Those and a quality drill press are my tools of the trade for square hole, although I've used hack saw blade holder to good effect. Nicholson brand files are the only way to fly for me. Learned that from my ski coach.
Current state with brass bushings and a mount I welded to accept the switch. If anyone is using alps pots, I found deoxit treatment really helps new pots measure more closely. Some might wonder about the empty board risers. Botched muses install (audio academy). I hastily mis-wired pinout on 16 pin headers and fried the chips and shorted some sparkos regs. Doh.. Voltage divider switch I can understand.
A limited number of Iron Pre completion kits are going on sale in a minute's time. Previous purchasers of the Iron Pre essentials kits were emailed last night to give them a head's up:
https://diyaudiostore.com/products/iron-pre-completion-kit
https://diyaudiostore.com/products/iron-pre-completion-kit
The available kits have now sold out, and Patrick has generously offered to make up extra kits for anyone that missed out.
These are being offered as a pre order. Timing for shipment is largely based on quantity and parts availability. Expected shipping dates will be from May to June 2024, but could shift earlier or later. Progress updates via this thread.
Pre-orders are open for the next 7 days.
These are being offered as a pre order. Timing for shipment is largely based on quantity and parts availability. Expected shipping dates will be from May to June 2024, but could shift earlier or later. Progress updates via this thread.
Pre-orders are open for the next 7 days.
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^ Thank you, Dennis!
@TomR. - Things tend to get lost in that big thread. I'll update the first post. Short answer - Don't get the current completion kit. The ones on sale are for the boards + active kits that have already been sold. Crossing fingers and toes that the Essentials AND the Completion kits for the new version will be ready by mid-year....ish.
@TomR. - Things tend to get lost in that big thread. I'll update the first post. Short answer - Don't get the current completion kit. The ones on sale are for the boards + active kits that have already been sold. Crossing fingers and toes that the Essentials AND the Completion kits for the new version will be ready by mid-year....ish.
I purchased a beta kit (se) and the recent completion kit that just came around. I also got the modushop case and was wondering what this back plate was drilled for as far as rcas go, it looks like the holes are big enough for balanced jacks. Also, what was the original layout set up for as far as attenuators goes. Thank you in advance, Bill
Check out this thread for tons of information...
1) Jacks are Neutrik-D format
2) Any attenuator you want. ZM likes them at the back (close to the inputs) with a shaft running to the front of the chassis.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...the-diya-store-register-your-interest.390509/
1) Jacks are Neutrik-D format
2) Any attenuator you want. ZM likes them at the back (close to the inputs) with a shaft running to the front of the chassis.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...the-diya-store-register-your-interest.390509/
^ Yes. .
To me, for SE, something like the Alps27 kits are easiest and perform well.
For balanced, if you can get your hands on one of the Alps motorized 4 gang pots, I think someone came up with a cool circuit board / controller. If I can find it in my notes, I'll link to it.
There are also several Muses-based solutions. To me, for balanced, the Muses solutions seem to have a nice combination of performance, cost, and ease of installation / use. @frankwilker has a fantastic project, IMO. It integrates seemlessly into the Iron Pre and uses the existing Mains and DC supplies. He even re-designed the Iron Pre front panel for the display. I like it so much, I have a chassis on the way. I don't want to say that it's so simple a child could do it... but it's essentially plug and play.
I have a couple relay-based attenuator / remote units that I stole from other projects (commercial pre-amps), but I haven't tried them yet. I don't recall seeing anyone use a remote controlled one ... but I could be mistaken.
There's a lot of options out there. For ready-made solutions, I think Academy audio has some kits.
.To me, for SE, something like the Alps27 kits are easiest and perform well.
For balanced, if you can get your hands on one of the Alps motorized 4 gang pots, I think someone came up with a cool circuit board / controller. If I can find it in my notes, I'll link to it.
There are also several Muses-based solutions. To me, for balanced, the Muses solutions seem to have a nice combination of performance, cost, and ease of installation / use. @frankwilker has a fantastic project, IMO. It integrates seemlessly into the Iron Pre and uses the existing Mains and DC supplies. He even re-designed the Iron Pre front panel for the display. I like it so much, I have a chassis on the way. I don't want to say that it's so simple a child could do it... but it's essentially plug and play.
I have a couple relay-based attenuator / remote units that I stole from other projects (commercial pre-amps), but I haven't tried them yet. I don't recall seeing anyone use a remote controlled one ... but I could be mistaken.
There's a lot of options out there. For ready-made solutions, I think Academy audio has some kits.
Another Iron Pre is born into the world!
Special Thank You to ItsAllInMyHead and Zen Mod!!!!
This build has been such a great experience for me. Lots of learning from all of you. An extended "Thank You" to all the folks who share knowledge and jump in to help each another on this site.
This is the V4 Super Mega Deluxe SE version that will be in the store sometime in the not too distant future.
I'll do a quick write up regarding some details of how I got here and the pitfalls a noob like myself ran into...however....for now, Preamp Porn for the masses.
Special Thank You to ItsAllInMyHead and Zen Mod!!!!
This build has been such a great experience for me. Lots of learning from all of you. An extended "Thank You" to all the folks who share knowledge and jump in to help each another on this site.
This is the V4 Super Mega Deluxe SE version that will be in the store sometime in the not too distant future.
I'll do a quick write up regarding some details of how I got here and the pitfalls a noob like myself ran into...however....for now, Preamp Porn for the masses.
