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Kicking this dirty habit

S-Man

Kinkless Tetrode Admirer
I am giving up DIY HiFi.

IIRC, I built my first amp in 1985. It was built on Veroboard and utilised a triple sziklai output stage which was suggested to me by a senior engineer at the SMPS company where I worked at the time. Along with the sluggish TIP output transistors this made a superb oscillator! I think the 1st amp I built that actually worked was the Mini Crescendo published in Elektor in 1984.
Since then I must have built and designed many 10's of amps including many variations on the Borbely DC100 theme along with AKSAs, NCC200, NAP140C, JLH 80W, GB150, Gainclones, Aleph 3, Leach, Obelisk-alike and many others long forgotten. My favourite is probably the Leach.
I have also modded quite few CD players and built valve and solid state preamps. I must have wasted/passed many 100s of hours mucking about with this stuff but somehow the thrill has gone now, maybe because for the last year or 2 I have been stuck and seemingly unable to improve on my favourite bits and pieces. I have also found that the way things are connnected together makes as much difference as the circuits and PSs used.

I have now bought a commercial integrated amp and although it's hard to admit it, it's probably better than anything I have ever built.

I did give up DIY audio a few years ago but couldn't stay away. Wonder if I can this time?
 
Which commercial integrated is that?

I think much the same way about diy loudspeaker efforts. The more I look into these, the less I'm inclined to go that way.
 
David - oh my gawwwwwwd. That looks like a fate worse than trying 300 different feedback caps in a certain popular circuit.

Markus. By a stroke of good fortune I was in a position to buy a new Nait XS or similar for not much money. I spent hours comparing one to my Leach/SK Pre combination and really wanted to like it, but in the end I had to admit it was inferior to my DIY stuff. The dealer suggested a Roksan which sounded very "solid state" then a Unison Research Primo which just blew everthing else away. I didn't want to like the Onion Research, it's not exactly pretty and I'm very suspicious of the token valve lurking within. I also tried the UR Secondo and preferred the baby one (as many prefer the Nait XS to the SN). The funny thing is that I cannot find any commercial speakers (at a reasonable price) better than my DIY ones.
 
I think much the same way about diy loudspeaker efforts. The more I look into these, the less I'm inclined to go that way.
I too, am, running out of motivation to design more loudspeakers for myself. It's not because they aren't any good; quite the opposite in the opinion of those who have heard them. And that's the problem. I have been so thoroughly satisfied since the E-IIIR, which I designed quite a few years ago and updated not so recently for tri-amping, that it's been a struggle to get the urge for something better.

The E-IXs piqued my interest again in the last couple of years because it was something that could be easily commercialised on a small-scale from my garage. I sold a few pairs, but then realised the hobby started to look like work. So I stopped promoting the design, but will cater to any demand-driven interest. In fact, my very own pair are now sitting in a local hifi dealership on permanent demo, just so I can free up some space at home.

The E-X, which was supposed to be my statement design, took me two years to complete. The major point of difference was going to be active amplification, but due to reservations about connecting a tweeter directly to an amplifier, I've only made it semi-active. Again, the results are so beguiling that I have not had the slightest inclination to activate the MF/HF crossover. It remains a tri-amped design with active LF/MF and passive MF/HF crossovers. I may get around to a fully active set-up in time, but don't hold your breath.

Maybe I'm getting easier to please with old age ...

Then the PFM-SII was hatched for the benefit of forum folks. I know I won't be keeping this design for myself, but I have committed to building this. In fact, it has been completed and tested with a prototype crossover. It's still very new (tight) and needs more tuning time, but I know it won't be as good as the E-X or E-IIIR. It's not meant to be, but for a total build price of around USD500, it plays music more like a USD5,000 loudspeaker. I just need to get off my couch and away from the E-X to place an order for better quality caps and finalise the design for publishing.

After the PFM-SII, I don't think I will be designing another loudspeaker for myself, but I might entertain a custom design for someone else on commercial terms. Unlike S-Man, I won't* be buying another ready-made loudspeaker.

James

* I'll make an exception for a minty pair of NS-1000M, but only for the purpose of having a reference classic at home.
 
my stuff sounds fine so I've stopped doing DIY , I will ask les for some of those new amplifier modules , but thats about it , hardly DIY.
 
I have been so thoroughly satisfied since the E-IIIR, which I designed quite a few years ago and updated not so recently for tri-amping, that it's been a struggle to get the urge for something better.

Hi James

I love the look of your E-IIIR speaker and have read Hacker build thread and bits and pieces of yours and Mr Tibbs.

I would be very interested in trying to build a version for myself but was slightly cautioned by your comments in hackers build that the drive units are getting very hard to get hold of. Are there any possible substitutions or sources for the drivers? Is this a practical project to do?

Cheers

Gareth
 
Hi James

I love the look of your E-IIIR speaker and have read Hacker build thread and bits and pieces of yours and Mr Tibbs.

I would be very interested in trying to build a version for myself but was slightly cautioned by your comments in hackers build that the drive units are getting very hard to get hold of. Are there any possible substitutions or sources for the drivers? Is this a practical project to do?

Cheers

Gareth
Hi Gareth,

The E-IIIR is not a straightforward build, but I did document the physical construction notes. Not sure if I still have them since my last PC crashed and burned.

