DIY Silver ICs, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Class D Amp, and GR-Research Speakers

[praedet]

All right, So I am into building my DIY 2-Channel system. The final system will consist of the following...

Some DIY Source
Dodd Audio Battery Powered Tube Buffer
VH Audio Silver DIY Interconnects
Some DIY Speaker Cables
GR Research N2x or N3 Speakers
Maybe a GR-Research Servo Sub
Some DIY IEC Power Cords

So, this first installment is the first set of stuff...

I am currently building the Tube Buffer and Silver interconnects. The chassis for the buffer should arrive this coming week for me to put it fully together, so right now I am doing all the soldering ;)

I am also getting the Eichmann Silver bullets on Monday, so I can button up the cables then :p

1. My first tube! :eek:
2. A picture of the power cords for the Dodd Buffer
3. 2 pics of the completed On/Off/Mute and Source Selector switches
4. The RCA board that is a work in progess
5. And here are two shots of the silver interconnect waiting for the bullets to be soldered on. Once that happens I will then wrap the entire thing in teflon tape, and then cover it in some techflex :cool:

Sorry, removed the HUGE pictures and just attached them...

[agfrost]

Could you post some larger pictures please? ;):D;)

Looks like a fun project--keep updating as you progress!

Jay

Edit: Aww, you went and changed them!!

[praedet]

Sorry about that ;)

[george daniel]

Hey,, man you are on a roll,, please keep us posted--looking good.:)

[polkatese]

Lookin' good Ted!

[praedet]

^^^Thanks

Initially atleast, your modified DVD will be feeding this system ;)


Oh yeah, until the speakers are completed, this will be feeding my Ninjafied LSi9s...

[praedet]

All right, this is all I can do until the chassis get here :cool:

A picture of the front and back of the completed RCA board, including the platinum bypass caps :D

And, the tube voltage selector switch

Here is a link to the amp (http://classdaudio.com/index.php/class-d-amplifier-kits/home-kits/sds-254-kit.html) I will be building, hopefully in a chassis to match the Dodd buffer :p I am planning on tweaking the power supply a bit...

[george daniel]

hmmm, platinum bypass caps eh?,, you've been doing your homework sir,,betcha' can't wait to get that jobbie finished.

[praedet]

Yep, looking forward to it!!!!

[Face]

hmmm, platinum bypass caps eh?,, you've been doing your homework sir,,betcha' can't wait to get that jobbie finished.
I just recapped my preamp with all plats, you're in for a treat.

[FTGV]

I'm looking forward to your GR Research build,which ever one you decide on.

[bikerboy]

Looks like you have your hands full with all these projects. What kind of connector are you using on the buffer? Powercon? Good choice on the caps. I will be interested in what you have to say about the amp when you get it up and running. Ive not looked at class d amps much so it will good to hear what you think. I use VH Audio for all my diy power cables and am very happy with the quality and value. Have fun and dont inhale the lead!

[praedet]

I'm looking forward to your GR Research build,which ever one you decide on.Don't worry, I will post about them!
Looks like you have your hands full with all these projects. What kind of connector are you using on the buffer? Powercon? Good choice on the caps. I will be interested in what you have to say about the amp when you get it up and running. Ive not looked at class d amps much so it will good to hear what you think. I use VH Audio for all my diy power cables and am very happy with the quality and value. Have fun and dont inhale the lead!Yeah, Powercon connector running to a 12 volt 35 AH Power Sonic Battery.

The amp will be the biggest unknown, that is for sure!

So I finished the right silver RCA. I currently have it hooked up to see if I notice any difference from my usual interconnects, AT RCAs (http://www.atcables.com/rcainterconnect.php) that I got used on here. So far, maybe I hear something, maybe not, but they are atleast not worse, and don't cost the roughly $1K new that the AT cables cost :eek:...

Anyway, a few pics of the interim progress, and what a completed interconnect looks like...

[Cthulhu11]

I order the n2x kit from danny awhile ago, and finally finished, they sound amazing and the kit was awesome, it's my second DIY kit. I did order the cabinets from parts express tho. :mad: <----- doesn't have patients LOL.

[praedet]

^^^Sounds great!

