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I'm an electronic technologist with more than 30 years of experience dealing with advanced electronic and computer systems. I worked in calibration labs, Air Traffic and navigation, communications and radars. I built, installed and service them for years. Electronic is what I do.
Since the last 15 years my main hobby had been audio stuffs starting with the simple and the affordable and now dealing more with the exclusive and the sophisticated side of the equation. I built some of my best sound system components from circuits, then PCB and up to enclosure design, solid state or tubes. I also collected very nice gears over the years from major players in the audio league such as Mark Levinson, Air Tight, Ayre, Audio Research, Yamamoto, Vacuum State, Borbely, name it. I think that now I know what a good sound is, at least according to my own tastes.
I built stuff mainly for me or my friends, but sometime I organize or participate in Group Buy. Over the years I built a little circle of contacts that help me in my endeavours, to find difficult to source parts, discuss circuits, etc.
This site is dedicated to my passion. Read on...
Preamps:
Air Tight ATC-2 Preamp, Statement tube preamp. My new toy. This particular unit is fully modified and comes with the optional premier ALPS HQPRO volume control. The preamp has several additional important upgrades, done by Roger Sheker of Audience in California. The one 12AX7 tube is replaced by a third 12AU7 tube, in order make the output impedance more manageable, and the 6X4 rectifier tube replaced by a 6CA4, for reliability and uniformity. Also, the original hardwired power cord has been replaced by an IEC socket so that any power cord can be used. Finally the jacks on the back were replaced with Cardas jacks and the interior wiring with Audience wire. I'm planning to install my own DIY LC-Audio Light phono preamp with external supply to get a phono inside. See some nice pictures on www.diyaudio.com.
Mark Levinson ML38S upgraded to ML380S and two ML38, built from scratch, a long story, see the Audio Projects
and also, see www.marklevinson.com
Ayre K-3rp with phono option and remote, Famous preamp, little brother of the K-1, to go with the V-3. See www.audioreview.com for a review.
McIntosh C-28 Preamp, A classic that I got used but in perfect cosmetic condition, just gorgeous. Completely refurbished by replacing and upgrading caps, power supplies with soft recovery diodes, RCA connectors cleaned and polished to shiny finish, pots and switches clean with DexoIT. It matches my newest McIntosh MC2205 that I just got as well...See www.berners.ch/McIntosh
Khozmo Passive
Preamp, Great little passive preamp with three selectable line
inputs, and a superb Khozmo 48-steps attenuator, Silver contact switch, CNC machined PA11
aluminum body, Precision ball bearing support, Dale RN55 and Caddock resistors, see for www.khozmo.com
details.
Heretical Tube Line Stage Preamp,
Tube preamp
with Unity Gain. Design optimized for Low distortion and very low noise
floor using the ECC88 tube and CineMag Input Transformers. See Audio
projects for details.
ForePlay Tube Preamp, using Pearl Tube Coolers (μP controlled and remote), see the Audio Projects for details
Pass Labs Bride of Zen, see www.passdiy.com and the Audio Projects
Placette, style passive shunt volume attenuator with remote control and display. See the Audio Projects and the original product at www.placetteaudio.com. This attenuator will be installed into "The Pumpkin" Fet Preamp with "The Shunty" dual mono shunt regulators. See Audio projects for details.
Bryston .4B, A very nice little preamp, see www.technofile.com for a quick review,
Amplifiers and Integrated:
McIntosh MC2205 Amplifier, A classic that I got used but in perfect cosmetic condition, just gorgeous. I'm planning in rebuilding it, replacing and upgrading caps, power supplies with soft recovery diodes, etc. It will match my newest McIntosh C-28 preamp that I just got as well. See See www.berners.ch/McIntosh for details, and this very interesting story about restoring a MC2205, will be a lot of fun: www.audioaficionado.org
SimAudio Integrated Amplifier I-5, Class A, 75W 8 ohms, 110W 4 ohms: www.simaudio.com
Ayre Acoustics V-3, Class A, full Mosfet, 100W 8 ohms, 200W 4 ohms, Stereophile "Class A" Recommend, Powered by my best Furutech Alpha3-OCC power cord, and connected to a dedicated Furutech AC outlet, see Stereophile Review
Audiomat Arpège, Class A EL34 Tube Integrated, just read the reviews, such a gorgeous sound. Reviews at: SoundStage Review, Mutine Audiomat Reviews
PassLabs Aleph30 (DIY), see the Audio Projects section
Peter Daniel Gain Clone: www.6moons.com/audioreviews
Crown DC-300A, 180W 8 ohms, 300W 4 ohms, www.crownaudio.com
Digital Audio Music Server:
Mac Mini based Audio Server, My first little music server based on a small Mac Mini computer with external harddrive, iTune program and database. There is a small M-Audio Firewire Audiophile DAC that is used as Firewire to Spdif interface only (it also includes a very good headphone amplifier). I'm using my excellent Yamamoto tube output DAC as music source and my iPad as remote control. I use the Remote: Free application downloaded from the Apple App Store. This application turns your Apple portable device such as iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch into a remote control for your iTunes media player. See details on www.diyaudio.com.
This excellent site explains a lot about the Mac Mini as server: www.monarchyaudio.com.
Other nice Computer audio guide: www.linkwitzlab.com.
See this site to how to remotely control iTune with your iPad www.simonblog.com.
M-Audio Firewire Audiophile Dac www.soundonsound.com
Digital Sources:
Teac Esoteric DV-50 Universal Player used as player and transport, my reference source, see: www.teac.com/esoteric
Mark Levinson ML37 Compact Disk Transport, one of the best transport ever made, see: www.marklevinson.com
Upgraded in 2010 with the newest CDPRO2LF drive. The ML37 used from the start an external low jitter clock mounted on its digital In/out PCB to drive the CDPRO2 inside it. I did the same mod on the newest CDPRO2LF so it can use the ML37 own clock. See this web page for some details: www.diy-high-end.com
Mark Levinson ML36 , Matching DAC (Burr-Brown PCM1702 and upgraded CS8416). I got myself a set of ML36 boards for a project that I did. I have already the original ML36 front panel and I will use my own ML38 front control PCB (they are almost identical) to control the DAC. I'll install everything into the upcoming ML38 enclosure and I had made especially for me a custom rear plate that reproduce the original ML36 rear panel. At the end, I'll get a complete ML36, DIY at work again...see the Audio Projects.
