Good VFM? The PANDA headphone amp. I'll say so!

[Deleted]

Sept 14, 2010 21:18:31 GMT PinkFloyd said:

Sept 14, 2010 10:08:05 GMT jonclancy said:

Completely O/T, but my mate just had his done this week, Chris. Having worn glasses for the past 45 years, he now has better than 20/20 vision and is delighted!!!

Go for it, mate!

No good for people like me who just need "reading glasses"..... laser correction will not work, specs are the only solution.

I did, this year, get "measured up" for laser treatment. However for my eyes they could not guarantee a 20/20 result, adding that I would still need specs for reading/driving etc.
PLUS, I know of two people who had problems with the procedure.

On those two counts I WON'T be doing it. Still needing specs at all defeats the object for me.

[PinkFloyd]

Sept 14, 2010 21:36:12 GMT @cjarchez said:

Sept 14, 2010 21:18:31 GMT PinkFloyd said:

No good for people like me who just need "reading glasses"..... laser correction will not work, specs are the only solution.

I did, this year, get "measured up" for laser treatment. However for my eyes they could not guarantee a 20/20 result, adding that I would still need specs for reading/driving etc.
PLUS, I know of two people who had problems with the procedure.

On those two counts I WON'T be doing it. Still needing specs at all defeats the object for me.

And just the thought of someone working on your "eyeball" is enough for me to say NO WAY I'd need to be KNOCKED OUT / COMATOSE for anybody to perform "surgery" on my eyeball (even then I would put up a fight)

[Deleted]

X2!

[Deleted]

This Panda kit has been re-listed:- cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180558388366


My enclosure for the Panda kit has also arrived, beautifully packaged, totally unmarked in pristine condition, with loads of "furniture" to put in it.
Fantastic value for money in my opinion, would cost me 3-4 times the price i paid to make less than 20 of these.






Mick

[PinkFloyd]

Glad it arrived in perfect condition Mick They are not the "trendiest" of enclosures but are definitely machined very well and all the furnishings that go with them are an added bonus.

I am absolutely LOVING the Panda, it's just SO ballsy and energetic.... really grunty and so musical. I can't wait to sit down of a day to listen to it... it really is a captivating and communicative experience. Most certainly the most engaging listen I have ever experience with headphones. Wait till you plug your HD 250's into this puppy, you'll cream your pants... seriously "that" good

[PinkFloyd]

Sept 15, 2010 9:28:53 GMT @heliharris said:

This Panda kit has been re-listed:- cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180558388366

Mick.... I've just bought another two of the Panda kits. Quality like this doesn't come round too often at such a low price.... I would have snapped ALL of them up but didn't as I know there are a few other people here who want to buy a kit. I've also ordered another two enclosures..... Once word gets out just how accomplished this amp is I expect the price will increase substantially.

[Deleted]

I know there are a few other people here who want to buy a kit.

There are also people who not up to putting it together!! (Well, not in a presentable way) It's sort of like me asking someone to play a synth.

I bet once they see these posts, the price may well go for a hike!!

What I find unbelievable about all the guys here that put stuff together is how good the workmanship is. It just isn't commercial shop crap is it? Let's face it Mike, that amp you've put together looks absolutely stunning inside and out.

Thing is, you all don't see how good that work is!! That's why I wish I had learned to do something useful myself .....

[PinkFloyd]

Sept 16, 2010 20:41:35 GMT @iancraig10 said:

There are also people who not up to putting it together!! (Well, not in a presentable way) It's sort of like me asking someone to play a synth.

Ian,

No worries, one of those kits is for you. I will build you a Panda and send it over to you.... your ears seem to pick up the "emotion" of the music (similar to my perception of what's nice sounding) and, thus, you deserve to hear the best.

Give me a month and I will have a built up Panda in your hands.... be prepared to throw the rest of your gear in the bin though (seriously).... once you've heard this puppy there is no going back.

Mike.

[PinkFloyd]

It just isn't commercial shop crap is it?

Of course not It's gear that is built by enthusiasts (quite a few of whom who have a working knowledge of EVERY aspect of the build / design).....

In my case, if I were in the business of putting the Panda parts together and selling for a "profit" I would have to charge £1100 for the completed article.

