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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 18, 2007 21:04:08 GMT
To be released mid September, the Little Pinkie v3i I have decided to revamp the Little Pinkie to make it sound even better than it does already. The manufacturer I source my transformers from has, all of a sudden, decided to go "el cheapo" on the materials they use so I've decided to take my custom elsewhere. I'm in the process of getting a custom transformer produced to my requirements from a highly respected UK transformer manufacturer who design and produce here in the UK. The "off the shelf" transformer used in the Little Pinkie v3 was good but this bespoke (tailored to requirements) transformer that will be fitted in the Little Pinkie v3 i will be very good. ( VERY good if the prototype is anything to go by..... mindblowing in places  ) I have specified (insisted on!) an extremely low flux density, highest grade laminations and complete with an integral thermal trip (self resetting). Put quite simply this will make the v3 i perform better than ever! The custom transformer is specially made for the Little Pinkie v3 i and you won't see these in suppliers catalogues..... they are being designed to my exacting requirements and purpose built for the job. You probably assumed from that last paragraph that these custom designed transformers cost a hell of a lot more than the usual "off the shelf" transformer? yes, they do......... almost three times the price. I consider it a price well worth paying if A: Sound quality is improved dramatically, B: consistency / quality is assured from batch to batch and C: I've got my say in how the transformer is designed and is bullet proof in service. You're now expecting me to say the Little Pinkie v3 i will jump up in price from £75 to £200 aren't you? It won't! It will jump back up to its original price of £85, it will have to if I'm to continue making them and stick to my principles which have always been making good gear that delivers the goods at a price everyone can afford. I make each one by hand and have been told (on many occasions) that I should take a rest and sit down and watch the TV..... no way! I enjoy making them and, more importantly, I love getting those "man, this thing rocks" type of emails..... I won't be impeded by television! I'd rather spend my time "hands on" than vegetating at a TV. Little Pinkie v3 i will be available from mid September onwards. I have ceased making the v3 and will not be taking orders for any more v3, If you'd like a Little Pinkie v3 i please join the queue and contact me at rock.grotto@gmail.com Pics to appear soon. Mike. EDIT: Thought I'd add....... a few "pre release" guys have asked "what does the " i" stand for?" It denotes "improved" |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 20, 2007 21:00:54 GMT
Had a discussion with the designer of the new transformer today and things are looking very promising indeed! The lamination is going to be of the very highest quality and this will greatly improve the regulation of the unit which will, in turn, improve the SQ of the device it will be powering  He also asked me what part number I'd like stamped on the transformer and I hope to have them stamped with "Little Pinkie v3 i" or (at the very least) "LPV3 i" I'm really looking forward to the first batch of these beauties |
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Post by colin1958 on Aug 21, 2007 6:21:06 GMT
:)REALLY CAN'T WAIT,THIS WALLWART IS REALLY PISSING ME OFF.EVEN WITH THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WITH THE PINKIE,[NOW GONE TO PASTURES NEW]THE IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE WALLWART & THE XPSU-V3[sold due to the excellence of the pinkie]was a vast improvement...............BRING IT ON CHEERS  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 21, 2007 10:40:02 GMT
It may be slightly earlier than mid September (fingers crossed) I was on to the designer again this morning and he reckons three weeks from today "or earlier" which will be excellent! You're one of the first in the queue Colin, it won't be long in coming |
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Post by colin1958 on Aug 21, 2007 15:22:55 GMT
:)Hi Mike,my post was not intended to rush you it was to show my sheer excitement and anticipation of the all new PINKIE V3I.when you've had something as great as the pinkie v3 & then have to resort back to the shitty wallwart [through no fault of yours]it really makes you realise what you are missing.i look forward to it no pressure.
