Will
Been here a while!
Ribena abuser!
Member since 2008
Posts: 2,164
|
Post by Will on Feb 11, 2010 20:41:40 GMT
Right, first off, this is Ian's fault as he mentioned it in the first place, just so you know who to blame I suggest that we have enough guys here, with enough knowledge and enthusiasm, to make our own portable headphone amp. Why portable? Well, initially just because it would be small and cheap to make. So how about it? Anybody interested in collectively designing something of our own, to build and tweak a bit? Some suggestions: Runs from a 9V battery, and fits in a smallish enclosure (perhaps this or similar). If we now what we are aiming for, we know how much real estate we have to play with on the PCB. Op amp based? A buffer on the output, to provide a bit of drive? Perhaps a discrete buffer. Do we want a built in charger for the battery? So, a few suggestions to start us off. What else do we want to see? Any suggestion, from the complete beginner, to the electronics guru, is very welcome.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2010 21:31:37 GMT
Would there be any advantage to using 2 x single opamps in a dual mono style circuit? Maybe even 2 boards stacked underside to underside.
Rechargeable battery on board? Yes please.
|
|
|
Post by JohnnyBlue on Feb 11, 2010 21:35:29 GMT
Flush with success from my CMOY amp kit build, sign me up (as long as it's cheap-as-chips!).
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 11, 2010 21:54:25 GMT
My thoughts are, keep it as simple as possible using the best (appropriate) parts for the job. It's way too easy to over egg the pudding when more than one person is involved in the design, just look at the PPA.... everything including the kitchen sink and so many variations you just weren't sure which route to go. Keep it simple, keep it "quality". One guy organising the PCB's, another choosing the parts, another organising the enclosures (Maybe Mick?)...... we have to agree on a "base" design and leave any tweaks up to the individual (at first) too many ideas and too many variations on the theme will just "confuse". I'd like to see this project aimed at the total beginner in a painting by numbers, easy to follow, easy to build style but with an amp that totally creams anything else currently available on the portable scene be it DIY or commercially built. Rick and I were going to start such a project a few years ago but there wasn't an "audience"..... we now have an audience so lets go for it! For starters (SQ aside) what will this amp look like, how big will it be, what "features" will it have, how much will it cost, how much is it likely to cost after we get into "real world" parts costing, can WE (as a "team") do better than what's already on the market? So many questions to be asked before we even contemplate designing this. As I say, my design brief would be to "keep it simple" but I'd also expect it to be THE best portable amp on the planet with all the expertise that is on tap here..... Ok..... let's do it Throw your ideas into the ring and let's take it from there. Mike.
|
|
|
Post by clausdk on Feb 11, 2010 22:08:28 GMT
I would be happy to flick some wood things toogether for an enclosure, but it will be a little big (can one say that ?)..
Also it would be cool with an Ipod dock option
I can charge my batteries in a normal charger, if that would keep costs down..
There is a lot of Cmoy kits out there, can one of those serve as a donor PCB ? If it is going to be a Cmoy that is..
I have read a lot of raving about a pimeta are those better than the Cmoys or just different ?
|
|
jonclancy
Been here a while!
Mr. Ripple Eater
Amateur EAGLEist
Posts: 1,131
|
Post by jonclancy on Feb 11, 2010 22:54:37 GMT
18v supply, dual mono, discrete. Will, a J310 apparently has more ooomph than a 2SK170... ;D
Cheers
Jon
|
|
|
Post by gomez on Feb 11, 2010 23:27:59 GMT
Yea what a fantastic idea however I'm no expert but I am keen to learn. Wouldn't a charging circuit cause possible sq issues ?
Gomez.......
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 12, 2010 0:02:48 GMT
Will...... the Hammond enclosures are soooooo "1999" (been there done that) www.rock-grotto.co.uk/audiogeddon/blackmint/index.htmlIf we're going to do this then let's do something ORIGINAL..... I've got enough contacts to make an original looking enclosure..... everybody and their dog houses their amps in Hammonds I'm thinking SOLID, built to last, would withstand a nuclear attack but stylish enclosure.... rugged, purposeful, "quality".... not a lump of cheap plastic like the Voyager that would snap if you sat on it ..... Some interesting ideas in this old thread rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=m&action=display&thread=1551The Rock Grotto "BLOB"....... hehe
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 12, 2010 0:15:30 GMT
|
|
Will
Been here a while!
Ribena abuser!
Member since 2008
Posts: 2,164
|
Post by Will on Feb 12, 2010 8:57:57 GMT
Claus, the pimeta is a nice little amp, which was the first thing I built when I got into diy a couple of years back. It's a cmoy with a buffer, the buffer helping to drive cans that need a bit of extra. It also had an opamp running for the ground as well, but I think that complicates matters.
Jon, that's not a bad idea at all... To clarify, Jon sent me a circuit diagram a while back, which I knocked a pcb layout for. It's a little pre-amp circuit based on the j310 fet. Have you tried it yet Jon? Perhaps the 18V supply might restrict it.
Mike, I completely agree, but you can pick one up from Maplins for £5, which has it's advantages. Having something unique would be very appealing though, and I'm sure that others would agree. Also, too big/heavy, and it stops being portable, something we have to watch, I think.
I'd like to hear more ideas about what people would want to see, either topology or features, so we can really make this something that represents the RG.
When it comes to 'labour' I'm happy to volunteer to do pcb layouts.
|
|
|
Post by puffin on Feb 12, 2010 10:10:38 GMT
I'd like to hear more ideas about what people would want to see, either topology or features, so we can really make this something that represents the RG. When it comes to 'labour' I'm happy to volunteer to do pcb layouts. What like a Sainbury's food warmer ?
