thanks everyone for the kind feedback.
those cases are custom made - concept to working power supply took the better part of 3 months. i enjoyed every second of it.
here is a link to my google gallery that shows some of the construction steps:
http://picasaweb.google.com/timjarsky/PowerSupplyCaseReadyToBeAnodized
i was going to put a case around the amps (modules) but i have grown to like them open. Presently there are more pressing projects which i hope to post here soon. however, i could be swayed to put a case around them if that is a the consensus of forum members.
suprehkm your "creativity and simplicity" comment is the ultimate complement as that was exactly what i was aiming for.
those cases are custom made - concept to working power supply took the better part of 3 months. i enjoyed every second of it.
here is a link to my google gallery that shows some of the construction steps:
http://picasaweb.google.com/timjarsky/PowerSupplyCaseReadyToBeAnodized
i was going to put a case around the amps (modules) but i have grown to like them open. Presently there are more pressing projects which i hope to post here soon. however, i could be swayed to put a case around them if that is a the consensus of forum members.
suprehkm your "creativity and simplicity" comment is the ultimate complement as that was exactly what i was aiming for.
Nice, very nice! 
okapi said:
Beautiful work. Truely a Peter inspired design...
A case would close up the low voltage points on the amp modules, but I myself would just mount them to a board / metal from below so they didn't fall over. Make it a sorta amp stand looking shelf but secretly it would be an intigral part..
But again, gorgeous work...
jimbo,
the aluminum for the power supply cases was $110 USD for a 25 inch piece. the power supply cases 6 X 6.
i hear what you are saying about matching amps.
the amps actually started as a separate experimental project - i wanted to try a different chip. the only goal of the amp case design was to be as simple as possible. the constraints were the size and shape of the electronic components and the heat sinks i had already purchases on eBay.
as you saw, i am building a matching preamp. However, i may not build a matching amp as originally planned because as the PS and amp projects developed i grew to really like them as a pair even though their design goals were different.
for me, the PS cases satisfy my need for something cool but nonetheless conventional (in terms of design but probably not construction). while the amps meet my need to do something a little different.
the aluminum for the power supply cases was $110 USD for a 25 inch piece. the power supply cases 6 X 6.
i hear what you are saying about matching amps.
the amps actually started as a separate experimental project - i wanted to try a different chip. the only goal of the amp case design was to be as simple as possible. the constraints were the size and shape of the electronic components and the heat sinks i had already purchases on eBay.
as you saw, i am building a matching preamp. However, i may not build a matching amp as originally planned because as the PS and amp projects developed i grew to really like them as a pair even though their design goals were different.
for me, the PS cases satisfy my need for something cool but nonetheless conventional (in terms of design but probably not construction). while the amps meet my need to do something a little different.
okapi: It doesn't get any better than that! Machining the entire power supply case from a solid block of aluminum .... overkill = not for a resourceful DIYer. Good show ... no Great Show.
(One can also believe that at some point you will add the Apple MiniMac as the Internet radio / media I/O = no?)
(One can also believe that at some point you will add the Apple MiniMac as the Internet radio / media I/O = no?)
i was wondering how long it would be until someone mentioned the similarity.
i have always noticed and enjoyed the design of apple computer cases, and if they ever put a real graphics card back in the mini, and diy audio has not taken all my money, i will get it.
just in case steve jobs is into DIY audio, i would like to point at that apple does not have a patent on a square with rounded corners
my tendency for overkill is strong and often gets me in trouble but the PS cases are one example where i think it turned out to be a reasonable approach.
thanks
i have always noticed and enjoyed the design of apple computer cases, and if they ever put a real graphics card back in the mini, and diy audio has not taken all my money, i will get it.
just in case steve jobs is into DIY audio, i would like to point at that apple does not have a patent on a square with rounded corners
my tendency for overkill is strong and often gets me in trouble but the PS cases are one example where i think it turned out to be a reasonable approach.
thanks
okapi: " ... if they ever put a real graphics card back in the mini, and diy audio has not taken all my money, i will get it. ..."
I have several Mac Minis in the office and have no problem with the graphics, using the built in DVI port to direct connect to big screen displays with a DVI to HDMI adapter and cable (Dell.com has several TVs and comp. monitors that fit the bill @ reasonable costs.)
Yes, you are correct that the Apple company is far from high end audio, but third party sources do have fantastic DACs ( ex: m-audio.com & rolandus.com = firewire connected multi channel 24 bit/192k input & output = rip and roar.) Leaving plenty of room for DIYers such as yourself to make digital and analogue input and output addons ...
I have several Mac Minis in the office and have no problem with the graphics, using the built in DVI port to direct connect to big screen displays with a DVI to HDMI adapter and cable (Dell.com has several TVs and comp. monitors that fit the bill @ reasonable costs.)
