Mezmerize DCB1 Building Thread

[McQuaide]

Bnorrish, here's how I built my Mesmerize. I used shielded wire for the 4 signal leads in and out of the pot and am very pleased with the sound.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/229359-f5-mezmerize-integrated.html

 

[bnorrish]

Thanks. I hooked up my Pearl 2 last night. Shame to have a Yamaha HT receiver with pre-amp outs between Pearl 2 and F5!

 

[McQuaide]

Now you have one more thing to look forward to! Does your receiver have a pure analog mode? That's how I ran my Denon for years and the sound wasn't bad.

 

[KatieandDad]

Just try a few different coloured LEDs to get the voltage right.

Mine uses a mixture of RED and GREEN.

After this photo was taken I separated the Salas Reg from the B1 and used it with a Pass B1 PCB (copy).

 

[McQuaide]

I got the matched LEDs and FETs as well as the relays from Ed L.

 

[bnorrish]

Now you have one more thing to look forward to! Does your receiver have a pure analog mode? That's how I ran my Denon for years and the sound wasn't bad.

Good question - had to check owners manual. There is a PureDirect Mode - I will have to enable it out. I probably have to live with this for a few months until the B-1 gets built.

There was a huge jump in sound quality adding the F5 and going pre amp out. I am sure there will be a less dramtic, yet noticable improvment adding the B-1. What has been everyone's experience swapping in a B-1 over there old kit in terms of improvement?

Very rewarding to improve my sound with each upgrade that I built myself - with a lot of help from DIYAudio members!

 

[bnorrish]

I got the matched LEDs and FETs as well as the relays from Ed L.

As did I. Good dude.

 

[Salas]

There was a huge jump in sound quality adding the F5 and going pre amp out. I am sure there will be a less dramtic, yet noticable improvment adding the B-1. What has been everyone's experience swapping in a B-1 over there old kit in terms of improvement?

About quality you will see, but if there is excess gain now in the chain and the Mez will rectify that, it will be very obvious in SQ jump up too.

 

[bnorrish]

Rega Bias 2 and Pearl 2 together are a little hot - that may help. Of course, I will likely get a HOMC at some point.

 

[JPDuarte]

Here more photos of my project.

 

[Salas]

What about those AMRG resistors? Are they any good in use? I see them pop out here and there in last years. Are they to appeal where RIKEN was appealing or something? They look heavily built nonetheless.

 

[Stixx]

What about those AMRG resistors?

Funny... Just yesterday I soldered in the same resistors in my built...
Put them in upright though...
I have no idea how they will do but will find out soon.

 

[Marra]

I used some in a valve preamp build and to my ears they sound really good.Solidly made inside an alluminium sleeve.

 

[McQuaide]

Very nice, I wonder how much of an improvement the AMRG would be over Vishay RN60s?

 

[JPDuarte]

I hope they will sound good!!

 

[Corpius]

Mosfets... matched pairs?

I have a question about the mosfets (2x IRFP240 and 2x IRFP9240). Do they need to be matched pairs or is that not important in this part of the circuit?

 

[B&W_arthur]

Are there alternatives to 2SK170BL (DCB1) and 2SK117GR (SSLV)?

I can find 2SK117(F) and has ordered 25 pcs. It is non-graded version, i.e. Full range Idss range from 1.2 ~ 12mA. Ok, I am going to measure the Idss and hope that I can find the pcs with the required Idss.

The 170BL are difficult to find.

Any suggestion?

 

[Stixx]

The 170BL are difficult to find.

Those got mentioned several times in the 'Swap Meet' section... have a look or use the Search function...

I also recall a seller named Fet Store (?) selling those, I am not sure about the name though

 

[Tea-Bag]

Spencer sells these, as well as Alweit on ebay.
Both are reliable sources.

 

[B&W_arthur]

Spencer sells these, as well as Alweit on ebay.
Both are reliable sources.

Those got mentioned several times in the 'Swap Meet' section... have a look or use the Search function...

I also recall a seller named Fet Store (?) selling those, I am not sure about the name though

Thank you for the suggestion.
Surely, I will order some from Spencer.

By alternatives, I mean other jfets that may be used for the DCB1 or SSLV.
After inspecting some Toshiba jfets datasheets, I guess 2SK30A (for SSLV)and 2SK117 (for DCB1) maybe candidates for my spare pcbs.