Yamaha CD-S1000 SACD CD player. Just a gorgeous machine built like a tank. It is just awaiting to be modified to transform it into a killer player and transport. With minimum modifications it can becomes a CD-S2000 with balanced outputs. The only difference between both machines is a separate transformer for the Audio section power supply and a few missing parts on the Audio output board. Both machine use the same board, so it is easy to upgrade. And just had a low jitter clock with its own supply and it becomes a superb transport.
Primare CD31 Superb CD player. With balanced outputs, fully balanced (double dac) discrete outputs. Modified with soft recovery diodes for the audio supplies and EMI filter replaced by an Ayre filter. See review at: www.stereophile.com
Pioneer DV-563 (Universal Player, modified supply and output), see the Audio Projects section
Pioneer Elite PD-65 (Used as transport)
Rotel RCD-965BX Trusty little player, used for testing for my projects
Digital to Analog Converters:
Yamamoto YDA-01 DAC clone (DIY) Mine is special, a reproduction of the marvelous Yamamoto YDA-01 DAC, but with Solid-State and Tube (YDA-01B) outputs into the same DAC, selectable with just the flip of a switch. It has also dual selectable digital input and DIY Ayre line filter. First of my projects to use PCB with no solder mask or copper trace plating. I call it 'Pure Copper' PCB. The bare and shiny PCB traces are covered instead with a thin layer of clear lacquer, than burn away when soldering the parts (and smell good doing so). The Solid-State output board is supplied by Shunt regulator.
The Tube output section is also slightly different. It is still using WE408A tube, but has a different CCS, different cathode loading and grid stopper for an even better sound. I love this DAC.
All internal wiring is done using Neotech Solid-core UP-OCC COPPER Wire, Teflon jacket.
See some great reviews of these DAC on 6moons, ss version review: 6moons.com-YDA-01, and the tube review: 6moons.com-YDA-01B
Yamamoto YDA-01B DAC clone I like the YDA-01so much that I built as well the tube version for me. With a custom toroid transformer, and Yamamoto Teflon tube sockets and terminal strips, M-Lytic Mundorf HV cap and ClarityCap MR output coupling cap. A few weeks back my and friends we compared this Dac with the new Meitner MA-1 (7K$), and the Naim NDX and the NAD M50 music player in a streamer/server test bed. Guest what the Yamamoto was way better than the Naim and the NAD using an other Dac, and as good as the Meitner! We also listen to some excellent hires files (192/24 bits) files from Fidelio, and the Yamamoto and Meitner were very close, with a little edge from the MA-1 part. This is how good this Dac is and considering the price difference between both dac, the Yamamoto is a steal.
Super Tube DAC with low jitter PLL clock and Tube Output, see the Audio Projects section and the original designer site see: Original Project Page (Explorer only)
SDS-Labs Tube DAC, using a pair of PCM63-K DAC chips (maybe one of the best DAC chip ever made), passive I/V conversion (using a Riken resistor) and Shunt Regulated Push-Pull (SRPP or Mu Follower) all tube output. I'm planning to use it for an upcoming music server. My own version has some improvements and modifications such as two selectable inputs (SPDIF BNC and USB, using the Hagerman "HagUSB" SPDIF-USB converter, CLC filtering on all digital IC supply pins, Oscon caps, screen ground plane, Jensen paper in oil coupling caps (and AuriCap film bypass caps), Takman carbon film resistors in the Tube section and mute relay at power-up. The supply is using custom built toroid transformers. See www.quadesl.com for details.
dAck! Original and Clone, a TDA1545-CS8414 DAC None Over Sampling, see the Audio Projects section and www.ack-industries.com for details. I use it with my headphone. Very nice sound with no fatigue.
Audio Zone DAC-1 clone. a TDA1543 DAC None Over Sampling, clone of the with No digital or analog filters, Passive I/V conversion, Active input driver/buffer, 4 active regulators with extensive CLRC filtering, BNC input (75R), Single ended output, see the Audio Projects section.
Analog Sources:
Thorens TD124 turntable with SME3009 tonearm, Newest acquisition, a real classic. The Thorens uses an AC 4 poles induction motor, belt/idler wheel drive, 16, 33, 45 and 78 rpm, mechanically switched, pitch (using a clever "Eddy Current Brake"), platter weight 4.5 kg (steel), aluminum subplatter with clutch, manual operation. Probably one of the greatest engineered turntable ever. Designed specifically for one job only, spin records. Mounted on it was a very nice SME 3009-S2 tonearm. The Nylon knife-edge bearing was be upgraded to a CNC bronze knife bearing. Just bought a great Ortofon 2M Blue MM cartridge, I'll use it with my clone Graham Slee Era Gold V phono preamp. See www.soundfountain.com and www.analogue-classics.com or www.theanalogdept.com for some interesting discussions on the Thorens. For the SME 3009 and its variants, see www.analogue-classics.com again for some details.
