Transcendent amp kit

madmax
madmax Posts: 12,434
edited May 2010 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I got it in the mail last night and I'm about ready to start! I hope I don't blow myself up... :eek:

http://www.transcendentsound.com/singleended.htm

madmax
Vinyl, the final frontier...

Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
Post edited by madmax on
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,145
    edited September 2009
    1.5 watts? :eek:

    Say it ain't so bro'! :D
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2009
    Very cool, keep us updated.
    "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
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited September 2009
    Cool,do you have some big K horns to use with it?:D

    Single ended and OTL I assume there are some BIG coupling caps at the output.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2009
    I just finished most of the hardware steps, its about time to start soldering. I picked up some 4% WBT solder, man that stuff got expensive. $81 a roll! I probably should have just used the standard solder I have but who knows, maybe it will make a difference.

    Its 1.5 wpc or 4 wpc bridged. I may have to buy a second one. I'll be using it with my Avantgarde Duo's which are 104 db efficient. I tried the Duo's with the little 6w t-amp and it kicked butt, extremely loud. 1.5w may do it. :)

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2009
    Hey, if you're gonna build something nice like that Chuck...buy the good stuff.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited September 2009
    Good looking Amp!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2009
    I've heard they make some good stuff and have always been interested in their products. Keep posting the updates and good luck with the build!

    TranscendentSEOTLfront02web.jpg
    Jake
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited September 2009
    madmax wrote: »
    I got it in the mail last night and I'm about ready to start! I hope I don't blow myself up... :eek:

    http://www.transcendentsound.com/singleended.htm

    madmax

    I am calling Homeland Security. You know I still got your address? :D

    Very Cool Project! Keep us posted!
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2009
    Hey Chuck, you know BlueMDpicker has built a few of those pieces...maybe drop him a line.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2009
    I auditioned BlueMDpickers amps, I think he had two of the ones I'm building. His didn't go as loud as I would have liked but I think his speakers were about 96 db efficient. He did say something about them getting louder after putting a preamp in front of them.

    OK, time to start todays fun with the project!
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,905
    edited September 2009
    I am very curious to hear what you think about that little amp. It's an ingenious and (relatively) inexpensive way to sample OTL; certainly has a lot of potential if one has sufficiently senstive speakers (no dearth of those around here!).

    Best of luck; keep us posted!
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2009
    Just finished the power supply and the output board. Its starting to look like an amp. Now, its time for lunch!
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited October 2009
    Just got back from lunch :D and ready to start day 3 on this project. I have 10 hours in it so far, hopefully I can finish it up today.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2009
    Pictures.... or you bought it assembled.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited October 2009
    There's a nice pair of Altec 16 ohm horns on the Bay.
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited October 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Pictures.... or you bought it assembled.

    Ha ha, I knew there would be skeptics... Got the camera in hand. :D

    I'll check out those horns.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited October 2009
    Polkersince85 wrote: »
    There's a nice pair of Altec 16 ohm horns on the Bay.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Altec-288-16G-horn-drivers-Outstanding-Pair-ALNICO_W0QQitemZ180414811830QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item2a018f8eb6&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited October 2009
    I saw another horn/driver combo and decided to give it a try. Its the ones for $450.

    "Matching Altec 806A Drivers & H-811B Horns Valencia 846


    Up for grabs is a Pair of Matching Altec Lansing 806A Drivers with H-811B Horns. These drivers and horns are in excellent condition, work flawlessly and sound incredible!! They came out of a pair of Altec Valencia 846A Cabinets and are guaranteed to work or your money back. The diaphragms are original and are in excellent condition as well.

    FEATURES:

    16 Ohms
    Horn Dimensions: 18 3/4”W x 14” D x 8 5/8” H
    Distribution Pattern: 90° H x 40° V
    Cast Aluminum Horns
    Driver Numbers: 391917 & 391917"
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited October 2009
    Darn, still not done. Still have the switch, LED and a little AC wiring to do. I guess I'll hit that tomorrow rather than take a chance on messing something up tonight. So far this kit has been a breeze but there are a lot of steps to do.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited October 2009
    OK, I spent another 4 hours today and finished it up. I powered up and read 34V AC on each of the speaker outputs, no load was attached. I emailed them to find out if this is a problem. It could be normal with no load but I'm not sure. Cross your fingers.
    At least it didn't blow up or something. :)
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2009
    There shouldn't be anything (other than a few mv of noise) on the output with no signal applied.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2009
    madmax wrote: »
    I powered up and read 34V AC on each of the speaker outputs, no load was attached.

