U.K Modders missing a trick ?!

[Puffin]

I have seen so much dedicated to the "modding the Trends" thread (having posted on it and now receive prompts) that I cannot understand why more of you have not modded the Kensington S2000 i-pod dock.

Check out the "is this the cheapest T-Amp in U.K" or something similar and get along to you nearest Richer Sounds. I have 4 modded S.I's a Trends 10.1 and a Teac Tripath amp. My amp of choice is the modded Kensington (and yes I left the tiny inductors as standard !)

 

[filholder]

Do you mean the SX2000 with the intergrated NX panel speaker? Have you got any pictures of the pcb? Which tripath chip does it use sounds very interesting.

 

[Puffin]

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104388

This should be it.

 

[filholder]

Thanks a lot

 

[audio1st]

I have just finished modding the Kensington. With all the parts and case it will end up costing about £60.

 

[audio1st]

Another view..

 

[audio1st]

A close up..

 

[audio1st]

I even managed to use the i pod docking part..

 

[Lostcause]

I even managed to use the i pod docking part..

Tidy job there Barry

 

[Puffin]

Audio1st. I see you have wound your own inductors. I replaced the inductors with some between 8uh and 10uh. It didn't like them and gave me a load of distortion. What values are your's ?

 

[Lostcause]

Not so much as what value..... as what material

Those are toroids and probably of a ferrite that is more suitable than the stock bobbins I would imagine.... ?

Possibly a Fair-Rite blend.......

 

[Puffin]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/2006_0718Review0007.jpg

These are the toroids I used. I will try removing some of the wire. I have used some in a modded Sonic Impact and it sounds brilliant.

 

[Puffin]

I have reduced the original windings from 11 to 4. Job done!

 

[audio1st]

The inductor cores came from Farnell, I can't find the part number, but it was given to me by lostcause (Lee).
16 turns of 24 swg wire give just over 10uH, I have also used them in the SI t-amp and have not noticed any distortion with either.

 

[Puffin]

Audio1st. It would be of help if you were to describe the mods you have done to yours. and where the power now comes in at and the inputs. It looks like you have a trimmer (is this on the input side ?)

A view of the underside of the board would be helpful.

 

[audio1st]

Just for you Puffin..

 

[audio1st]

Trimmers are just for basic DC offset control..

 

[Puffin]

Audio1st. Many thanks for your reply. It has occurred to me that as the input goes in at the same place, is it simply a matter of reducing the overall size of the pcb, or does chopping it in half result in better sound quality ?

I assume that the picture you produced for me shows the Auricaps for illustration purposes only, and that the SCR caps on the previous picture are one on top and one underneath the board ?

It also appears that there may be a connection where C37 & C38 (next to the end of the SCR cap) were removed ?

Sorry so many questions, but finally.. i assume that the C54 & C55 100uf are not needed as these have been removed.

 

[audio1st]

Audio1st. Many thanks for your reply. It has occurred to me that as the input goes in at the same place, is it simply a matter of reducing the overall size of the pcb, or does chopping it in half result in better sound quality ?

Just so it fits in the case..

I assume that the picture you produced for me shows the Auricaps for illustration purposes only, and that the SCR caps on the previous picture are one on top and one underneath the board ?

Correct..

It also appears that there may be a connection where C37 & C38 (next to the end of the SCR cap) were removed ?

No connection between C37 & C38, just between the SCR cap and the board..

Sorry so many questions, but finally.. i assume that the C54 & C55 100uf are not needed as these have been removed.

Correct again..
The attatched picture shows an impression of a better board layout if you cut it even smaller..(as Lee did)..

 

[Puffin]

Audio1st. Many thanks.