Teres model 100, DIY turntable with Graham 2.1 tonearm and Ortofon Kontrapunkt-H MC Cartridge. This turntable is no longer available as a kit. I was able to get the acrylic platter and the bearing kit from an other user on www.diyaudio.com, see my project development on this link. My teardrop wood base is done. It is made of dried maple, laminated and ready for finishing. The wood is so nice that I will only put a clear lacquer finish. The plinth will be loaded with lead to add weight and to absorb the plinth's resonance. I have 3 diamond cones feet on order to put under the turntable. I just got for Christmas the Teres Delrin record clamp. See www.teresaudio.com for an picture of what it will be. I have my own version of Mark Kelly battery supplied Maxon motor controller already built and ready to go, see the audio project section. I'll use the new mylar tape drive using the Teres tape pulley. The motor pod is a recycled very nice sensor aluminum enclosure with a machined custom top plate that fits the Maxon motor. Finally, a DIY Schroeder tonearm is in the pipeline. I'm getting help from an other diyaudio member for the Schroeder machining. See: www.vinylengine.com and www.theanalogdept.com. I will use this turntable with a Ortofon Kontrapunkt-H MC cartridge that I bought on the used market. See Ortofon for details and a few reviews at: www.6moons.com and www.audioasylum.com. I may also use the Teres with my new toy, the Graham model 2.1 tonearm, maybe one of the best unipot design, except the famous Graham Phantom II . It has all the 2.2 upgrades minus the ceramic wand (Top bearing and tungsten side weights). This arm have some of the best setup tools included and allows on the fly VTA adjustment. See a review at: www.stereophile.com. To connect the arm, that is sold without interconnect cable, I'll use the own Graham top-of-the-line IC70 cable, again one of the best tonearm cable. It is a silver interconnect with separate Teflon insulated L/R wires. It is terminated with the 5 pins DIN connector at the tonearm and RCA Bullet plugs at the other end.
Michell Tecnodec turntable with Rega RB300 tonearm (with Michell upgrade TecnoWeight, VTA adjuster and record clamp). I built also an upgrade dual Speed High Capacity DC Supply and an upgrade mounting platform for the Technodec. The Platform is a laminate of high quality Birch ply, MDF and Brushed Aluminum. The RB300 tonearm has upgraded Cardas tonearm wires that connect to a Cardas CPIB Phono Block mounted on the upgrade platform.
See: www.michell-engineering.co.uk (what a beauty...) and the diyaudio thread
Cartridge: Benz Micro ACE, MC low output, spare Grado Blue Cartridge
Kyocera PL-601 turntable with Denon DL-110 High Output MC Cartridge, other cartridge Benz Micro ACE(SM), MC medium output spare cartridge.
Accessories: AcousTech Digital Stylus Force Gauge, Shure Precision Stylus Force Gauge SFG-2, Decca MK3 Record Brush, Hagtech Inverse RIAA Filter for burn-in Phono Preamps, Consonance Strobe Disk.
Record Cleaning Machine:
VPI HW-16.5, see: http://www.vpiindustries.com/16_5.html
Phono Preamps:
Lehmann Audio Silver Cube Phono Stage. One of the best solid-state phono preamp out there. See description at: www.lehmannaudio.com and reviews at: www.tnt-audio.com. There are also great pictures at: www.avbuzz.com
JLTi PhonoPre PhonoStage with the upgrade power supply. An other one of the best solid-state phono preamp ever made. See a reviews at: www.positive-feedback.com
K&K Audio Premium 'Maxxed-Out' Kit Sophisticated tube phono preamp with switchable Mc/MM inputs, selectable MC load and single ended/Balanced Outputs using the famous Lundhall transformers for power, MC Step-up and Line outputs. This particular model has all the options installed in; the Premium MC Step-Up with Cardas 6N high purity copper coil transformers, Cardas Parafeed caps, Stereo/Mono switch and high quality Volume control option (23 position Seiden switch and discrete surface mount audio-grade metal film resistors and low value Audio Note resistors in the signal path). See: www.kandkaudio.com for the specs, see a reviews at: www.audioasylum.com and the Art Audio 'Vinyl Reference' that is quite similar: www.6moons.com
LC-Audio RIAA Phono Amplifier with MC Light Powered Step-Up, my own DIY version. Very intriguing MC headamp circuit that is supplied by light generated by small light bulbs that in turn illuminate photo diodes producing pure DC supply voltage. So in fact the MC section is floating eliminating any supply and ground loop noises. The MM section is supplied using LC-Audio own Low noise dual regulator modules. I built it into a single enclosure with MC/MM selector, and Mute switch. All these function are selected by relays. The MM selection acts as a standby mode for the MC section turning the light bulb off to extend their life while keeping the rest of the preamp turn-on. It sounds very nice and very quiet. One of my best phono preamp. See www.lcaudio.com and www.diyaudio.com for details.
Graham Slee Era V Gold Clone (DIY) A reproduction of the excellent Graham Slee phono preamp, same parts, same PCB, different enclosure. Graham really knows his stuff, this one been on Stereophile Class-A list for four years. See his excellent design discussion on the 'General Phono Preamp' kit on its forum and see all the awards he got. They cannot be all wrong! A great preamp. See the details at www.gspaudio.co.uk.
EAR834P Clone Tube preamp, Thorsten version, see this version and this other version. I'm starting to build it, see www.diyaudio.com for details.
Bent Audio Mu
MC Step Up Transformer Using the renowned S &B TX-103, no longer
available separately, see: www.stevens-billington
and www.bentaudio.com
for the specs, see a review at: www.audioasylum.com
Pass Labs XONO (DIY) dual mono phono preamp, see my Audio Projects section for details.
Pass Labs Pearl II(DIY). Project almost completed. Both mono PCB and external supply done. I have just to complete the enclosure.
Pass Labs Pearl (DIY) phono preamp with MC option, see my Audio Projects section for details.
PhonoClone3 (DIY) MC dual mono phono preamp, a clone of the very
nice 47Lab PhonoCube, see Audio Projects section. Now in its third version,
using a new supply design and refined PCB layout. I have to say it is probably
one of my best preamp. You cannot go wrong with this one. Best performance to
cost ratio. See www.diyaudio.com
for details. I sold my first PhonoClone ver 1.0.
Peter Daniel PhonoClone Version (DIY) MC dual mono phono preamp, a more direct clone of the very nice 47Lab PhonoCube, but with a fancy shunt regulator supply, and very expensive V-Cap Teflon coupling caps, Caddock resistors, Muse and Black Gate Capacitors, etc. see my Audio Projects section for details.
