Tubes in mp3 players?

colbgrr · 12th December 2005, 08:12 PM

I realize that even the merest suggestion of an ipod fitted with a vaccuum tube may be simply preposterous for several reasons. However, I'm a newbie to DIY audio projects and am not to be deterred by silly things like reality. However, I'm deathly curious as to the possibilities of a digitally compressed file flowing to my ears on a river of tube-mellowed buttermilk.

Brian Donaldson · 12th December 2005, 09:13 PM

There is virtually no way you'll fit it inside the Ipod case and no way the Ipod battery will power it, and quite unlikely it will be very portable, and adding a little tube distortion will do little to make a 32kbit mp3 listenable.

But, I made a headphone amp that I listen to a CD player through, and it is quite wonderfull. I'm finishing up the casework now before it goes into the tube gallery, and I'll gladly share the scematic.

And welcome. In what part of Hoouston do you reside.

zarniwoop · 12th December 2005, 11:21 PM

stand alone..via batteries: no, the ipod will not like tubes on it (though that would be hilarious to see a tube mounted on the ipod case).

but, you could easily incorporate the ipod in a tube based amplifier. Remember, the ipod can play lossless files as well as mp3/aac. It would be nice if you could take the output at the digital out, and use a higher quality DAC and line amplifier (tube or whatever), but I don't have much info about that. It does have firewire/usb2 digital connection, but can you hijack this signal for output?... not easily, I'm guessing.

go for it... a line level ipod signal feeding a small speaker/headphone tube amp would still be cool. Flush mount the pod to a slick looking chassis. Screw portability... Or you could make an amp dock for it.

my next, next project

jamesjung21 · 13th December 2005, 09:58 AM

It is possible if using sub-mini low voltage tubes like CX533AX, but it'll drain the battery quickly and heat is the #1 factor that kills a HDD

Geek · 13th December 2005, 10:10 AM

Tubes would certainly most likely fit inside the case if you used the "peanut" types with the leads. Still manufactured in Russia. Check tubes.ru or KWTubes on ebay.

kevinkr · 13th December 2005, 05:43 PM

I own a first generation iPod, and I can categorically tell you there is no room for additional circuitry tube or otherwise in my iPod. The new smaller ones are barely thicker than the typical submini tube.

Kevin

edit to fix egregious spelling error.. LOL

Geek · 13th December 2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kevinkr
I own a first generation iPod, and I can categorically tell you there is no room for additional circuitry tube or otherwise in my iPod.

Nuts

I have a YePP myself. No room in it for sure.

alfiax · 14th December 2005, 10:40 PM

It's certainly possible to fit a hybrid tube amp into an ipod-sized case, provided you take out all the ipod bits. Take a look at this thread over at headwize for inspiration. These might make a nice little companion to the ipod if it weren't for their power demand; unfortunately, while you can transport them from place to place in your pocket, you can't really use them while they're in there.

philipbarrett · 15th December 2005, 01:54 AM

Check out this - http://www.sik.com/din.php

Line output for the iPod, sounds waaaay better than the headphone out.

Can we see the schematic for the hp amp?

PB

jamesjung21 · 15th December 2005, 02:24 AM

Sweet~ I got heaps of 6111 tubes to build it....

BTW what's that NJM4556 opamp..? never heard of it before... what kind of American opamp would replace it safely..?

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12th December 2005, 08:12 PM	#1
colbgrr diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Houston, Texas	Tubes in mp3 players? I realize that even the merest suggestion of an ipod fitted with a vaccuum tube may be simply preposterous for several reasons. However, I'm a newbie to DIY audio projects and am not to be deterred by silly things like reality. However, I'm deathly curious as to the possibilities of a digitally compressed file flowing to my ears on a river of tube-mellowed buttermilk.

12th December 2005, 09:13 PM	#2
Brian Donaldson diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Texas, Love it or leave it	There is virtually no way you'll fit it inside the Ipod case and no way the Ipod battery will power it, and quite unlikely it will be very portable, and adding a little tube distortion will do little to make a 32kbit mp3 listenable. But, I made a headphone amp that I listen to a CD player through, and it is quite wonderfull. I'm finishing up the casework now before it goes into the tube gallery, and I'll gladly share the scematic. And welcome. In what part of Hoouston do you reside.

12th December 2005, 11:21 PM	#3
zarniwoop diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NY	stand alone..via batteries: no, the ipod will not like tubes on it (though that would be hilarious to see a tube mounted on the ipod case). but, you could easily incorporate the ipod in a tube based amplifier. Remember, the ipod can play lossless files as well as mp3/aac. It would be nice if you could take the output at the digital out, and use a higher quality DAC and line amplifier (tube or whatever), but I don't have much info about that. It does have firewire/usb2 digital connection, but can you hijack this signal for output?... not easily, I'm guessing. go for it... a line level ipod signal feeding a small speaker/headphone tube amp would still be cool. Flush mount the pod to a slick looking chassis. Screw portability... Or you could make an amp dock for it. my next, next project

13th December 2005, 09:58 AM	#4
jamesjung21 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Zealand	It is possible if using sub-mini low voltage tubes like CX533AX, but it'll drain the battery quickly and heat is the #1 factor that kills a HDD

13th December 2005, 10:10 AM	#5
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Tubes would certainly most likely fit inside the case if you used the "peanut" types with the leads. Still manufactured in Russia. Check tubes.ru or KWTubes on ebay.

13th December 2005, 05:43 PM	#6
kevinkr diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 6	I own a first generation iPod, and I can categorically tell you there is no room for additional circuitry tube or otherwise in my iPod. The new smaller ones are barely thicker than the typical submini tube. Kevin edit to fix egregious spelling error.. LOL

14th December 2005, 10:40 PM	#8
alfiax diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	It's certainly possible to fit a hybrid tube amp into an ipod-sized case, provided you take out all the ipod bits. Take a look at this thread over at headwize for inspiration. These might make a nice little companion to the ipod if it weren't for their power demand; unfortunately, while you can transport them from place to place in your pocket, you can't really use them while they're in there.

15th December 2005, 01:54 AM	#9
philipbarrett diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas	Check out this - http://www.sik.com/din.php Line output for the iPod, sounds waaaay better than the headphone out. Can we see the schematic for the hp amp? PB

15th December 2005, 02:24 AM	#10
jamesjung21 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Zealand	Sweet~ I got heaps of 6111 tubes to build it.... BTW what's that NJM4556 opamp..? never heard of it before... what kind of American opamp would replace it safely..?

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