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That's a custom 3D print design (as you observed) I made while I'm still waiting for an AliExpress kit for the Alps pot. I'm pretty sure the custom design I came up with works as good, or better, as the off the shelf version as I went through many iterations to optimize it. The Alps pot simply fits snug with a friction interface fit.
I will be sharing the 3D print design in the not too distant future for anyone who wants to use it (just need to take time to do a write up with image instructions). It fits a standard Alps pot for two channels you simply mount with 1 (or 2) M3 bolts (nuts optional if you want "bomber secure"). There is also a mount on the front I designed that holds a common 608 bearing (ideally a 608-2RS sealed ball bearing) that has a very tight tolerance fit for both the bearing and the interface with the machined pocket for the Modushop Iron Pre SE chassis (may also work with balanced chassis, but not confirmed). The aluminum tube(s) are 6mm ID and 8mm OD (from Amazon) for what connects to the Alps Pot and fits pretty tightly into the 608 bearing ID. I used 8mm steel collar (also cheaply acquired on Amazon) to secure the tube to the pot "dial". A 6mm OD, 4mm ID aluminum tube inserts into the longer tube with an interference fit (I used a hammer to gently "mate" the two tubes tight). That smaller tube then protrudes out the front of the chassis and allows a standard volume knob (6mm ID) to secure to. It is pretty snazzy if I do say so myself
I will write this all up and post it with a much broader write up on my experience building the V4 Iron Pre SE. I just need some time to put something together (lessons learned and all) and I plan to post it in the Iron Pre Essentials Kit thread so others can benefit from what I learned along the way. More to come and just wanted to start with sharing the pics as I finally got it fully operational and playing music this evening.
I can't say it enough.......
Thank you Zen Mod and ItsAllInMyHead for such a wonderful experience building the Iron Pre SE!!
I will be sharing the 3D print design in the not too distant future for anyone who wants to use it (just need to take time to do a write up with image instructions). It fits a standard Alps pot for two channels you simply mount with 1 (or 2) M3 bolts (nuts optional if you want "bomber secure"). There is also a mount on the front I designed that holds a common 608 bearing (ideally a 608-2RS sealed ball bearing) that has a very tight tolerance fit for both the bearing and the interface with the machined pocket for the Modushop Iron Pre SE chassis (may also work with balanced chassis, but not confirmed). The aluminum tube(s) are 6mm ID and 8mm OD (from Amazon) for what connects to the Alps Pot and fits pretty tightly into the 608 bearing ID. I used 8mm steel collar (also cheaply acquired on Amazon) to secure the tube to the pot "dial". A 6mm OD, 4mm ID aluminum tube inserts into the longer tube with an interference fit (I used a hammer to gently "mate" the two tubes tight). That smaller tube then protrudes out the front of the chassis and allows a standard volume knob (6mm ID) to secure to. It is pretty snazzy if I do say so myself
I will write this all up and post it with a much broader write up on my experience building the V4 Iron Pre SE. I just need some time to put something together (lessons learned and all) and I plan to post it in the Iron Pre Essentials Kit thread so others can benefit from what I learned along the way. More to come and just wanted to start with sharing the pics as I finally got it fully operational and playing music this evening.
I can't say it enough.......
Thank you Zen Mod and ItsAllInMyHead for such a wonderful experience building the Iron Pre SE!!
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@birdbox
My Muses solution can also be used without a display.
On this website:
https://www.audio-perfect.de/IronPre.en.html
the solution with display is shown.
Unfortunately, the website is not yet complete as I have not yet received any housings for my boards. These are currently being manufactured. Then it will continue there.
My Muses solution can also be used without a display.
On this website:
https://www.audio-perfect.de/IronPre.en.html
the solution with display is shown.
Unfortunately, the website is not yet complete as I have not yet received any housings for my boards. These are currently being manufactured. Then it will continue there.
@frankwilker You design is certainly preferred for those of us who can afford the ultimate volume control option. I'd love to have that in my build (including the display) and plan to buy that from you in the future. Having remote volume control is so sweet.
My current post is sharing the very basic Alps Pot attenuation approach that a lot of folks will start out with as the baseline design that moves the attenuation from the front of the chassis closer to the circuit connections via mechanical means to minimize signal wire lengths.
Thanks for chiming in! I suspect we all would likely want your design if it becomes the ubiquitous affordable option. I'm a big fan for so many reasons! If I can help in any way with creating a cheap 3D printable design for your Muse design it to mount to, let me know. I'm no expert with CAD, but I use trial and error approach to my designs to try and create an optimal design that can be easily printed by anyone with a hobby 3D printer.
My current post is sharing the very basic Alps Pot attenuation approach that a lot of folks will start out with as the baseline design that moves the attenuation from the front of the chassis closer to the circuit connections via mechanical means to minimize signal wire lengths.
Thanks for chiming in! I suspect we all would likely want your design if it becomes the ubiquitous affordable option. I'm a big fan for so many reasons! If I can help in any way with creating a cheap 3D printable design for your Muse design it to mount to, let me know. I'm no expert with CAD, but I use trial and error approach to my designs to try and create an optimal design that can be easily printed by anyone with a hobby 3D printer.
Thank you for the offer. The current solution does not require a housing. I think the solution is relatively perfect.
However, it would be very interesting to develop a housing for my other Muses solutions. Maybe I'll come back to you again. The design is currently being remodelled. It will take a while yet.
However, it would be very interesting to develop a housing for my other Muses solutions. Maybe I'll come back to you again. The design is currently being remodelled. It will take a while yet.