Looking to build more

[MrBoat]

Build some 1899s

I saw those when I first started looking at the Tempests. Those are just insane. I own speakers with single 15's and those will almost knock me out of my chair.

 

[MrBoat]

Classix kit arrived from Meniscus. Those folks are pretty quick on the shipping and it arrived well packed. I chose them because they have a lot of choices and the prices seemed competitive. I'll probably at least cut the cab parts just to reduce the big piece of MDF that is currently in my way. I'm still not fond of MDF. I've tried to like it.

If anyone is interested in a good plywood for painted surfaces, I have much experience with a material called MDO (Medium Density Overlay). It has a weatherproof phenolic surface laminated to it and takes paint better than just about anything out there. It's used by the sign/billboard industry. The wood cores are typically Douglas-Fir, which is rot resistant and has a good weight to it, unlike that nearest metric equivalent, white wood crap, that they are pushing off on us these days.

 

[MrBoat]

Also looking at the continuum for the next build after the classix now that subwoofers have entered my life. I'll build and play the classix and run them through their paces.

Another candidate is the Docero.

Been playing with the EQ with the Tempests. I somehow managed a sweet spot that is 18' long by 11' (the wall stops at 11' or I suspect it would be larger) wide with a bonus spot at the end of the hallway that grabs you when walking out of my bedroom. That's going to be a tough hombre to beat. Another sweet spot at the kitchen sink! Only reason I have localized it at the sink is because that's one place I spend some time at hand washing dished. Even the subwoofer cooperates there. I have the cleanest damned dishes. . . .

 

[MrBoat]

Also looking at the "Tribute" by Jeff Bagby. I like the theme behind his inspiration for this design.

Here's a link to the pdf for the design notes on this speaker. I like when someone tips a hat to the pioneers of such things. This one intrigues me somehow. I will research it further.
http://meniscusaudio.com/images/The Tributes Write Up.pdf

ETA: A bit about Irving (Bud) Fried. Perhaps this is common knowledge among the current crop of audioholics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_M._Fried

In the design notes, I see that "transmission line loading" description. Not knowing what all that entails this early on into my research on the subject, perhaps somebody (TLSguy?) can put this in laymen terms. Or perhaps why this (Tributes) design manages the association of this concept, or the essence (novelty sense?) of, if that be the case.

At any rate, anyone who wants to add a thought to this design, feel free. This is the maximum price (3-400 ) range I am considering for now and I already have a pair of kickass speakers that are not going anywhere.

 

[MrBoat]

I managed one of 2 crossovers today. Wasn't so bad. Just a tedious little affair. I'll do the other later this evening over coffee or something. Figure at least these will be out of the way when I build the rest of it.

 

[shadyJ]

I wish I had caught this thread earlier, for the discussion of the Quark speakers. I heard a pair at a DIY get-together, really neat little speakers. We actually did a little shoot-out between the Quarks and these Helium micro-speakers, and I actually preferred the Heliums. The Heliums are amazing little satellite speakers, as are the Quarks. Either would make for ideal desktop speakers for situations where desktop space is limited.

 

[MrBoat]

I wish I had caught this thread earlier, for the discussion of the Quark speakers. I heard a pair at a DIY get-together, really neat little speakers. We actually did a little shoot-out between the Quarks and these Helium micro-speakers, and I actually preferred the Heliums. The Heliums are amazing little satellite speakers, as are the Quarks. Either would make for ideal desktop speakers for situations where desktop space is limited.

I did look into the Quark speakers, Overnight Sensations etc.

After these, I may try some with some higher quality drivers.

 

[MrBoat]

Also have the Statement monitors in my crosshairs too.
http://meniscusaudio.com/statements-monitor-pair-p-1358.html

 

[slipperybidness]

Also have the Statement monitors in my crosshairs too.
http://meniscusaudio.com/statements-monitor-pair-p-1358.html

I realize you've just been looking at speakers, but there is a whole lot of DIY electronics available too.

I'm just gonna leave these right here
http://ampslab.com/products.htm
https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-1/
http://www.signaltransfer.freeuk.com/

 

[MrBoat]

I realize you've just been looking at speakers, but there is a whole lot of DIY electronics available too.

I'm just gonna leave these right here
http://ampslab.com/products.htm
https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-1/
http://www.signaltransfer.freeuk.com/

LOL. . .that's all I need.


ETA: My current employer is a big time electronics engineer for one of our nations largest defense and military aviation contractors. He would be tickled if I got involved with that kind of stuff.

 

[MrBoat]

I realize you've just been looking at speakers, but there is a whole lot of DIY electronics available too.

I'm just gonna leave these right here
http://ampslab.com/products.htm
https://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-1/
http://www.signaltransfer.freeuk.com/

After some reading on this subject all I can say is. . . ."good grief!"

It seems a lot to go through unless you are geared for that level of geekiness. I am doing good to turn on a cell phone.

 

[slipperybidness]

After some reading on this subject all I can say is. . . ."good grief!"

It seems a lot to go through unless you are geared for that level of geekiness. I am doing good to turn on a cell phone.

Eh, it's not for everyone
Definitely fun and rewarding though!

 

[MrBoat]

Eh, it's not for everyone
Definitely fun and rewarding though!

I appreciate the links and the idea, regardless. Am I to assume correctly that each one of those amplifier circuit boards is for one channel? On the one link, they had it quoted at @ $45 per board, and about $380 to complete the amp, I suppose with enclosure and all. I didn't see any indication to exactly what was what reading through one of those links, but I recall that being the case in some others I looked at.

Did you build your own amps?