cheers colin
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Post by colin1958 on Sept 2, 2007 13:42:44 GMT
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Post by robert on Sept 3, 2007 20:15:28 GMT
I also can't wait until the new Pinkies arrive. I have been one of the unfortunate people who have had two of them burn out on me (the second was a replacement for the 1st one that blew!) However, the sound improvement before they died was astonishing and if the new ones are anywhere as good as the last, it is worth the wait. Here's looking forward to my early christmas present! Rob  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 3, 2007 21:27:44 GMT
Coming soon guys The batch of custom transformers will soon be getting made. The few recent ones that decided to go tits up were all from the same batch and now I have most of them back (there were about 7 in total) will be sending them back to the manufacturer for inspection. It's funny how they all seemed to have gone in the exact same way..... fine for a few hours and then dead. I'm glad in a way they failed as it has resulted in me sourcing the high grade custom jobs built to my requirements. Bloody expensive but worth it, one faulty batch is one faulty batch too many for my liking and I take my business elsewhere. They're just "tuning" the inbuilt (self resetting) thermal trip at the moment and working out the ambient temp that will be present within the enclosure..... I have specified a ta70C transformer (instead of the usual ta40C) and it will be mounted on FR4 laminate. The transformer itself will have a very low magnetising current which will make the transformer run a lot cooler and will utilise the highest grade lamination you can get. I really can't wait to show these puppies off, I've never before worked so closely with a specialist transformer manufacturer and the end results will be well worth the wait, believe me! These are precision jobs and purpose made for audio with the finest of materials...... "I" can't wait! A few pics will be uploaded of the v3 i in the next couple of weeks..... The custom transformer is flame red in colour, that's about the only difference you'll see as well as a reduction in the fuse count. The internal temperature sensor in the primary shuts down the transformer if it overheats. It also makes the transformer short circuit proof from the secondary side, so the secondary fuses can be dispensed with..... I'll still employ the primary fuse (160ma (T) 230V / 315mA (T) 115V) to protect against short circuits, this guy will be bullet proof. There will also be a top notch class X2 470nF suppression cap strapped across the inlet to soak up any nasties that may want to find their way into the PSU. Actually...... it won't look disimilar to this apart from being flame red in colour and without the 3 fuses sitting on top..... imagine it without the three fuses on top, the primary fuse holder will be bolted to the chassis out of sight. Image currently unavailable. That was a string and sellotape prototype using a Marschner ta70C transformer and is not indicative of the way I'll build the v3 i with the custom transformers but it gives you the general idea. As you see it but without the three fuses sitting on top and the transformer brick red in colour instead of black. I'll do my best to incorporate red hook up leads (as close as I could come to pink ) not that anybody will be running their PSU naked!!! The 7 guys who were party to the faulty batch will be the first to receive the Little Pinkie v3 i Thanks for being so patient and thanks for your positive appraisals and descriptive e-mails "pre" fault condition, it will help pinpoint the problem. Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 11, 2007 21:03:41 GMT
Mike, I need your opinion. I won on Ebay a Musical Fidelity X-10 V3. Once I receive it I will send you a PM to get the kit you have available. I will ask to include a set of heat sinks/glue as well as the set of 6H23-EB we talked about, and a set of the tubes for the X-10 V3. However the question I have is on the PSU. Currently I have two of your Little Pinkies, one feeding the X-Can V3 and the other the X-Dac V3. Should I get a third Little Pinkie for the X-10 V3? Or should I take the Little Pinkie currently feeding the X-Dac V3 and use it to feed the X-10 V3, I would then use one of the Musical Fidelity wall warts on the X-Dac V3. Or should I keep the Little Pinkies as they are and use the Musical Fidelity wall wart on the X-10 V3? By the way, the new version of the Little Pinkie looks very nice. Thanks. Miguel, If you can wait until I have cleared the backlog I will send you one of the LPV3 i to try.... see my next post....... |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 11, 2007 21:22:30 GMT
Phew, it seems like an eternity since I last built a Little Pinkie but it's only been a few weeks. The good news is I received an e-mail from the company that are producing the custom transformer this morning: "Mike,
These are just coming up for test & then encapsulation. Should leave here on Thursday / Friday"I'll hopefully receive them early next week and, if so, expect to get the first batch built and out by 24th September (if not sooner) The prototype I received indicates that these power supplies units will not only sound good, they'll sound VERY good. And so they should with custom transformers hand made in England employing the finest grade of materials! It won't be long in coming now and, believe me, it was worth the wait |
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Post by robert on Sept 13, 2007 19:19:13 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 17, 2007 21:00:33 GMT
They have arrived! Built one up this afternoon and am listening to it now...... it was worth the wait folks The regulation is a lot better than the Clairtronics transformers and the no load voltage quite a bit lower so the high quality lamination was well worth it. I've tested the self resetting thermal trip and it works a treat I won't comment on the SQ, I'd rather leave that up to the guys who will be receiving their Little Pinkies shortly. I guesstimate I should be able to clear the backlog in a week, I've got everything else prepared and it's just a case of wiring in the transformers, testing them and packing them. I'll probably make the first batch at the weekend and get them shipped out on Monday, there are a few little tweaks I'm still experimenting with (mostly the value of the snubber cap across the primary / IEC inlet and the internal wiring) when I'm satisfied I've optimised it as best as I can then I'll start building them. At the time of writing I can safely say....... you will be pleasantly surpised with the v3 i |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 18, 2007 21:30:45 GMT