Cornet2 (DIY), My own version of the Hagerman Technology Cornet2 Tube Phono Preamp kit. A nice preamp with no feedback Pure Class A single-ended amplifier stages, split RIAA Passive equalization, Cathode follower output with CCS loading, Vacuum tube HV rectification and DC heaters. I also installed the AuriCap Caps Upgrade. See: Cornet2 Homepage and project thread
Tuners:
Sansui TU-9900 with upgraded output section, see: fmtunerinfo
some nice restoration pictures at http://amp8.com and my restoration story at diyaudio
Sansui TU-777 Gorgeous retro look with its circular dial indicator and great sound. Totally discrete parts tuner, including a discreet MPX circuit. This one has an almost perfect front glass panel and some nice upgrades: Muse Gold Supply caps, upgraded power transformer, IEC320 AC inlet and Vampire output connectors. Some nice restoration pictures at http://amp8.com
Sony ST-5000F with upgraded (supply, caps, RCA and AC IEC320 connectors, see: fmtunerinfo
some nice restoration pictures at http://amp8.com. It has 5-gang tuning capacitors, an 8-stage IF filter section, 4-pin ceramic type and an all discrete multiplex section. It has a beautiful sound, and that "in the next room"i, it really seems like you have musicians in your house. Amazing performance for a 30-year-old unit.
Yamaha CT-810 Nice little tuner that matches my new Yamaha CD-S1000. I bought it for that. Mods the Supply with new soft recovery rectifier diodes and MUSE Nichicon Audio caps. New audio output film caps instead of the electrolytic. Replaced a burned meter lamp. The frequency dial knob was very stiff, it should had been rotating freely and with speed with the big flywheel on the back. Disassembled the tuning knob and shaft. Was stick together because of old grease. Cleaned the shaft and apply silicone oil. Re-assembled and bingo! Now the dial is fast and smooth. Retuned the front end and fine tuned the dial accuracy. I compared it with my reference Sansui TU-9900 and the sound is very similar. Very nice and good little tuner indeed. See: fmtunerinfo
NAD 4300 Monitor Series with upgraded output capacitors.
Tivoli Model One, Platinum Edition, table radio, great sound, see: www.tivoliaudio.com
Headphones:
AKG K-701, www.akg.com. The best pair of cans I ever had, just gorgeous. I use it all the time working at my bench.
Sennheiser HD600, www.sennheiserusa.com
See this review of 50 great headphones at www.head-fi.org
Headphone Amplifiers:
PS Audio GCHA Amplifier: I like it so much that now I have two. The original and the latest version with balanced inputs. This particular unit had being fully mods by 'Reference Audio Mods' in California for an even better sounds, see review: www.6moons.com
Lovely Cube Headphone Amplifier. A DIY clone of the excellent Lehmann Audio Black Cube Linear (BCL). See the Projects section for details, www.lehmannaudio.com
Sapphire Headphone Amplifier by RJM Audio. I can say that the best headphone amp I ever built so far and also a winner for the price. It is one of my best amps, equal to my beloved PS Audio GCHA (I got two ;) Built it if you need an headphone amp. See the Audio projects section for details.
PPA Headphone Amplifier with YJPS Shunt Regulator Power Supply. A very sophisticated cans amp with virtual ground power supply, fully discrete diamond buffer output, adjustable bass boost control, etc. See the Audio projects section for details.
Objective2 (O2) Portable Headphone Amplifier The O2 is a small unique headphone amp that compares well in listening tests with much more expensive gear. I built three of these for my sons. See www.diyaudio.com for details and the original designer thread at http://nwavguy.blogspot.ca
Zen DIY Class A Amplifier: http://headwize.com
Headphone + DAC Amplifier: 192Khz, 24 bits DAC and Jitter reduction using the AD1896 (same IC and the renowned Benchmark DAC-1) and TPA6120 Headphone amplifier IC. The volume is controlled digitally by an AVR processor, see www.diyaudio.com
EL84 Tube Headphone Amplifier (project in progress): http://headwize.com
Speakers:
Verity Audio Rienzi on my main system. Gorgeous full range speakers using special midrange driver without any crossover for midrange purity and high efficiency. Two boxes design mechanically decoupled from each others, and the now famous Verity Audio bass module that can be used facing to the back or the front for the best in-room bass match, see: www.verityaudio.com for details.
Eos by Enigma Acoustics on my Audiomat system. These incredible speakers are handmade by a friend. They use a 2-1/2 configuration and a reflex port underneath the enclosure. Very nice pair of speaker and esy to drive. An incredible match with the Audiomat Arpege. They are similar to the Lyra 2 by Revelation Audio but with different drivers, see: www.revelationaudio.com for details.
Dynaudio Audience 42, Audience 52 and Audience 122 for Home Theater, see: www.dynaudiousa.com
Axiom M3Ti: www.axiomaudio.com
Dynaudio Finale Kit, with my own twist, see my DIY Speaker Project, 3 ways, Will be used in bi-amplification.
REL Strata III subwoofer, Closed-box loaded cabinet, 20Hz-120Hz: www.rel.net
REL R-305 subwoofer, Closed-box loaded cabinet, 20Hz-100Hz: www.rel.net, see a review at www.6moons.com,
Velodyne SMS-1 subwoofer EQ, The SMS-1 features Automatic or Manual In-Room Bass Correction with Included Microphone using DSP Control and On-Screen Display. See Velodyne for details
Home Theater:
Samsung PN50A650 Plasma screen 50"- Full HD 1080i.
Oppo BDP-83 Blu-Ray and Universal format feature packed player. See a review at: www.avrev.com
Sony Bravia KDL40S504 LCD screen 40'' - Full HD 1080i.
Sony BDP-S1 Blu-Ray Player (with Firmware ver 4.30 upgrade, include Dolby Digital and True-HD decoding), review at: www.ultimateavmag.com
Anthem AVM20-HD processor. Upgraded in 2007 to the AVM-20-HD version which now as the same functionality as the AVM-50, with the addition of Anthem's digital video processor and HDMI connections. This digital video processing PCB is incredible. It is a 6 layers with gold traces and over 1800 parts. It is the same one used in the Anthem Statement D2. It includes the excellent Gennum VXP Digital Image Processor/Scaler for professional image result up to 1080p resolution. See the AVM-50 review at: www.hometheatersound.com
MCA-5 Amplifier (5 channels) and the Teac Esoteric DV-50 as superb DVD player...
