^ Which model?
I'm familiar with this 25VA from Triad
I'm not familar with this "medical grade" 25VA from Triad
If it's the latter, it is shielded, and it has a thermal fuse. Both are niceties. I built mine (several) with various models with and without shields; and with and without two types of metal cans over the toroids. Granted, my builds were in fairly spacious chassis, but they were all silent with a 'very low' noise floor and mains harmonics that were all but undetectable with a QA403. Example below used 'regular old' Antek AN-0218. Note that the 2nd harmonic is 132dB below the fundamental, and the mains noise is... well... maybe juuuuuuust lower than that.
tl;dr - I'm all about overkill, and that medical grade Triad looks nice...but the Anteks work wonderfully too. If you go that route with the Triad, let us know how it works out. 🙂
I'm familiar with this 25VA from Triad
I'm not familar with this "medical grade" 25VA from Triad
If it's the latter, it is shielded, and it has a thermal fuse. Both are niceties. I built mine (several) with various models with and without shields; and with and without two types of metal cans over the toroids. Granted, my builds were in fairly spacious chassis, but they were all silent with a 'very low' noise floor and mains harmonics that were all but undetectable with a QA403. Example below used 'regular old' Antek AN-0218. Note that the 2nd harmonic is 132dB below the fundamental, and the mains noise is... well... maybe juuuuuuust lower than that.
tl;dr - I'm all about overkill, and that medical grade Triad looks nice...but the Anteks work wonderfully too. If you go that route with the Triad, let us know how it works out. 🙂
I'll be dammed. It is medical grade. Model VPM36-690. Not seeing a reason for that having to be used. I will stick with the Antek. That is what I used last time and am still overwhelmed by what it does. Besides the medical grade might give me hives.
Just placed an order for the SE Essentials, so I've been searching hign and low for a BOM, but I can't seem to find one!?
🤔
🤔
Yah, I thought that it should be included in the assembly manual or perhaps on the product, such as 'here is what is included, and here is what you will need to get'. Here it is. I am hoping that this is correct revision though. I think that it may be for the 2021 model.
Last edited:
You get a list of what's included in your kit with the kit.
What BoM do you need? Everything is on the schematics. There are also some files in post #1 that should be helpful.
Remember this is for "Intermediate to Advanced DIYers"... There are no exotic parts needed. All part values etc. are in the full set of schematics. If you're unsure what you need to complete it, and can't come up with the parts yourself, the best thing to do is to get the supplemental parts kit. All the work is done for you. 🙂
That is for a previous version (as noted in the file name). However, it will get people started.
I knew that I was 'close'. Good point about the schematic though. I should pay better attention. Can't wait for my new baby to arrive from DIY. Other projects must now be completed before it arrives.
Apparently, An-0218 trannys are rare. I am looking around and finding nothing yet. Maybe I will go with the Triad after all.
Antek is showing 69 in stock...
https://www.antekinc.com/an-0218-25va-18v-transformer/
Edited b/c I grabbed the wrong link / looked at the wrong one... 🙂
https://www.antekinc.com/an-0218-25va-18v-transformer/
Edited b/c I grabbed the wrong link / looked at the wrong one... 🙂
Here's a super-duper quick and dirty... absolutely incomplete (and likely incorrect in places) list of some things people may find useful in addition to the essential essentials kit and the supplemental parts kit. May update the store page with some suggestions... we'll see...
Power transformers -
I like these Anteks - 1 for SE, 2 for Bal - Antek AN-0218
Chassis -
Of course, the fabulous custom Iron Pre chassis previously mentioned from Modushop
Balanced Iron Pre Chassis - Note, it is set up for dual pots
SE Iron Pre Chassis
Don't forget some sweet, sweet knobs.
PEM -
If you get the chassis above - I agree with the person that posted this - Post 3125
I/O -
Again, if you get the fabulous chassis above - It's set up for Neutrik D format.
Some examples.
Female XLR
Male XLR
RCA
Pots and a Breakout board
I've heard these Alps are nice - Can't remember if I've ever used one, so double / triple check the specs. The link should be to a 10k audio taper PCB mount / through-hole RK27 type - Alps RK27 10k
Breakout board for easy wiring
Other than that... you need / may want a few LEDs, some wire, a front panel power switch, and whatever connectors you like.
Cheers!
Edited to add - I put a link to this post in post #1. If people have other recommendations / corrections etc, I'll possibly update.
Power transformers -
I like these Anteks - 1 for SE, 2 for Bal - Antek AN-0218
Chassis -
Of course, the fabulous custom Iron Pre chassis previously mentioned from Modushop
Balanced Iron Pre Chassis - Note, it is set up for dual pots
SE Iron Pre Chassis
Don't forget some sweet, sweet knobs.
PEM -
If you get the chassis above - I agree with the person that posted this - Post 3125
I/O -
Again, if you get the fabulous chassis above - It's set up for Neutrik D format.
Some examples.
Female XLR
Male XLR
RCA
Pots and a Breakout board
I've heard these Alps are nice - Can't remember if I've ever used one, so double / triple check the specs. The link should be to a 10k audio taper PCB mount / through-hole RK27 type - Alps RK27 10k
Breakout board for easy wiring
Other than that... you need / may want a few LEDs, some wire, a front panel power switch, and whatever connectors you like.
Cheers!
Edited to add - I put a link to this post in post #1. If people have other recommendations / corrections etc, I'll possibly update.
Last edited:
Those medical grade Triad formers should be legit for this application, right? Albeit probably more expensive.
They are very good, with shielding that many other transformers do not have. Can't say about their windings though. Might be a heavier gauge or something. Dunno.
Thanks again IAIMH, this is super helpful.
I didn't pick up the supplemental parts kit as I have a bunch of nice Vishay Dale resistors and high-end caps that I really ought to work through prior to ordering even more caps/resistors lol.
Question for the EEs and gurus out there; how long can electrolytics sit on a shelf prior to use before it impacts their quality/lifespan?
I've got some nice Nichicons & Elna Silmic II's that've been sitting in their ESD bags for awhile now, unused. Some I probably ordered from 2018, others probably more recently like 2022.
Should I reform them prior to use? I'm sure @Zen Mod has some experience on the matter. 🙂