* The DIY Audio Thread *

adamau5 · 30 Nov 2008 at 10:21

by the way, all of you staving student builders *must* try it with grados. there is some sort of bizarre synergy that creates an awesome setup. a couple of us tried the bijou, a darkvoice 336se, a soha + jisbos - all with grados. Consensus was, the starving student sounded the best.

With senns its a different story.

Troop · 30 Nov 2008 at 11:26

Cheers Justin,........... that has been a great help

, I will get an order in tomorrow.

Thanks for the info Adam.

Question,... I really like the look of this HS, anyone know who, what, where ect.
Pic

J1234 · 30 Nov 2008 at 13:11

Troop said:
Cheers Justin,........... that has been a great help , I will get an order in tomorrow.

Thanks for the info Adam.

Question,... I really like the look of this HS, anyone know who, what, where ect.
Pic

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/xup11/HSAMP.jpg[/IG][/QUOTE]

That is [url=http://gb.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=XLPWoSliCKTudtMikZDNzA%3d%3d]this[/url] from Mouser, you will need to drill the two tube holes yourself on it.

[quote="Adam W, post: 12995133"]by the way, all of you staving student builders *must* try it with grados. there is some sort of bizarre synergy that creates an awesome setup. a couple of us tried the bijou, a darkvoice 336se, a soha + jisbos - all with grados. Consensus was, the starving student sounded the best.

With senns its a different story.[/QUOTE]

Will try and find someone I know with some Grados that I can borrow. I'm currently using Ultrasone Pro 750s with the SS, sounds pretty damn nice.

J1234 · 30 Nov 2008 at 16:11

Hmm.. Don't know what DAC to go for now.

Was originally going to get a 'noodle DAC' from eBay. This would require an external soundcard from my Mac. Was going to use an M-Audio Transit connected to the noodle via optical then to the starving student.

However, I'm now looking into a USB DAC solution, and have seen the Fubar II. The OPAMPs are replaceable (OPA2604 stock) and it's supposed to have excellent results with the OPA627s.

Has anyone got any experience with this DAC? Or any other recommendations?

Was also looking at the CA Dacmagic.. BUT, it's pretty expensive.

adamau5 · 30 Nov 2008 at 16:22

save up for the dacmagic, its worth it.

J1234 · 30 Nov 2008 at 16:30

Will it not be overkill paired with the SS?

adamau5 · 30 Nov 2008 at 16:49

nope, not with grados. With senns or high imp headphones i would say yes.

J1234 · 30 Nov 2008 at 16:57

Well my Ultrasones have a pretty low impedance of 40 Ohm (Grados are 32 iirc). Plus with the Dacmagic it's future proof with balanced outputs and will still be good when I upgrade to something better than a SS.

Hmm....

Also, can't find anywhere with it in stock.

MikeHunt79 · 30 Nov 2008 at 17:18

Justin said:
Hmm.. Don't know what DAC to go for now.

Was originally going to get a 'noodle DAC' from eBay. This would require an external soundcard from my Mac. Was going to use an M-Audio Transit connected to the noodle via optical then to the starving student.

Don't Mac's have an optical out on the internal soundcard? I know my mates MBP does (it's in the 3.5mm jack)?

J1234 · 30 Nov 2008 at 17:30

I have an iMac, only has 3.5mm headphone out.

But you're right, my old MacBook Pro had optical out.

EDit: ignore me, it's been a long day and I was getting confused. Yes the iMac does have optical out.

MikeHunt79 · 30 Nov 2008 at 17:38

Justin said:
I have an iMac, only has 3.5mm headphone out.

But you're right, my old MacBook Pro had optical out.

Ahh, I'm not really up with Macs I'm afraid...

I'd be tempted to go the M-Audio Transit route myself, that way you'll have the choice of more DAC's, even SPDIF ones... I find even the cheap chinese DAC sounds pretty decent when coupled with the onboard digital out on my Gigabyte motherboard!

Yaka · 30 Nov 2008 at 19:10

whitecrook said:
Check your interconnects

well ive removed and taken apart everything and put it it all back together 5 times today and the dac is not working. i am not sure what it the problem either the transformer or i may have b0rked either of the boards up . really miffed as i enjoyed putting it all together

whitecrook · 30 Nov 2008 at 19:18

Yaka said:
well ive removed and taken apart everything and put it it all back together 5 times today and the dac is not working. i am not sure what it the problem either the transformer or i may have b0rked either of the boards up . really miffed as i enjoyed putting it all together

Yeah, but have you checked you interconnects for a short?

I say this cos I was reading yesterday about someone who basically resoldered and check all the components on his dac, only to find his interconnect had a short. Thought it was worth mentioning.

MikeHunt79 · 30 Nov 2008 at 20:27

Yaka said:
well ive removed and taken apart everything and put it it all back together 5 times today and the dac is not working. i am not sure what it the problem either the transformer or i may have b0rked either of the boards up . really miffed as i enjoyed putting it all together

Are your +5v, +12v and -12 rails ok?

adamau5 · 30 Nov 2008 at 22:02

whitecrook. If you cant fix it yourself, feel free to send it to me and i will have a look. as long as you pay shipping and any parts etc.

Yaka · 30 Nov 2008 at 22:43

still no luck:/

whitecrook · 30 Nov 2008 at 23:24

Adam W said:
whitecrook. If you cant fix it yourself, feel free to send it to me and i will have a look. as long as you pay shipping and any parts etc.

Not me... Yaka.

Although I do have a dead AMP 6 basic. I think the chip is blown :/

Yaka · 1 Dec 2008 at 23:46

well it seems its the kettle plug socket that came with it is faulty

ChrissyT88 · 4 Dec 2008 at 16:11

Slightly bizarre and not completely related to DIY audio, but since this is the place where OCuKs electronics gurus reside, i thought i may be able to find an answer....

I need to get hold of a Tunnel Diode (sometimes called Esaki diodes), but its proving to be difficult. They seem to be somewhat of a relic of the 1960s and have been replaced with other oscillating devices. RS, Farnell etc dont seem to have them, and newark lists no parts either. Strangely enough, the US counterpart of the rainforest shop list some products, as does the bay, but they are not of the right spec. I think i need to look for a 'discontinued/vintage' products site, preferably in the UK. Anyone recommend any suppliers?

Yaka · 5 Dec 2008 at 00:54

im thinking of building a starving student with the ebay dac all in one box. anyone wana recomend me a psu/transformer ?

*** The DIY Audio Thread ***

* The DIY Audio Thread *