Here are a few pics of the progress. I finished the second cable about 24 hrs after the first. Got the cabinet on Monday and was 98% through when the On/Off/Mute selector switch became a product of my exuberance :( Now I have to wait for a new one, de-solder the old, and solder on the new one. Plus I will be gone on vacation for 2 weeks before I can finish :eek:

Oh well....:p

[praedet]

Well, the Buffer is Done! :D
I have it hooked up between a modded SACD player, my Outlaw 7700, and my modded LSI9s. So far it sounds amazing, even w/o the dedicated 2-channel setup, and before burn. in.
It is amazing how much more 3-D the soundstage is w/ this Buffer :cool:

Next up the amp :p

[agfrost]

Looks really nice. Glad the early returns are pleasing to your ear.

Jay

[george daniel]

Nice work sir,, once you got started how long did the build take?

[Cassidy]

Very nice work. I am considering building one. Can you snap a photo of the battery set-up?

[praedet]

Nice work sir,, once you got started how long did the build take?Probably 2-4 hours on the buffer (plus 1 hour to fix my mistake :o)

Very nice work. I am considering building one. Can you snap a photo of the battery set-up?I will do that ;)

[FTGV]

Great looking little project.

[jrgoswick]

Kinda has that Cary Audio look(the front panel). Very GROOVY project indeed.

[madmax]

Pretty cool! I like the looks of the wood and chrome.

[praedet]

Thanks guys!

[praedet]

Quick update. The buffer is currently in Texas w/ Gary Dodd as only 1 of the 3 inputs was working. Probably something I messed up :(, but Gary is going to fix it for just the cost of shipping. Another thumbs up for Dodd Audio :D

In the interim, I have been trying to figure out enclosures for the Class D amp, and also trying to figure out if I can find a way to run it on battery power too ;)

[starkiller]

I have a pair of the GR Research N2X's and cculdn't be happier, you are in for a treat :)

[praedet]

Cool!

[praedet]

A little of an update on this, I have 4 tubes on the way soon to "roll" and see what I think.

An Amperex dimple disc getter, Amperex large halo (Bugle Boy), Mullard A-frame disc getter, and a gold-pin NOS Amperex 6922 USA :D

All courtesy of Dr. Cilantro of course ;)

[praedet]

Ok, next update on this since it has been a LONG time ;)

I just got a box with the flat-pack in it for my N2x speakers, along with the kit with upgraded caps and resistors, platinum bypasses, and No-Rez...

Now, the cool part is that the flat-pack is baltic birch ;) Here are some pictures of the GR Research site

http://www.gr-research.com/mis/stack1.jpg
http://www.gr-research.com/mis/stack2.jpg
http://www.gr-research.com/mis/stack3.jpg

I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do as far as finishing them. I am thinking of doing clear over the sides and back, a curly maple veneer on top and bottom, and either the same curly maple veneer on the baffle, or a satin black paint. Thoughts?

Also been trying out a Lite Audio DAC-60 with some light mods I did. I like that paired with the buffer! :D

[FTGV]

Very very nice CNC boxes!They definately have that Magico Mini look to them.

[Face]

Can I have one piece so I can make my own? :D

Very nice!

[praedet]

^^^Ha ;)

[praedet]

Finally started the speakers. At this rate I might have ONE done by Monday :eek:

So, here are some notes for those that might do something like this in the future...

I am using Titebond III wood glue. This gives me 10 minutes of working time. What I found this morning was that I was not able to get all of the pieces glued in 10 minutes, especially with trying to set up the guider dowels. I actually only got the bottom piece and the 3 above it together before I figured I had better clamp and take a break :rolleyes:


I guess that is about all. Here are 2 pictures of my progress. The outside is still wet where I wiped off the glue and I did a roughly 2-3 part water to glue layer on the inside using a brush to seal it. This was recommended above...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/PA020181-1.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/PA020182-1.jpg

[Face]

Buy more clamps and do two at a time. You can never have too many clamps in this hobby.

[praedet]

^^^Hah, so I can make mistakes on both speakers? ;)

[praedet]

Finally posting up the pics from a few days ago when I finished the 1st speaker and started the 2nd. The 2nd speaker is done now and I have been sanding the 1st about 30 minutes a day...

Sanding these sucks :duh:

Oh well, they will look really nice soon enough!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/38f554b4.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/eeb99581.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/755fa18f.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/65829b9b.jpg

[Face]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[praedet]

All right, so I am a good ways through the sanding process and I thought I would post up some pictures. I have gone up to 150 grit on all sides on one speaker, the one on top. On the bottom one I have only worked on the the right side and the front. The darker spots are the wet spots from wiping the speakers off.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/0e809588.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/d1d98d7c.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/77832014.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/6a63cef9.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/ef558506.jpg


And Last but not least, the help that wanted to be in a picture of his own :lol:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/4bea1844.jpg

[FTGV]

Beautiful.Those should be seriously inert enclosures.



