idc
Well-known member
Shame to hear about the delay for the Starving Student amp build. Since you are asking about upgrades, how about the AKG K702 over the Grados?
I think I'm narrowing down the cases. Take a gander at these. I think I'm going to go for the 330mm by 170mm (same version but different dimensions than the one shown below).
Galaxy Maggiorato with beefy front panel
These are much bigger than I thought I would choose but I don't want things to be too cramped inside the box. The main thing is that they are shallow (170mm). I've wanted an amp to fit on a 200mm wide shelf in the kitchen above the telly for some time now.....but for some reason all commercially available amps are around 330mm deep or more. So, the size of this case meets my design requirement.
Infact, I've also had a look around at Tube PreAmp kits as well, to ensure that I can find something that will fit in the same size case. If I make a Tube PreAmp, it'll be based on the Aikido. This is a classic and supposedly sounds excellent. Trouble is, this will need two cases....one for the preamp and another for the power supplies. So that'll be four boxes in total.
Have I mentioned how much these cases cost? Errrr, ?26.80. The extra thick 10mm front (in black) costs an extra ?16.00. So a single case is ?42.80 and for two it's ?85.60. Postage is ?17.00. Then there's 20% VAT on top. So, ?123.12 or about £105 just for the power amps.
Hmmmm. Dual mono kit £67. Two transformers £65. Two cases £105. Other stuff? Errrr, £70? So total cost of about £300. They better be good!
Galaxy Maggiorato with beefy front panel
These are much bigger than I thought I would choose but I don't want things to be too cramped inside the box. The main thing is that they are shallow (170mm). I've wanted an amp to fit on a 200mm wide shelf in the kitchen above the telly for some time now.....but for some reason all commercially available amps are around 330mm deep or more. So, the size of this case meets my design requirement.
Infact, I've also had a look around at Tube PreAmp kits as well, to ensure that I can find something that will fit in the same size case. If I make a Tube PreAmp, it'll be based on the Aikido. This is a classic and supposedly sounds excellent. Trouble is, this will need two cases....one for the preamp and another for the power supplies. So that'll be four boxes in total.
Have I mentioned how much these cases cost? Errrr, ?26.80. The extra thick 10mm front (in black) costs an extra ?16.00. So a single case is ?42.80 and for two it's ?85.60. Postage is ?17.00. Then there's 20% VAT on top. So, ?123.12 or about £105 just for the power amps.
Hmmmm. Dual mono kit £67. Two transformers £65. Two cases £105. Other stuff? Errrr, £70? So total cost of about £300. They better be good!
Well, I've taken the plunge and bought the cases. I went for the 330mm x 230mm in the end. With the thick front panels and 8 feet, the total cost, including VAT and delivery was £130.94. Gulp!
My wife isn't going to be pleased. We're supposed to be cutting back!
My wife isn't going to be pleased. We're supposed to be cutting back!
igglebert:Yeah, I noticed that too. I had a look around and a couple of places stated them at 8 ohms nominal. I guess it would be more valuable to know a bit more about their overall impedance, i.e. a curve. I'll have a dig tonight and see what I can find. I reckon they'd be a good long term purchase though.
I was looking at AVIs on ebay. They look quite deep. I need something shallow really. In fact, the shallower the better. Given the eventual cost of the power amps and ultimatley the pre-amp, the DB1s would seem a better purchase. I'm just having trouble justifying it to myself.
Anyway, I'd be grateful for any info you can find.
I was looking at AVIs on ebay. They look quite deep. I need something shallow really. In fact, the shallower the better. Given the eventual cost of the power amps and ultimatley the pre-amp, the DB1s would seem a better purchase. I'm just having trouble justifying it to myself.
Anyway, I'd be grateful for any info you can find.
idc:Shame to hear about the delay for the Starving Student amp build. Since you are asking about upgrades, how about the AKG K702 over the Grados?
I have been wondering if I should upgrade my headphones. I'd like to but.....
I have been wondering if I should upgrade my headphones. I'd like to but.....
They're bloody good speakers, trust me. I first heard them on the end of an old Quad 405 and they sounded fab. I'm not a big bass person so they work for me. If you want big bass in conjunction with that amp you're building then you could always get a REL Quake or MJ Acoustics sub at some point. That would keep the heavy stuff in it's own amp.
EDIT Review here
EDIT Review here
I have no idea. My dad just put his MA S4i on some wall brackets but I haven't been over to hear them yet. I suspect you could be smart about putting them near corners. You might be surprised what they can achieve but, again, it's difficult to say as your amp is an unknown! Sorry, not being much help...
The bass on my ProAcs is ok and they are on wall brackets. (They sound better on stands though).
I've just gone completely bonkers and bought some rather expensive (for me) RCA sockets and binding posts.
CMC805-CU-AG: Pure Copper, Silver Plated RCA Sockets
CMC858-MU-AG: Pure Silver Plated Pure Copper Teflon Insulated Long Binding Posts (gold pictured)
CMC805-CU-AG: Pure Copper, Silver Plated RCA Sockets
CMC858-MU-AG: Pure Silver Plated Pure Copper Teflon Insulated Long Binding Posts (gold pictured)
The cases have arrived from Italy (in 4 days) as have the RCA and Binding Posts. Here's a few pictures.
