DIY Silver ICs, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Class D Amp, and GR-Research Speakers

2

Comments

  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited August 2010
    ^^^Ha ;)
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited October 2010
    Finally started the speakers. At this rate I might have ONE done by Monday :eek:

    So, here are some notes for those that might do something like this in the future...

    I am using Titebond III wood glue. This gives me 10 minutes of working time. What I found this morning was that I was not able to get all of the pieces glued in 10 minutes, especially with trying to set up the guider dowels. I actually only got the bottom piece and the 3 above it together before I figured I had better clamp and take a break :rolleyes:


    I guess that is about all. Here are 2 pictures of my progress. The outside is still wet where I wiped off the glue and I did a roughly 2-3 part water to glue layer on the inside using a brush to seal it. This was recommended above...

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    Buy more clamps and do two at a time. You can never have too many clamps in this hobby.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited October 2010
    ^^^Hah, so I can make mistakes on both speakers? ;)
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited October 2010
    Finally posting up the pics from a few days ago when I finished the 1st speaker and started the 2nd. The 2nd speaker is done now and I have been sanding the 1st about 30 minutes a day...

    Sanding these sucks :duh:

    Oh well, they will look really nice soon enough!

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    Very nice, looking forward to seeing the finished product.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited October 2010
    All right, so I am a good ways through the sanding process and I thought I would post up some pictures. I have gone up to 150 grit on all sides on one speaker, the one on top. On the bottom one I have only worked on the the right side and the front. The darker spots are the wet spots from wiping the speakers off.

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    And Last but not least, the help that wanted to be in a picture of his own :lol:

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited October 2010
    Beautiful.Those should be seriously inert enclosures.



    The helper doesn't look overly enthused.;)
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited November 2010
    Slight change of pace, I am almost finished with the "Power Source" I have built for my DODD Buffer, Amp, and whatever other battery powered devices I have in the future. Gary is helping me with the front so it will be done soon!

    Inside is a Kinetik HC1400 SLA battery...

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited November 2010
    Finished the power source!

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited November 2010
    Very nice work. Awesome set up.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited November 2010
    very nice indeed
  • geoff727
    geoff727 Posts: 546
    edited November 2010
    This is some fun, inspiring work you're doing. It's very motivational, actually!
    praedet wrote: »
    I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do as far as finishing them. I am thinking of doing clear over the sides and back, a curly maple veneer on top and bottom, and either the same curly maple veneer on the baffle, or a satin black paint. Thoughts?

    These have a gorgeous finish with the stacked plywood layers.
    http://evolutionacoustics.com/
    Polk SDA SRS 2
    Polk RTA 15tl
    Polk Monitor 7C
    Polk Lsi9

    Infinity RS-II (modded)
    Infinity RS-IIIa (modded)
    Infinity RS 2.5 x 2

    Magnepan 1.6QR (modded)

    System: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1290711373
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited November 2010
    Thanks, and those are VERY cool. I actually was very interested in doing something like that, but I don't know how the layers will do with stain...
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited January 2011
    More progress! VERY SLOWLY, but surely ;)

    Man it has been a long time since I have done anything!!!!

    Finished up 1 of the cross-overs today. Too cold to do the cabinet work right now! Sorry, these pics are from my phone...

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2011
    Could you make them any neater? :D

    Good job!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited January 2011
    Thanks! I confess that I used Sean's, the skiing ninja, pictures of his Ninja Master Networks for the N2x!
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited April 2011
    Well
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited April 2011
    ^^^Awesome, I love when my son shuts down my computer before I can edit a post!

    Well, I have finally figured out a battery powered DIY transport. My silent, cheap, linux music server.

    That post shows most of the info, I am about to make a cord to run it off the battery supply I have, so I'll put up pictures when that happens.

    So the final system will be an Alix Music Server feeding a TPA Buffalo 32s DAC. The signal will then go into the Dodd Audio Battery Tube Buffer and on to the Class D Audio SD-254. Lastly the amp will feed into the GR Research N2xs. I plan to make all the cables except the USB cable. All will receive power from the 12-volt SLA Battery power supply I built.

    Man this is going slow!
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited April 2011
    My DIY amp is temporarily done! It is a Class-D Audio SDS-254 fed by the DC power supply from the same place.

    First, the system as it currently sits.
    PC Engine Alix Linux based Music Server (Currently on a AC Wall Wart, but will be moved to Battery soon)
    MF V-link USB-S/PDIF
    Modified Lite Audio DAC
    DODD Audio Battery Buffer (Running on the Battery Power Supply I created)
    SDS-254 w/ DC Power Supply (Running on the Battery Power Supply I created)
    Skiing Ninja Modded LSi9s

    It is sitting in a temporary chassis provided by a wonderful guy over at AudioCircle, Trung.

    How does it sound? I'll get to that. First the only small "huh?"

    For now I have the gain pots in place and no mods to the amp. I am very suprised at how small the window is for the difference between little to no sound, relatively loud, and then cut-out of the amp. Right now the R and L are at about 475 ohms of resistance. Higher resistance than that means I turn the Buffer up a LOT higher. Once I figure out what level they should be at, they will be replaced with good resistors. Thoughts?

