pingu
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Post by pingu on Jan 24, 2024 18:57:48 GMT
Hi slavomir, Doesn’t matter if they are BP caps although I’m told the longer lead is usually what would be the anode + on a nonBP cap Hope that helps Martin
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pingu
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Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
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Post by pingu on Jan 24, 2024 18:02:43 GMT
Hi All, Long shot but does anyone know/remember a thread about upgrading the wonderful Darkvoice OTL valve (tube) HA? Any info would be useful as I’ve just resurrected and old project of some years ago. Believe 2 sets of caps and some resistors were changed. I’m squeezing in a small stepped attenuator curtesy of flea bay. Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Dec 21, 2022 11:12:16 GMT
Hi there, I have not been able to reach Mike recently, no reply for emails or chat...does anyone knows if the X-CAN V3 upgrade kit is still available? Other option could be to find all components by my self, but for this, I would like to have full list of upgrade components what should be purchased - Any info about this? All instructions are very welcome. rgds jukka Hi Jukka, Haven’t seen Mike on here for a while don’t know what’s happened to him. I did ask for some help converting a little pinky but got no reply so I did it myself. He was poorly after a fall but that was ages ago, broken ribs I believe All I can suggest is to see if anyone has a list of bits you need and source them yourself, hope all goes well. I would say I that I have fitted his upgrade to an Xcans V2 and it is good but I found the track lifted very easily so go carefully on the soldering, I was probably not careful enough. Though it’s easy enough to add a link to lifted tracks. Good luck Have a good Christmas Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Dec 12, 2022 23:15:23 GMT
Hi FritzS, Don’t think you can get the black gates anymore. They stopped a while ago and must be getting rare/old now so it may be that they are just not available. Nice to see you still here tho. Have a good Christmas Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on May 7, 2022 10:32:50 GMT
Hi Mike, Well tbh I found the bits not bad at all as Hellkern said, after some puzzling the kit worked well straight out of the box so not bad at the price. Yes it took a bit of figuring out and a few internet searches but after all that’s the fun of DIY isn’t it? the smell of melting flux. Definitely not one for a raw beginner tho. Changed the ICs and big improvement, as good as if not better than the JLH ha crisp tight treble and solid base. Not quite the bottlehead crack but the that’s valve and 10x more. Miles better than most. The price of the kit (which came with its nice looking box) was little more the buying a Chinese box on its own, so even if it was a pile of crap I had a nice enclosure. Caught for PO rip off collection fees and customs duty but that’s life. I’ve now changed some of the caps checked and changed some of the trannies used different ICs so nothing major and very little expense with some minor improvement.The pcb is good quality and thick, the print looks ok but who knows, all I can say it didn’t lift when o change parts. Now I’m adding a USB DAC for £20 (so worth a punt) All in all a good and very cheap HA and soon with a DAC (if it works) which looks good too. That makes the cost of the unit exceptionally good value. No not one for the beginner you need to be able to read and interpret a cir. diagram and be able to use a dmm or better a peak jobbie. Very good value if you can do a little work. IF YOU GET ONE EXPECT TO DO SOME WORK So yes I’ll take their T any time because you’ll get nothing else of them (don't bother to email them) lol All the best Martin
PS been running a few years now too
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pingu
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Post by pingu on May 3, 2022 8:57:59 GMT
So after a long Google search I think I’ve found the answer to connecting the DAC. So it’s on order and let’s hope it works Any one want info DM me and I’ll let you know when it’s all up and running Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Apr 21, 2022 8:47:59 GMT
I would have binned the sound bar after a 'ritual' burning. Also be careful with the Codeine - its never really made much different for me other than backed me up for a week. Hi Freddy, Well that’s what it was first used for before pain relief. lol Like you I find it doesn’t do much for the pain but even 16mls gives me a buzzz, don’t even go to 30mls, and 60mls is oblivion. All the best Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Apr 11, 2022 9:14:42 GMT
Oh painful Mike, was that on one of your expeditions to civilisation from that remote cottage of yours 😂 Keep taking the codeine and remember it’s only addictive (habit forming as the GPS call it) when you stop taking them Glad to hear you are on the mend tho Take care Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Mar 30, 2022 16:01:38 GMT
Hi Hellkern, Just having rummage around the site and as I’ve just ordered the USB DAC board for my amp I thought I’d have a look and see if there’s any interest in resurrecting this thread. My unit worked ok, and still does with a selection of op amps, (can’t remember which one I’m using atm probably 4562 or the muse 8820) didn’t have any probs with the earth loop you mention. I used all the bits that came with the kit but now I have “Peak” bit I’ll check the caps and trannies when I do a rebuild, resits we’re all good tho. I was just wondering if anyone on here or does any one know anything about the USB board? It’s cheap enough to have a look at so wondered if anyone has fitted the extra bits Another thing springs to mind has anyone used different chips in each side, just a thought Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Feb 26, 2022 16:42:33 GMT
Hi Marco, Think the ones I’m used on the x-can were 3mm or 5mm (probably 3mm) but and std cooking led will do. Radio Spares if you got one near you or try FleeBay otherwise Mike(pink floyd) will be sure to have the very ones you need Good luck Martin
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Feb 26, 2022 16:14:42 GMT
Hi All, Just got a pair of OPA 827s. Has anyone got any duo to single converters so I can use them in my JLH Chiara Or even point my in the direction to buy them Thanks Martin
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pingu
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Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