Nice parcel from Modu
Well packed, protecting contents
Well wrapped
Two cases, feet for both and two 10mm thick front panels
Nice feet
Lots of space for the fully encapsulated and potted toroidal transformer, PSU PCB and chip amp PCB.
Hopefully, there's enough space to allow an upgrade to a discrete amp circuit at a later date.
With the lid on.
OMG, these are lovely!
As are these. Fantastic quality.
So. The cases, sockets and binding posts come out at ~ £200. Gulp.
Nice parcel from Modu
Well packed, protecting contents
Well wrapped
Two cases, feet for both and two 10mm thick front panels
Nice feet
Lots of space for the fully encapsulated and potted toroidal transformer, PSU PCB and chip amp PCB.
Hopefully, there's enough space to allow an upgrade to a discrete amp circuit at a later date.
With the lid on.
OMG, these are lovely!
As are these. Fantastic quality.
So. The cases, sockets and binding posts come out at ~ £200. Gulp.
You know it'll be worth it in the end. Fantastic stuff. I might get some of those posts for my Quad...
Ya know, I might prove to myself that high price tag kit can still sound rubbish! Or worse still, not even work!
Still, it's quite exciting.....or is that dread I'm feeling? Somehow, I've managed to avoid discussing precise costs with my Wife.....but I guess she twigs that custom cases from Italy don't come cheap.
So are you going to build your own pre? If not I would recommend an AVI S2000MP as a good used buy for an active pre...
lordmortlock:I love this thread. I'd love to have a go at something like this.
Totally agree, I'd love to try my hand at this sort of thing - although I'd need a fire extinguisher handy for the big switch on!
Those cases are absolutely stunning too! If I could get something like those, in plain 'ol aluminum, I could see a very sexy future built...
Totally agree, I'd love to try my hand at this sort of thing - although I'd need a fire extinguisher handy for the big switch on!
Those cases are absolutely stunning too! If I could get something like those, in plain 'ol aluminum, I could see a very sexy future built...
Martyp:
lordmortlock:I love this thread. I'd love to have a go at something like this.
Totally agree, I'd love to try my hand at this sort of thing - although I'd need a fire extinguisher handy for the big switch on!
Those cases are absolutely stunning too! If I could get something like those, in plain 'ol aluminum, I could see a very sexy future built...
Well, you're in for a treat. Today I have been buying metal....we are moving into light engineering!
The PCBs and transformer all need to be bolted down and what I want to avoid is drilling loads of holes in the bottom panel of the case. All I want is four holes to mount the feet and maybe one in the middle for the star ground mounting. So, what I'm going to do is insert a plate into the bottom of the case, raised up on metal bar feet.
This'll mean that I'll be able to drill as many holes as I like in the plate and they won't be visible from underneath the case. It'll also allow me to reuse the case and make construction easier, cos I can get anything fixed down and tested outside of the case (reduces the risk of scratches if nothing else).
So, I found this place online....Ringwood Precision Engineering....which is just up the road from me. It a proper engineering workshop. Loads of machinery and stock packed into a fairly small area. It was great visit actually, looking through the stock; great big lumps of aluminium, stainless steel and copper plate.
I know. I'm sad.
Anyway, I finally went for two sheets of 2mm aluminium sheet measuring 290mm by 210mm. I also got a 820mm length of 10mm square bar. All in, £17. Now I need to buy some additional tools i.e some thread taps to allow me to fabricate my tray. Can't wait.
lordmortlock:I love this thread. I'd love to have a go at something like this.
Totally agree, I'd love to try my hand at this sort of thing - although I'd need a fire extinguisher handy for the big switch on!
Those cases are absolutely stunning too! If I could get something like those, in plain 'ol aluminum, I could see a very sexy future built...
Well, you're in for a treat. Today I have been buying metal....we are moving into light engineering!
The PCBs and transformer all need to be bolted down and what I want to avoid is drilling loads of holes in the bottom panel of the case. All I want is four holes to mount the feet and maybe one in the middle for the star ground mounting. So, what I'm going to do is insert a plate into the bottom of the case, raised up on metal bar feet.
This'll mean that I'll be able to drill as many holes as I like in the plate and they won't be visible from underneath the case. It'll also allow me to reuse the case and make construction easier, cos I can get anything fixed down and tested outside of the case (reduces the risk of scratches if nothing else).
So, I found this place online....Ringwood Precision Engineering....which is just up the road from me. It a proper engineering workshop. Loads of machinery and stock packed into a fairly small area. It was great visit actually, looking through the stock; great big lumps of aluminium, stainless steel and copper plate.
I know. I'm sad.
Anyway, I finally went for two sheets of 2mm aluminium sheet measuring 290mm by 210mm. I also got a 820mm length of 10mm square bar. All in, £17. Now I need to buy some additional tools i.e some thread taps to allow me to fabricate my tray. Can't wait.
Who? [googly]. Hmmm. Thanks for the compliment but I suspect you're gonna be disappointed when you see the smallish square of aluminium sheet with little blocks of bar screwed onto the bottom.
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