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 12, 2010 11:51:57 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2010 18:21:04 GMT
I'd like to see this project aimed at the total beginner in a painting by numbers, easy to follow, easy to build style but with an amp that totally creams anything else currently available on the portable scene be it DIY or commercially built. Mike. Maybe also start with equipment needed to do it properly and getting a good solder joint? That may alleviate annoying problems due to iffy workmanship and questions about why it doesn't work!! Those bubble enclosures look like aliens. Ian
|
|
toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
Posts: 1,223
|
Post by toad on Feb 12, 2010 19:01:05 GMT
That bubble enclosure was actually mike using a few sticks of hot glue and dribbling it over the amp. Personally I think it's great
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2010 19:11:37 GMT
18v supply, dual mono, discrete. Will, a J310 apparently has more ooomph than a 2SK170... ;D Cheers Jon Hey, I wasn't spouting cobblers then! Someone who knows what they are doing agrees. Thanks Jon I had a couple of ideas for cheap, easy buy enclosures. I know we don't have dimensions required yet but anyway... 1) Fag tins, a little larger than baccy tins; 2) Hip flasks (tin), would require a bit of work to use, I envisaged cutting one end off to insert the guts, run rods along the in-sides and secure with dome head nuts to the front and thumb screws to the rear. Old opening making a perfect 6.3mm socket position. This is a 4oz, maybe a bit larger would be good;
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2010 19:36:05 GMT
I like the look of that, seems logical to me to enclose the Amp in something that is normally portable, and designed to go in the pocket, that would lay on a table, Sofa arm, and still look interesting, and be functional. nice one.
|
|
|
Post by andy on Feb 12, 2010 19:54:33 GMT
Could it be shapped as a childs toy? my 7 month old wont touch them, he has slobbered all over my portable amp twice now (just about working still).
I would prefer a 1/4" socket, then i can use propper phones!
A (possibly contraversial) bass boost would be an idea as most smaller portable phones dont have sensible lower frequency response.
as far as size goes it would be great if it was a long as an ipod with LOD, that way it will help protect the connector on the bottom of the ipod.
Personnaly perfer a replaceable 9 volt battery, that way the individual could use a rechargable if thhey wanted to or a normal batt if the rechargable is flat.
just my ideas
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2010 20:34:23 GMT
My preference would be an 18v version. A smooth and not too small volume knob with a smooth travel. (More control with a big knob) Quality input/output sockets that aren't nasty and sticky when inserting or taking out plugs. Not too small so it doesn't swing about on a table from the weight of the lead. An enclosure that doesn't flex when you sit on it or crack. That's apart from having a good sound. Maybe a nice colour would be nice as long as it wasn't glossy to be permanently picking up prints or scratches. The specs of this thing has the potential to grow so enormous that it may be the impossible dream ........ Oh I forgot, low and high power out to control noise and something man enough to drive proper headphones not just little portable ones. Ian
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 12, 2010 20:48:10 GMT
I'd like to make a tough wooden mini "music centre" (another thread maybe) with ipod dock, twin headphone outs and a built in radio.... top quality sockets with nice retro style knobs ;D Back on topic.... what's the circuit going to consist of? something half original would be good, not just a Cmoy with "add ons".... it's got to be different and "better" than the rest otherwise there's no point doing it IMO. I, personally, have no time for these portable amps and would much rather build a "semi portable" desktop type with top quality parts... you are quite limited with these "amps in a tin" as to what you can do unless you go SMD and my eyes, for one, are not up to that these days Whatever we go with I'd like to see it as a top quality item that really stands out from the crowd sonically.... Let's get some input from the "circuit" specialists and see what they propose..... Leo, Alex, Rick, Frans, videoguy, Fritz..... your input would be appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 12, 2010 20:49:01 GMT
Or disappears up your arse it being so "tiny"
|
|
|
Post by clausdk on Feb 12, 2010 20:51:29 GMT
I'd like to make a tough wooden mini "music centre" (another thread maybe) with ipod dock, twin headphone outs and a built in radio.... top quality sockets with nice retro style knobs ;D Back on topic.... what's the circuit going to consist of? something half original would be good, not just a Cmoy with "add ons".... it's got to be different and "better" than the rest otherwise there's no point doing it IMO. I, personal, have no time for these portable amps and would much rather build a "semi portable" desktop type with top quality parts... you are quite limited with these "amps in a tin" as to what you can do unless you go SMD and my eyes, for one, are not up to that these days Whatever we go with I'd like to see it as a top quality item that really stands out from the crowd sonically.... Let's get some input from the "circuit" specialists and see what they propose..... Leo, Alex, Rick, Frans, videoguy, Fritz..... your input would be appreciated. Word
|
|
|
Post by clausdk on Feb 12, 2010 20:55:51 GMT
Why not use the lid/cork as volumecontrol, that would be cool..
|
|
jonclancy
Been here a while!
Mr. Ripple Eater
Amateur EAGLEist
Posts: 1,131
|
Post by jonclancy on Feb 12, 2010 20:58:44 GMT
Hey, I wasn't spouting cobblers then! Someone who knows what they are doing agrees. Thanks Jon I wouldn't bet your hat on that, Chris!
|
|
jonclancy
Been here a while!
Mr. Ripple Eater
Amateur EAGLEist
Posts: 1,131
|
Post by jonclancy on Feb 12, 2010 21:01:49 GMT
I, personally, have no time for these portable amps and would much rather build a "semi portable" desktop type with top quality parts... +1 for that...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2010 21:16:34 GMT
Or disappear up your arse it being so "tiny" Well, I was 'avin a laugh ....... You are right Mike, the size verses quality is something that needs consideration. It's more important for it to have a good sound above everything else or it's just not worth making. The size would be of secondary importance since we could all easily go out and get a Boostaroo which is lovely and small. Ian
|
|