That is very nice looking. I am really excited. Awesome work Shane!
Seeing [witnessing] really good engineering inspires... and it is readily apparent.
I simply cannot imagine anything less than stellar performance.
XRK, I (believe mistakenly?) said I wanted to apply some of my own P/S parts,
after seeing these images (I like) I cannot wait to order .even. more parts,
for a total build / recipe that looks really great as a whole.
Seeing [witnessing] really good engineering inspires... and it is readily apparent.
I simply cannot imagine anything less than stellar performance.
XRK, I (believe mistakenly?) said I wanted to apply some of my own P/S parts,
after seeing these images (I like) I cannot wait to order .even. more parts,
for a total build / recipe that looks really great as a whole.
Sweet TubSuMo Amps von Ah!! Valery has nice designs, I still have the Simpelstark+ODNF in que.....
Super work Shane! It's nice to see these boards with components on them 👍
Ozark, It would be difficult to use a different psu with this design. Keantoken created quite a unique way to get all required voltages needed from the specified transformer. Looking forward to seeing progress from your side.
Cheers Fellas!
Super work Shane! It's nice to see these boards with components on them 👍
Ozark, It would be difficult to use a different psu with this design. Keantoken created quite a unique way to get all required voltages needed from the specified transformer. Looking forward to seeing progress from your side.
Cheers Fellas!
Yes, that became immediately apparent. I already did search(s) for the KMH caps,
??? supply chain issues ..are making me crazy.. make no real sense.
I plan.. purchase parts, 6 months out typically.
*admittedly, too many naming conventions for NCC branded e/c.
Yes the boosted rails and outputs are a major cost increase here. The outputs can only be found in one place and shipped to the us for 6 N&P will set you back about $200. The parts list for this build is massive. lol After I'm done ordering I'll get you a total.
I spoke with KT and he was receptive to changing the design, for something that was a bit more cost effective, but my response was then you wouldn't have the same amp. What might be cool is another version, maybe a little less rails, with a central supply and smoothing. The amp design does all that twice. Dual mono with shared transformer. With the price of parts in this and the relatively low transformer cost, I might just order another tranny and separate everything. 2x600VA trans. lmao I'll have to get a fork truck to move the mother. hahah
I spoke with KT and he was receptive to changing the design, for something that was a bit more cost effective, but my response was then you wouldn't have the same amp. What might be cool is another version, maybe a little less rails, with a central supply and smoothing. The amp design does all that twice. Dual mono with shared transformer. With the price of parts in this and the relatively low transformer cost, I might just order another tranny and separate everything. 2x600VA trans. lmao I'll have to get a fork truck to move the mother. hahah
I thought this has always been a dual trafo monoblock design. You need two Antek’s as each main board uses one. I think we should stick with first building the original homage to the “best amplifier ever heard” which is 300w. If that works, the front end, being separate and modular can (easily?) be adapted to lower power variants, or even, gasp, cheap HexFETS for 1/20th the cost of Exicons.
I have been known to do that before 😀… which resulted in the transformation of the Apex FX-8 to the FH9, and later the FH9HVX, which, IMO, sounds better than the latFET FX-8 and has better bass and lower distortion, and way less expensive to build when you skip the latFETs.
@Ozark HiFi Doctor - thanks for letting me know you already have two of the required Anteks on hand already along with the Exicons. You are indeed well-prepared before this even started!
Now that you will be the proud owner of a Sigelent SDS1202X-E, you will have some good hard data as well for verification and characterization. Nice!
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During my (30 year) career working for Canon, I saw things...
compiled data, product conception, development, refining
(a core concept) well above base requirement
as a first generation product / effort.
Build it the very best possible with (limited) cost consideration.
Study and learn, get feedback, refine and tweak things to suit
on the next generation. I worked more on the professional
side TV, journalism and print, pro-photographers,
people with very high expectations.
Applying the massive knowledge trust from/during development
to the good, better, best product... learning first and re-modeling
after studying applications and use. Then apply it to the models
of use and for scale of economy in production, G~B~B.
ALWAYS ~ "overbuild" the first generation ~
- - - -
Balls to the wall!!! on first effort... I agree, it .must be. monoblock,
size and weight that is manageable (for me) with room to navigate
and work, as the circuit is being gently finessed.
This amplifier reminds me of my ALL TIME FAVORITE AMPS!
the mezzanine, facilitating FE circuit modeling. [brilliant]
When I first saw [realized] this in the plans...
