I can solder, sadly that is about all so I'm looking for anyone who has some spare time and experience they can share.
I've bothered a few people over the last couple of years with an idea of mine for an integrated desktop amplifier, sadly many factors prevented its development. I didn't want to bother anyone else unless they were happy to commit their spare time.
I'll start by saying that I have no expertise in audio electronics, mainly just full range speakers so I'm looking for a fellow enthusiast I can work with who has that.
I'm happy to invest in the materials and some beer money but want to make this a collaborative project.
Happy to post up a construction and design diary too for those wanting to follow. I am also happy to take advice and mash up existing technologies and designs should this be more appropriate, for example T-Amps N-Core or UCD modules [is that right?].
Bellow are the broad design goals:
Inputs:
MM Phono stage
RCA
S/PDIF [toslink and coax]
WiFi [an idea to use the Raspberry pi to receive and output digital audio] or USB
Outputs:
2 channel audio
sub?
Power 20 - 30wpc @ 8ohms
Please forgive my ignorance as I'm leaning heavily on others expertise, I hope that will not dampen your enthusiasm or mine for this project.
Cheers
I've bothered a few people over the last couple of years with an idea of mine for an integrated desktop amplifier, sadly many factors prevented its development. I didn't want to bother anyone else unless they were happy to commit their spare time.
I'll start by saying that I have no expertise in audio electronics, mainly just full range speakers so I'm looking for a fellow enthusiast I can work with who has that.
I'm happy to invest in the materials and some beer money but want to make this a collaborative project.
Happy to post up a construction and design diary too for those wanting to follow. I am also happy to take advice and mash up existing technologies and designs should this be more appropriate, for example T-Amps N-Core or UCD modules [is that right?].
Bellow are the broad design goals:
Inputs:
MM Phono stage
RCA
S/PDIF [toslink and coax]
WiFi [an idea to use the Raspberry pi to receive and output digital audio] or USB
Outputs:
2 channel audio
sub?
Power 20 - 30wpc @ 8ohms
Please forgive my ignorance as I'm leaning heavily on others expertise, I hope that will not dampen your enthusiasm or mine for this project.
Cheers
I think as funds are limited I'm going to hang everything on the Hypex UcD180ST or UcD180HG amps with their complimentary power supply the SMPS180.
For DAC duties I am considering the Twisted Pair Opus DAC or perhaps the ODAC.
For the phono stage my choice was the Boozehound JFET Phono Preamp.
I'm struggling to find much information about getting USB audio output from the Raspberry Pi, Ideally I wanted to use a mini USB wifi dongle with this to get audio in via airplay then out through the other USB port to the DAC.
Perhaps Arduino or another WiFi chip may be an option I'm not sure, but perhaps there is a way to remove this step and somehow get audio from an Airport express or Apple TV that may prove easier.
For DAC duties I am considering the Twisted Pair Opus DAC or perhaps the ODAC.
For the phono stage my choice was the Boozehound JFET Phono Preamp.
I'm struggling to find much information about getting USB audio output from the Raspberry Pi, Ideally I wanted to use a mini USB wifi dongle with this to get audio in via airplay then out through the other USB port to the DAC.
Perhaps Arduino or another WiFi chip may be an option I'm not sure, but perhaps there is a way to remove this step and somehow get audio from an Airport express or Apple TV that may prove easier.
You're close to describing an AV receiver, although most of those lack phono stages. And they tend to be physically large, though with the declining need for vast numbers of analog audio and video inputs (thanks to HDMI), they no longer need such huge back panels. I would look closely at what is available in a compact AVR, and just add an outboard phono preamp.
Hypex UcD AS2.100
These are my thoughts so far [attached as a PDF] though if some of what I want can't be achieved via the AS2.100 then I'm going to have to look at individual components such as the DAC and amp modules. I'd like to keep the latter Hypex however.
These are my thoughts so far [attached as a PDF] though if some of what I want can't be achieved via the AS2.100 then I'm going to have to look at individual components such as the DAC and amp modules. I'd like to keep the latter Hypex however.
