I am building a LM3886 chipamp kit (bought the boards, scrounging the parts)
This is for a single source system for my bedroom. I will use our Mac for iTunes and internet audio as the source. Output levels are modest and I am designing for 25w/ch or even less. That would be fine. My style is relaxing, easy listening.
I picked up a 22X2, 160VA toroid xfrmer (1.75" tall). My goal is an amp that is attractive yet compact. I will set it on my desktop, near the Mac so space is limited. I think a 10" X 10" footprint is in the ballpark (+ or -).
Requirements are simple .... one stereo input (RCA pair), one spkr pair output, on/off switch, and volume knob on front..
My biggest challenge right now is finding a decent, attractive enclosure. Most are too large or too industrial looking (rack mount, sheet metal, etc).
Any help or ideas would be great. I would consider modifying a case but my abilities are limited. I seem to be striking out with my internet searches.
My budget is keep enclosure < $100 for sure, < $75 preferable, so custom cases are out.
Thx,
Rob
This is for a single source system for my bedroom. I will use our Mac for iTunes and internet audio as the source. Output levels are modest and I am designing for 25w/ch or even less. That would be fine. My style is relaxing, easy listening.
I picked up a 22X2, 160VA toroid xfrmer (1.75" tall). My goal is an amp that is attractive yet compact. I will set it on my desktop, near the Mac so space is limited. I think a 10" X 10" footprint is in the ballpark (+ or -).
Requirements are simple .... one stereo input (RCA pair), one spkr pair output, on/off switch, and volume knob on front..
My biggest challenge right now is finding a decent, attractive enclosure. Most are too large or too industrial looking (rack mount, sheet metal, etc).
Any help or ideas would be great. I would consider modifying a case but my abilities are limited. I seem to be striking out with my internet searches.
My budget is keep enclosure < $100 for sure, < $75 preferable, so custom cases are out.
Thx,
Rob
Take a look at the Chipamp photo thread for ideas. There are plenty of possibilities for cases. I especially like the cases that are constructed of nice looking wood and have the heatsinks as the case's side walls.
Edit: something like this.
Edit: something like this.
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alberio13:
I agree with culture and Nisbeth -- the HiFi2000 products are very, very nice. Shipping to the US isn't cheap, but the net cost is still reasonable under the circumstances. If you're looking to cut costs, consider starting a group buy (shipping costs will drop from Italy, though you'll have domestic shipping to deal with). And if you can afford it, their 10mm front panels are gorgeous. My younger daughter wanted a small amplifier and we built the attached unit together (JADE = Jamie And Dad Experiment), using a Galaxy Maggiorato enclosure (model GX 288), which is 80mm high, 230mm wide and 280mm deep.
Regards,
Scott
I agree with culture and Nisbeth -- the HiFi2000 products are very, very nice. Shipping to the US isn't cheap, but the net cost is still reasonable under the circumstances. If you're looking to cut costs, consider starting a group buy (shipping costs will drop from Italy, though you'll have domestic shipping to deal with). And if you can afford it, their 10mm front panels are gorgeous. My younger daughter wanted a small amplifier and we built the attached unit together (JADE = Jamie And Dad Experiment), using a Galaxy Maggiorato enclosure (model GX 288), which is 80mm high, 230mm wide and 280mm deep.
Regards,
Scott
Attachments
alberio13:
I agree with culture and Nisbeth -- the HiFi2000 products are very, very nice. Shipping to the US isn't cheap, but the net cost is still reasonable under the circumstances. If you're looking to cut costs, consider starting a group buy (shipping costs will drop from Italy, though you'll have domestic shipping to deal with). And if you can afford it, their 10mm front panels are gorgeous. My younger daughter wanted a small amplifier and we built the attached unit together (JADE = Jamie And Dad Experiment), using a Galaxy Maggiorato enclosure (model GX 288), which is 80mm high, 230mm wide and 280mm deep.