The difficulty is getting hold of the drivers; in particular the Seas M15CH001 midrange. They are no longer made, but Seas might have a few units left if you contacted them directly. Then, there's the Scan-speak 25W8565-01. They were taken off the DIY market and made available only to the OEM market, but I think there has been a change in heart. Madisound (USA) might have them in stock again, but I can't be sure.

Whether this project is practical depends on your woodworking confidence and ability. There is a fair bit of manual shaping and precision routing required. If you have done this kind of work before and you are prepared to put some effort into this, then I'm happy to share my plans with you. We might need to get them off hacker, that's all. It's a shame that Mr Tibb's build (with photographs) is long gone from the Naim forum.

James
 
Hi Gareth,

The E-IIIR is not a straightforward build, but I did document the physical construction notes. Not sure if I still have them since my last PC crashed and burned.

The difficulty is getting hold of the drivers; in particular the Seas M15CH001 midrange. They are no longer made, but Seas might have a few units left if you contacted them directly. Then, there's the Scan-speak 25W8565-01. They were taken off the DIY market and made available only to the OEM market, but I think there has been a change in heart. Madisound (USA) might have them in stock again, but I can't be sure.

Whether this project is practical depends on your woodworking confidence and ability. There is a fair bit of manual shaping and precision routing required. If you have done this kind of work before and you are prepared to put some effort into this, then I'm happy to share my plans with you. We might need to get them off hacker, that's all. It's a shame that Mr Tibb's build (with photographs) is long gone from the Naim forum.

James


Hi James

The woodworking holds no fear for me as I have a fully equipped workshop and make furniture as a (nother) hobby:

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I will research getting the driver units but if you could share the plans I would be very appreciative. I also commit to post my progress on here but no promises on timeframe as I have some HackerNAP amps to build and a homelife to fit is etc etc.

Cheers

Gareth
 
Gareth,

I shall be delighted to share my plans with you. I think I have found some of them in my archived mail. If you can find a pair of Seas M15CH001 (no, the M15CH002 won't do) from Seas HQ, then I think we have a starter for six. Let me know and PM your email address when systems are go!

James
 
Thats a beutifull skill you have there Gareth.

Thanks for the nice comment Tony, mostly practice and lots of errors over the years, also the quality of shop furniture is not very hard to better but it is hard to match the price. I can rarely purchase the wood cheaper than a finished item from some places. Custom building is nice as you can get what you want and make it to fit. My various DIY projects may have to go on hold as the housing commitee has decided my next project are built in wardrobes for our bedroom! Well after I finish buliding an LED lighting system for the lounge anyway!

Cheers

Gareth
 
Gareth,

I shall be delighted to share my plans with you. I think I have found some of them in my archived mail. If you can find a pair of Seas M15CH001 (no, the M15CH002 won't do) from Seas HQ, then I think we have a starter for six. Let me know and PM your email address when systems are go!

James

I have found the ScanSpeak drivers from Wilmslow Audio and am investigating the M15CH001 from SEAS as you suggested.

Cheers

Gareth

PS Just got a mail from Hiquphon and the OW1 is in stock and only a paypal payment away. 2 down and one to go.
 
I have found the ScanSpeak drivers from Wilmslow Audio and am investigating the M15CH001 from SEAS as you suggested.

Cheers

Gareth

PS Just got a mail from Hiquphon and the OW1 is in stock and only a paypal payment away. 2 down and one to go.
That sounds promising. I know someone who's hoarding a pair of M15CH001s.

James
 
I am giving up DIY HiFi.

IIRC, I built my first amp in 1985. It was built on Veroboard and utilised a triple sziklai output stage which was suggested to me by a senior engineer at the SMPS company where I worked at the time. Along with the sluggish TIP output transistors this made a superb oscillator! I think the 1st amp I built that actually worked was the Mini Crescendo published in Elektor in 1984.
Since then I must have built and designed many 10's of amps including many variations on the Borbely DC100 theme along with AKSAs, NCC200, NAP140C, JLH 80W, GB150, Gainclones, Aleph 3, Leach, Obelisk-alike and many others long forgotten. My favourite is probably the Leach.
I have also modded quite few CD players and built valve and solid state preamps. I must have wasted/passed many 100s of hours mucking about with this stuff but somehow the thrill has gone now, maybe because for the last year or 2 I have been stuck and seemingly unable to improve on my favourite bits and pieces. I have also found that the way things are connnected together makes as much difference as the circuits and PSs used.

I have now bought a commercial integrated amp and although it's hard to admit it, it's probably better than anything I have ever built.

I did give up DIY audio a few years ago but couldn't stay away. Wonder if I can this time?

That's a shame, S-man.
You have been a prolific builder and I for one appreciate you sharing your inputs and opinions comparing one kit to another over the years.

Thanks and come back soon.
 
I am giving up DIY HiFi.

I must have wasted/passed many 100s of hours mucking about with this stuff but somehow the thrill has gone now, maybe because for the last year or 2 I have been stuck and seemingly unable to improve on my favourite bits and pieces.

The thrill is back, I am now unstuck thanks to obsolete technology:




 
Can you tell us more about the circuit that has dragged you back to this dirty habit S-Man? Looks like a complementary FET output stage, possibly even cap coupled. Better than the GB150??

John
 


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