Attachments
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To recap my goals:
At least match my current Naim 42.5/110 for amplification [40wpc]
Match my current amp with it's performance of the built in phono stage
Exceed the performance of my current iPad/iPod DAC as I'm feeding this directly to the amp
Utilise USB audio and WiFi airplay using the RasPi
Level of performance is difficult as it's always subjective and quality is often described in emotional terms with music.
I'd say it's always a balance of cost and I'm talking £100's not £1000's for me personally.
If there is a descriptor it's to play music in stereo or stereo and sub through modest efficient [88dBs] speakers in an average [3m x 5m] living room at reasonable levels with as little distortion as possible and to have very little or no noise through the speakers while there is no music playing, not necessarily no source playing but quiet when there is silence in the music.
At least match my current Naim 42.5/110 for amplification [40wpc]
Match my current amp with it's performance of the built in phono stage
Exceed the performance of my current iPad/iPod DAC as I'm feeding this directly to the amp
Utilise USB audio and WiFi airplay using the RasPi
Level of performance is difficult as it's always subjective and quality is often described in emotional terms with music.
I'd say it's always a balance of cost and I'm talking £100's not £1000's for me personally.
If there is a descriptor it's to play music in stereo or stereo and sub through modest efficient [88dBs] speakers in an average [3m x 5m] living room at reasonable levels with as little distortion as possible and to have very little or no noise through the speakers while there is no music playing, not necessarily no source playing but quiet when there is silence in the music.
That's genius right there - I love it. I just built myself a pre with opt /spdif & 2 analogue inputs. I did think about Bluetooth and phono but didn't have the time space or skill.
Yours is true genius !!
I'm subscribed to this thread.
Yours is true genius !!
I'm subscribed to this thread.
Thanks I'm flattered but it's more audio cannibalism than anything 🙂
I hope I can get a few people involved who are interested in the build and testing.
I hope I can get a few people involved who are interested in the build and testing.
I like that the volume control goes to 11 - I like the clean looking design. Not so sure about squeezeing all including the phono and power stages in a small box - noise floor management will be a challenge.
I think it's quite ambitious certainly, but don't think it's beyond some combined efforts 🙂
I'd hate to dump any features, but I guess the WiFi / RasPi could be removed if it becomes tight as an Airport Express could feed into the optical for airplay, that's assuming it uses dual output like the iPod 3.5mm jack though haven't checked.
My feeling is though that this feature would be one of the draws for this design.
Internal
Unless I've miss measured the AS2.100 here are a few internals for the sled that goes in the case and it's possible layout.
The [boozehound] phono stage takes up much of the rear. I haven't even included another power supply to split to the RasPi and the phono board so it's already struggling with size.
Unless anyone can suggest a more compact but equally well performing MM phono stage or perhaps how to tap into the Hypex supply for this?
Unless I've miss measured the AS2.100 here are a few internals for the sled that goes in the case and it's possible layout.
The [boozehound] phono stage takes up much of the rear. I haven't even included another power supply to split to the RasPi and the phono board so it's already struggling with size.
Unless anyone can suggest a more compact but equally well performing MM phono stage or perhaps how to tap into the Hypex supply for this?
Attachments
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I Like the whole idea,, very good...
Also the 8mm alu separation will keep the noise down..
Lets see what others say.
Also the 8mm alu separation will keep the noise down..
Lets see what others say.
I've had various people, quite a few via my website enquire about this concept of an amp and I wondered if we couldn't find a way to develop a kit or limited batch from the initial design?
Schematic
I wondered if anyone would be willing to lend a hand producing a schematic for this design?
I wondered if anyone would be willing to lend a hand producing a schematic for this design?
Can anyone suggest a suitable and compact DAC with 3 inputs, toslink, S/Pdif, usb for this project?
Right, slight change of tack but still on course, I'm planning on using the Hypex AS2.100D for a rapid prototype. It's got a fair few of everything I need to get this done.
However I'd appreciate a members knowledgeable input on how I use rotary encoders for the input selection [4 in total] and the volume. I believe micro controllers ??? ANone help out with a schematic??? Anyone??? Bueller???
However I'd appreciate a members knowledgeable input on how I use rotary encoders for the input selection [4 in total] and the volume. I believe micro controllers ??? ANone help out with a schematic??? Anyone??? Bueller???
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