The helper doesn't look overly enthused.;)

[praedet]

Slight change of pace, I am almost finished with the "Power Source" I have built for my DODD Buffer, Amp, and whatever other battery powered devices I have in the future. Gary is helping me with the front so it will be done soon!

Inside is a Kinetik HC1400 SLA battery...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/e904d955.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/1e4f3c4c.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/119d7f71.jpg

[praedet]

Finished the power source!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/113fed5b.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/49e579a3.jpg

[MillerLiteScott]

Very nice work. Awesome set up.

[AudioGenics]

very nice indeed

[geoff727]

This is some fun, inspiring work you're doing. It's very motivational, actually!



I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do as far as finishing them. I am thinking of doing clear over the sides and back, a curly maple veneer on top and bottom, and either the same curly maple veneer on the baffle, or a satin black paint. Thoughts?


These have a gorgeous finish with the stacked plywood layers.
http://evolutionacoustics.com/

[praedet]

Thanks, and those are VERY cool. I actually was very interested in doing something like that, but I don't know how the layers will do with stain...

[praedet]

More progress! VERY SLOWLY, but surely ;)

Man it has been a long time since I have done anything!!!!

Finished up 1 of the cross-overs today. Too cold to do the cabinet work right now! Sorry, these pics are from my phone...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/85dcf04e.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/e5045dd5.jpg

[Face]

Could you make them any neater? :D

Good job!

[praedet]

Thanks! I confess that I used Sean's, the skiing ninja, pictures of his Ninja Master Networks for the N2x!

[praedet]

Well

[praedet]

^^^Awesome, I love when my son shuts down my computer before I can edit a post!

Well, I have finally figured out a battery powered DIY transport. My silent, cheap, linux music server. (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1567546#post1567546)

That post shows most of the info, I am about to make a cord to run it off the battery supply I have, so I'll put up pictures when that happens.

So the final system will be an Alix Music Server feeding a TPA Buffalo 32s DAC. The signal will then go into the Dodd Audio Battery Tube Buffer and on to the Class D Audio SD-254. Lastly the amp will feed into the GR Research N2xs. I plan to make all the cables except the USB cable. All will receive power from the 12-volt SLA Battery power supply I built.

Man this is going slow!

[praedet]

My DIY amp is temporarily done! It is a Class-D Audio SDS-254 fed by the DC power supply from the same place.

First, the system as it currently sits.
PC Engine Alix Linux based Music Server (Currently on a AC Wall Wart, but will be moved to Battery soon)
MF V-link USB-S/PDIF
Modified Lite Audio DAC
DODD Audio Battery Buffer (Running on the Battery Power Supply I created)
SDS-254 w/ DC Power Supply (Running on the Battery Power Supply I created)
Skiing Ninja Modded LSi9s

It is sitting in a temporary chassis provided by a wonderful guy over at AudioCircle, Trung.

How does it sound? I'll get to that. First the only small "huh?"

For now I have the gain pots in place and no mods to the amp. I am very suprised at how small the window is for the difference between little to no sound, relatively loud, and then cut-out of the amp. Right now the R and L are at about 475 ohms of resistance. Higher resistance than that means I turn the Buffer up a LOT higher. Once I figure out what level they should be at, they will be replaced with good resistors. Thoughts?

The sound? Very, very nice. REALLY quiet. I mean literally there is NOTHING in the speakers when there is no music. Could be the Battery supply, the amp, or the buffer, but I like it! Very wide and deep sound stage and good dynamics. I haven't really turned it up yet as everyone is at home:redface:

Oh yeah, in the interim before this amp I was using the R and L of an Outlaw 7700.

Overall, I am very happy. This was made with stuff I had on hand due to the temporary chassis, so the components will be better when it is moved. Also, the temporary speaker cable is crap:mad:

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics...
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/a388117a.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/418c19f5.jpg

[FTGV]

Congrats sir nice work..Class D Audio's kits are getting popular of late amongst the DIY crowd.

btw.I like those binding posts.

[Keiko]

Very nice work.

[praedet]

Thanks guys!

I am pretty impressed with this amp, and what it is doing with the LSi9s. I can't wait to get it on the N2xs!

[praedet]

So I did have the wiring for the gain pots wrong:mad:

I now have A LOT of headroom!

The next step is figuring out what value of resistor I will use to replace the gain pots in the amp. Then it is the move to the new chassis once it is ready!