Interconnects 36" (Single Ended - Pairs):
RCA Atlas Navigator All-Cu, symmetrical pseudo-balanced Double shielded with copper mylar plus close lapped 99.997% pure OCC copper. Direct silver plated OCC copper, non-compressing, double screened, self-cleaning RCA plugs
RCA Atlas Element, OFC copper, shielded
Eichman Silver Bullet Plugs and Vacuum State Silver foil interconnect
RCA Furutech FP-101, Cable: Furutech FA-220 PC-OCC copper, shielded
RCA Cardas Wire Oyaide PA-02 PCOCC-A copper, shielded
RCA Cardas Wire: Kimber Tonik, Tri-Braid geometry, Varistrand Ultra Copper Conductors and Polyester sleeve.
RCA VAN DEN HUL M.C.D 102 MK III with Vampire RCA connectors
RCA WBT-0108 Wire: Litz braid (3 Silver and1
Oxygen Free Cooper wires), TFE insulation, Polyester sleeve, Belden braided shield
RCA WBT-0144 Wire: 1 strand Pure Silver with TFE insulation and Polyester expandable sleeve Belden braided shield
RCA WBT-0144 Wire: Canare L-2T2S (Shielded) and Polyester expandable sleeve
RCA WBT-0144 Wire: TFE 1/8 tube with 2 oxygen free copper, plated Silver AWG30 wire, Polyester expandable sleeve
RCA WBT-0144 Wire: Belden 89207, 100 ohms TwinAx, Tinned Copper and Bare Copper pair, TFE insulated, Duofoil Shield
RCA WBT-0144 Wire: Belden 83393, Tinned Copper Pair, Silicone Rubber, Foil Shield, Polyester sleeve
RCA Neutrik ProFi Wire: Cardas Crosslink 1L
RCA Neutrik ProFi Wire: Belden 83396, Tinned Copper Pair, Silicone Rubber (Red), Foil Shield
RCA Cardas and Cable twisted pair of JUPITER 28 awg, 6N Solid-Core Copper, Double layer unbleached Cotton, Wax-coated.
RCA Cardas and Cardas Crosslink 1L Interconnect Cable
RCA Neutrik ProFi and Cardas Crosslink 1L Interconnect Cable
Eichman Bullet Plugs and Cardas Tonearm Cable with shield (for turntable interconnect)
Interconnects 48" (Single Ended - Pairs)
RCA Neutrik ProFi Wire: Belden 88641 (Shielded), Polyester expandable sleeve
Generic RCA Wire: Coax Cable, all copper with TFE, Polyester sleeve, QTY: 2
Interconnects Balanced XLR (Pairs)
Furutech FP-702F and FP-701M XLR 3 pins, Cable: Furutech FA-220 PC-OCC copper, shielded, lenght 12 FT
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins, Cable: Furutech FA-220 PC-OCC copper, shielded, lenght 36"
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins, Cable: Kimber
Tonik, Tri-Braid geometry, Varistrand Ultra Copper Conductors and Polyester
sleeve, lenght 36"
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins, Cable: Canare L-4E6S (Shielded), lenght 12 FT
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins, Cable: Belden 83396, Tinned Copper Pair, Silicone Rubber, Foil Shield , lenght 12 FT
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins, Cable: Belden 83393, lenght 36"
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins, Cable: Custom wire (3 wires+shield), length 8 FT
Digital Interconnects
Kimber Illuminations D-60, length 1 m, dual RCA connectors
Belkin Synapse Platinum Digital Audio Cable, dual RCA, 6FT length
Belden 1694A HD-SDI Precision coaxial 75 ohms, Canare RCA RCAP and BNC connectors, 6FT length, see www.bluejeanscable.com for great cables.
Canare LV-61S coaxial 75 ohms, dual RCA, 6FT length
(SPDIF) Amphenol 31-70000, True 75 ohms BNC Cable: Belden T9116,
Duobond Braid Shield, Low Loss, RG-6 75 ohms coaxial (2 cables),
length 24"
(AES/EBU) Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins Cable: Canare DA202, True 110 ohms digital cable (2 cables),
length 48"
Optical Fiber Amphenol, 62.5um, ST connectors at both ends, length 3m
Toslink/Toslink PremiumSILFLEX
Glass Cable with armored jacket, 3
ft. High Bandwidth Audio Applications that
exceeds the 15Mbps data rates required by Toshiba's best TOSLINK
optical modules. Made with
470 Audio Data SILFLEX Glass Fiber Optic strands, see
www.lifatec.com
for details.
Headphone extension
Neutrik NJ3FC6 1/4 Stereo Locking Jack, Neutrik NP3C 1/4 Stereo Plug Cable: Canare L-2T2S (Shielded),
length 12 FT
Speakers Cables
Straight Wire Octave, WBT-0645 and WBT-0644 banana connectors, one pair, length 11 ft
Totem Acoustic, oxygen free Pure copper pair cable with banana connector
TNT U-Byte DIY speaker cable: www.tnt-audio.com
ToneArm Upgrade Cables
Vandenhul D-502 DIN upgrade tonearm cable with Tiffany RCA connectors, uses with the Linn LP12 and its Ittok
tonearm
See: www.vandenhul.com
Cardas upgrade tonearm cable with Bullet Plugs connector, uses on the Tecnodec Rega RB300 tonearm
Home Theater Cables
Supra HDMI Cable
BJC Belden Bonded-Pair HDMI 28AWG cables from www.bluejeanscable.com
Supra Speaker Cables.
Neutrik NC3FX and NC3MX XLR 3 pins Cable: Belden 83393, length 36", 7 Cables
Coax cable with BNC connectors for Sub-woofer.
AC Power Cables
Furutech Alpha3 PCOCC (12 AWG) cable, Furutech FI-25 (Gold) Connectors, my best...
DH Labs 'Red Wave' silver-coated OFC copper (10 AWG) cable, Furutech FI-15 (Gold connectors, second best.