Ok mate, please send me a PayPal bill to mrarroyo AT atlanticbb DOT net for: - X-10 V3 kit w/ ultrafast diodes and heat sinks - the set of Russian 6H23-EB - V3i Oh yeah! Thanks. Hi Miguel, It will be a week or so before I get round to the 115V versions, I'll let you know when I've got them ready. Just have to work out the primary fuse rating (obviously it will be greater than the 230V version) and have a good old test under the most demanding of conditions. I can tell you that these guys run very cool compared to the other types thanks to the high quality laminations. I cannot believe what the v2 i is doing to both the X-CANS and the X-CAN v2, I'm listening to the X-CANS at the moment and my jaw has dropped to the floor! Absolutely fantastic, I wish you were here to hear what I am experiencing Miguel The guy who designed the transformer to my requirements said it should sound a bit better thanks to the high grade materials..... a "bit" better?? This is a LOT better! I can't remember being this happy with something for a long time, it really improves things and very noticeably too, I am so happy I went down the custom design route using only the finest of materials.... this little box of tricks rocks big time! I have never heard my trio of X-CAN amps sound this good, it's quite a revelation. Custom design means you also get your own personal drawings of the transformer  Remember the entire thing is encapsulated in resin once it is wound but here is what it looks like before it is encapsulated:  That is showing the 115V hook up diagram. You'll note there are "5" pins instead of the usual 4 on the secondary side........ this is accounting for the internal self resetting thermal trip and the fifth pin is only connected for 115V use (Pin 7 / next to 6 / on the secondary) and ensures 115V units have the same self resetting internal protection as the 230V units which are hooked up like this:  As I said previously, this unit is bullet proof and has been designed to provide the best possible performance in a pint sized enclosure that can be shipped at a reasonable cost....... she clocks in at 1 kilo packed and that equates to £15 to ROW / £11 Europe and £7 UK to ship and those are the ACTUAL shipping costs, I haven't charged for the packaging and associated costs as I wan't to stick to my principles and keep the Little Pinkie a viable proposition and affordable to all. I just have to go back to the £85 asking price for the Little Pinkie otherwise I'll be, effectively, losing money in a wholesale fashion. The transformers are almost three times the price of the original ones and all the other parts have increased in price. To keep the Little Pinkie viable it should really be pitched at a much higher price but, for the time being, it will sell for £85 which is an absolute bargain considering the work that goes into it, the high cost of materials and the massive improvement in SQ. Made in the UK with parts designed and manufactured in the UK for £85..... I don't know how long I can keep it going. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 18, 2007 21:56:33 GMT
BTW.... Polarity is assured with these units.... plug in an IEC lead and you're guaranteed correct polarity. This was discussed in-depth during the design phase and the "hot side" is pin 6 on the secondary |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2007 2:12:24 GMT
Miguel
If they are as good as Mike says they are, and there is no reason to believe they aren't,
you could always replace the others,and flog the old ones on ebay.
When you hear for yourself the difference that the new one makes, you may want to do that anyway.
SandyK
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 19, 2007 12:44:33 GMT
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Post by colin1958 on Sept 19, 2007 15:08:04 GMT
8-)HOW COOL DO THEY LOOK,REALLY CAN'T WAIT TO RECEIVE ONE OF THESE BEAUTIES |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 19, 2007 21:13:21 GMT
8-)HOW COOL DO THEY LOOK,REALLY CAN'T WAIT TO RECEIVE ONE OF THESE BEAUTIES Yours goes out first thing tomorrow Colin, should be with you at the weekend |
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Post by colin1958 on Sept 20, 2007 8:00:23 GMT
::)many thanks Mike,will let you know when it arrives & give a progress report as need be.i really can't wait,i feel like a kid waiting for the sweet shop to open  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 27, 2007 20:44:52 GMT
The initial batch of custom transformers have dwindled away to almost nothing, I really wasn't expecting such a surge of orders  the good news is I have ordered another batch so shouldn't be playing catch up for much longer.... I am going to spend the entire weekend ordering all the associated parts and I guesstimate things will be back on a "as soon as you order I will build" basis in a couple of weeks with turnaround being about 3 days UK, 5 days Europe / ROW from the time you place your order till you receive the goods. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 28, 2007 16:45:13 GMT
Order has been placed and payment has been sent via PayPal. Thanks Mike. Shipped Miguel Sitting in the postmasters office overnight and the post bus will pick her up in the morning |
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Post by clundbe on Sept 29, 2007 23:07:11 GMT
Hi. One question. What will the Little P v3i do with my x can v3 and Senn 650?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 29, 2007 23:27:43 GMT
Hi. One question. What will the Little P v3i do with my x can v3 and Senn 650? Not a lot unless you plug it in |
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Post by clundbe on Sept 30, 2007 0:23:25 GMT
he he. Ok. If I buy one and plug it in, what will happen then? I mean. better bass or what? I'm new on this headphone amp thing.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2007 1:16:46 GMT
clundbe Have a look at the thread "Little Pinkie V3i- First Impressions" rockgrotto.proboards39.com/index.cgi?board=q&action=display&thread=1190463136 This is what happens when you use higher quality transformers containing better iron etc, and higher current ratings. The transformers were custom built for Mike, and are self protecting. The only thing better than a decent supply like this, is a fully regulated supply. and they often need internal modifications to the equipment for best results. You will find that this PSU will outperform the optional (and expensive) MF supply. SandyK |
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Remember the entire thing is encapsulated in resin once it is wound but here is what it looks like before it is encapsulated:
the good news is I have ordered another batch so shouldn't be playing catch up for much longer.... I am going to spend the entire weekend ordering all the associated parts and I guesstimate things will be back on a "as soon as you order I will build" basis in a couple of weeks with turnaround being about 3 days UK, 5 days Europe / ROW from the time you place your order till you receive the goods.