This is a regular chipamp.com based lm3875 amplifier, featuring a 300VA trafo and an Alps 10k log pot.
The case is made of thermally modified aspen and treated with parafin oil. The knob is scratch built from aluminium tube, it has a tiny red led in the front and is polished with car wax. There's a ball bearing in the shaft to ensure a smooth operation.
I guess everyone knows that these kind of amps sound pretty nice, so there's no point in telling, that this amp too sounds pretty nice.
Here's some pictures.
Inside:
The knob:
From the back (sorry about the lousy quality):
Full frontal:
Corner detail:
The case is made of thermally modified aspen and treated with parafin oil. The knob is scratch built from aluminium tube, it has a tiny red led in the front and is polished with car wax. There's a ball bearing in the shaft to ensure a smooth operation.
I guess everyone knows that these kind of amps sound pretty nice, so there's no point in telling, that this amp too sounds pretty nice.

Here's some pictures.
Inside:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
The knob:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
From the back (sorry about the lousy quality):
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Full frontal:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Corner detail:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
This is probably a dumb question but is there another switch someplace to change sources or is this not an integrated? Good looking amp.
John........
John........
whatsnext said:This is probably a dumb question but is there another switch someplace to change sources or is this not an integrated? Good looking amp.
John........
Nope, there's no switch yet, because I haven't figured a cool way to implement it without ruining the minimalistic front plate. The two extra pairs of rca's are just decoration at this moment.
Steve Eddy said:Sweeeeeeeet!![]()
Though why not make the top cover of wood as well?
se
Why not. But I wanted to kind of mix classic wooden structure with sophisticated aluminium.
waltson said:Nope, there's no switch yet, because I haven't figured a cool way to implement it without ruining the minimalistic front plate. The two extra pairs of rca's are just decoration at this moment.
Who needs a switch? How frequenty are you changing sources anyway? And you wouldn't want to bury something that looks like that inside a shelf where it would be difficult to get to the rear panel. So why not just do your source switching manually? Just use those extra RCAs as hitching posts for the unused cables. I mean, can't be whole lot more invonvenient than getting up to change the volume. 🙂
se
waltson said:Why not. But I wanted to kind of mix classic wooden structure with sophisticated aluminium.
Fair 'nuff. You're using wood so you got my kudos anyway. 🙂
se
Steve Eddy said:
Who needs a switch? How frequenty are you changing sources anyway? And you wouldn't want to bury something that looks like that inside a shelf where it would be difficult to get to the rear panel. So why not just do your source switching manually? Just use those extra RCAs as hitching posts for the unused cables. I mean, can't be whole lot more invonvenient than getting up to change the volume. 🙂
se
Not sure about this guy but I change sources at least twice a day. That would wear out my nice cables pretty quick.
John.....
Steve Eddy said:
Just use those extra RCAs as hitching posts for the unused cables.
That's a great idea! That's what I'll do. Thanks for the great tip! 🙂
whatsnext said:Why not put the source switch on the back?
It's a good idea in theory, but the back is quite crowded.
whatsnext said:
Not sure about this guy but I change sources at least twice a day. That would wear out my nice cables pretty quick.
John.....
Fortunately I only own a CD player, so I don't have to worry about that.
whatsnext said:Not sure about this guy but I change sources at least twice a day. That would wear out my nice cables pretty quick.
Bah! Just make 'em eat more spinach! 😀
se
waltson said:That's a great idea! That's what I'll do. Thanks for the great tip! 🙂
You're welcome.
By the way, what exactly is thermally modified aspen?
Thanks.
se
Member
Joined 2004
Re: My new Amp case
Another nice piece! Good job!
se
RCBandwidth said:I finished this case a few weeks ago...future home of my chip Amp.The case is quartersawn Cherry veneer with walnut overlays behind the knobs.
Another nice piece! Good job!
se
Member
Joined 2004
Wow, what a nice and simple idea to make a pretty enclosure.
No more IKEA spoon boxes! And I think I´ll put an acrylic plate on top
Thanks for sharing, Waltson.
Cheers
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
No more IKEA spoon boxes! And I think I´ll put an acrylic plate on top

Thanks for sharing, Waltson.
Cheers
Nice Cases! I suppose you could always build a smaller second box to handle the input switching duties.
Lovely woodwork, though. I wish I hate 1/10th of that talent.. Now I'll go back to hacking up Hammond and Parmetal cases... Poorly 😀
Lovely woodwork, though. I wish I hate 1/10th of that talent.. Now I'll go back to hacking up Hammond and Parmetal cases... Poorly 😀
Steve Eddy said:
By the way, what exactly is thermally modified aspen?
Thanks.
se
Thermal modification:
http://www.jartek.fi/eng/thermoprosessi.html
Aspen:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen
HTH 😉
waltson said:Thermal modification:
http://www.jartek.fi/eng/thermoprosessi.html
Interesting. Thanks!
Smartass. 🙂
se
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