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Active filter board GB

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#1,082
Ok, wild idea (sort of). I'm sure many of you are going to read this and think either: a) "that's a dumb idea and it won't work because...." or b) "that's a great idea, but who is going to implement it?". Well, maybe you're right, but I think it's an excellent idea and I want to go ahead and throw it out there to get some feedback and maybe spark some interest.

Would it be possible to take the discrete functional circuits (input buffer, 12db/oct slope filter, Linkwitz Transform, notch/peak, etc.) combined in the "Active Filter 4" and implement them independently on small, uniform sized PCBs? Then added headers at both ends of them (examples below) to allow them to be "plugged" into each other and pass the signal and supply voltage between each other. This way you could configure as many of them as you like in what ever order you like. They would function like active filter "legos" that could be combined in an endless number of combinations. Also, it would be much easier to make changes to your filter. Want to add a notch filter? Just plug it in... Get the picture? Thoughts? Anyone want to design the boards and do a GB? =)


Molex 90121-0125


Sullins PPPC051LGBN-RC
 
#1,083
Maybe I'll expand a little. Obviously you would still have to calculate the values for each individual filter board to make the filter you desire. Hopefully the small boards would be fairly inexpensive so it would be easy to build a few and then swap them out to mix and match to preference. So, build a couple notch filters with different Q's and swap them to see what they sound like. If you end up with extra filter blocks you could use them in another project or possibly, if enough people are using them, trade with other people.
 
#1,084
It's a good idea and very practical but remember you are dealing with audiophiles and we are an anal bunch. Issues to over come would include:

1. Contacts between stacked PCB's oxidizing.
2. Vibration induced micro phonics in stacked PCB's.
3. Height clearance requirements of the stacked PCB's.

A. Maybe surface mount components to help with # 2 & 3.

Not trying to be negative, but while you are being creative include those obstacles in your design.
 
#1,085
troy:

Thanks for the feedback. Possible solutions to the raised problems:

1) The Sullen's female connector is gold plated and I assume an equivalent to the Molex male connector could be found that is gold plated.

2) Not familar with this. Could you expand?

3) The PCBs would connect horizontally and not stack vertically. A PCB could be created that routes the traces in the shape of a "C" so that the direction of the PCB flow could be "wrapped" and you wouldn't end up with one huge line of PCBs.


Thoughts?
 
#1,086
Ahhh. I was thinking small 1" x 1" circuit boards stacked vertically kind of like "daughter boards."

And may I suggest a separate thread if you choose to develop the concept?

I think it has potential and I have a few ideas for you that may make it easier to develop.
 
#1,087
Any Canadians with extra boards?

Can somebody confirm that I can get either a first-order high-pass OR shelving high-pass for dipole EQ, two notch filters, AND the 4th-order LR?

If so, these would be perfect. Well, I might need a third notch for some channels, but I can do that dead-bug style or on another board.
 
#1,088
wigginjs said:
troy:

Thanks for the feedback. Possible solutions to the raised problems:

1) The Sullen's female connector is gold plated and I assume an equivalent to the Molex male connector could be found that is gold plated.

2) Not familar with this. Could you expand?

3) The PCBs would connect horizontally and not stack vertically. A PCB could be created that routes the traces in the shape of a "C" so that the direction of the PCB flow could be "wrapped" and you wouldn't end up with one huge line of PCBs.


Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hmmm... interesting concept. Could be practical. Another way to go might be laying out a new board with IC socket plugs for resistors and caps that determine frequency. Plug in different sets for different freq's. (not a new idea)

For your idea, I'd think you could get away with standard .100" dual row headers and sockets, or other common, gold plated, decent connectors.

Vibration, mostly would affect the connectors, just about any component used shouldn't be very vibration sensitive.

Hey, small boards plugging into a "backplane" as a vertical stack might be a cool feature. It would make for a taller/shallower box, but what the heck... You would need to handle patching, the backplane coudn't handle everything. Maybe a power, main audio ins and outs backplane, and connectors on the front sides of the boards with patch cables? It would look like a tiny Moog synth..
😀 or you could have a cover over all those wires if you didn't like that...
 
#1,089
Backplanes are awesome and the boards would absorb the vibration, but it would not have the flexibility of the stacked boards using headers. The nice thing about headers is that you can order them in any length so you could still use 1" tall caps for instance if necessary. Headers can also be extremely rigid and have great contact with their respective connector. Plus if you decide to you can eliminate the female connectors and solder directly into the same holes the female connector would have been in if anyone gets squirrly about not having a soldered connection.
Uriah
 
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