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!
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

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

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 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 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 ...

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. <----- 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

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

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





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.