I thought Mark Levinson ML-2
*I sort of digress
Massive "power - ground plane" the base of the amp.
Driver stage (plug-in), power supply (regulators), drivers
and outputs in different dedicated locations...
immediate to the role / specific needs...
~ LET'S BUILD THIS PERFECT AMP ~
"worry about the small(er) stuff later"
compiled data, product conception, development, refining
(a core concept) well above base requirement
as a first generation product / effort.
Build it the very best possible with (limited) cost consideration.
Study and learn, get feedback, refine and tweak things to suit
on the next generation. I worked more on the professional
side TV, journalism and print, pro-photographers,
people with very high expectations.
Applying the massive knowledge trust from/during development
to the good, better, best product... learning first and re-modeling
after studying applications and use. Then apply it to the models
of use and for scale of economy in production, G~B~B.
ALWAYS ~ "overbuild" the first generation ~
- - - -
Balls to the wall!!! on first effort... I agree, it .must be. monoblock,
size and weight that is manageable (for me) with room to navigate
and work, as the circuit is being gently finessed.
This amplifier reminds me of my ALL TIME FAVORITE AMPS!
the mezzanine, facilitating FE circuit modeling. [brilliant]
When I first saw [realized] this in the plans...
I thought Mark Levinson ML-2
*I sort of digress
Massive "power - ground plane" the base of the amp.
Driver stage (plug-in), power supply (regulators), drivers
and outputs in different dedicated locations...
immediate to the role / specific needs...
~ LET'S BUILD THIS PERFECT AMP ~
"worry about the small(er) stuff later"
Attachments
In the DIY amp firmament this is clearly going to be an expensive build, relatively speaking. But let’s apply a bit of perspective; the expectation is that this will be an extraordinarily good amp and if that promise is fulfilled then I for one will be happy to pay the price of admission. And if you need more persuasion then check out the Goldmund retail prices !
Please permit me, the metaphors.
It is like seeing an image (for me) recognizing the photographer, the look or perspective.
George Steinmetz - https://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/floating-in-the-desert-air/
*as example, of sheer greatness, something very different, something special.
A picture essay, unmistakably different, sorry not to offend as off topic.
Hearing the first few notes of a song (me, getting goose bumps) knowing the work,
realizing what (great beauty) is about to play out before me. *as example
hearing Fela Kuti or other .rare. "ethnic" musical tapestry, like his.
My point and means of attraction to this project/work.
Looking at, actually marveling the Aurum circuit, over the years... seeing it to PCB,
to power supply and a closer study of the intricacies in the layout, which are carried
over very into the PCB, it will be an elaborate built, but not overly complicated...
as it is so well thought out and implemented. I feel really good about it, even
as an unknown, it has good DNA, will grow up to "make us all proud"
as it has been raised by the village (so many here) and is special.
The more I see, the more I really like about it... I have not even touched a board, yet.
Life is good - all is good. Great things lay ahead!
It is like seeing an image (for me) recognizing the photographer, the look or perspective.
George Steinmetz - https://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/floating-in-the-desert-air/
*as example, of sheer greatness, something very different, something special.
A picture essay, unmistakably different, sorry not to offend as off topic.
Hearing the first few notes of a song (me, getting goose bumps) knowing the work,
realizing what (great beauty) is about to play out before me. *as example
hearing Fela Kuti or other .rare. "ethnic" musical tapestry, like his.
My point and means of attraction to this project/work.
Looking at, actually marveling the Aurum circuit, over the years... seeing it to PCB,
to power supply and a closer study of the intricacies in the layout, which are carried
over very into the PCB, it will be an elaborate built, but not overly complicated...
as it is so well thought out and implemented. I feel really good about it, even
as an unknown, it has good DNA, will grow up to "make us all proud"
as it has been raised by the village (so many here) and is special.
The more I see, the more I really like about it... I have not even touched a board, yet.
Life is good - all is good. Great things lay ahead!
I ordered from so many diff places, it's hard to be sure if this is complete. If it's off, it's off conservative.
$1400 for two channels with 2 Trans and no chassis, or sinks.
That was with a gift from X/KT/JP of the boards.
I have had builds in the past that were, as much, or more than this one., most of those were proven designs, so let us hope this is all we think it is. You will get an honest opinion from me one way, or the other.
