Hi Patrick,
Very much excited to order 'the balanced essentials' just few minutes ago and thank you for your effort in prep this wonderful kit. Previously I bought ‘the balanced completion’ parts set in advance while waiting for ‘the balanced essentials’ kit. Is it still ok to use those parts for new SMD PCB ?
Very much excited to order 'the balanced essentials' just few minutes ago and thank you for your effort in prep this wonderful kit. Previously I bought ‘the balanced completion’ parts set in advance while waiting for ‘the balanced essentials’ kit. Is it still ok to use those parts for new SMD PCB ?
@mejungwoo
I think you're good to go. I suspect if there's any parts that are different, it'll be minor and there's a number of folks on this thread who can supply any parts that may be different. I'll defer to @Zen Mod and @ItsAllInMyHead for full confirmation though.
I think you're good to go. I suspect if there's any parts that are different, it'll be minor and there's a number of folks on this thread who can supply any parts that may be different. I'll defer to @Zen Mod and @ItsAllInMyHead for full confirmation though.
@mejungwoo
Hi! It's very nice to meet you.
There are some changes in the completion kits between the two versions. I'll post a specific list in the morning my time. It's a wonderful question, and other people may want to know the same.
Cheers,
Patrick
Edited for context / posting order. 🙂
Hi! It's very nice to meet you.
There are some changes in the completion kits between the two versions. I'll post a specific list in the morning my time. It's a wonderful question, and other people may want to know the same.
Cheers,
Patrick
Edited for context / posting order. 🙂
Transformer question for general knowledge that I'm sure has been asked before...
A "minimum" of 20VA 2x18V secondaries (or a 36V CT) is listed on the purchase page.
AnTek sells a 25VA, AN-0218, which certainly meets the requirement for the Single Ended version of the Iron Pre.
For the Balanced version, assuming purchase from AnTek, would two 25VA transformers be the preferred option, or two 10VA transformers be just as appropriate, or preferred (AN-0118)?
I'm also making an assumption that buying the "can" to put the transformer inside is the preferred path if it's not too much trouble.
A "minimum" of 20VA 2x18V secondaries (or a 36V CT) is listed on the purchase page.
AnTek sells a 25VA, AN-0218, which certainly meets the requirement for the Single Ended version of the Iron Pre.
For the Balanced version, assuming purchase from AnTek, would two 25VA transformers be the preferred option, or two 10VA transformers be just as appropriate, or preferred (AN-0118)?
I'm also making an assumption that buying the "can" to put the transformer inside is the preferred path if it's not too much trouble.
Last edited:
^ Excellent question.
ZM's marvelous schematics and documents are the source of divine truth. My mere interpretations are ... trivial.
With that... it's recommended to have 20VA "per board".
For SE builds I've used an AN-0218 with great success, and I've also used the absurdly large (but the smallest shielded version offered) AS-0518.
For a balanced build, two 0218s in dual mono would be marvelous. I would not try an 0118 per channel. The Antek's regulation may suffer. Besides, the 0218s are already adorably small... and easily accomodated into most chassis in the preferred dual mono configuration.
Edited to add - spelling fix and.... sure... the cans (either big or small) are welcome for tighter spaces when EMI or layout are concerns and/or mounting ease.
ZM's marvelous schematics and documents are the source of divine truth. My mere interpretations are ... trivial.
With that... it's recommended to have 20VA "per board".
For SE builds I've used an AN-0218 with great success, and I've also used the absurdly large (but the smallest shielded version offered) AS-0518.
For a balanced build, two 0218s in dual mono would be marvelous. I would not try an 0118 per channel. The Antek's regulation may suffer. Besides, the 0218s are already adorably small... and easily accomodated into most chassis in the preferred dual mono configuration.
Edited to add - spelling fix and.... sure... the cans (either big or small) are welcome for tighter spaces when EMI or layout are concerns and/or mounting ease.
Will this work for the balanced version, or do I need to use the two that I have?
Am I asking for hum by going too large?
Cheers
Gn
there is enough finesse in overall construction, so overkill in that area simply not needed and actually asking for trouble
acquire proper Donuts, this Drek deserves it
@mejungwoo
A few other people had similar questions. I've also added this to post #1. Below is what has changed / what you will need.
