Swans S3W 2.0

[loninappleton]

I looked through the FAQ here and saw nothing about the
Swans S3W 2.0 desktop amp for computer and MP3 use. It's like it doesn't exist in these forums-- very hard to find anyone here who is
using it, modding it or anything else.

Parts Express has it but for this type of electronics there is a lot of questions.

Plus I think that the deal cycle at PE will bring them around to a better price.

How did Swans, a high end small format speaker maker, get into this?

Can the HiVi speakers (that brand was mentioned in some review headers) be modded to a more traditional box build as full range.

Has anybody modded the tripath shell to something more traditional?

I have not even seen a good enough picture that shows where the
volume is.

More normal forum reading takes place in Full Range Loudspeakers.

[loninappleton]

I found the pix of the Swans but also a lot of questions as to how to switch out to a different speaker pair.

http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=30829

Any advice appreciated.

What is apparently going on here is that the speakers are tethered like an umbilical to the amp. This makes zero sense to me.

[Pano]

I've had a pair of these as my computer speakers for over a year. (I was the 1st to import them to the US).

It's a fun little set. The amp is in the volume control - and yes, it is connected to the speakers buy a cable.

The fun thing about these is that they are cheap, and have a Tripath chip amp. A few little mods (new caps) and a better power supply help them a lot.

The speakers are nice - no real highs or lows - but what they do have is pleasant enough. The midrange is very good.

I enjoy having the volume control right on my desk, kinda like the Griffin USB thing.

[planet10]

I have a set of those... any advice on getting the grills off? I was also goint to mod the amp to at least hard wire the cables-- the little t-amp is soooo cute, but the big connectors detract.

Which caps... and just a big *** analog 12V supply (sorta like the kingRex)?

dave

[Pano]

Well..... I have seen the grills come off, but don't remember how!

Yes, just put a bigger better cap in place of the power cap that is there. Use a 12V supply, too. The ones I got were all 9V.

[loninappleton]

So if you get the grilles off or no is there some sort of effective way to make the pigtails a female end of a connector to hook up some other speaks?


If for instance the wiring had thread in it it would preclude soldering.
If the wire is stranded or solid, a female end of a bullet connector or other more refined end could be used. Or a soldered splice would eliminate using too many connectors in the sound path.


Since I have my Fostex Fe127e currently running off of a hacked boombox with 3 watts out, I know that even that much juice can run my primary listening setup.


Plus I have the FE167e breaking in for a new build project.

[Lostcause]

Yeah, I got a black one about 8 months ago to use on holiday.
Cool looking little gizmo but very tight in there... like Pano says, change out the power caps. I DC coupled it to my iPod as well with decent input/FB resistors, this seemed to give better base.
The only T-amp I've got with a revC TA2024 as well..... and I have a lot, not as many as Pano probably though

I bet Planet10 could come up with a good cab if he could get the drivers out..... what do you think Dave?

[planet10]

Thanx for the info Michael,

I was thinking of keeping the same cabs, but tarting up the drivers and box... they'd make a nice mid-tweeter pod sitting on top of some bottom end.

dave

[Pano]

Yes they would. =) They really don't go very high, I measured but don't remember. But with some added bass they'd be quite nice.

IIRC, there is still a pile of these sitting at AudioMagus without amps. (Swan's mistake). Don't know if they would be willing to part with them.

The one funky thing is the 4 conductor mini-plug used on the speakers. It has to be 4 conductor because, as we know, you can't use a common speaker ground. Not an easy to find connector.

...is there some sort of effective way to make the pigtails a female end of a connector to hook up some other speaks?

I've seen it done the other way - speakers on other amps - so yes.

[loninappleton]

What is the reason for designing four conductor leads?

A reason to put "no user serviceable parts within" on the bottom plate? Like Compaq computers in the old days: a twisted wire on the HD connection so it wouldn't work with anything but OEM parts.

Makes me think these jobbies are headed for the closeout deal flier.