TATCA - Tiny And Transparent Chip Amp

Vikash · 7th December 2004, 03:32 PM

I needed an amp for the office. It had to be small but obvious, and cost very little.

This is my Tiny And Transparent Chip Amp, or TATCA:

I just used whatever was lying around. Speaker connectors, heatsinks and PSU to be from an old Cambridge Audio amp. Jackscrews and serial connectors from old PC cards/motherboards.

I've managed to squeeze in a stepped attenuator too. The volume knob will be made out of acrylic to match eventually.

The interior dimensions (not including heatsinks) is ~ 9cm x 10cm x 5 cm.

I'm eager to listen to it, but I've got to build the psu first

Peter Daniel · 7th December 2004, 03:46 PM

That is indeed very inspiring and reflecting fresh thinking, congratulations on a very unique design.

If you would create some holes pattern in a top acrylic panel, it might look even more interesting

falcott · 7th December 2004, 04:45 PM

HawkeyeStoob · 7th December 2004, 04:51 PM

Do you think you have big enough heatsinks?

Looks nice.

Peter Daniel · 7th December 2004, 04:52 PM

Heatsinks are definitely fine, maybe even too big

Ropie · 7th December 2004, 05:54 PM

That is very nice - I expect everyone in your office will want one soon

Nuuk · 7th December 2004, 07:38 PM

Clearly very good stuff Vikash!

tg3 · 7th December 2004, 08:02 PM

Bravo, Vikash, bravo.

A few well placed blue LEDs deep in the components would add nicely to the viewing pleasure.

Vikash · 7th December 2004, 11:11 PM

Thank you for the kind words gentlemen. I've rewired the attenuator to make it look less messy from the top view. I do like the idea of some holes in the top. I tried some sanding experiments to see if I could make some of the acylic panels less bland but it didn't turn out well. Some holes in the top may be the answer.

Ropie, I work for myself so there's no-one else in my office to make jealous (unfortunately). my precious.

There's one white LED on the front at the moment. I probably should take advantage of the transparent case with hidden led's perhaps, although blue is not really my style

NuuK, thanks for the info on the DIY stepped attenuator. I wired it using the resistor lead outs to make a ground chain.

Alex S · 7th December 2004, 11:23 PM

Just Beautiful!!!

Economic, streamlined simplicity. No unecessary hubris.

I love it!!!

7th December 2004, 03:32 PM	#1
Vikash diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK	TATCA - Tiny And Transparent Chip Amp I needed an amp for the office. It had to be small but obvious, and cost very little. This is my Tiny And Transparent Chip Amp, or TATCA: I just used whatever was lying around. Speaker connectors, heatsinks and PSU to be from an old Cambridge Audio amp. Jackscrews and serial connectors from old PC cards/motherboards. I've managed to squeeze in a stepped attenuator too. The volume knob will be made out of acrylic to match eventually. The interior dimensions (not including heatsinks) is ~ 9cm x 10cm x 5 cm. I'm eager to listen to it, but I've got to build the psu first __________________ "The human mind is so constituted that it colours with its own previous conceptions any new notion that presents itself for acceptance." - J. Wilhelm. (But I still think mine sounds better than yours.)

7th December 2004, 03:46 PM	#2
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	That is indeed very inspiring and reflecting fresh thinking, congratulations on a very unique design. If you would create some holes pattern in a top acrylic panel, it might look even more interesting __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

7th December 2004, 04:45 PM	#3
falcott diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wherever I hang my hat...	__________________ "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Einstein

7th December 2004, 04:52 PM	#5
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	Heatsinks are definitely fine, maybe even too big __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

7th December 2004, 07:38 PM	#7
Nuuk diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Somerset, SW England	Clearly very good stuff Vikash! __________________ The truth need not be veiled, for it veils itself from the eyes of the ignorant.


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7th December 2004, 04:51 PM	#4
HawkeyeStoob diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Do you think you have big enough heatsinks? Looks nice.

7th December 2004, 05:54 PM	#6
Ropie diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SW London	That is very nice - I expect everyone in your office will want one soon

7th December 2004, 08:02 PM	#8
tg3 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Seattle, WA	Bravo, Vikash, bravo. A few well placed blue LEDs deep in the components would add nicely to the viewing pleasure. __________________ If you don't measure, you don't know.

7th December 2004, 11:11 PM	#9
Vikash diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK	Thank you for the kind words gentlemen. I've rewired the attenuator to make it look less messy from the top view. I do like the idea of some holes in the top. I tried some sanding experiments to see if I could make some of the acylic panels less bland but it didn't turn out well. Some holes in the top may be the answer. Ropie, I work for myself so there's no-one else in my office to make jealous (unfortunately). my precious. There's one white LED on the front at the moment. I probably should take advantage of the transparent case with hidden led's perhaps, although blue is not really my style NuuK, thanks for the info on the DIY stepped attenuator. I wired it using the resistor lead outs to make a ground chain. __________________ "The human mind is so constituted that it colours with its own previous conceptions any new notion that presents itself for acceptance." - J. Wilhelm. (But I still think mine sounds better than yours.)

7th December 2004, 11:23 PM	#10
Alex S diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Seahaven	Just Beautiful!!! Economic, streamlined simplicity. No unecessary hubris. I love it!!!

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