JT
$1400 for two channels with 2 Trans and no chassis, or sinks.
That was with a gift from X/KT/JP of the boards.
I have had builds in the past that were, as much, or more than this one., most of those were proven designs, so let us hope this is all we think it is. You will get an honest opinion from me one way, or the other.
JT
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More a matter of perspective - than (meant to be) a story about me...
*I am a newcomer here, bordering thread hog? sorry
I have been a lurker (here, keantoken's input, Goldmund thread, etc.) for a good while, I had no play in this area, no real opinions to add... just a strong interest. Considered the work here, the evolution of the concept... for me, viewed as a necessary part of electronics studies, "a featured chapter of the book" a place to learn, to stretch my thinking. Years of exposure (studying) Goldmund, (owning) Levinson and Rowland for solid state. A life long friend, worked for Madrigal, came from renowned Midwest high end reseller(s) before that. We had access to, were exposed to and bought so much Levinson product *for cheap. Why I make so many references to it ~ relative to my builds ~ We opened (studied) every brand of uber high end gear you could imagine and increased our probing views through the service departments, which also shaped my views of what I would or ...would not own... *I digress.
If I could own any SS (production) amp today, regardless of price, I would buy the Jeff Rowland 625II (at 17.5K) or the mono 725 (a mere 35K) I know *Jeff Rowland personally, consider him among few at the very top, he is an extremely interesting / brilliant person, that reflects in his products... which I have followed from day one.
Class A/B a Jeff Rowland variant of SMPS, with a layout and milling that further his designs performance.
*mention as a matter of transparency.
I will admit, in a couple of hundred amp builds / restorations, not exaggerating. I have never built amp, with the PCB from scratch [I have .not. needed to] I have not been drawn to any work that I have seen. The Aurum-X represents a departure for me.
Having owned both Atma-Sphere OTL (*Ralph, a personal friend, very easy to work with, as mentor) and Futterman OTL (Harvey was impossible) amps for over 40 years, they have .always. served as my absolute reference. Granted they are somewhat restrictive in speaker options... and they can be impractical room/house heaters... In my case, the BIG NAME or more often home built LAT FET amps remained my daily drivers, began shadowing so many .big name production. devices, vacuum tube and solid state. *mention as a matter of transparency
I have only been interested LINEAR POWER SUPPLIES (no SMPS for me) and doing beefy point to point wiring of my P/S, so I can build chassis(s) in multiples, .exactly. the same way for valid comparison(s). The completely amazing big Mudorf LOCO Caps (MLytic HC) require a big footprint, have forced a certain layout and hook-up. An imperative for me has been a neat, nip and tuck wiring dress or harness. I want a stiff P/S, but with greater focus on dynamic headroom.
All of that said, one more aspect, of the Aurum-X... that greatly appeals to me, the attention to, optimizing of the ground planes, circuit paths and power distribution. It is also a high(er) power amp that I could live with, as it will likely run anything (reasonably) that can be connect to it. JPS64 is a magician!!!
Apologies, in the interest of complete transparency (I shared names) working in and association to the consumer electronics field, I know a lot of people, have called upon many of these talented people to help me model ideas and has further exposed me to what is making me want to build, build, build.
I showed pictures of the ML2 (in earlier post) A close friend owned one, it lived at my house (running Quad ESL57s) over extended periods, I had a chance to buy it... instead choose the OTL, it was more open, is harmonically rich in spades. The ML2, Bedini 25/25 and the Mission Cyrus being the few SS amps I even connect to my quads, all sounded great.
My point = the Aurum-X has my attention, in the same ways of the legacy products mentioned above.
It checks so many of my boxes. Many people deserve to have / experience an amp this nice.
I feel remarkably good about devoting associated resources to its build.
The Aurum-X is truly an amalgam of great things.
*I am a newcomer here, bordering thread hog? sorry
I have been a lurker (here, keantoken's input, Goldmund thread, etc.) for a good while, I had no play in this area, no real opinions to add... just a strong interest. Considered the work here, the evolution of the concept... for me, viewed as a necessary part of electronics studies, "a featured chapter of the book" a place to learn, to stretch my thinking. Years of exposure (studying) Goldmund, (owning) Levinson and Rowland for solid state. A life long friend, worked for Madrigal, came from renowned Midwest high end reseller(s) before that. We had access to, were exposed to and bought so much Levinson product *for cheap. Why I make so many references to it ~ relative to my builds ~ We opened (studied) every brand of uber high end gear you could imagine and increased our probing views through the service departments, which also shaped my views of what I would or ...would not own... *I digress.