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Post by pingu on Feb 17, 2022 16:48:20 GMT
Hi Larry, Are you positive it’s not the wire from the wall wort, they often fracture where they just come out of the casings. However if it’s the socket in the X Can pink floyd will sort one out for you. They are an easy replacement job if you have moderate soldering skill and a steady hang Good luck Martin
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pingu
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Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
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Post by pingu on Dec 19, 2021 15:19:22 GMT
Unfortunately it’s not given that ypu act maturely as Max dint when a decision just as iffy went against him, so no it’s not always the way. Do I detect a smidgen of envy at your non coloured status Mike? or even a nostalgia for the British empire and our well behaved and subservient colonials The past always looks good in hind sight, still with the wonderful Brexit we change all that forge a bright new future sucking up to anyone that’ll give us a trade deal. Rock on tories, if the plague don’t get us the steroids and antibiotics in the imported meat will, or even possibly / maybe David Ikes lizards will Have a good Christmas Or Should that be Happy Hollidays Ha hah ha
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Dec 13, 2021 11:10:23 GMT
Well well well what a race, or should I say what a shambles. Should Hamilton have been penalised for his off, should have those cars passed the safety car? Guess this will rumble on and on Still no stamping off in trantrum at least he was mature enough to be civil and congratulate Max
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Sept 5, 2021 10:28:23 GMT
Very sensible Mike let the MOT run out then raid the piggy bank and buy a McLaren, just right fpr the narrow twisty roads up your way However it’ll be like losing and old friend I bet
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Aug 24, 2021 21:18:10 GMT
That a bugger Mike however your friendly Lidl will have cctv probably covering car park so you may get a reg to trace vehicle and if it’s hired the hire company must give the details of the hirer or pay claim themselves. Good luck Mike
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Aug 12, 2021 9:22:20 GMT
Hi Mike, I take it that’s what they call a Motorway in your area as it’s got a tarmac surface. That fine seems low they sting you more than that for a speed awareness course in more civilised parts of the country lol Hope you keeping well All the best Martin
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pingu
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Spam
Jun 22, 2021 8:55:40 GMT
Post by pingu on Jun 22, 2021 8:55:40 GMT
Hi Mike Seems a reasonable and sensible response. Not doing much building atm so not a lot to post. I’m cutting down overgrown trees and getting the logs in for the winter. Know any good chain saw forums or amputee chat rooms lol Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on May 9, 2021 10:57:38 GMT
Hi, I have a 1989 QED headphone amplifier which is in need of total re capping. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Thank you. Hi, I think if you look thro the old threads on this you’ll find the values you need tbh just swap like for like will improve thing as the amps a bit ancient now. I think you’ll find the green big caps are Muse bipolar. You probably won’t go far wrong if you use the caps in the newer version but I have now experience of theses little amps Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Apr 4, 2021 10:26:28 GMT
Must say he was helpful and very knowledgeable, much missed. He gave generously with his help and advice when I was building the HA on here and Wills psu with the ripple eater . It’s an end we all get so RIP Alex and thanks
Martin PS nice to see some of the older (more senior) members back
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pingu
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Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
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Post by pingu on Mar 29, 2021 11:22:44 GMT
Hi Mike, Thanks the boards arrived today. They’ll go to the shed to be completed over the next week or so Thanks again, I owe you one All the best Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Mar 25, 2021 23:00:24 GMT
Thanks Martin, have found some but they are $119-199 so making them might be an idea.Any thoughts on what cable to use, connectors are about £21 each Sorry I missed your post Well I’d use a decent set of RCAs say Neutronic or a decent metal bodied plug. As for the cable star quad if you want to make a pseudo balanced lead or VanDame OFC is good too. If you want to go silver try IPL Acoustics they are good and not expensive BUT Ivan has closed for two months now until May. Hopefully Ivan will re open then, he does speaker kits, bits and bobs like caps, inductors, and speaker cackle too If you use decent plugs and good cable you should have a set of very passable interconnects round £20.00 As for power cables any good OF cable should be OK, tbh I’ve never heard a difference with power cables although some say they do but I have when I’ve used mains filters on the AC. UTube will give you plenty of ideas. Maplin used to do a good one it used about 6caps 6 vdr’s (voltage dependant resists) and a couple of RFI filters back to back. I believe it was first published in Wireless World. IF and it’s a big if I can find the circuit I’ll post in on here. It’s very old and been published over and over so copyright probs Hope that helps Martin
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Mar 25, 2021 10:13:30 GMT
Cheers Mike I’ll send pro boards a bit extra now.
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Mar 25, 2021 10:05:55 GMT
Ha ha ha well Mike I was at the Grosvenor Square anti Vietnam dem in ‘68. If your there you take what you get. The feds will use force if they can, PS thanks for boards I’ll send a few bucks to pro board people
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pingu
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Post by pingu on Mar 24, 2021 10:40:09 GMT
Hi Mike Gladly make a contribution no probs at all. If let me know the postage for those PCBs I’ll add it to the payment for you. Probably better than doing an individual payment. It seems the plague has other side effects other than the illness. After all this forum has been a help over the years and it would be a shame to loose its reference posts. Thanks
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