Yes, you are correct that the Apple company is far from high end audio, but third party sources do have fantastic DACs ( ex: m-audio.com & rolandus.com = firewire connected multi channel 24 bit/192k input & output = rip and roar.) Leaving plenty of room for DIYers such as yourself to make digital and analogue input and output addons ...
jimbo,
none of the machines i use are CNC.
i used a corner rounding end mill. mcmaster part no. 2790A84
it is an expensive tool for a single project but expect to get good use out of it in future projects.
alternatively, you could use a rotary table but i expect this would more than quadruple the time involved.
none of the machines i use are CNC.
i used a corner rounding end mill. mcmaster part no. 2790A84
it is an expensive tool for a single project but expect to get good use out of it in future projects.
alternatively, you could use a rotary table but i expect this would more than quadruple the time involved.
okapi: " .... do you own one of those dac's or which one do you recommend? ..."
Long winded / mercinary announcement:
My company is an active dealer / distributor for the M-Audio line and we are authorized dealers for the Roland (Edirol) line ... and have been such since 1999. I answer technical support and engineering Q&A for USB and FireWire attached peripherals every day, all day long. In a past life I have been an accredited audio installation engineer, licensed in several states as a communications technician, built several thousand desktop computers, obtained teaching degrees in Physics and Math and puttered around the shop with the soldering iron since a boy ... http://industrialcomponent.com http://usbstuff.com http://firewirestuff.com and more. We have installed and helped to engineer several professional audio / video recording companies' resources. (Not to mention all the associated trade shows = CES in LV being the latest in an unbroken string of 12 ... I wish I had had time for MacWorld this year = ... but may find time for the NAMM show in Anahiem at the end of this month.)
Recent experience with the M-Audio FireWire attached ADCs / DACs leads me believe that these are the best commercially available under US$1000. From: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=mobileinterfaces = I especially like the FireWire connected 24 bit / 96k & 192k devices = FW 410, FW "Audiophile" (except for the name), ProFire Lightbridge ... mostly because these and other FireWire attached 24 bit devices have vanishingly small problems with "jitter", massive "headroom" and have significantly better bandwidth than any USB attached devices. Most other manufacturers do not do quite as well. (Exception: Digital Audio Denmark (DAD), but these are serious professional studio devices and seriously expensive = http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ax24.htm) Of interest = the European professional audio recording world is far in advance of anything in the US or Asia. The German and Dutch audio pros arevery deeply into FireWire and Philips is now making ADC and DAC chips equal to or better than the Burr Brown (TI) stuff.
Do I own any of this stuff? We have most of the M-Audio devices in inventory. Do I use any of it? Here in the office I have "played around" with most of the Roland (Edirol) and M-Audio devices. Our office setup is quite simple: a SqueezeBox 3 directly connected to a 450 watt X 2
Alesis Matica 900 amp and MagnaPan MMG speakers ... the hardware interconnected to several MiniMacs w/ Viewsonic and Dell big screen 24" LCDs. At home I have DIY speakers and Panasonic XL-70 receiver connected to an Apple MacBoook via the built in optical port plus a (Philips chip) Oppo Digital DV-981 player for DVD-A, SACD, video to 1080p, so currently I'm "stuck" with Apple LossLess and a Philips chip Dolby 5.1 DAC ... I also have a Mac Cube that I intend to resurect as the primary media server at home = its got FireWire ports for a good ADC / DAC ;>) ... I am looking for a DIY FireWire connected ADC / DAC for rip and roar and have a new web site, waiting, specifically for this = the "best of" the 24 bit DIY world.
I do believe that there is room for (DIY) improvements to be made in all commercial USB and FireWire ADCs / DACs, specifically in filtering and isolating dirty computer power supplies from these peripherals and pre-amps. There is also a need for better, cheaper optical isolation between digital and analog devices, DIY or commercial. ... And of course I want to roll my own 24 bit DAC.
I believe that the audio future is multiple chip amps driving power MOSFETs output built into the speakers (bi-amp & tri-amp scenarios) connected via balanced lines to pre-amps and DACs.
IMOP recommendations:
http://oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html = US$250. (The only "universal" SACD/DVD-A/1080p/PAL/NTSC/all zone player available in the US under US$500.)
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FirewireAudiophile-main.html = US$250.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html = USB to optical only US$100.
http://www.apple.com/macmini/ = a combo DVD-Video and DVD-Audio player, Internet Radio player, Internet download to CD ripper with built in optical DAD port, USB ports and a FireWire port (!) ... and they throw in a free computer! = US$600. (just add LCD monitor)
All of these devices need power line and data line filtering for best audio results.
