The B1 Buffer and F5 Build intergrated, questions

Rixsta · 2013-03-15 8:04 pm

Hey, Iv'e already built an F5 thats been working a year, can someone please help with this, call me silly but i cant find the info about this pre i have couple of questions

Whats the B1 actually do ? if its not a pre-amp does it not amplify the sound ?
Whats the benefit of using it with the F5 ?
Does the B1 buffer take care of a little DC offset ?

This F5 here, can anyone guess what the two red boxes are ? and what transformer that might be ?
and one more... that black cable on the power switch whats the name for that ?

The wire used here, what kind of wire would this be ? or where to buy ? lol
anyone know a source of clips that can hold down the Mosfets, i like that!

Im going to build the pre or B1, into the same chassis as the F5, along with inputs, selector switch etc

cheers for looking

McQuaide · 2013-03-15 8:29 pm

I just built an integrated, check out my thread at http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/229359-f5-mezmerize-integrated.html.

The B1 just provides for volume control and source switching, but it does it transparently. Check out Nelson Pass's article on Passdiy.com.

Rixsta · 2013-03-15 9:34 pm

Thankyou, think im realy up for B1 or DCB1, I realy like the idea of no caps in the signal path! will check the original article lol

the first F5 i built i sourced the PCB's from ebay, now i regret that but they seem to have 2 caps on

6L6 · 2013-03-15 9:47 pm

Rixsta said:
Whats the B1 actually do ? if its not a pre-amp does it not amplify the sound ?

Nope. It's a buffer. It lets the volume pot (attenuator) operate in an ideal environment and allows for the driving of long cables if you need to.

Whats the benefit of using it with the F5 ?

Volume control.

Does the B1 buffer take care of a little DC offset ?

Yes. It's cap coupled.

6L6 · 2013-03-15 10:28 pm

Rixsta said:
Whats the B1 actually do ?

This will explain - http://passdiy.com/pdf/B1 Buffer Preamp.pdf

Rixsta · 2013-03-15 11:09 pm

Thanks, almost totaly cleared up my concerns now

apart from, when you mention long cables you mean from source to B1 or B1 to F5.
and last question, it would be better using a separate small transformer for the Pre than running it from the F5 PSU ?

6L6 · 2013-03-15 11:41 pm

B1 to amplifier.

You could run it from the F5psu, but you will need a regulator or the like to get the required voltage. A small transformer is easy. Or just have a small plug on the back for a wall-wart.

Rixsta · 2013-03-16 12:54 am

Thankyou for your help, the rest is easy now, time to have some fun

billyk · 2013-03-16 1:13 am

Rixsta said:
Thankyou for your help, the rest is easy now, time to have some fun

Fun for sure... Glad you got your questions and concerns handled. I love the B1 and have one integrated with the "Amp Camp" amps and am using a DCB1 in front of my Nakamichi PA-7.

bnorrish · 2013-03-16 1:35 am

billyk said:
Fun for sure... Glad you got your questions and concerns handled. I love the B1 and have one integrated with the "Amp Camp" amps and am using a DCB1 in front of my Nakamichi PA-7.

Just need some of those JBL monkey coffins like the dude in Clinton had with his PA-7s. Good setup to fill a room in a factory or a raging kegger.

AndrewT · 2013-03-16 10:43 am

Rix,
you have twisted the low level inputs, but left a big loop just before the PCB.
All the high currents wire pairs/triplets are untwisted. BIG loops.

Rixsta · 2013-03-16 12:45 pm

AndrewT said:
Rix,
you have twisted the low level inputs, but left a big loop just before the PCB.
All the high currents wire pairs/triplets are untwisted. BIG loops.

Sorry m8 non comprehend lol, do you mean on the amp in the first post or my amp, here's mine just before we did the finishing touches like put speaker terminals in and cleaned up inside.

AndrewT · 2013-03-16 4:11 pm

Same comment.
Untwisted pairs/triplets.

Rixsta · 2013-03-16 10:03 pm

Ahh, ok thanks to be honest i hadn't realized before that twisting/not twisting wires could effect anything.

McQuaide · 2013-03-16 10:23 pm

I've heard of twisting signal wires but not power wires. What's the benefit? Now I need to crack my B1/F5 open and do that.

AndrewT · 2013-03-17 9:59 am

Receiving aerials ans transmitting aerials.

Make the Transmitter strong enough and everything will pick it up.

Make the Receiver weak enough and nothing will get picked up.
Treat both sides of transmit/receive.

Rixsta · 2013-03-18 10:16 pm

I think this is where having an oscilloscope would be nice and detecting any difference in wires, cheers

Im still wondering what those components are in the Red/black amp i posted at the beginning of this thread if anyone knows ? the red boxes left and right of the PSU. and what that power switch lead covering could be made of ?

Marra · 2013-03-19 8:47 am

It looks like braided polyester and heatshrink sleaving available from Kayfast on ebay or I would think Maplins also.

kasey197 · 2013-03-19 10:43 am

Rixsta said:
Im still wondering what those components are in the Red/black amp i posted at the beginning of this thread if anyone knows ? the red boxes left and right of the PSU. and what that power switch lead covering could be made of ?

inductors perhaps part of the LCR filtering for the PSU ? just a guess ....

Rixsta · 2013-03-20 10:48 am

Thanks it seems so, just liked the look of that one.
My friends wondering if the B1 with F5 will be loud enough driven probably from CD player my guess is yes.. of corse theres the other option to build one of the Class-A pre's like Bride of Zen.

Has anyone had a problem with it not being loud enough ?
I know i could Decrease the feedback like some have done for that extra push.
how about
BOZ -> B1 -> F5
or do i not need B1 if i have BOZ

The B1 Buffer and F5 Build intergrated, questions

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Moderator

Member

Moderator

Member

Member

Member

R.I.P.

Member

R.I.P.

Member

Member

R.I.P.

Member

Member

Member

Member