Regards,
Scott
I agree with culture and Nisbeth -- the HiFi2000 products are very, very nice. Shipping to the US isn't cheap, but the net cost is still reasonable under the circumstances. If you're looking to cut costs, consider starting a group buy (shipping costs will drop from Italy, though you'll have domestic shipping to deal with). And if you can afford it, their 10mm front panels are gorgeous. My younger daughter wanted a small amplifier and we built the attached unit together (JADE = Jamie And Dad Experiment), using a Galaxy Maggiorato enclosure (model GX 288), which is 80mm high, 230mm wide and 280mm deep.
Regards,
Scott
Scott,
That looks gorgeous! Who did the front panel ... knobs, holes, engraving? Did you order it that way?
Rob
That looks gorgeous! Who did the front panel ... knobs, holes, engraving? Did you order it that way?
Rob
Rob:
[hmmnn... how do I delete the duplicative post?]
The front panel was a blank slate -- I designed the front and rear panels using Front Panel Express' software and services. Not cheap (I think about $100 total for the two panels), but they do a great job. Here is a lousy photo of the rear panel.
If you decide to get a Galaxy Maggiorato chassis and want a starting place for designing your enclosure, you are welcome to my files for the front and rear panels -- just drop me a line.
Regards,
Scott
[hmmnn... how do I delete the duplicative post?]
The front panel was a blank slate -- I designed the front and rear panels using Front Panel Express' software and services. Not cheap (I think about $100 total for the two panels), but they do a great job. Here is a lousy photo of the rear panel.
If you decide to get a Galaxy Maggiorato chassis and want a starting place for designing your enclosure, you are welcome to my files for the front and rear panels -- just drop me a line.
Regards,
Scott
Attachments
Hi Scott
Thats one very professional amp.
I'd be interested to know how you implemented the backlight on the volume pot 😉
Ted205:
The backlight behind each knob was pretty easy: there are four evenly spaced 3mm holes in the cavity surrounding the 9.5mm hole for the shaft of each knob (both volume and source). A 3mm LED is glued in each of the holes (we picked a blue/green LED that was "jade"-colored, to be consistent with the name of the amp). The LEDs are divided into pairs, and each pair shares a dropping resistor which limited the current to just under 6 ma per LED. The LEDs are fed by a small 5 vdc power supply that also powers a few other parts (other LEDs and some relays). The first photo probably does a better job than this text in explaining what we did. The second photo shows the small power supply, which is powered by a winding we added to the toroid.
Regards,
Scott
P.S.: Rob, I apologize -- I didn't mean to hijack your thread.
The backlight behind each knob was pretty easy: there are four evenly spaced 3mm holes in the cavity surrounding the 9.5mm hole for the shaft of each knob (both volume and source). A 3mm LED is glued in each of the holes (we picked a blue/green LED that was "jade"-colored, to be consistent with the name of the amp). The LEDs are divided into pairs, and each pair shares a dropping resistor which limited the current to just under 6 ma per LED. The LEDs are fed by a small 5 vdc power supply that also powers a few other parts (other LEDs and some relays). The first photo probably does a better job than this text in explaining what we did. The second photo shows the small power supply, which is powered by a winding we added to the toroid.
Regards,
Scott
P.S.: Rob, I apologize -- I didn't mean to hijack your thread.
Attachments
Thanks for posting up the pictures scott. Very nice.
I'm working on something similar. Also using a HiFi2000 chassis.
I'm working on something similar. Also using a HiFi2000 chassis.
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Scott,
Could you send me copies of your panel design files? I'd like to use them as a starting point. I may build my own enclosure, from hardwood and plate alum. The front and back panels I'll use Front panel express.
Thx,
Rob
Could you send me copies of your panel design files? I'd like to use them as a starting point. I may build my own enclosure, from hardwood and plate alum. The front and back panels I'll use Front panel express.
Thx,
Rob
I love your backlit volume knob! I may have fun and try something different ... having blue diffuse lighting spill out from underneath the amp, using a handfull of LEDs. The amp will be on small rubber feet so the supporting surface will be illuminated. I'll have a slow oscillator ckt modulate the LED intensity so, it will look like the amp is slowly "breathing".
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