Belden19364 Cable (14 AWG), shielded; Wattgate 320E IEC; Hubbell 8215C Plug
D.H. Labs Power Plus Cable (12 AWG); Wattgate 320E IEC; Hubbell 8215C Plug
Various AC Cables with Wattgate 320E IEC; Hubbell hospital grade Plug
Cardas Qualink AC Cord cable with Marinco and Shurter 320E IEC
Custom AC cord with multibraid 4X16AWG ultra pure copper strand, in nylon conduit and Marinco connectors
AC Power Distribution
Furutech eTP80, power distribution bar, with 8 outlets, and Furutech power cord.
Hammond Manufacturing, Hospital Grade, 6 outlets Power Bar, model 1584T6DH, with upgraded power cord.
Accessories
HIFace EVO
M2TECH USB to
SPDIF converter.
192K/24bits Digital Audio Interface with Low jitter, low phase noise, high stability oscillators. Support 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192Khz
sampling frequencies. Inputs: USB 2.0 & external master clock. Outputs SPDIF x2 (RCA & BNC), AES/EBU (XLR), optical Toslink™ & ST, I2S
(RJ-45) with optional low noise external supply from TeraDak www.teradak.com. See www.m2tech.biz
for details. Great review at
www.highfidelity.pl
Cambré CoreÔ
system Audio Racks (Two
of them), on my main system, see www.cambreproducts.com
and Soundcare Superspikes as feet, see www.soundcare.no
Vibrapod Isolators, Cones, PEARL Tube Coolers
Hagerman Audio Labs "FryDaddy" Audiophile Burn-In Generator (my own clone version): www.haglabs.com
Hagerman HagUSB USB to SPDIF converter, see www.hagtech.com
SPDIF to Optical Toslink converter
Nov 2010, major news, After 10 years waiting to find the right parts, and the time to build such a complex speaker, I finally came across the parts I needed most, the original woofer and passive radiator used into the Finale. No need for more development or testing. I can use the original parts and crossover and build it as planned ;)
Drivers Dynaudio:
Tweeter D-260, 8 ohms, textile tweeter with ferrofluid
Midrange (Low): MW150 , 4 ohms (15W75 equivalent), 4" midrange/woofer, 3" aluminium voice coil
Midrange (High): D52-AF, 4 ohms, dome midrange
Woofers: 30W-100 XL with 30W-SL matching passive radiator.
Cabinet Construction:
Probably 2 boxes design, inspiration VerityAudio Parsifal model, www.verityaudio.com
High and Midrange Module:
First Order Crossover, Impedance Compensated, from bass module (As a Watt Puppy...)
Neotech Solid-core UP-OCC COPPER Wire, Teflon jacket Internal wiring
Pyramidal enclosure with bracing, Separate enclosure for crossover
Wall1 inch MDF+Asphalt Saturated Felt+Borosilicate damping
WBT Connectors
Modules Decoupling:
Aluminium 3/4'' plate separated by Sorbothane isolation pads
Bass Module:
First Order Crossover, Impedance Compensated, Original Dynaudio Final design
Wall1 inch MDF+1/2" Birch Plywood+Asphalt Saturated Felt+Borosilicate damping
Extensive Bracing, Possibly Lead sheet on inside wall
Neotech Solid-core UP-OCC COPPER Wire, Teflon jacket Internal wiring
Isolation spikes
Sealed and using Passive radiator loading
WBT connectors
Cabinet ACAD File: Dynaudio Speaker.zip (37k)
Dynaudio Finale Kit: Dynaudio Finale kit.zip (205k)
Excel Volume Box Calculator: Conv_Unit.zip (6k)
Links:
Under construction
 | Lovely Cube Headphone Amplifier. This is a clone of the excellent Lehmann Black Cube Linear (BCL) amplifier. See this site for details www.head-fi.org, and this link for an excellent review of the original BCL www.soundstage.com |
| Borbely Millennium 200 Monoblocks, Great amps from Borbely Audio that I had the chance to listen to at friends house. They use fully discrete FET front end, with Lateral MOSFET Final. I'll build a pair for me. This a private project. |
|
Paradise Lost Phono preamp, version R3, Fully dual mono discrete phono preamp with separate dual mono supply. Read the complete MPP thread or jump directly at www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| LC-Audio Low Noise dual regulator, my own DIY version. I'm planning in using them in my next Anagram Sonic-2 DAC and the LC-Audio own Phono preamp, see www.lcaudio.com for details. |
| LC-Audio RIAA Phono Amplifier with MC Light Powered Step-Up, my own DIY version. I'm planning in my new AirTight ATC-2 preamp to have an integrated phono section. I'll keep the power supply external for lower noise, see www.lcaudio.com and www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| RJM Audio Sapphire Headphone Amplifier. Two stages design with first a non-inverting op amp voltage gain stage then a second stage using a "diamond buffer" discrete current amplifier. See http://phonoclone.com for details. |
| Schroeder DIY tonearm clone. My Schroeder arm is almost completed. It missing only the wood wand tube. It has a micrometric VTA adjuster kind like the one on the Graham tonearm. Counterweight with fine adjuster brass screw, plastic (Rulon material) sleeve insert between arm tube and counterweight for smoother adjustment and vibration control. I'll use a kevlar thread for the pivot point. The mounting hole is the same as a REGA, lifter (JL-45) from Jelco. The lifter will need a custom slide section. The standard one is not long enough. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| PassLabs D1 Fully Balanced discrete FET Class-A output stage without any negative feedback for the ESS Sabre DAC (see below). See www.diyaudio.com for details. I'll use Twisted Pear Ballsie Balanced to single ended converter to provide both type of outputs. See this mirror site for the original PassLabs D1 DAC: www.passlabs.com |
| ESS Sabre New Reference 24 bits/192Khz DAC (8 channels combined to 2 channels for exceptional low noise floor) based on twistedpearaudio Buffalo DAC PCB with USB, BNC, AES/EBU and Toslink inputs, see www.diyaudio.com for my own contribution, an interconnect diagram that illustrates the different modules uses. I'll also use their upcoming Counterpoint I/V discrete fully symmetrical converter, single ended or fully balanced output, DC coupled, see it own thread on www.diyaudio.com. I built my own Supplies, a Digital Inputs, Simple Reg Modif and Transformers PCB. I'll mount it into a very nice enclosure from www.hifi-2000.com, Galaxie Serie. See www.diyaudio.com and www.twistedpearaudio.com for details |
