buffer and surface mounted chips for more entertainment).

3)Pimeta (Add a full buffered ground channel to the Mint topology). A lot of people build these as ac powered desk tops. I chose it as being the most advanced design I could fit in my pocket.

4) PPA. Although classed as "transportable", with an interesting optional battery board with fast charger, this is also a very respectable and complex desktop option, with a full discrete buffer. In terms of complexity this is more or less as good as it gets.

The mint is a little more complicated than that because of the surface mounted chips. A better way to learn surface mounting (and probably cheaper if you make mistakes) is to build a Millet and then build the discrete buffer board, where you have to solder surface mounted resistors but not chips. Somewhere in here you want to also build a decent power supply, which will serve you well for a variety of amps. I built a Tread, and then a Steps after my Cmoy (see Tangent's site). Since they are adjustable regulated supplies, they come in handy to power whatever I am working on until I work out a final solution (which may be to use the Steps or Tread).

If you want a no holds barred, no compromise desk top amp that cannot run from batteries under any configuration, check out the M3....

http://www.amb.org/audio/mmm/

This is very much like the PPA V2, with discrete buffers but is designed to run under very high Class A bias; no compromises for possible portable use. It also has a very cool set of heat sinked power transistors that looks like a serious chunk of parts

 

[blip]

You mean to clean your board of flux etc. For that most folks use isoprophyl (sp?) alcohol. As for wrapping wires most people let their internal wires fall where they may or twist them together with circuit ties.

For external stuff there are a lot of options... techflex, split loom etc. Look at Markertek or Parts Express.