The diyAudio First Watt M2x

Member
Joined 2006
Paid Member
After a few months working fine, I've had a suspicious crackle and pop in one channel and then it stopped altogether - and it looks like it's blown the woofer in my vintage Celestions as well :(

I'm now measuring -20v dc on the speaker output that side.

Nothing appears to have burnt on the amp board, I'll start dismantling to investigate, but does that amount of DC point to anything in particular being the fault?
 
Hello toolkit,

I would check my railvoltages (output of PSU) first. Are there still circa +-24 V DC getting to the M2X-board
of the faulty channel?
Then I would measure the voltage over the bias resistors (R13 / R14).
No source at input, no speakers at output!
Perhaps some others can give additional advice?
Greets
Dirk
 
Member
Joined 2006
Paid Member
Yes, looks burnt so will take out and swap, can these fail by themselves or is likely a result of something else?

IMG_20231219_185116_7962.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20231219_185116_796.jpg
    IMG_20231219_185116_796.jpg
    269.6 KB · Views: 46
Member
Joined 2019
Paid Member
(I use a Garant T-handle).
:) :)

You just saved me another 30 minutes of searching! Were your ears burning or something?

I am filling my own stocking so-to-speak, and this is one of the things I desperately wanted. I just couldn't find the link to the name that I had copied / pasted from somewhere...

Thanks!

Best Stocking Stuffer Ever!

Added to cart...
 
I just ordered some Cedarburg boards from JLCPCB. I'm now on Mouser attempting to fill out the BOM (minus the AD797, which I already have). The diodes are no longer available. Is this a suitable substitute? https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/onsemi-Fairchild/1N3595TR?qs=VnWRSnLxLU2UlMjzvclIqA== It seems to have most of the proper specs; I'm just concerned that the 8pF of capacitance may not meet the "low capacitance" called for in the BOM. The obsolete part was 3pF.

I ordered 20 boards, so I'll have a few to share with the community once I've built and tested a pair.

Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
DigiKey has >75K pieces of BAS34 in stock. Buy 200 and hoard them forever. OBTW "octopart.com" found them; it's Best Practice to use octopart.com early and often.

An acceptable substitute is BAS45A which Mouser has 8K pieces in stock. Reverse leakage is the same (1nA) and capacitance is slightly higher (4pF).
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
I am a total newbie with no experience at all as far as building amps, is there any particular information in this thread as to what other materials I need after I buy the circuit board? For sure, I will need a case, but which one? Is there any other materials needed to build this amp? ALso is there a detailed instruction from start to finish? Apologies for the novice questions. Thank You
 
Member
Joined 2021
Paid Member
For a total newbie - as you wrote - I recommend to read the whole thread, there is a lot of information, it's impossible to pick out something because nobody knows what you know.
And even after reading this thread - you should consider to start with something easier. Buy a full kit, f.e. the ACA, build it with success and collect experience in soldering, mounting, completing, measuring. There is also no mains voltage with all the danger for unexperienced first-builder.
I know, it wasn't exactly the answer you expected, but I think it's the better way. Others may have another opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I am a total newbie with no experience at all as far as building amps, is there any particular information in this thread as to what other materials I need after I buy the circuit board? For sure, I will need a case, but which one? Is there any other materials needed to build this amp? ALso is there a detailed instruction from start to finish? Apologies for the novice questions. Thank You
Hi.

Above comment is on point.
I started with a Noir headphone amp / preamp, which can later server as pre-amp for your M2x. The PCB is sold with the front plate and back plate of the futur chassis (which you can buy from Modushop) so it gives a good practice on everything while being cheaper, easier, low risk in term of voltage / associated risks.
I then went to M2x in which you have to be much more careful with the power supply (dealing with 220/240v), have to plan a bit of 2d or 3D to have the front panel / rear panel drilled according to the stuff you need and so on.

Ps: or the ACA (power amp) and ACP+ (preamp and headphone) are there exactly for the purpose of starting from scratch