If I could own any SS (production) amp today, regardless of price, I would buy the Jeff Rowland 625II (at 17.5K) or the mono 725 (a mere 35K) I know *Jeff Rowland personally, consider him among few at the very top, he is an extremely interesting / brilliant person, that reflects in his products... which I have followed from day one.
Class A/B a Jeff Rowland variant of SMPS, with a layout and milling that further his designs performance.
*mention as a matter of transparency.
I will admit, in a couple of hundred amp builds / restorations, not exaggerating. I have never built amp, with the PCB from scratch [I have .not. needed to] I have not been drawn to any work that I have seen. The Aurum-X represents a departure for me.
Having owned both Atma-Sphere OTL (*Ralph, a personal friend, very easy to work with, as mentor) and Futterman OTL (Harvey was impossible) amps for over 40 years, they have .always. served as my absolute reference. Granted they are somewhat restrictive in speaker options... and they can be impractical room/house heaters... In my case, the BIG NAME or more often home built LAT FET amps remained my daily drivers, began shadowing so many .big name production. devices, vacuum tube and solid state. *mention as a matter of transparency
I have only been interested LINEAR POWER SUPPLIES (no SMPS for me) and doing beefy point to point wiring of my P/S, so I can build chassis(s) in multiples, .exactly. the same way for valid comparison(s). The completely amazing big Mudorf LOCO Caps (MLytic HC) require a big footprint, have forced a certain layout and hook-up. An imperative for me has been a neat, nip and tuck wiring dress or harness. I want a stiff P/S, but with greater focus on dynamic headroom.
All of that said, one more aspect, of the Aurum-X... that greatly appeals to me, the attention to, optimizing of the ground planes, circuit paths and power distribution. It is also a high(er) power amp that I could live with, as it will likely run anything (reasonably) that can be connect to it. JPS64 is a magician!!!
Apologies, in the interest of complete transparency (I shared names) working in and association to the consumer electronics field, I know a lot of people, have called upon many of these talented people to help me model ideas and has further exposed me to what is making me want to build, build, build.
I showed pictures of the ML2 (in earlier post) A close friend owned one, it lived at my house (running Quad ESL57s) over extended periods, I had a chance to buy it... instead choose the OTL, it was more open, is harmonically rich in spades. The ML2, Bedini 25/25 and the Mission Cyrus being the few SS amps I even connect to my quads, all sounded great.
My point = the Aurum-X has my attention, in the same ways of the legacy products mentioned above.
It checks so many of my boxes. Many people deserve to have / experience an amp this nice.
I feel remarkably good about devoting associated resources to its build.
The Aurum-X is truly an amalgam of great things.
Attachments
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Thanks for sharing your background in audio, Ozark Doc. You have a huge background in hearing actual high end Mark Levinson and Jeff Rowland designs. So it will be interesting to hear your perspective on the AurumX’s sound.
Have you guys figured out where to get the LSK389’s? I got mine as a free sample from Linear Systems years ago. I used the first pair in the DC3 preamp. Then the second pair in the AurumX. It was nice that they gave samples back then.
Free samples are always nice... every little bit helps.
I bookmarked LS link, am simply waiting to receive the PCBs (in hand) before I order LSK389.
The questions .IS., how many should I buy?? with lean through hole parts inventory and
as the Aurum-X chassis begin seeming replication in my music room.
The 16 UCC caps arrived today. I will also order the Coilcraft inductors soon.
Then move to the small transistors, a friend has been helping in the search and
Newark [appeared to] have stock, which exact grade(s) or variant, is unclear.
What is the consensus (feeling) of ON Semi transistors = Go / No Go ??
I bookmarked LS link, am simply waiting to receive the PCBs (in hand) before I order LSK389.
The questions .IS., how many should I buy?? with lean through hole parts inventory and
as the Aurum-X chassis begin seeming replication in my music room.
The 16 UCC caps arrived today. I will also order the Coilcraft inductors soon.
Then move to the small transistors, a friend has been helping in the search and
Newark [appeared to] have stock, which exact grade(s) or variant, is unclear.
What is the consensus (feeling) of ON Semi transistors = Go / No Go ??