Amplifier Enclosures

[labjr]

I'm wondering if there is any interest in amplfier enclosures for F5 and other amplifers. I'm thinking of going to a metal fabricator to have some made. But I'd probably have to have several made for it to be economical

[alexcp]

Depends on what you mean by "economical". One can buy a suitable enclosure for $200 or so off the shelf at modushop or designbuildlisten. Purchasing pre-cut aluminium from OnlineMetals.com for assembling your own would cost you approx. the same, I believe. If you can go substantially lower than that on price, there may be interest.

[labjr]

Originally Posted by alexcp

Depends on what you mean by "economical". One can buy a suitable enclosure for $200 or so off the shelf at modushop or designbuildlisten. Purchasing pre-cut aluminium from OnlineMetals.com for assembling your own would cost you approx. the same, I believe. If you can go substantially lower than that on price, there may be interest.

I wouldn't call the hifi2000 enclosure suitable for amplifiers requiring high dissipation. I was thinking of a much higher quality unit than any of that stuff or anything one can make on their kitchen table. Heavy gauge aluminum. better heatsinks, punched and drilled, brushed anodized, painted etc., ready to assemble. That all costs money. I'm guessing around $325-350 or more. Definitely not less than $200.

[john65b]

I would be interested in a sub $200 price...

EDIT - posted too quick. May not be interested...The HiFi2000 Pisante Dissipante 4U should be able to do around 200 watts, which is in F5 range.... 5U for sure

[ByronInLawrence]

The Pesante line from AudioKit does not have heat sinks. It's hard to see because their photos are so small. If you want a 4U case with heat sinks from AudioKit you need to pay at least $170.65 for the Dissipante 04-300B in silver, which has sinks on each side. I don't think it has any cutouts in the back either, and you pay for shipping from Italy.

I too am frustrated that a metal box costs as much as everything you put in to it. If you could find something modest, but nice, like the PWAD-A40 or PWAD-01 from THL or the Dissipante 04-300B for about $100 I would buy.

[labjr]

Originally Posted by ByronInLawrence

The Pesante line from AudioKit does not have heat sinks. It's hard to see because their photos are so small. If you want a 4U case with heat sinks from AudioKit you need to pay at least $170.65 for the Dissipante 04-300B in silver, which has sinks on each side. I don't think it has any cutouts in the back either, and you pay for shipping from Italy.

I too am frustrated that a metal box costs as much as everything you put in to it. If you could find something modest, but nice, like the PWAD-A40 or PWAD-01 from THL or the Dissipante 04-300B for about $100 I would buy.

Seems like anyone would like to buy if they can have everything and get it for next to nothing. But that isn't a realistic expectation to think you're going to get something for half the price of a Chinese made product. Decent heatsinks alone are $100 or more. Also I prefer American made products because the quality is superior, I can go down to the shop and work face to face with the designer, and it helps keep Americans employed.

[NYCOne]

I'm impressed with what NP did on the BA enclosures. He avoided expensive heat sinks and ended up with functional, beautiful enclosures.

[NYCOne]

I don't know where NP got the rectangular tubing for the heat sinks (I bet he'd tell us), but these enclosures seem economical.

Edit: This may be the material for the heat sink:
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant...268&top_cat=60

[3GGG]

That looks like a great way to build heatsinks. Any commercial Ally supplier would be able to supply rectangular tubing of that size.

[Marra]

Originally Posted by NYCOne

I don't know where NP got the rectangular tubing for the heat sinks (I bet he'd tell us), but these enclosures seem economical.

Edit: This may be the material for the heat sink:
Order Aluminum 6061 Rectangle Tube in Small Quantities at OnlineMetals.com

I used this method when I built a Zen some years ago. Check prices if you shop around you should be able to get proper heatsinks for not much more and save yourself a lot of drillimg and tapping. Just my 2cents worth