I have a quick view at hifi-2000. they relly make nice looking enclosures. But it seems they use thin steel sheet for top and bottom panel. I'm not saying they are not good. We also make steel body+aluminum front enclosures, the price is incrediably low. Just don't want to list them because I'm sure you'll like high-end aluminum gears.
Interesting.. although for now I fail to see the advantage over the hifi2000 enclosures (of course except Siliconray's active involvement and support here)
As the rest of my diy stuff is based on their enclosures, and they are based in Europe, I would prefer hifi2000, of course except Siliconray can provide additional benefits, e.g.
-customizing for this project
-cost benefits
-better heatsinking properties
-etc.
Hifi2000 also has aluminium bottom and top plates.
If you can produce an enclosure with 400x400x250, what w/c rating should we expect on each heatsink?
500W in 8 Ohm is ~90V peak, each amp half would have to deliver 45V, rails would have to be at 50V minimum (loaded, transformer secondary's voltage will sag several points with 4A bias).
With balanced amps, each amp side drives a 4 Ohm load, in comparison to a single (push-pull) amp that is loaded by 8 Ohm.
Makes a difference for the power output level at 1% distortion, 500W/8 with a bridged/balanced amp would require higher than 50V rails.
45V rails and 1A bias per device makes 45W dissipation for each power device.
Output device die temperature will be way over 100C, both for forced cooling and natural convection, 15C to 20C higher than common practice.
A number of years ago, i assembled a KSA50 clone with very high bias. Initially at some 500W dissipation per channel, a constant kilowatt of heat was so much that i soon reduced it to 700 (5A bias, for ESL's) And those were sitting under the living room floor, vented. Due to the arrival of a cat, now a dog, i had to relocate my audio junk to the 2nd floor. Back in the '80s, i audited a lot of Krell monsters in very large auditing rooms, made me swet like a pig.
A total dissipation of 1400W-1500W is a huge amount of heat, i'd go shopping for pretty Speedos, iiwy.
Last edited:
I don't think you can just use a longer piece of the same heatsink for F5 Turbo as your other enclosures. Probably needs an entirely new profile that is wider with longer fins and maybe thicker backplate.
I had thought the tube gear players coutribute the most heat to the earth. I was wrong. It's the class A players melt the ice in Arctic Ocean.
How about the enclosure in post #858? if you are looking for a high-end one that's the choice. The only problem is the cost. IMHO It's over kill for a DIY project.
How about the enclosure in post #858? if you are looking for a high-end one that's the choice. The only problem is the cost. IMHO It's over kill for a DIY project.
I am surprised so many are considering "ridiculous" power versions of the F5T (no insult intended). There may be different varieties of customers here:
1. The F5T v1, v2, and v3 unmodified (up to ~100W@8ohm)
2. The F5T v3-supercharged (above ~150W@8ohm)
Enclosure solutions for #1 and #2 need to be found. For #1, a (modified?) standard hifi2000/siliconray enclosure may be sufficient, but this needs to be verified (unfortunately I don't have the experience). A groupbuy may be organized as well.
For #2, custom built enclosures should be used. It may be most feasible for those builders to investigate these custom options themselves.
1. The F5T v1, v2, and v3 unmodified (up to ~100W@8ohm)
2. The F5T v3-supercharged (above ~150W@8ohm)
Enclosure solutions for #1 and #2 need to be found. For #1, a (modified?) standard hifi2000/siliconray enclosure may be sufficient, but this needs to be verified (unfortunately I don't have the experience). A groupbuy may be organized as well.
For #2, custom built enclosures should be used. It may be most feasible for those builders to investigate these custom options themselves.
For what it's worth, I had planned to design and build a case just for the DIY experience, though I have considered buying commercial and focusing on the electronics. Regardless of what I do, to me DIY means doing something myself to the same level of fit and finish that a commercial vendor would. The more it looks and sounds like a $5K commercial amp, the better. I do this not because I can't write a $5K check for a commercial amp, but because of the pride in my own work and the educational experience. I'm planning an F5T v2 (50W x 2) and 5Ux500 is not too big for me. If someone makes a new chassis like that in #858 and it's built all aluminum of sufficient thickness at a reasonable price, I'll be all over it.
I had considered having an enclosure made in the U S. However, it is quite a project to take on and there wasn't much interest last year. Everyone seemed to want the cheapest thing that would work. Personally, I like elegant stuff and it would be in my living-room so I don't have a problem if it costs a bit more than the cheapo offerings.
Would be even more difficult to do something for the F5-T since there are so many variations of the amp with different heatsinking requirements. So there proably won't be a one-size-fits-all enclosure.
Reading some of these posts, I think some maybe taking on a rather difficult project with V3 versions etc. I know, as I read the manual, I started to wonder if I really need more power than the original F5's 25 watts.
Would be even more difficult to do something for the F5-T since there are so many variations of the amp with different heatsinking requirements. So there proably won't be a one-size-fits-all enclosure.
Reading some of these posts, I think some maybe taking on a rather difficult project with V3 versions etc. I know, as I read the manual, I started to wonder if I really need more power than the original F5's 25 watts.
Changed my Mind about V3
Andy,
I have removed myself from the V3 on the spread sheet. I can do all I need to do with the V2 boards. So my order is: 4 each V2 boards and 3 each Turbo power supply boards.
If Teabag is willing to supply the output devises I will prototype the V2 without a case. And post pictures. I don't have distortion equipment and will only be able to supply voltages for reference and of course I will pass audio through it and hook it to my speakers for a listen.
Rush
Andy,
I have removed myself from the V3 on the spread sheet. I can do all I need to do with the V2 boards. So my order is: 4 each V2 boards and 3 each Turbo power supply boards.
If Teabag is willing to supply the output devises I will prototype the V2 without a case. And post pictures. I don't have distortion equipment and will only be able to supply voltages for reference and of course I will pass audio through it and hook it to my speakers for a listen.
Rush
Like labjr, I'm interested in an elegant F5T V3 solution. Paying a little more for an attractive, better-built and properly-sized chassis is not a problem for me, since I hope to enjoy the F5T for a very long time.
SiliconRay's enclosure in #858 might be fine, provided it is large enough to support at least a 100 w/8 ohm F5T monoblock. If it could support two channels, even better. Is that chassis (or others like it) available without markings or drill holes on the front and rear panels? Can we get more details about it (internal and external dimensions, weight, ratings on the heatsinks, thickness of front panel (I do confess to love HiFi2000's 10mm front panels))?
And if it is a viable alternative, what would it cost, including shipping to the US and EU (and how would a group buy affect that price)?
Regards,
Scott
SiliconRay's enclosure in #858 might be fine, provided it is large enough to support at least a 100 w/8 ohm F5T monoblock. If it could support two channels, even better. Is that chassis (or others like it) available without markings or drill holes on the front and rear panels? Can we get more details about it (internal and external dimensions, weight, ratings on the heatsinks, thickness of front panel (I do confess to love HiFi2000's 10mm front panels))?
And if it is a viable alternative, what would it cost, including shipping to the US and EU (and how would a group buy affect that price)?
Regards,
Scott
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.