| PassDIY Pearl 2 Phono Preamp. I did my own PCB, smaller than the standard PassLabs design. It fits on 6''x9'' double side PCB material sheet I used. I got very nice Mundorf M-Lytic power supply caps, Vishay RN-60D resistors all around, and 0.1% CMF-55 resistors at key locations, see www.passdiy.com and www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| Anagram Sonic2 DAC with TimeLock low Jitter Clock module built around Edel S2 development board from ABC PCB. See www.abc-pcb.com for details and full documentation. See also forum.stereophile.com for very nice pictures of this DAC. I just bought a sophisticated asynchronous I2S and S/PDIF FIFO and multiple SPDIF inputs/outputs kits to go with this dac. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| ZD-50 A sophisticated Gain Clone amplifier based on the LM3886, see www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| B1-DC Coupled Preamp with Shunt Regulator, The Mesmerize, see www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| Sonic Frontiers Line 1 Tube Preamp. I got the main PCB from an other diyaudio member at a good price. It a fully balanced design with sophisticated regulated power supply, almost completely DC coupled signal path(just one very good quality, low value capacitor) using a DC servo, high grade power transformer, very high quality 2oz copper PCB, three tubes per channel, input tube polarized with CCS current source, etc. For the price, I can never build such a sophisticated preamp, very nice indeed. To complete it, was only missing a delay timing circuit for the HV relays and a mute circuit that close when the already built-in DC error protection was detecting a DC offset at the output. This PCB was extensively moded with the best available, Vishay Bulk Metal foil, Caddock and Holco resistors. Multicap Thin-Foil fim capacitors, soft recovery diodes and instead of using the IC volume control, I use two external Noble potentiometers (much better, and no need for computer control). The original Line 1 has also an Headroom™ crossfeed headphone amplifier module. I built one too..., see www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| MOX Active crossover. Fully adjustable, HPF and LPF, 6,12,18 and 24 dB/Oct. It is based on the PassLabs XVR1 Electronic Crossover. It can accept op-amp or discrete op-amp module. I'm planning to use only the LPF section to power in dual amplification a bass module for my Verity Audio monitors. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| Yamamoto YDA-01 DAC Clone, with the Solid-State and Tube output sections. Very musical DAC based on the CS8416 MUX Digital Receiver and dual PCM1794A DAC chips. I made my own boards, and did my own change to the original design (better reset circuit, multiple selectable digital inputs, etc). The Tube section is using the WE408A. See the review of the YDA-01 (Solid State Output) and the YDA-01B (Tube Output). |
| The ShigaClone, a low cost CD Transport based on the JVC EZ31B Boombox CD mechanism. It is a 47Lab FlatFish Clone, see the original site at: www.sakurasystems.com for details and my own clone version at: www.diyaudio.com |
| PhonoClone3, MC dual mono phono preamp. Upgrade of the original PhonoClone using better shunt voltage regulators and optimized circuit and PCB layout. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| Peter Daniel PhonoClone version, MC dual mono phono preamp. Clone of the 47Lab Phono cube with shunt voltage regulators optimized circuit and PCB layout. Very specific parts selection, choose for the best sound, such as V-Cap, Muse & Black Gate caps, Caddock Resistors, MUR860 rectifier diodes, etc. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| "Heretical Tube Line Stage" Preamp with Unity Gain (explaining the "Heretical" name) to go with the F1 amplifier as well. Design optimized for Low distortion and very low noise floor. It is using the ECC88 tube, CineMag Input Transformer (for single-ended and balanced inputs), Dual HV active regulators using Film caps. Separate Power source with Transformers and Soft Recovery diodes. Finally an elegant Servo circuit eliminate the output coupling caps, and allow the use of a very high quality Teflon, small value input coupling cap. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| SDS Tube DAC using the PCM63-K DAC chip (maybe one of the best DAC chip ever made), passive I/V conversion and tube output. I'll add a USB digital input for the upcoming music server. See www.quadesl.com for details. An old design, but I have all the parts so... |
| Tube Buffer (In Progress...). Basic cathode follower with a choke for the cathode resistor. With ceramic comp resistors. The tubes are Jan 5687's and the rectifier is a 6v4. The PSU is a CLCLCR using only big Solen film caps and Hammond chokes. It has Edcor input transformers and Jensen in oil caps at the output. Finally there is an ALPS Black Beauty volume potentiometer. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| FirstWatt F1 clone to drive my Lowther Medaillon enclosure (Work in Progress...), see www.firstwatt.com and positive-feedback review |
| Mark Levinson ML38 and ML380 upgrade done from scratch, a long story, see this link for few details: www.diyaudio.com |
| Mark Levinson ML36 DAC from scratch, a long story, see this link for few details: www.diyaudio.com |
| Krell KSA50 Clone Amplifier, see www.diyaudio.com, It will be a fully dual mono amplifier with soft start and remote power On. |
| Pair of Aleph-X Mono blocks amplifiers, project still on development |
| Placette style, shunt step attenuator, see www.diyaudio.com |
| Tent Audio Low jitter clock module and low noise supply |
| Diamond Buffer PCB, see home.swipnet.se |
| SDS Headphone Amplifier with MOSFET Class A output, see: http://headwize.com |
| PPA Headphone Amplifier with YJPS Shunt Regulator Power Supply, see The PPA Project for details |
| PassLabs Bride of Zen single stage preamp. Now superseed by the new B1 with Salas shunt regs. |
| ForePlay Tube Preamp, see it at www.diyaudio.com, see also the original designer web site |
| My SuperDAC with low jitter PLL clock and Tube Output, see www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| Pass Labs XONO dual mono, phono preamplifier, see www.diyaudio.com for description, pictures, specs and test results. See also this other thread at www.passdiy.com |