 

[slipperybidness]

I appreciate the links and the idea, regardless. Am I to assume correctly that each one of those amplifier circuit boards is for one channel? On the one link, they had it quoted at @ $45 per board, and about $380 to complete the amp, I suppose with enclosure and all. I didn't see any indication to exactly what was what reading through one of those links, but I recall that being the case in some others I looked at.

Did you build your own amps?

Yup. To date, I have built:

Bottlehead Quickie Battery Operated Tube Pre-Amp
Dynaco ST-70 Bob Latino Tube Amp Clone
Speaker protection circuit (built into a box from a nice bottle of bourbon )
Boxed Kit Amps Gobo
Bartop Arcade running RPi
Kodi Streamer running RPi
Audiophile Streamer running RPi
Paia Fat Man Analog Synth

TI4780 Chip Amp (My first real design as far as choosing components, setting the gain with feedback loop, complete design of the power supply, etc)
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/new-chipamp-project-thread.92513/


Probably several others that I have forgotten. I own a nice dual channel O-Scope, a function generator, a bench power supply, a nice true RMS multimeter, a nice soldering station, etc.

You can search for previous threads that I have started on my DIY work. Dunno what happened, but many of my pics are no longer displaying (for me at least). I'll have to see about re-posting some pics when I get some time.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/slick-little-chip-amp-kit-and-other-project-ideas.92024/

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/speakers-and-amp-for-tabletop-arcade-ideas-etc.94731/



Oh, I'm a solderin fool.

Projects under my belt:
Quickie Pre-amp with the Constant Current upgrade
Quickie 1.1 Battery Powered Directly Heated Tube Preamplifier Kit | Bottlehead
PJCCS Upgrade for Quickie | Bottlehead

Dynaclone ST70
tube4hifi ST70 page

This little drum machine
http://bleeplabs.com/store/bleep-drum-midi/

And this analog synth! Man, this was ~40 hours of work!
PAiA - Fatman Analog Mid Synth

 

[slipperybidness]

I appreciate the links and the idea, regardless. Am I to assume correctly that each one of those amplifier circuit boards is for one channel? On the one link, they had it quoted at @ $45 per board, and about $380 to complete the amp, I suppose with enclosure and all. I didn't see any indication to exactly what was what reading through one of those links, but I recall that being the case in some others I looked at.

Did you build your own amps?

Yeah, most of those options are gonna be for 1 channel, you need 2 boards for stereo (obviously).

Read the details, but most of these will not come with chassis, heat sinks, or power supply (likely not come with transformer, maybe come with filter caps and rectifiers).

The thing is--commercial electronics always have some design trade-offs in order to meet some cost goal. But, when you DIY, you don't have to make the same design trade offs in order to save a buck.

The other nice thing--Amp technology for class A and class A/B hasn't changed significantly in decades! The fundamentals of good amps have been understood and applied for a very long time. Nothing magical about it, just follow the well established rules of design to get the expected performance.

BTW, getting a little more DIY Electronics traction on here:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/diy-2-channel-preamp.106744/

 

[MrBoat]

Yup. To date, I have built:

Bottlehead Quickie Battery Operated Tube Pre-Amp
Dynaco ST-70 Bob Latino Tube Amp Clone
Speaker protection circuit (built into a box from a nice bottle of bourbon )
Boxed Kit Amps Gobo
Bartop Arcade running RPi
Kodi Streamer running RPi
Audiophile Streamer running RPi
Paia Fat Man Analog Synth

TI4780 Chip Amp (My first real design as far as choosing components, setting the gain with feedback loop, complete design of the power supply, etc)
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/new-chipamp-project-thread.92513/


Probably several others that I have forgotten. I own a nice dual channel O-Scope, a function generator, a bench power supply, a nice true RMS multimeter, a nice soldering station, etc.

You can search for previous threads that I have started on my DIY work. Dunno what happened, but many of my pics are no longer displaying (for me at least). I'll have to see about re-posting some pics when I get some time.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/slick-little-chip-amp-kit-and-other-project-ideas.92024/

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/speakers-and-amp-for-tabletop-arcade-ideas-etc.94731/



Oh, I'm a solderin fool.

Projects under my belt:
Quickie Pre-amp with the Constant Current upgrade
Quickie 1.1 Battery Powered Directly Heated Tube Preamplifier Kit | Bottlehead
PJCCS Upgrade for Quickie | Bottlehead

Dynaclone ST70
tube4hifi ST70 page

This little drum machine
http://bleeplabs.com/store/bleep-drum-midi/

And this analog synth! Man, this was ~40 hours of work!
PAiA - Fatman Analog Mid Synth

LOL. . . .and I thought "I" was ate up with DIY projects. You have me beat with all I have going on just with electronics alone. I will have to check out your projects when I have a few moments. I am interested to see what you have done. God help me and my existence if I figure I can do this.

 

[MrBoat]

Yeah, most of those options are gonna be for 1 channel, you need 2 boards for stereo (obviously).

Read the details, but most of these will not come with chassis, heat sinks, or power supply (likely not come with transformer, maybe come with filter caps and rectifiers).

The thing is--commercial electronics always have some design trade-offs in order to meet some cost goal. But, when you DIY, you don't have to make the same design trade offs in order to save a buck.

The other nice thing--Amp technology for class A and class A/B hasn't changed significantly in decades! The fundamentals of good amps have been understood and applied for a very long time. Nothing magical about it, just follow the well established rules of design to get the expected performance.

BTW, getting a little more DIY Electronics traction on here:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/diy-2-channel-preamp.106744/

Enclosures I can do. Not sure about the component part. I have graining machines and such from when we built/restored cases for the communications outfits. That, and I work primarily with anodized materials. My boss is an electronics nerd and he's really good at it. This stuff would be child's play for him. Me, I worry about. I get OCD just with how ugly the layout on crossover boards can be, and that is something nobody will ever really see.