    How could this happen? Did you double check everything. I really think you should get a dummy load from parts express for testing DIY amps. Your speakers and your wallet will thank you! ;)
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,905
    edited October 2009
    madmax wrote: »
    OK, I spent another 4 hours today and finished it up. I powered up and read 34V AC on each of the speaker outputs, no load was attached. I emailed them to find out if this is a problem. It could be normal with no load but I'm not sure. Cross your fingers.
    At least it didn't blow up or something. :)
    madmax

    aiyeee! It's probably HUM (and plenty of it); sounds like the AC P/S is going straight through to the outputs. That would cook your speakers; 34 RMS V AC (if that's an RMS reading) would be 144 watts continuous into 8 ohms.
    Even if your ACV reading is peak to peak; 34V peak to peak is 12 V RMS which would be 18 watts continuous into 8 ohms. Still bad for speakers.

    fun formulas for electronics:

    E = I*R (Ohm's Law)
    P = I^2*R = E*I

    E = voltage (V)
    I = current (A)
    R = resistance (Ohms)
    P = power (W)

    V(rms) = V(peak to peak)/(2*SQRT(2))

    You don't somehow have AC going to ground, do you?

    Yes, you should have a dummy load; PartsExpress sells nice ones, or you can just get a pair of noninductive power resistors (5 or 10W for an amp like that is OK) of roughly 8 ohms (5 or 10 is close enough!) for testing.

    I don't s'pose you have a scope or a frequency counter to look at that AC signal, do you? I am guessing its 60 Hz, but mebbie not...

    Well, I guess, on the bright side, you dont' have DC on the outputs?!

    EDIT: Is that 34 VAC with respect to ground? Where do you have the other probe connected (the "-" speaker connection, or the chassis)?
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2009
    Agree on the load. I just use about 5w of resistors soldered together and heat-shrinked in an 8ohm load and it provides plenty of help when testing amps.
    Jake
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited October 2009
    How is it coming madmax ?

    Would this amp drive a pair of SDA-1Cs ?

    I am looking at a couple of kits that are rated between 40-60wpc.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,905
    edited October 2009
    zingo wrote: »
    Agree on the load. I just use about 5w of resistors soldered together and heat-shrinked in an 8ohm load and it provides plenty of help when testing amps.

    Y'know... it dawned on me that,for all I know, an unloaded OTL amp may do weird and wonderful things (such as powerful HF oscillation?). I just don't know...
    I.e., testing with the outputs loaded may sho'nuff be preferred for OTLs just as it is for transformer-coupled amps.
    thsmith wrote: »
    How is it coming madmax ?

    Would this amp drive a pair of SDA-1Cs ?

    I am looking at a couple of kits that are rated between 40-60wpc.


    umm... the titular amp in the case of this thread is 1.5 watts per channel.
    There are 40-60 wpc OTL amps, but they're a bit pricey (and you can heat your listening room with 'em).



    These little guys, for instance:
    http://www.atma-sphere.com/products/index.html

    m60.jpg
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    Those are ugly as sin.
    "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
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,905
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Those are ugly as sin.

    hmm -- I'd describe them as purposeful looking. They remind me of locomotives, somehow.

    Actually, what they really remind me of is an ancient piece of laboratory instrumentation called a Klett colorimeter. I suspect I am the only person here who knows what a Klett is, and I'd probably bet money that I am the only one who's actually used a Klett...

    4630.jpg

    heck, looks like they still make 'em...
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited October 2009
    Ain't that thing a device to measure turbidity? Pretty sure I used something like that in an old microbiology class.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,905
    edited October 2009
    analog97 wrote: »
    Ain't that thing a device to measure turbidity? Pretty sure I used something like that in an old microbiology class.

    yup, exactly...
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