For balanced you will need:
4x additional 825R or 820R resistors - I like these Vishay BC 825R
8x 58R or 62R resistors - I like these Vishay BC 62R
4x 1R resistors - I like these Vishay BC 1R
8x 100R trimmers - I like these Bourns 3296 Series 100R Trimmers
4x 1uF film caps with 5mm or 15mm lead spacing - I like these TDK 1.0uF with 15mm Lead Spacing
For SE you will need:
2x additional 825R or 820R resistors - I like these Vishay BC 825R
4x 58R or 62R resistors - I like these Vishay BC 62R
2x 1R resistors - I like these Vishay BC 1R
4x 100R trimmers - I like these Bourns 3296 Series 100R Trimmers
2x 1uF film caps with 5mm or 15mm lead spacing - I like these TDK 1.0uF with 15mm Lead Spacing
Just for clarification. These new SMD version boards have the modifications made earlier by ZM so they are ready for use with Logic solutions? Such as Muses etc?
As opposed to the 2021 version which would require modifications for use with Logic? (Pic)
As opposed to the 2021 version which would require modifications for use with Logic? (Pic)
^ Hiya -
Yes; the SMD boards are the same as the V3 boards with regards to logic compatibility. 🙂
Great question!
Edited to add - The "2021" boards may not need to be modified. It largely depends on the logic solution chosen, and what that logic is doing. 😉
Yes; the SMD boards are the same as the V3 boards with regards to logic compatibility. 🙂
Great question!
Edited to add - The "2021" boards may not need to be modified. It largely depends on the logic solution chosen, and what that logic is doing. 😉
Thank you all for your timely and understandable responses. Many of us out here in DIY land are builders, not technicians. Especially important are the parts not included in a kit that we must source ourselves, and some of us tend to want bigger to be better. Yup, it's a fault all our own.
I must have missed whether or not a particular chassis is still available for this build. More curious as anything else. I almost always go my own way when it comes to a chassis, but it is really great to have one with a machined faceplate that is ready for action.
I must have missed whether or not a particular chassis is still available for this build. More curious as anything else. I almost always go my own way when it comes to a chassis, but it is really great to have one with a machined faceplate that is ready for action.
FunnyTalians are having them all, if they are not in Store
https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/category&path=242
https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/category&path=242
@Ixnay - We all start somewhere and progress at different rates. It's a project for intermediate / advanced DIYers, but ... with a little help, I think almost anyone can build it successfully.
Note above (if this is what you were referring to) that those additional parts were for people that got the previous version completion kit, but were not able to get the essentials kit at the time. So, they'd like to use the vast majority of the kit they already have. If you are talking about other parts, we can always help too.
Balanced Iron Pre Chassis - Note, it is set up for dual pots
SE Iron Pre Chassis
Both of them were featured in the photos posted by @6L6.
Note above (if this is what you were referring to) that those additional parts were for people that got the previous version completion kit, but were not able to get the essentials kit at the time. So, they'd like to use the vast majority of the kit they already have. If you are talking about other parts, we can always help too.
Balanced Iron Pre Chassis - Note, it is set up for dual pots
SE Iron Pre Chassis
Both of them were featured in the photos posted by @6L6.
Thanks for that. It is my mission to try and make a project unique without going too far off the path. Some of the steampunked designs do this and I don't have the appreciation to 'make someone look' as a selling point. OTOH, that is some of what the old radios did way back then. But they just had so much class along with functionality. To be able to put my name on it so to speak is where I want to be.
Dual pots are something that I very much appreciate, but only if they are stacked, where it makes adjustment all that much easier. I suppose stepped volume controls could compete with that thinking.
Dual pots are something that I very much appreciate, but only if they are stacked, where it makes adjustment all that much easier. I suppose stepped volume controls could compete with that thinking.
IAIMH,
On the diyAudioStore page for the Iron Pre SMD, you can read that the “CineMag CMOQ-4HPC Signal Transformers” are included in the kits, but strangely the image included on that page shows the CineMag CMOQ-4LPC (attached image).
Can you clarify which of the Cinemag transformers are included in the kits?
Thanks.
On the diyAudioStore page for the Iron Pre SMD, you can read that the “CineMag CMOQ-4HPC Signal Transformers” are included in the kits, but strangely the image included on that page shows the CineMag CMOQ-4LPC (attached image).
Can you clarify which of the Cinemag transformers are included in the kits?
Thanks.
^ Excellent catch. Our incredible photo friend had the LPCs for the photos. The HPCs are in the kits. 🙂
Thank you for the wise counsel.
Just had one lying around so will find an alternative use for it.
Order going in at Dunkin' now.
Cheers Gn
Welll, I just found a Triad transformer rated 25VA at Mouser. The quick question is why would it be twice the price of the Antek? It mentions shielding that the Antek does not, a 'band' around the transformer for example. I usually use covers anyway because I like the looks and get more protection from 'stray rays', so maybe the Antek is the way to go. But if it is a quality difference, I would readily pay double.