If it was not for the fact that I’m in the middle of building a BA-3 pre I would jump on this. I really love the sound of SE designs.
GREAT NEWS!
But I doubt I would have gotten started if presented with a $200 investment, as opposed to taking a flyer on seeing the board for $19, for a component I don't need in a format (Solid State) I've never built.😀
Instead, since my April 19th order, I've had to learn new jargon page-by-page in this build thread, navigated SS Device order filters for never before used parts, and corresponded with new friends here. A rewarding journey for an aged hermit.
I still haven't learned enough even to be dangerous but feel that, once the last parts arrive, the four J74s, instead of as in my first Dynaco kit half a century ago, there will be no need for that
sticker that came with.
But I doubt I would have gotten started if presented with a $200 investment, as opposed to taking a flyer on seeing the board for $19, for a component I don't need in a format (Solid State) I've never built.😀
Instead, since my April 19th order, I've had to learn new jargon page-by-page in this build thread, navigated SS Device order filters for never before used parts, and corresponded with new friends here. A rewarding journey for an aged hermit.
I still haven't learned enough even to be dangerous but feel that, once the last parts arrive, the four J74s, instead of as in my first Dynaco kit half a century ago, there will be no need for that
These are great news! So much fun for so many people with a really simplified process. I will repeat it over and over again: maybe for people living where you have ready access to good parts, the difference between ordering to mouser and to the store are, mainly, convenience. For those of us living outside those areas, these full parts kits are a genuine godsend! One single shipment with everything already sourced! Thanks so much for this!!!!
Quick question: does the kit include resistors for different headphone impedances or are they stock for 32ohms only?
Thanks again... not sure how I’m going to pull this one off, but I want one, and a Wayne ‘s line stage as well. Not sure how can I justify both or even where to use the second one, but I want them! LOL!
Best!
Rafa.
Quick question: does the kit include resistors for different headphone impedances or are they stock for 32ohms only?
Thanks again... not sure how I’m going to pull this one off, but I want one, and a Wayne ‘s line stage as well. Not sure how can I justify both or even where to use the second one, but I want them! LOL!
Best!
Rafa.
Wow...hey all. Just came to say that, at at first I had been kinda underwhelmed with my ACP+. Well, I finally got around to replacing my trimpots and sockets in R4 with the fixed resistors...also replaced my Nichicon FGs in C1 and C3 with Elna Silmic IIs.
HOLY CRAP! I'm hearing a ton of stuff I've never heard before. Not just here and there but in every song! This little ACP+ just booted my long-time reference Millett Max tube hybrid out of the top HP amp spot. Somehow both super detailed and relaxed at the same time, it's never fatiguing. It's like listening to all my favorite music again for the first time! I've been following this Pass forum for awhile now, but this is the first Pass/FW design I've built. Definitely won't be the last. Aleph J is next 😀
I'm guessing it was replacing the trimpots with fixed resistors that finally let the magic come through.
Rafa, I may have misled you a bit about the impedance. Even though Nelson's article says that 32R cans are best, my HD6xx seem to work great with the ACP+, despite their 300R rating. They're high enough impedance that I'm only at about 9 o'clock on the volume knob with the HD6xxs (fed by Schiit Modius), they sound phenomenal. The heatsinks on the output MOSFETs is only slighly hotter than with low-Z headphones. This is the best sound I've ever heard by far from any and all of my headphones.
I haven't ever heard the WHAMMY, so I can't comment on how the ACP+ sounds compared to that. But if you're looking for another project Rafa, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on that full kit while it's in stock. So nice to be able to get everything with one click. In the end I ended up placing 5(!) orders for all the components for mine, plus 2 trips to local hardware stores.
HOLY CRAP! I'm hearing a ton of stuff I've never heard before. Not just here and there but in every song! This little ACP+ just booted my long-time reference Millett Max tube hybrid out of the top HP amp spot. Somehow both super detailed and relaxed at the same time, it's never fatiguing. It's like listening to all my favorite music again for the first time! I've been following this Pass forum for awhile now, but this is the first Pass/FW design I've built. Definitely won't be the last. Aleph J is next 😀
I'm guessing it was replacing the trimpots with fixed resistors that finally let the magic come through.
Rafa, I may have misled you a bit about the impedance. Even though Nelson's article says that 32R cans are best, my HD6xx seem to work great with the ACP+, despite their 300R rating. They're high enough impedance that I'm only at about 9 o'clock on the volume knob with the HD6xxs (fed by Schiit Modius), they sound phenomenal. The heatsinks on the output MOSFETs is only slighly hotter than with low-Z headphones. This is the best sound I've ever heard by far from any and all of my headphones.
