Volksamp and Firstwatt heatsinks?

[mtj]

To Mr. Pass or who ever may know:

Is the heatsink extrusion custom made for Firstwatt or is it a stock extrusion that an average Joe could order from a heatsink vendor? (Obviously a minimum order is usually required if so.)

It just looks ideal for many small DIY amp projects on this site that I would like to build.

Thanks, MJ

[Nelson Pass]

It's a custom extrusion. I don't have extras, as I purchased
full chassis metal to go with each pair that I have.

[mtj]

Thanks for your reply.

It will save me a lot of time searching every heatsink vendors website for something like those.

It's funny how finding heatsinks for these class A amps seems to be one of the biggest hurdles in the construction phase. From searching local surplus stores to ebay it's hard to find just the right ones.

I do have to admit I love the fact that when I look at the Pass DIY Gallery and see everyone has built their chasis a little different from one another. I want people to know I built it myself when they see it. It would take the soul out of it for me if I just bought it out of a catalog.

MJ

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
It's a custom extrusion.

Mr P.,

Now that someone else cleared the passage way:
Given your wholesale tendencies, what is an economic order number of such an extrusion ?

[Nelson Pass]

Price is inversely relate to volume. Tooling is anywhere from
about $3000 to $5000 and you want to be thinking in several
thousand units, which would get you into maybe $20/unit
(+ freight + tariffs) out of Asia.



correction: that was the old price. make that $25+

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
several thousand units

The kitchen table must be really enjoyable.
Just as storage.

The FW heatsink differs from the ones used on the VolksAmp and the "small" X-models.
Remembering what you said about audio product life cycles, can i assume that the visual brand differentiation between the two lines has a greater importance than long term strategy ?

(why i included VolksAmp in the post. Your comments always include more than what covers the question, appreciated)

[Nelson Pass]

I have about 4,000 sq ft of shop space (used to house PL in
the old days) that looks a lot like the warehouse where they
stored the Ark in the first Indiana Jones movie. Piles and piles
of boxes of amplifier parts, speaker drivers and computer stuff.



Not really as amusing as you'd think...

[jacco vermeulen]

I figured as much.

(JV made $0.50 an hour in storage logistics every 3 months during school breaks. Family wage level )

[Nelson Pass]

Originally posted by jacco vermeulen
Remembering what you said about audio product life cycles, can i assume that the visual brand differentiation between the two lines has a greater importance than long term strategy ?

No. FW exists solely for high-concept circuits. To put that into
sharp relief, I chose a plain, but utilitarian, chassis. This and the
power rating keep the market appeal quite narrow.

[Blues]

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
...and computer stuff.



How's the computer with the discrete transistors coming along? Is it really going to be displayed at the MOMA?

Not really as amusing as you'd think...

Does this include building the said computer?