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Filterlab
21-01-2008, 21:48
I'll kick off the first DIY post.

So I bought my fantastic passive pre-amp from a very good friend who happens to be a bit of an electronics genius. Handy for a bod like me! Anyway, once I'd begged him relentlessly for weeks to sell me the damn thing (and I'd actually got round to paying him), I decided that I would change the somewhat utilitarian case for something with a little flair to it.

Here's what I started with:

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP01.jpg

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP02.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 21:54
At the outset of the project I'd spent a great deal of time arguing with myself over materials. I considered granite, marble, aluminum and even acrylic. However, once my limits of technological know-how finally gripped me I decided on two types of wood.

Why wood I hear you ask? Well, two reasons:

1. The Beechwood matches my speakers
2. It's really easy to work with and I'm a dab hand with woodwork tools.

So I decided to go for a two tone look, the main body being in a mid-tone wood (Cherry) and the base and top being in a light wood (Beechwood). Luckily I stumbled across a chap on ebay who made Cherry boxes in his spare time and sold them for absurdly low prices.

I managed to get this for a fiver!:

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP03.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 21:55
So the first job was to dismantle the existing casework. Mmm, easier said than done as some of it had been riveted and had to be drilled out. Still, it came apart nicely and primarily with no damage.

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP04.jpg

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP06.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 21:58
Then I encountered my first problem.

I'd forgotten to check how thick the wood used to build the cherry box was. As no luck would have it, it turned out to be too thick for the shaft of the volume switch to pass right through. Luckily I'm a dab hand with a drill and have a selection of clever bits. Having ONE chance to get it right, I went for broke. Luckily it paid off!

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP05.jpg

Then I drilled some holes for the phono sockets on the rear panel.

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP07.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:00
Next job was to decide on the layout. It made sense to keep the transformers as far apart as possible to avoid any interaction. At this point I earthed the two transformer cases together but I didn't go for complete shielding.

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP08.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:02
Next was to bolt in the volume switch shaft. Nice and tight to avoid any slippage. :)

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP09.jpg

It was then I realised that the same issue of the thickness of the wood was going to affect the phono sockets. However as luck would have it I had a spare project box knocking around so I decided to install the sockets on the box and then fit it to the rear of the case as thus:

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP10.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:03
Next was the lining up of the base. In my experience I've found relentless measuring to be counter productive, so I lined the case and base up by eye and went at it with my power screwdriver. AAAARRRR!

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP11.jpg

Lined up and screwed in position:

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP12.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:06
Then for the feet.

Having had loads of component laying about the place, I borrowed a set of feet with a champagne ring on them from an old Aiwa tapedeck. As it happens I've since changed them to spikes, but in fact I have changed them back as they really help the sound.

Just three feet as four is a leveling nightmare!

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP13.jpg

Back on its feet and sorting out the top.

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP14.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:08
Then I had to figure out how I could get the top on nice and firmly but with still having access to the innards in case of problems. I paced furiously looking for answers and then finally came up with a set of 'DIY' positioners and a couple of spring clips.

Here it is with the lid on:

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP15.jpg

Last thing was to fit the gorgeous Audio Note gold plated brass knob - mmmm, feel the luxury.

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP16.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:09
And the finished article in my rack:

Luckily just the right height! I forgot to measure the rack beforehand. :rolleyes:

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP17.jpg

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/aos_images/random_stuff/PP18.jpg

Filterlab
21-01-2008, 22:12
As far as effects on the sound goes, I got the following overviews:

Increased warmth in vocals, slightly more resonance on classical guitars, much crisper treble, much smoother bass.

