Please forgive me if any of this is stupid or ignorant.
A home burglary has put me in the position to assemble a HiFi system from scratch, and after looking at the available amplifier options I thought "why not make one myself?
I have some half-decent soldering skills and enough knowledge to get me into trouble, but no experience with building audio devices, so I'm hoping someone will point out any glaring errors I've made.
I don't know yet what speakers I will pair with this, though I liked my old Paradigm 3SE's. I figure once it's built I can take to to my local HiFi store and they'll let me audition some speakers with it.
Here's my terrible photoshop layout. The red rectangles are to scale with the given internal footprint of the case.
My parts list (in $AUD) is:
Ncore NC122MP 4Ω-125w/ch 8Ω-75w/ch $544 85x170x40mm
(probably shucked from Audiophonics build if I can't find the module by itself)
KHADAS Tone Board $135 82x75x25mm
Relay volume control $140 100x65mm
Is this unnecessary overkill?
Case $45 w182xD200x48mm 8mm front plate
Or vented version
I intend to replace the side panels with some lovely Redgum and countersink the volume knob into the aluminium faceplate. These are things well within my skillset. I like the compact size TypeD will allow and I'd like for it to have a sleek, minimalist look.
Questions:
Is there any reason I can't desolder the RCA outputs on the DAC and solder cable in place to send the signal straight over to the volume module?
What cable should I use (in general) and are there any hints for routing to reduce noise or the like?
I guess they need to be twisted?
Is 60/40 cored resin solder okay or do I need something special?
Any suggested options for adding a sub-out?
Am I cutting it too close with the size of this case? Should I be going slightly larger?
Is there anything I've missed?
I truly appreciate any input.
A home burglary has put me in the position to assemble a HiFi system from scratch, and after looking at the available amplifier options I thought "why not make one myself?
I have some half-decent soldering skills and enough knowledge to get me into trouble, but no experience with building audio devices, so I'm hoping someone will point out any glaring errors I've made.
I don't know yet what speakers I will pair with this, though I liked my old Paradigm 3SE's. I figure once it's built I can take to to my local HiFi store and they'll let me audition some speakers with it.
Here's my terrible photoshop layout. The red rectangles are to scale with the given internal footprint of the case.
My parts list (in $AUD) is:
Ncore NC122MP 4Ω-125w/ch 8Ω-75w/ch $544 85x170x40mm
(probably shucked from Audiophonics build if I can't find the module by itself)
KHADAS Tone Board $135 82x75x25mm
Relay volume control $140 100x65mm
Is this unnecessary overkill?
Case $45 w182xD200x48mm 8mm front plate
Or vented version
I intend to replace the side panels with some lovely Redgum and countersink the volume knob into the aluminium faceplate. These are things well within my skillset. I like the compact size TypeD will allow and I'd like for it to have a sleek, minimalist look.
Questions:
Is there any reason I can't desolder the RCA outputs on the DAC and solder cable in place to send the signal straight over to the volume module?
What cable should I use (in general) and are there any hints for routing to reduce noise or the like?
I guess they need to be twisted?
Is 60/40 cored resin solder okay or do I need something special?
Any suggested options for adding a sub-out?
Am I cutting it too close with the size of this case? Should I be going slightly larger?
Is there anything I've missed?
I truly appreciate any input.
Personally I think you can do better with the Zoudio amp. It looks like you're building a USB sourced amp. I think the Zoudio can do that, with an "Xmos" adapter to I2C.
Unless you need the power and the bit rate the Zoudio cant do, it offers some interesting hobby aspects.
1. It's all digital, so no going back / forth with the conversion to analog...
2. It's 4 channel, so you can drive woofer / tweeter each with their own amp...
3. It's got integrated DSP, so you can play ad-infinitum with crossover filter design...
4. It's got integrated volume control - the whole amp costs what you're willing to pay for just the volume module...
It doesnt have the integrated power supply like the Ncore does, nor the same reputation.
If you dont like the Zoudio idea, I'm sure people will start making USB connected, DSP enabled, multi-channel high power class D amplifiers with the mega-bitrates if they arent already.
Personally, I think the "still?" proliferation of analog in an otherwise digital world is because of vinyl popularity. Without that, analog would ultimately fall, which it's gonna, eventually, do anyway. Sounds like you're only interested in Digital music by your amp's design; no bank of analog ins with corresponding switch.
Unless you need the power and the bit rate the Zoudio cant do, it offers some interesting hobby aspects.
1. It's all digital, so no going back / forth with the conversion to analog...
2. It's 4 channel, so you can drive woofer / tweeter each with their own amp...
3. It's got integrated DSP, so you can play ad-infinitum with crossover filter design...
4. It's got integrated volume control - the whole amp costs what you're willing to pay for just the volume module...
It doesnt have the integrated power supply like the Ncore does, nor the same reputation.
If you dont like the Zoudio idea, I'm sure people will start making USB connected, DSP enabled, multi-channel high power class D amplifiers with the mega-bitrates if they arent already.
Personally, I think the "still?" proliferation of analog in an otherwise digital world is because of vinyl popularity. Without that, analog would ultimately fall, which it's gonna, eventually, do anyway. Sounds like you're only interested in Digital music by your amp's design; no bank of analog ins with corresponding switch.
Thanks for the response. That Zoudio certainly opens some possibilities. I'll have to look more closely at it though I think 2x50W @ 4Ω is a little low for my tastes.
This amp will be paired exclusively with a new Mac mini, which lost the optical output in the current version so yeah, USB 24bit/96khz is all I need.
You do raise the interesting point of foregoing the analogue connections completely. I bet you're right; I bet there are some interesting class D amp boards out there with onboard DACs. I'll have a look around.
This amp will be paired exclusively with a new Mac mini, which lost the optical output in the current version so yeah, USB 24bit/96khz is all I need.
You do raise the interesting point of foregoing the analogue connections completely. I bet you're right; I bet there are some interesting class D amp boards out there with onboard DACs. I'll have a look around.
No input on my design anyone? Even just a "yup, that looks fine" or "That's nae gunna work, ya wee dingus."
Goe for an TPA3255 amp and forget Zoudio its not for you.
To weak.
Khadas is very good.
The short answer.
🙂
To weak.
Khadas is very good.
The short answer.
🙂
The relay volume board seems out of place with the DAC & Class D amp.
Leave it for the tube lovers and those who believe anything more high tech degrades the sound.
PGA2310 based Volume Control is very good (analogue).
Look up the pros & cons of adjusting volume digitally vs analogue (and make your own mind up).
Leave it for the tube lovers and those who believe anything more high tech degrades the sound.
PGA2310 based Volume Control is very good (analogue).
Look up the pros & cons of adjusting volume digitally vs analogue (and make your own mind up).
Thanks for the advice! I'll look into it. I really wasn't sure about that one.
I'm going to assume the lack of comments saying "bloody noobs coming in here with the same old errors and misconceptions" means I'm generally on the right track.
I'm going to assume the lack of comments saying "bloody noobs coming in here with the same old errors and misconceptions" means I'm generally on the right track.
Can't go wrong with a hypex kit. I have kept a UCD180 kit going for >10 years. I recommend an ugly unmarked case. My home was burglarized years and they didn't touch my DIY amplifiers or 100 pound speakers.
Hello Mazurek,
While I have to agree the Hypex amps are quite good (Brunos other designs even more so) I do disagree with your - make your amps ugly approach.
Something else needs to be fixed rather than make your stuff so ugly that burglars won't touch it. This is just so wrong in several ways. IMHO.
While I have to agree the Hypex amps are quite good (Brunos other designs even more so) I do disagree with your - make your amps ugly approach.
Something else needs to be fixed rather than make your stuff so ugly that burglars won't touch it. This is just so wrong in several ways. IMHO.