    The sound? Very, very nice. REALLY quiet. I mean literally there is NOTHING in the speakers when there is no music. Could be the Battery supply, the amp, or the buffer, but I like it! Very wide and deep sound stage and good dynamics. I haven't really turned it up yet as everyone is at home:redface:

    Oh yeah, in the interim before this amp I was using the R and L of an Outlaw 7700.

    Overall, I am very happy. This was made with stuff I had on hand due to the temporary chassis, so the components will be better when it is moved. Also, the temporary speaker cable is crap:mad:

    Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics...
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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited April 2011
    Congrats sir nice work..Class D Audio's kits are getting popular of late amongst the DIY crowd.

    btw.I like those binding posts.
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited April 2011
    Thanks guys!

    I am pretty impressed with this amp, and what it is doing with the LSi9s. I can't wait to get it on the N2xs!
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited April 2011
    So I did have the wiring for the gain pots wrong:mad:

    I now have A LOT of headroom!

    The next step is figuring out what value of resistor I will use to replace the gain pots in the amp. Then it is the move to the new chassis once it is ready!

    I also thought I would post up a few better pics of the amp in Trung's bamboo box.

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    And, here is the cord I just built for my Alix Music Server so that it runs on the same Battery supply as the Amp and buffer...

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    So, I have the Source, Buffer, and Amp running off the same Battery source :eek:

    Now to make a battery powered DAC:cool:
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited May 2011
    So, I diverged from the original plan a little to help Gary Dodd out. I have now switched out my DIY Buffer for a brand new one made by him. It has two upgrades, 1 trivial and 1 significant...

    First, I splurged for one with remote ability because I am lazy:redface:

    Second, the new one has the ability to run the large (HOT) 6H30 tubes. I am specifically running a NOS 6H30DR tube in it.

    With little to no time on the new one, it is superior to the old one when it was broken it with a VERY good NOS tube in it. I highly recommend this buffer with the changes that allow for these tubes!!!!

    In other news, the amp is now in it/s proper chassis. And, I learned a LOT over the last 2 days.

    1. If you plan on removing the various connectors on the boards, see if Tom (Class D Audio Owner) will ship the boards without them. Removal is not trivial, and then getting everything back exactly right is also non-trivial.

    2. Get a larger chassis then you need! If you are going to make leads as short as possible, and hardwire to the board, you need room.

    3. Make sure you dry fit EVERYTHING before drilling holes for stand-offs.

    4. Figure out what everything does before you wire it up :duh:

    Anyway, the amp is moved into it's final chassis. I used solid silver (22 AWG) Home Grown Audio cable for the RCAs (also solid silver) and solid copper (14 or 16 AWG) electra cable for the speaker wire and power. I replaced the pots with resistors and hardwired everything. Lastly I put the wiring in place for the switch.

    Things that I messed up/sucked. The Neutrik Powercon. Had I put the board into place with the powercon before drilling holes for the stand-offs, I would have realized that the place I chose for the board was TOO close to the back. Oh well, a trimming of the powercon worked, but made it impossible to mount the powercon inside like I wanted, and made it VERY hard to solder wires under the board.

    Solid wiring is REAL hard to work with when it is connected in multiple places. REAL HARD...

    So, I wired up the switch like I thought it was supposed to be (I was copying another person's battery PS wiring) I had wires running to the switch location on the board, so when the switch was thrown they would form a circuit. I also ran a wire from the positive hot wire, to the switch, and then to the remote signal turn on. Again, when the switch turned on, it was supposed to send a signal. FOr whatever reason, if ANY wire was hooked into the remote signal on the boar, the PS was ALWAYS on, no matter what switch you played with :evil: Needless to say, I am now only running the switch wires, and they work :)

    Anyway, I have quickly verified that the amp does in fact play, but I still haven't played it to check the resistor and wiring change out as I am working on the faceplate...

    Here are some pics of the inside. If you are wondering about the speaker hook-ups, they are Electra Tube connectors. They are pretty cool 8)

    Ted

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2011
    Looks great! I'm currently demoing a battery powered class-D amp and they are something special. Obviously one of the best parts is ZERO power supply noise, but it's also great that they are small amps with almost no heat or maintenance.
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited July 2011
    Well, it has been a while so I will post my progress...

    Finally some work on the speakers. I have learned A LOT about veneering, and sadly most has been the hard way. Anyway, here is one speaker that still will get another 3-5 coats of Poly and has some more wetsanding required. I know there are mistakes, but it is my first time so let me enjoy them :)

    The first picture shows the hand of the reason this is taking so long :eek:

    P1010917.jpg
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    P1010915.jpg
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited February 2012
    All right, I know it has been a long time. I am not done polishing, but here is one of the speakers on the order of 90% done with respect to looks and finishing...

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    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2012
    Your cabinets turned out very nice,well done. Dan
  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited February 2012
    Thanks!
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2012
    Excellent craftsmanship Ted! Would you build me a SF Guarneri Memento? :smile:
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.