Aside: " ... just in case steve jobs is into DIY audio, i would like to point at that apple does not have a patent on a square with rounded corners ..."
I have it on good authority that Apple and their third party peripheral makers regularily review "what's happening" here at DIYAudio.com ... both Steves included.
I am searching for sources for those Asian made plastic hard drive cases that fit the Apple MiniMac "look and feel" with the intention of making a DIY 24 bit FireWire attached DAC. Got suggestions?
Long winded / mercinary announcement:
My company is an active dealer / distributor for the M-Audio line and we are authorized dealers for the Roland (Edirol) line ... and have been such since 1999. I answer technical support and engineering Q&A for USB and FireWire attached peripherals every day, all day long. In a past life I have been an accredited audio installation engineer, licensed in several states as a communications technician, built several thousand desktop computers, obtained teaching degrees in Physics and Math and puttered around the shop with the soldering iron since a boy ... http://industrialcomponent.com http://usbstuff.com http://firewirestuff.com and more. We have installed and helped to engineer several professional audio / video recording companies' resources. (Not to mention all the associated trade shows = CES in LV being the latest in an unbroken string of 12 ... I wish I had had time for MacWorld this year =
... but may find time for the NAMM show in Anahiem at the end of this month.)Recent experience with the M-Audio FireWire attached ADCs / DACs leads me believe that these are the best commercially available under US$1000. From: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=mobileinterfaces = I especially like the FireWire connected 24 bit / 96k & 192k devices = FW 410, FW "Audiophile" (except for the name), ProFire Lightbridge ... mostly because these and other FireWire attached 24 bit devices have vanishingly small problems with "jitter", massive "headroom" and have significantly better bandwidth than any USB attached devices. Most other manufacturers do not do quite as well. (Exception: Digital Audio Denmark (DAD), but these are serious professional studio devices and seriously expensive = http://www.digitalaudio.dk/ax24.htm) Of interest = the European professional audio recording world is far in advance of anything in the US or Asia. The German and Dutch audio pros arevery deeply into FireWire and Philips is now making ADC and DAC chips equal to or better than the Burr Brown (TI) stuff.
Do I own any of this stuff? We have most of the M-Audio devices in inventory. Do I use any of it? Here in the office I have "played around" with most of the Roland (Edirol) and M-Audio devices. Our office setup is quite simple: a SqueezeBox 3 directly connected to a 450 watt X 2
Alesis Matica 900 amp and MagnaPan MMG speakers ... the hardware interconnected to several MiniMacs w/ Viewsonic and Dell big screen 24" LCDs. At home I have DIY speakers and Panasonic XL-70 receiver connected to an Apple MacBoook via the built in optical port plus a (Philips chip) Oppo Digital DV-981 player for DVD-A, SACD, video to 1080p, so currently I'm "stuck" with Apple LossLess and a Philips chip Dolby 5.1 DAC ... I also have a Mac Cube that I intend to resurect as the primary media server at home = its got FireWire ports for a good ADC / DAC ;>) ... I am looking for a DIY FireWire connected ADC / DAC for rip and roar and have a new web site, waiting, specifically for this = the "best of" the 24 bit DIY world.
I do believe that there is room for (DIY) improvements to be made in all commercial USB and FireWire ADCs / DACs, specifically in filtering and isolating dirty computer power supplies from these peripherals and pre-amps. There is also a need for better, cheaper optical isolation between digital and analog devices, DIY or commercial. ... And of course I want to roll my own 24 bit DAC.
I believe that the audio future is multiple chip amps driving power MOSFETs output built into the speakers (bi-amp & tri-amp scenarios) connected via balanced lines to pre-amps and DACs.
IMOP recommendations:
http://oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html = US$250. (The only "universal" SACD/DVD-A/1080p/PAL/NTSC/all zone player available in the US under US$500.)
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FirewireAudiophile-main.html = US$250.
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html = USB to optical only US$100.
http://www.apple.com/macmini/ = a combo DVD-Video and DVD-Audio player, Internet Radio player, Internet download to CD ripper with built in optical DAD port, USB ports and a FireWire port (!) ... and they throw in a free computer! = US$600. (just add LCD monitor)
All of these devices need power line and data line filtering for best audio results.
Aside: " ... just in case steve jobs is into DIY audio, i would like to point at that apple does not have a patent on a square with rounded corners ..."
I have it on good authority that Apple and their third party peripheral makers regularily review "what's happening" here at DIYAudio.com ... both Steves included.
I am searching for sources for those Asian made plastic hard drive cases that fit the Apple MiniMac "look and feel" with the intention of making a DIY 24 bit FireWire attached DAC. Got suggestions?