| Pass Labs Pearl phono preamplifier with MC Option, see www.diyaudio.com and www.passdiy.com |
| PhonoClone, a dual mono, phono preamplifier, a 47Lab PhonoCube Clone, see the original site at: www.sakurasystems.com for details and my own clone version at: www.diyaudio.com |
| Pass Labs Aleph30 30W Class-A Amplifier, see www.diyaudio.com |
| dAck! Clone, 1545-CS8414 DAC None Over Sampling, see www.diyaudio.com |
| TDA1543 NOS DAC based on Peter Daniel design, see www.diyaudio.com |
| Zen Headphone Amplifier, see it on www.diyaudio.com |
| Pioneer 563A, Universal DVD Player, Modified with new linear supplies, upgraded parts, new Jung Super Regulators and new audio section, see www.diyaudio.com |
| Amplifier Soft Start circuit and Main DC filter PCB, see www.diyaudio.com |
| X1 Pass Labs Preamp Clone using UGS gain module clone and processor controlled 32 steps fully balanced attenuator. |
| Toccata (Work in Progress...), A variation of the Arthur Loesch Tube phono preamp Design by Thorsen Loesch. Using a sophisticated power supply design with Fast recovery diodes, extensive CRC and CLC filters, HV capacitor multiplier, dual mono HV shunt regulators and individual tube heater current regulators. The preamp circuit itself is using a Cascode Circuit using paralleled input valves with selectable gain (56 to 72 dB), split RIAA equalization, tube lithium battery bias, extensive ground layout, point-to-point wiring, great parts like PRP, RN60D and Mills resistors, Solen, Obbligato and Sprague NOS Oil caps and Amperex ECC88 NOS tubes . I even included the preamp drive stage to be able to drive almost any interconnect with ease. The final touch, a real Acoustic Research Reference Phono front panel, with all the AR functionalities, delay turn-on, standby mode, Muting, etc. See: Toccata and Toccata MKII |
| EL84 Tube Headphone Amplifiers (Work in Progress...) |
| HV Shunt Regulator PCB. Original Design by Emile Sprenger, Excellent HV Regulator, used for example by Vacuum State (www.vacuumstate.com) in their products. I designed a PCB for it, based on Emile's design. There was a small group buy for a commercially made PCB. I'm planning to use it in my EAR834P Phono Preamp clone. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| High Precision Turntable DC Motor Controller based on Mark's Kelly design. I did a complete custom PCB for it. It is using a high quality Maxon Swiss made motor and Greg Nuspel on diyaudio designed two custom pulleys for it. One using 1/2 mylar tape, the other just a string, see it on www.diyaudio.com |
| Bridged LM3886T 300W Amplifier with balanced DRV134 Driver Board , see it on www.diyaudio.com |
| DRV134 Drive board, see it on www.diyaudio.com |
| DAC +Headphone Amplifier Project, see it on www.diyaudio.com. I designed a suppl. PCB for this project, a RCA line output PCB using BG coupling caps and the LT1028 High-Speed Op-Amp. |
| Aya-DAC ver 2.0c, a TDA1541 (Double-Crown)-CS8416 DAC None Over Sampling, see: www.pedjarogic.com. I designed two suppl. PCB's for this project, a Transformer PCB to mount the 5 separate transformers needed for the multiples 8 & 16Vac voltage supplies by this DAC design, and an active BNC digital input PCB, based on the same AD8611 High-Speed 4ns comparator used into the Headphone DAC project. This DAC is now sold. See www.diyaudio.com for details |
| Aya II-DAC, revision A, a TDA1541 (Double-Crown) - CS8414 DAC None Over Sampling, see: www.audialonline.com. This the latest AYA version with SPDIF and USB selectable inputs. I got on Audiogon a nice Ayre QB9 used enclosure (silver) for this DAC. I made my own PCB. It is using a TDA1541 (Double-Crown) chip. This DAC is now sold as well. See www.diyaudio.com for details |
| "The Pumpkin" Preamp with "The Shunty" dual mono shunt regulators to go with the F1 amplifier. I will install my Placette attenuator into this preamp. The Placette in/out connectors will be available on the back to allow the Placette to be use with other systems if I wish to. See www.diyaudio.com for details. |
| An off the record, almost secret project of mine, a replica of the famous CTC Design, Vendetta phono preamp. Prototype is almost completed, but no proof yet that I can make it work. See www.stereophile.com and www.kogerer.ru for reviews. See also amp8.com for inside pictures. |
| |
| Phone Line Simulator controlled by BasicStamp 2, with DTMF code display and Diagnostic routines. Complete schematic: PhoneSim.pdf (38k), Code: Phone_V1.pdf (12k) |
| Pulse Generator Microprocessor Controlled with optical encoder and LCD interface, Complete Schematic: PulseGen.zip (44k), Motorola 68HC705P3 source code: Pulse_v2.pdf (18k) |
| Audio Function Generator 10hz-1Mhz, with sweep, DC offset, 50/600 ohms outputs with attenuator and trigger outputs, schematics: AudioGen.zip (80k) |
| Mutlifunction Frequency Counter with 1.2Ghz prescaler and oven heated reference clock, complete schematics: FreqCounter.zip (290k) |
| Mike Preamplifier, schematic: MicPreamp.pdf (22k) |
I published in DIYMagazine (http://basaudio.net/diymag.htm)two articles on making PCB by yourself at home. They explain own I do it, what are my little tricks, the material I use, etc. You may find it useful in your own projects. They are in no way professional advices. I'm just an amateur PCB maker, probably like you. But it may save you a lot of problems. Have fun.
If your using Eagle PCB and want to send your PCB design for production, read my little guide of the needed steps to prepare your PCB files. It may save you some problems, see: www.diyaudio.com
Dallas Semiconductor 1-Wire Weather Station. Parameters available: Temperature, Frost index, Wind Speed & Direction, Relative Humidity & Dew Point, Barometric Pressure and Rain Accumulation
www.ibutton.com/weather/index.html
http://davidbray.org/onewire/barometer.html
I live in Quebec, Canada with my beloved wife and our three great boys from 15 to 21 years old, our cat Kitty and the latest one, a little rabbit called Rocky.
DIY:
HiFi:
www.6moons.com/archivelibrary/audioreviews.html
Home Theater:
Others:
La Pavoni - The only real expresso machine, for the coffee DIYer in me