The "time" / the "equipment" and the "expertise" is where the money goes. DIY is the best way to go but ONLY if you have the time, the equipment and the ability.

No way are you going to DIY a Panda if all you have is a multi purpose screwdriver in your armoury.... I am assuming that anyone contemplating building this will have a modicum of electronics knowledge, a minimum of a soldering iron and a multimeter.....

This is NOT a project for someone who doesn't know how to wire up a three pin plug or doesn't know what resistance / capacitance "means".

Painting by numbers, YES, but assuming you have a working knowledge of what is involved

Pinkie.

[Deleted]

Mike, you're very kind towards me and I really appreciate all of the work you've done for me.

The X-Can journey has been a real ear-opener for me and resulted in me giving up on the Earmax. (and the old version of the Solo) The V-Can is brilliant as well. Absolutely brilliant work.

I can't tell you the difference these amps have made to my listening habits. One of my biggest complaints about my own work is the poor quality of the production which, by the way, this gear really shows.

However, my listening has changed from purely functional checking of notes/sound/clarity to an emotional gut wrenching listen, where it puts me into the band at such close range, it's simply involving. This is happening due to the tweaking that you've done with my amps.

It doesn't matter what I'm listening to from Prog rock to Electronic to orchestral. It's blindingly gut wrenching to me.

I was listening to some Mahler today and the screaming brass with sarcastic musical comments from the woodwind are really quite manic and scary whereas I used to get much more distracted by the 'screechy' treble or 'boomy' bass or lack of clarity that I didn't really listen to the music properly. Now, I sit for hours totally focussed.

I can hear the space in the room and almost feel as though I'm in the middle of it.

And that all comes from a soldering iron and parts in an amp. I wonder whether you guys really don't realise how much difference the work you do on the gear makes.

Like musicians, I feel that many diy'ers take their skills for granted. Or maybe you all know what it does to the sound perfectly well? For me, the differences have been huge every time.

Today, I've been upset by Mahler, been amazed by Shpongle, felt the Pink Floyd grief - it just comes straight through the gear.

I just finished off with a brilliant piece called the Creation of the World by Milhaud. The humour in it is brilliant.

There was a time when I would never dream of changing an amp. Front end and speakers, yes, but not amps. I never felt that much difference could be had from many of them so stayed with what everyone 'said' was the best. How wrong that was!!

[PinkFloyd]

Ian........

Just wait till you hear the Panda


Mike.

[Deleted]

Use a decent SS amp instead, and the buffers are already built in !
Don't even think about using one in line with the Panda.
Alex

Alex,

getting curious/tempted? Mike is obviously blown away by it. I'd love to know your opinion on the sound of this one.

My ebay finger is getting awfully twitchey

[Deleted]

Sept 16, 2010 23:19:52 GMT @cjarchez said:

Use a decent SS amp instead, and the buffers are already built in !
Don't even think about using one in line with the Panda.
Alex

Alex,

getting curious/tempted? Mike is obviously blown away by it. I'd love to know your opinion on the sound of this one.

My ebay finger is getting awfully twitchey

Chris
No, I am not getting tempted.
Alex

[clausdk]

Sept 16, 2010 21:22:27 GMT PinkFloyd said:

This is NOT a project for someone who doesn't know how to wire up a three pin plug or doesn't know what resistance / capacitance "means".

Painting by numbers, YES, but assuming you have a working knowledge of what is involved

Pinkie.

Capistance for me is a town in Russia and to be honest I do not care, I know a cap is a small battery (almost), but my knowledge does not go very deep on that subject..

I am in for the challenge and I like soldering, it is like a zen thing to me..

I do not need to know those things to enjoy them, I am also uncapable of building a engine for my car, but I still drive..

I am not offended, but to me it is the same as if I told you that you should not eat icecreme, if you do not know about emulgators and stabilisators and what they do and why, you should not make sauce if you do not know what happens chemically when you add the thickening ingredient..

we all do a lot of things, without knowing what we are really doing and if we do not do those things our lifes would be less..

(crossing fingers that mine will work )

[Deleted]

(crossing fingers that mine will work

and not blow up......

For me, it's the time and (now) lack of confidence. You guys produce stuff that looks stunning as well. Also the fact that I need to be in a non padded hard cell because of flying solder. Keep away from carpets Claus!!!

