xchagg 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2005 (edited) Pic shows how I laid out the front panel. 1st DIY amp so forgive the mess heh. Ugly, but functional. Putting the switch in front of the LM6171 was a very tight fit . . . if the hole you drill for the switch is just a bit too low, the switch will push the IC out of the socket when you case it up. I went through 3 Hammonds before managing to case it up properly :s Also remember to give clearance at the sides of the front panel for the screw posts. I destroyed my 1st Hammond by putting the switch too far at the side lol. Couldn't close the case up. Another thing about audio jacks at the sides. The material at the sides is much thicker, so the audio jack barrel is a little recessed. You might not be able to always get a good grip btwn the jack and plug. Mine works perfectly, but if I pull out the audio plug just a tiny bit, the right channel goes. The Go-Vibe v2 solves this by removing a small square of plastic on the inside of the case, but I have no idea (nor the tools) to do this. You could try it though. Maybe a chisel just might work Added pic of the Go-Vibe where part of the plastic is removed for the audio jack: Edited September 12, 2005 by xchagg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonhanjk 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2005 Not bad. That blackgate is really big.... Your life would be much easier if you use a smaller stereo jack. Well my first DIY also in a mess, or should I say in a tuppleware? So, how's the sound going? Looking forward to another amp like M cube (MMM)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xchagg 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2005 (edited) Wanted to use the BGs for a Pimeta, but didn't have time to build it, so just swapped caps in the CMOY2 and put the other 2 in the MINT. Used Switchcraft jacks in both amps, very nice build quality. The metal barrels of the look-alike ones from Koba tend to detach from the main body if you twist them around too much lol. Thining of going tubes instead of SS for my next amp. Looking at the MAD Ear+Purist HD, but that's one nice chunk of change But I think I should get a Headroom MicroDAC first; Currnet source is the headphone out from laptop. It is suprising good, even better than my Iriver, but there's all the electronic background noise ugh. Putting the signal through an amp cleans it up, but the noise is still present ... But the glow of tubes is sooo alluring.... Edited September 13, 2005 by xchagg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonhanjk 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2005 Hey, I think I saw some DIY tube at head-fi, You may want to check it out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xchagg 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2005 The Millet-Hybrid Amp. Thing is I'm overseas for studies, and having to rebuy all the equipment again is . . . painful lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonhanjk 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2005 OT. Where you are now??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johanjr 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2005 xchagg..very nice!!! mine still in progress Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neutralzz 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2005 woah.. huge caps :S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xchagg 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 OT. Where you are now??? In the U.S. Boston to be exact. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kahchun 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 Hi xchagg, may i know how's the sound of your cmoy2 with the blackgates. i thinking of changing mine to that too as I have some blackgates and elna cerefines lying around... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xchagg 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 The caps I orginally put in were Nichicon Fine Golds. I swapped them out because one day the amp suddenly brightened. I don't believe it was due to a placebo effect, cuz I was waiting for the MRT when the sound suddenly brightened mid-song. I didn't like the change, so I swapped out the caps lol. To be honest I don't think Black Gates make much of a difference in this circuit. They're just fun to to use But swapping the caps did make the sound return back to normal (i.e. no more over-brightness) And black gates take several hundred hours to 'burn-in', so I don't know if the sound will change again. Probably won't make much difference in the CMOY2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dBu 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2005 nvr follow.. and lazy to read such a long post, anyone can help me? I would like to buy a board. Tks.. email me pls... dbu211@yahoo.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Username 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2005 Jason: One question, can I use multiple AA cells to power CMOY2 (I was thinking 8-10 AA cells)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasonhanjk 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2005 Yes, you can. Need to know what's the cap voltage and the LED resistor first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kross 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2005 hi jason, i saw the specs that i can output 18mW. most mp3 players can also output 18mW, am I right? if like this then do i still need to use an amp since you mentioned that it can drive most headphones in the market. thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites