Anyone got tips on simple ways to make my amp look a bit less like a boring grey box? I've seen some amazing projects where sophisticated metal-workers and wood-workers create beautiful and elegant designs - and if I had talent, training, tools, and experience perhaps I would try to replicate those approaches. But I don't, so... any suggestions or links to information/walk-throughs/examples about dressing up a case a bit?
In your case mate, give it to the wife to pretty up. Always good to get the other half involved. SHe knows more about it than you do. Otherwise, take it to a (car) paint shop and get them to put a gloss paint over it.
Terry
Terry
Thanks Terry - but unfortunately now that I've got Evelyn interested in fashion electronics, she's spending all her time soldering LEDs and resistors together for a lamp she's making!
She's agreed to come to Bunnings with me this arvo to tell me what to buy...
She's agreed to come to Bunnings with me this arvo to tell me what to buy...
That's very kind, Gainphile! I think it's a nice case too, but it's just really plain to look at - I want to put a bit of text on the front, and perhaps a line/'swoosh'/pattern on the top. I guess what I really need is a stencil or something like that - or some way to do a transfer. (No way I'm doing screen printing - much too mucky!)
It's the Jaycar metal rack case: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HB5125&CATID=5&form=CAT&SUBCATID=479 . Maybe I should look at the black or silver front panels as a start - at least get some variety in the colour scheme: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HB5405&CATID=5&form=CAT&SUBCATID=479 .
It's the Jaycar metal rack case: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HB5125&CATID=5&form=CAT&SUBCATID=479 . Maybe I should look at the black or silver front panels as a start - at least get some variety in the colour scheme: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HB5405&CATID=5&form=CAT&SUBCATID=479 .
I've done some browsing for nice amp enclosure designs, and really most are very dull!... Here's one which is quite nice:
I think having those nice shiny feet is a good idea.
Having a completely pointless dial at the front breaks up the front panel nicely, as does using two tones:
http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/direct/dbimage/50327717/Amplifier.jpg
Cutting out little strips is another idea:
A coloured sticker adds some interest:
And making screws a feature (gold ones that stick out a bit) looks good:
That's just a few ideas. We'll see what we end up with! 😀
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I think having those nice shiny feet is a good idea.
Having a completely pointless dial at the front breaks up the front panel nicely, as does using two tones:
http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/direct/dbimage/50327717/Amplifier.jpg
Cutting out little strips is another idea:
A coloured sticker adds some interest:
And making screws a feature (gold ones that stick out a bit) looks good:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
That's just a few ideas. We'll see what we end up with! 😀
The best $59 you can spend at jaycar.
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TD2436&keywords=drill+bit&form=KEYWORD
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TD2438&keywords=drill+bit&form=KEYWORD
The rack cases from Altronics are much better than the stock Jaycar ones. Instead of those awful self-tapping screws that chew out the aluminium after you’ve had the cover off three or four times, they have machine screws and threaded nut inserts. They also come with brushed, black-anodised front panels that a much more attractive than the painted ones.
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TD2436&keywords=drill+bit&form=KEYWORD
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TD2438&keywords=drill+bit&form=KEYWORD
The rack cases from Altronics are much better than the stock Jaycar ones. Instead of those awful self-tapping screws that chew out the aluminium after you’ve had the cover off three or four times, they have machine screws and threaded nut inserts. They also come with brushed, black-anodised front panels that a much more attractive than the painted ones.
Good tip about the stepped drill bits - I bought one of the smaller ones a few weeks ago, and it was a life saver! I should definitely buy one of them bigger ones too...
Next time I do a case I'll try an Altronics one - although I'm not redoing this one from scratch!
Next time I do a case I'll try an Altronics one - although I'm not redoing this one from scratch!
When can we expect to see a guide for this amp?
I'm a complete beginner at DIY audio and am looking for something to sink my teeth into.
I'm a complete beginner at DIY audio and am looking for something to sink my teeth into.
Elnewb: I'm planning to first write a guide on the Silicon Chip headphone amp, since it's a lot simpler and a much better starting point. If that all goes well, then I'll probably have a crack at a guide for the SCULD.
Can I suggest, if you're new, start with a really basic kit like the "Champ". It uses batteries so is a good starting point. Then try something like the headphone amp, which uses AC power but doesn't need a big heatsink or have as high voltage from the transformer.
Can I suggest, if you're new, start with a really basic kit like the "Champ". It uses batteries so is a good starting point. Then try something like the headphone amp, which uses AC power but doesn't need a big heatsink or have as high voltage from the transformer.
That's a good point - the SC articles that come with the kits are really great. As Alfred said early in the thread, you should build it as per the kit before doing any mods.AndrewT said:
OK, first visual upgrade is some very high-end audiophile-quality silver amplifier feet:
Those silver feet set me back $0.50 each, so they better be good! (Can anyone tell what they actually are?)
Those silver feet set me back $0.50 each, so they better be good! (Can anyone tell what they actually are?)
Now with sports stripes, to go even faster:
I'll probably redo those with proper silver paint and a stencil, but it'll do for now. I'm thinking with a little logo and text on the middle left it'll look OK.
I've been looking around for nicer screws for the top plate - e.g. something chrome that sticks out a bit. I haven't been able to find anything remotely suitable. Anyone know of a source of attractive screws (or screw covers)?
I'll probably redo those with proper silver paint and a stencil, but it'll do for now. I'm thinking with a little logo and text on the middle left it'll look OK.
I've been looking around for nicer screws for the top plate - e.g. something chrome that sticks out a bit. I haven't been able to find anything remotely suitable. Anyone know of a source of attractive screws (or screw covers)?
jp_howard said:
What can the Champ amplifier power? i.e What are it's capabilities? The kit comes with only a small speaker.
I'm planning to try a PGA2311 volume control module, which I'd like to stick in the same case. My module needs +/- 7-20VDC (20VA). (It has +/-5V regulators onboard already). I could of course stick another transformer in the case and a power supply, but I would prefer to use what's already there if possible. So I'm planning to just stick a 16V zener diode pre-regulator in, as per this project: http://sound.westhost.com/project102.htm . (Minus the regulators of course, since they're already on my volume module).
I figured I'd attach this directly to the PSU output for one of the 2 amps.
Does that sound like a reasonable approach? Or would there be some benefit to having a completely separate power supply for this?
I figured I'd attach this directly to the PSU output for one of the 2 amps.
Does that sound like a reasonable approach? Or would there be some benefit to having a completely separate power supply for this?
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