[Deleted]

Also the fact that I need to be in a non padded hard cell because of flying solder. Keep away from carpets Claus!!!

Ian
I second that ! Not doing that can get you into a lot of trouble with S.W.M.B.O.
Alex

[Deleted]

Sept 16, 2010 20:21:47 GMT PinkFloyd said:

Sept 15, 2010 9:28:53 GMT @heliharris said:

This Panda kit has been re-listed:- cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180558388366

Mick.... I've just bought another two of the Panda kits. Quality like this doesn't come round too often at such a low price.... I would have snapped ALL of them up but didn't as I know there are a few other people here who want to buy a kit. I've also ordered another two enclosures..... Once word gets out just how accomplished this amp is I expect the price will increase substantially.

Yes thought you might purchase some more Mike, at this price and quality its hard to turn down the opportunity, especially in your case, as you have the knowledge and ability to build them very quickly. Nice one.

Mick.

[Deleted]

Sept 17, 2010 6:29:26 GMT @sandyk said:

Also the fact that I need to be in a non padded hard cell because of flying solder. Keep away from carpets Claus!!!

Ian
I second that ! Not doing that can get you into a lot of trouble with S.W.M.B.O.
Alex

Alex, I was a victim of that 20 years ago.

What followed - Divorce!!!! (But not because of just that)

Worth every penny too.

[clausdk]

Sept 17, 2010 5:42:44 GMT @iancraig10 said:

(crossing fingers that mine will work

and not blow up......

For me, it's the time and (now) lack of confidence. You guys produce stuff that looks stunning as well. Also the fact that I need to be in a non padded hard cell because of flying solder. Keep away from carpets Claus!!!

We got old carpets , that should be changed, so a bif hole would be welcome ;D ;D ;D

I do not get why you throw the solder in the air ??

[Deleted]

Hi all

I just could not resist the temptation of this good looking kit any longer.

mine is on order

I'll post when it arrives

[Deleted]

Sept 17, 2010 13:23:55 GMT @shaun said:

Hi all

I just could not resist the temptation of this good looking kit any longer.

mine is on order

I'll post when it arrives

Great. I'm an expert in divorce!!!

I do not get why you throw the solder in the air ??

Ah, that'll be the air cooling. It forms a perfect bubble and lands on the circuit board in perfect shape. Lining up the hole is a bit hard 'cos when you look through it to line it up with the landing solder, it tends to squirt your eye as well.

Claus, when it runs on to your finger, it really hurts!

[leo]

Must resist the temptation to save an arse kicking I'd like one but can't put things like this away, I'd have to build it straight away

[Deleted]

Sept 17, 2010 16:26:29 GMT leo said:

Must resist the temptation to save an arse kicking I'd like one but can't put things like this away, I'd have to build it straight away

It sounds a bit special to me. Take the wife out to see Toy Story 3 in 3d and have it delivered to work. Mind you, it's only special if you get it all together in the right order. Otherwise you have a really special bag.

When I saw Mike's pictures, I must admit to thinking it looks fantastic, but then again, that's Mike isn't it?

I wonder how many people buy these things and make a dog's ear out of it? Mind you, at that price, it's a good experience.

[Deleted]

I wonder how many people buy these things and make a dog's ear out of it? Mind you, at that price, it's a good experience.

Well Ian, i will be giving it a go at my own pace. If i do cock it up, i don`t think i will be the first, and probably not the last to do so building my own Amp, at least i was willing to give it try. However, if it all go well, and it fires up like it should and sounds great, i will be chuffed to bits

[PinkFloyd]

Sept 17, 2010 7:24:09 GMT @heliharris said:

Yes thought you might purchase some more Mike, at this price and quality its hard to turn down the opportunity, especially in your case, as you have the knowledge and ability to build them very quickly. Nice one.

Mick.

What I have in mind with one of the others is to build it very slow and populate the board with some different (brand) caps.... I have some very expensive ones gathering dust, about time I put them to good use

I have just started using a different type of solder and I absolutely LOVE the stuff, I'd like to solder one of the other Panda's with this gear It's pretty expensive for 250g of 22swg but well worth it.... It runs like water and dries to beautifully shiny (mirror like) joints... it's certainly the nicest stuff I have ever used.