Do It Yourself

I was inspired by Frank Cooter's PTP wiring amps he took to the LA meet. So inspired in fact, that I was thinking on building Kevin's KGTT. Besides him and Kerry (and probably Birgir), is there anybody out there who has built it and could post pics of their builds? My first clumsy attempt at a layout looks bad and it won't improve until I get all the components and have an idea of their size and shape. Hopefully it was done right A wood case, which I have never done, also sounds interesting. KGTT Layout a.pdf

What is it that generates a pop/crackle sound when a stepped attenuator traverses steps ? this is happening with my left channel goldpoint stereo volume attenuator, the matching right attennuator in the same amp is unafflicted by this odd effect. One differance I can see between the two attenuators is that the unaffected one has wires linking to chassis ground (xlr pin1) other wise they seem to be wired the same. left -pop/crackle right - no pop/crackle n.b. the loudness of the pop/crackle generated when traversing steps increases as the attenuator knob is turned further clockwise. While on a step both attenuators perform the same. The actual volum…

Porn and the Art of Vacuum TubeFabrication - Weblog - Mxrk Now that's what I call DIY

the output on my Zhaolu is too high. I have had some issues with it in the past, but never that bad. However with my two most recent purchases, a Marantz Sr7001 receiver and a MPX3 SLAM I am running into problems. The Marantz's Peak light shows and the sound gets distorted at times because it can't handle the inputs and I can't turn the volume up past 7 o'clock on my mpx3. I've considered getting some of those RCA adapters to reduce gain by 3db or 6db, but I realize that is not an ideal fix. So does anyone have any experience with the Zhaolu 1.3? Can I change the gain on it?

I was working on a project this weekend and realized that I had my camera downstairs in my DIY dungeon. It seemed like a good time to take a picture and start a thread like this, I figure no one should be ashamed of what their space looks like after they see mine. That's my nightmare, what's yours?

Hey- Roundabouts how much would a balanced b22 cost to have built (by someone else, not me)? just a range, thanks.

I've been mildly interested in pot shunting since I first heard about it, not for any reason other that it looked different and interesting. Anyway, I shunted my EHHAs RK27 earlier and call me nuts, but it sounds a shitload more detailed and clear to me now than before. I'm hearing all sorts of subtle little things quite clearly than never caught my ear before and I wasn't even trying to listen for it, they just appeared in a way they never had before. Maybe shunting really is that good or maybe my ears are just super sensitive right now, whatever, it seems clarity is greater, detail and spaciousness have improved and soundstage has expanded too with a much more natura…

Hi, Has anybody got a great idea for a really good power cable that's under about $50 in parts cost, including connectors? The new Woo needs a power cord. At the moment, it's attached to the wall with a spare 14/3 Belden. My past thoughts on power cords have been pretty basic - for-real adequately sized conductors and shield the living bejeezus out of it. I've had good luck with some nice star-quad plenum wire with the safety ground on the outside, a la the recipe on TakeFive Audio. I pulled one of those cords out of my living room system and tried it on the Woo. It was lovely. But nowadays everybody's into braiding everything. I've made some very nice soundin…

For the dynahi I am building (in the builds thread), I would like to use one of the vandal switches (like a Bulgin) in blue ring. What would you recommend, and if it needs anything to run it (SS relay, E24 board or whatever) note any recommendations there also. Not sure I want to mess with another transformer/PCB, but will if it is worth it. Case is a hifi2000 Pessante Dis. I have both silver and black faceplates, but was leaning towards black for this one. I will have the faceplate done by either FPE or the other place on the east coast (if I can figure their S/W out Thanks for any thoughts.

I came home from out of state on Sunday and noticed my preamp display was awry (L-R arrows flashing, mute on, front panel non-responsive). Last night I took a look at it and it seemed to return to normal upon running signal thru it (CD->pre->headphone amp). This is a Classe CP-50, probably mid-90s vintage. From reading the owners manual, the display I was seeing is what is supposed to be there after a power outage, but I thought after 45 seconds or so it was supposed to go back to normal? At any rate, I have it open now and think I will recap it. Most, if not all original caps are Nichicon VX(M), 85C, standard series, 2000 hour life (from what I can tell). This…

If it works it will be pretty cool: Xerox announces silver ink, keeps printable electronics dream alive

I'm not sure if this is the right place but I guess DIYers should understand better whats going on inside the DAC. Basically the Northstar doesn't lock with the upscaling activated and just blinks wildly, If I turn off the upscaling before it starts blinking it will play without a problem but if I let a few minutes with it on, it goes wild and won't let me deactivate the upscaling. When this happens if I connect any transport it immediately does that even without music. Any idea what this could be and if it can be fixed ?

