Noir, a two transistor headphone amp: class-A, single ended, 150mA bias

[batty]

Here is mine.

 

[batty]

I didn't use the standard rubber feet, I went for tiny spikes.

 

[Mark Johnson]

Lovely job, batty! Congratulations.

Please, in your experience, how good or how terrible do they work together, Noir + HiFiMan HE-4xx?

 

[avtech]

I have the same question.. I have been looking at some HE-400i but not sure how well Planars will work with the T2.

Nice build by the way.

 

[avdesignguru]

I found the T2 drives my HE-400i phones barely OK but not quite enough. Stock, this is a 6dB gain circuit. I have modeled the schematic in LTSpice with both 9dB and 12dB gain. 12dB is getting close to the limit before a 1KHz sine wave in the model starts to break down. Although it looks like the gain might work at 12dB it's a bit too close for my comfort.
I've ordered the parts to build a Noir with substitute resistor values for 9dB of gain and will let everyone know the final result of my experiments.

 

[batty]

So far I have only used the AKG Q701 with the Noir, a pairing made in heaven.
I must try the 4XX soon plus I have a pair of AT gaming headphones which sound great, will try them with all my headphone amps.

 

[PjVervoorn]

If it's just a temporary "place holder" while you wait for an ALPS to be delivered, you could think about cutting off that peg with big side-cutting pliers. Or you could file it down with a file. The friction from the front panel fastening nut will hold the potentiometer in a fixed position, at least for a couple of months. You could also consider applying some hot melt glue around the pot, to adhere it to the inside face of the front panel. Hot glue can be removed later with an X-acto knife.

With my mechanical abilities I better leave the front panel alone

I will just add a nut behind the front panel, the Alps has enough length for that.

 

[nautibuoy]

Regarding volume potentiometers, I think the quality of the Noir circuit justifies spending a bit more for one with better SQ and accuracy, maybe something like a TKD 2CP-601?

 

[nautibuoy]

I had to swap in a replacement wallwart PS after the original packed up after a few days - I guess it happens - but my Noir continues to improve with use and has breathed new life into my headphone listening - it now feels like that old cardigan that feels so comfortable when you wear it!

If you're thinking about a Noir, do it - I think this is a safe project both in terms of the odds of a successful build and in terms of the end results.

Nice one, thanks again Mark.

 

[batty]

My wife suggested that I might sell the Noir and possibly the Whammy now that we have 6 headphone amps in the house, my reply was that maybe she could sell some of her shoes or handbags................

All headphone amps safe.

Merry Christmas all.

 

[nautibuoy]

My wife suggested that I might sell the Noir and possibly the Whammy now that we have 6 headphone amps in the house, my reply was that maybe she could sell some of her shoes or handbags................

Gosh, you live on the edge!

What you forget is that all of the shoes and handbags were 'bargains'...

 

[batty]

So are the Noir and Whammy

 

[Mark Johnson]

I checked -- my local "Beverages and More" only sells Bumbu and Mt.Gay from Barbados. They've never heard of Foursquare.

We are not an oasis of cosmopolitan luxury around here.

 

[billyk]

Started my build tonight. Looking forward to listening to her. Nice boards and case combo too. You have to love the Mouser BOM as well! Some stuff on back order so I need to shop around, all I am missing is the polyfuse so it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[avdesignguru]

Started my build tonight. Looking forward to listening to her. Nice boards and case combo too. You have to love the Mouser BOM as well! Some stuff on back order so I need to shop around, all I am missing is the polyfuse so it shouldn’t be a problem.

This equivalent is in stock at Mouser:
MF-RX050/72-0 Bourns | Mouser

 

[billyk]

This equivalent is in stock at Mouser:
MF-RX050/72-0 Bourns | Mouser

Many thanks!

 

[billyk]

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Here she is all dressed up and ready to make some wonderful music for me.

 

[Mark Johnson]

Billky- beautiful build! Congratulations. The green zip tie and purple coil wire insulation are a nice touch.

 

[billyk]

Billky- beautiful build! Congratulations. The green zip tie and purple coil wire insulation are a nice touch.

Thank you, high praise indeed.
Glad you liked my color scheme. I love that wire, it’s mil. spec ptfe jacketed silver plated copper 19 strand 24 gauge.
It was a sweet little build that I thoroughly enjoyed. There was a lot of work and thought in the build guide and whole project for that matter. Nicely done.
It’s currently in my system with a Roon endpoint RPi, allo digi-hat, Topping D50s. It sounds really nice, I need to spend some time with it!!
Thanks again.

 

[fmmech_24]

..just a simple copy, still beta-state, not completed, not testet...enjoy!