I haven't ever heard the WHAMMY, so I can't comment on how the ACP+ sounds compared to that. But if you're looking for another project Rafa, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on that full kit while it's in stock. So nice to be able to get everything with one click. In the end I ended up placing 5(!) orders for all the components for mine, plus 2 trips to local hardware stores.
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Yeah... I just tried this afternoon, and due to the debacle of shipping logistics that the VFET amp caused regarding shipping here, there is no longer a shipping option to Ecuador. 🙁 (Jason has been incredible through all this ordeal! So many thanks to him!!!)
So... I would need to find a good soul that is travelling here that would be willing to bring an ACP+ kit back home and would need to be coordinated with the store. So, stock is the key word here. Probably not going to happen.
I still get to build the VFET (hopefully!) very soon. Thanks again for the thoughts.
So... I would need to find a good soul that is travelling here that would be willing to bring an ACP+ kit back home and would need to be coordinated with the store. So, stock is the key word here. Probably not going to happen.
I still get to build the VFET (hopefully!) very soon. Thanks again for the thoughts.
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Well, I'm going to give a few questions a try, if you folks would be so kind as to help me out.
If I were to put the ACP+ into my system it would look something like this:
Rpi + Coax output -> DAC -> ACP+ -< (split the output into two!) - AMP but ALSO Subwoofer.
My sub does not have bypass or output. So, I would need to drive, with the RCAs from the ACP+ the two devices, both the power AMP (ideally the Sony VFET) but ALSO the Subwoofer.
What would be the best way to accomplish this?
- extra pair of outputs in parallel with the already existing output?
- simple RCA splitter cable?
- not recommended at all, build something else?
I have seen similar comments in Wayne's linestage from 2018 saying it can drive two outputs without an issue. My search-foo was not able to find that info in this thread, so sorry if this has been covered before.
Thanks for the feedback!
Rafa.
If I were to put the ACP+ into my system it would look something like this:
Rpi + Coax output -> DAC -> ACP+ -< (split the output into two!) - AMP but ALSO Subwoofer.
My sub does not have bypass or output. So, I would need to drive, with the RCAs from the ACP+ the two devices, both the power AMP (ideally the Sony VFET) but ALSO the Subwoofer.
What would be the best way to accomplish this?
- extra pair of outputs in parallel with the already existing output?
- simple RCA splitter cable?
- not recommended at all, build something else?
I have seen similar comments in Wayne's linestage from 2018 saying it can drive two outputs without an issue. My search-foo was not able to find that info in this thread, so sorry if this has been covered before.
Thanks for the feedback!
Rafa.
Sure, you could parallel another set of outputs. Output impedance of the ACP+ is less than an ohm. You might want to put 100 ohms in series or something to your added RCA's, but yeah, go for it.
Love the full kit and will likely buy one. Thanks to everyone who made it happen.
Does the full kit come with several values of resistors to get J113 to the right measurement? Or should you order a few extra resistors from your favorite parts supplier?
Looking forward to putting one together.
Does the full kit come with several values of resistors to get J113 to the right measurement? Or should you order a few extra resistors from your favorite parts supplier?
Looking forward to putting one together.
I'm tempted to purchase the kit. Even though I have most of the parts. I am having a heck of a time sourcing the J113s. Can I use 2sk170s here? I've seen some folks swapping out for the crossover. . . What would be involved please, if possible?
Looks like I am all set thanks to the generosity of one of our members. Thank you william2001!!
If just one of my inquiries pans out I'll have a plenty left and will be happy to pay it forward.
If just one of my inquiries pans out I'll have a plenty left and will be happy to pay it forward.
Anti-static precautions for Q1,2?
Does one put on a grounded bracelet as in working on a computers innards?
What if one's Needle Nosers are magnetized, as mine regrettably are?
Does one put on a grounded bracelet as in working on a computers innards?
What if one's Needle Nosers are magnetized, as mine regrettably are?
A wrist strap is not a bad idea if you have it. The more easily damaged part here is Q5 and Q6. ESD is certainly not a good thing for the health of those guys.
Why no gate resistor on Q6? Just curious. Thought it was good practice to have something there, 100r - 500r or so tucked in nice and close to the gate pin.
I'm assuming that this amp can connected to a power amp and run normally as a pre amp but then plugging into the headphone output switches the output to headphones, is this correct?
That's a great start!! Does anyone know if the diystore kit has a UK power plug option? Store picture show a US plug and I can't see other options??