I also thought I would post up a few better pics of the amp in Trung's bamboo box.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/0def038c.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/8f91bd08.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/2647fdf6.jpg

And, here is the cord I just built for my Alix Music Server so that it runs on the same Battery supply as the Amp and buffer...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/7df00251.jpg

So, I have the Source, Buffer, and Amp running off the same Battery source :eek:

Now to make a battery powered DAC:cool:

[praedet]

So, I diverged from the original plan a little to help Gary Dodd out. I have now switched out my DIY Buffer for a brand new one made by him. It has two upgrades, 1 trivial and 1 significant...

First, I splurged for one with remote ability because I am lazy:redface:

Second, the new one has the ability to run the large (HOT) 6H30 tubes. I am specifically running a NOS 6H30DR tube in it.

With little to no time on the new one, it is superior to the old one when it was broken it with a VERY good NOS tube in it. I highly recommend this buffer with the changes that allow for these tubes!!!!

In other news, the amp is now in it/s proper chassis. And, I learned a LOT over the last 2 days.

1. If you plan on removing the various connectors on the boards, see if Tom (Class D Audio Owner) will ship the boards without them. Removal is not trivial, and then getting everything back exactly right is also non-trivial.

2. Get a larger chassis then you need! If you are going to make leads as short as possible, and hardwire to the board, you need room.

3. Make sure you dry fit EVERYTHING before drilling holes for stand-offs.

4. Figure out what everything does before you wire it up :duh:

Anyway, the amp is moved into it's final chassis. I used solid silver (22 AWG) Home Grown Audio cable for the RCAs (also solid silver) and solid copper (14 or 16 AWG) electra cable for the speaker wire and power. I replaced the pots with resistors and hardwired everything. Lastly I put the wiring in place for the switch.

Things that I messed up/sucked. The Neutrik Powercon. Had I put the board into place with the powercon before drilling holes for the stand-offs, I would have realized that the place I chose for the board was TOO close to the back. Oh well, a trimming of the powercon worked, but made it impossible to mount the powercon inside like I wanted, and made it VERY hard to solder wires under the board.

Solid wiring is REAL hard to work with when it is connected in multiple places. REAL HARD...

So, I wired up the switch like I thought it was supposed to be (I was copying another person's battery PS wiring) I had wires running to the switch location on the board, so when the switch was thrown they would form a circuit. I also ran a wire from the positive hot wire, to the switch, and then to the remote signal turn on. Again, when the switch turned on, it was supposed to send a signal. FOr whatever reason, if ANY wire was hooked into the remote signal on the boar, the PS was ALWAYS on, no matter what switch you played with :evil: Needless to say, I am now only running the switch wires, and they work :)

Anyway, I have quickly verified that the amp does in fact play, but I still haven't played it to check the resistor and wiring change out as I am working on the faceplate...

Here are some pics of the inside. If you are wondering about the speaker hook-ups, they are Electra Tube connectors. They are pretty cool 8)

Ted

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/b6a49692.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/ba340d31.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/8f9600ce.jpg

[zingo]

Looks great! I'm currently demoing a battery powered class-D amp and they are something special. Obviously one of the best parts is ZERO power supply noise, but it's also great that they are small amps with almost no heat or maintenance.

[praedet]

Well, it has been a while so I will post my progress...

Finally some work on the speakers. I have learned A LOT about veneering, and sadly most has been the hard way. Anyway, here is one speaker that still will get another 3-5 coats of Poly and has some more wetsanding required. I know there are mistakes, but it is my first time so let me enjoy them :)

The first picture shows the hand of the reason this is taking so long :eek:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/P1010917.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/P1010916.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/DIY%20Audio/P1010915.jpg

[praedet]

All right, I know it has been a long time. I am not done polishing, but here is one of the speakers on the order of 90% done with respect to looks and finishing...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/b9ad4f02.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/3b2ac43d.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/09d1f9eb.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/praedet/8b4da819.jpg

[Oldfatdogs]

Your cabinets turned out very nice,well done. Dan

[praedet]

Thanks!

[polkatese]

Excellent craftsmanship Ted! Would you build me a SF Guarneri Memento? :smile:

[praedet]

Ahhhh, don't know if I will do stacked baltic birch for a while after this. It's pretty tedious!

[Face]

You need a better sander and sandpaper, it's not that bad.

Looks great though!

[praedet]

^^^I know. Should have gotten out the PC to do the sanding. I normally keep it only for car work though...