I've acquired some parts that need to be put to use... don't know what project would be appropriate though. I've got 2 PCBs for an adjustable power supply that can put out a max output of 2A and a voltage of under 25V. I've also got some tube prototype boards with 2 9-pin sockets on each, like this: What I need is an idea of what I can do with these parts... something with 12au/x7 perhaps?

I've been doing some Google searching and also on diyaudio but I can't seem to find a nice answer to which pins are connected to what on Quad 5-pin and 4-pin DIN interconnects. Anyone here know? -think ive got it now-

So as most people know, the Qualia 010 Medium-sized headband is actually too big for most people. I have the M-sized headband myself and have been struggling to get a nice fit with it. At first I was using a folded-up linen to close up the space between the headband and the top of my head but it always felt ridiculous (and looked ridiculous too) so the other day I began looking for a better solution and one day while doing some routine cleaning, I realized I could use a sponge! Yes, a sponge, and it ended up being perfect - just the right amount of leverage and comfortable too. There was only one last issue, how to attach the sponge to the headband without causing any dam…

Aside from Alps RK-50, are there any quality quad potentiometers? I'm just curious if there are any others out there.

I bought a replacement tip for the iron labeled Aoyue brand but seller claims works with the Hakko. When I replaced it in the iron the replacement tip spins sort of freely (I can rotate it with a slight bit of force) even with the nut for the protective metal guard screwed in as tightly as it will go. Is it supposed to do this? Thanks guys.

So I recently picked up a couple of niche audio control modules. They're unusual passive summing boxes/mixers controlled entirely by midi. It's 8 inputs, 8 outputs, and then a summed out. The 8 inputs and 8 outputs are TS unbalanced, with a TRS out that's 1-4 TS and 5-8 RS. If I were to make an XLR patch panel that has 4 XLR inputs that send each channel to pins 1/2 and 1/3 as TS cables, would this result in a 4 channel balanced mono summing mixer?

Hi everyone! I had a quick question regarding buying a wall plug power supply. I lost the power supply of a small amplifier that I have. The back of the amplifier says that the power requirements are 12 volts DC and 4 watts. I tried looking around on Mouser but couldn't find a power supply with those exact ratings (basically 12 volts dc, 0.33 amps, 5 watts I believe). I did however find a power supply rated at 12 volts DC and 5 watts. Is the watt rating the maximum or should I not play around and instead try to find a power supply with the exact ratings that are required? Do you guys have any suggestions as to what other sites I should look on for wall plug or desktop …

So, I have never really found a good quick connect that I like... I used to buy some insulated parts and stick them on the end of an old power inlet that uses quick connects and try and pull the plastic part away quick enough to separate the metal from the plastic, then feed the wire through and solder then reattach the plastic and heat shrink the thing... that's not working with the last few ones I've tried. So, any recommendations? I'd really prefer solder types to crimp and they must be insulated. Thanks guys!

Head-Case DIY'ers, I've got a quick question on wiring for neatness. What is a recommended method for tying two 18awg cables from a transformer into one quick connect terminal? Should it be a short piece of 18awg cable soldered to both at one end, adding heat shrink over the junction? Thanks, bperboy

Just fyi: RadioShack Recalls Power Supplies Due to Electrocution and Fire Hazards

Twisted Pear Audio (Russ and I) are holding a raffle to raise money for Doctors Without Borders relief work in Haiti. I have set up a page on our site here: Relief Raffle for Haiti The Grand Prize for the raffle is a complete kits to build a Buffalo II-based digital preamp. This consists of a BuffaloII module, IVY-II I/V Stage, Placid power supply kits for both, an S/PDIF Mux kit, a Volumite Kit for the BuffaloII, and a pair of transformers. We are also giving away the following runner-up prizes: An Opus S/PDIF (or USB) Dual-Mono DAC Combination A COD S/PDIF (or USB) Dual-Mono DAC Combination A Ventus Headphone Amp Kit Each raffle ticket is $10. 100…

Can anyone recommend a reliable PCB manufacturer in China?

Not audio related but damn it's cool: Video: MakerBot's build-it-yourself 3D printer in action, replicator in the works -- Engadget CupCake CNC - MakerBot Industries If I had somewhere I could put it I'd be all over it. That is flat out frigging cool. Custom heaphone stands, knobs, wtf else. So cool