ALMOST got a working CMOY...

[Wyloch]

After five attempts, I've finally built a working CMOY amp, thanks to the help of several forums. FINALLY, I've got sound coming through.

The problem is, it is about 30% QUIETER than if I just plug my headphones into the CD player. Plus, when using the amp, the sound has much less bass and sounds very hollow - like the mids are too high or something. After doing some research, I tried taking out the two .1 uF input capacitors, and this didn't do much at all. I still am not getting amplification - I'm getting reduction, even with three 9V batteries in series. Exact same.

I have not grounded anything on the board yet. I don't know how. I'm awaiting answers in several forums. Tangent's guide doesn't provide instructions on how do ground the amp other than "ground the amp." I can't seem to find anything at HeadWize either. However, my construction surface is wood, so should this even matter? Still - if I ground the components that need to be grounded (and I don't know what they are), will this help boost the volume? Get a richer, tighter, louder sound? Basically, I want it to sound identical to the sound I get with the phones and the CD player alone, just lots louder.

My stuff:

Sennhesier HD270
Sony Discman CD player

Also, if grounding is indeed the answer, in general - what kind of volume boost should I expect? Is it on the order of 300%? Or more like 50%? And should I put those input caps back in?

Thanks all

[johngalt47]

Are you using the Radio Shack board? None of mine worked that well and I'm thinking it has to do with grounding.

[Wyloch]

Yes. The 0170. But I haven't even tried to ground it yet.

[johngalt47]

ummm.... I wasn't clear on my reply.

It is the way the grounding is laid out on the board itself that I think is a problem. Just my 2 cents.