No negative effects luckily. :)

leo
23-01-2008, 22:52
I know I said it before but nice work Rob, hope to see more diy on here ;)

Marco
25-01-2008, 00:11
Yes, especially from you, mate! Let's see some of the quality contributions and pics of the excellent projects that you've submitted to certain other forums {wink} {wink} ;)

Rob,

Superb pictures and great work with the casing. I can't help thinking though that it looks like a designer bread bin! LOL - only kidding :D

Marco.

leo
25-01-2008, 00:37
I thought people maybe bored keep looking at my stuff
Most of it needs proper cases but if you don't mind looking at pcbs:D

Marco
25-01-2008, 00:48
Nope - let's see those PCBs in all their glory! :)

Don't worry, Rob will make you a nice case for a bread bin :p

<Giggle>

I think Rob knows I'm only winding him up!

Marco.

leo
25-01-2008, 01:01
A bread bin looks better than having a rats nest bolted to a piece of wood, thats how mine look during testing and tweaking:D

Marco
25-01-2008, 01:07
Yes, and you can keep a nice Parma ham ciabatta in there too if you're feeling peckish... ;)

Marco.

Filterlab
25-01-2008, 10:28
...I can't help thinking though that it looks like a designer bread bin! LOL - only kidding :D

Marco.

Yeah, and now I can't find my bread bin anywhere!

I like to be different. ;)

johnrtd
25-01-2008, 11:23
If only there was some good bread available .......

Filterlab
25-01-2008, 11:27
Well, it just so happens...

http://www.replica.co.uk/images/specials/bread.jpg

Phil Bishop
22-05-2008, 21:22
Rob,

Very interesting reading how this all evolved and, of course, I am now the proud owner....and it sounds great! As you know, I have changed the volume control to an anodised silver one but otherwise it is still just as it was. Having had a bit of time to live with it now, I can't understand why more people have not gone down this passive route. What's the CD player by the way and have you now sold it?

The Grand Wazoo
22-05-2008, 23:21
Forgive me, I don't know what it sounds like, but, aesthetically, I think it's awful ....sorry!!
Why would you spoil that cherry with the other stuff??? I know it's all in the eye of the beholder - but..........
........well, I suppose you're the one who's got to behold it every day....good luck!!

Phil Bishop
23-05-2008, 08:08
Mr Wazoo, You don't have to apologise - you are not alone in your opinion of the aesthetics! I had been watching it on ebay for a while, intrigued by the idea and also quite impressed by the quirky looks. So I made Rob an offer and bought it. But when I got it home, my wife kicked up a huge fuss "you cannot be serious, etc, etc"!

I was frankly surprised - I thought she would prefer it to the usual black boxes. This is an age old problem I pick up from many discussions and forums - partners' objections to hi fi, wires, etc and let's face it, most of us to not have the luxury of a dedicated hi fi room.

So I asked Rob about re-casing and he suggested a black acrylic box, but I can't find any. Anyone out there know where I may get one? But frankly, for the expense of buying a new box, getting someone to re-house it, etc, I think I may stick with it. I think I have a pretty good aesthetic appreciation and still quite like it, particularly now I have changed the gold knob for a more subtle anodised silver and it looks less like something one would keep Granny's ashes in! I have taunted my wife (who is very understanding and a complete darling) that I will stick her ashes in it to provide further sonic enhancement! What do others thinks? Any ideas on re-casing - should I post this as a separate thread? Phil

Filterlab
23-05-2008, 08:25
...What's the CD player by the way and have you now sold it?

I'm glad you're pleased, it's a great passive. The CD player was a Musical Fidelity A3.5CD. I also had a Tri-Vista 21 DAC but it was on loan to my mate at the time - he ended up buying it actually! :)


Forgive me, I don't know what it sounds like, but, aesthetically, I think it's awful ....sorry!!
Why would you spoil that cherry with the other stuff??? I know it's all in the eye of the beholder - but..........
........well, I suppose you're the one who's got to behold it every day....good luck!!

:lol: :)

I love to create controversy with my work. I'm glad you think it's awful as much as I'm glad Phil loves it - that's the sign of an interesting design. If everyone liked it or was indifferent then it would a bland design, and that would be dull. I'd never intended to sell it to be honest and I wanted something that looked really different from the mainstream black boxes, think I did it too. :)

When it was on my stand it attracted all sorts of conversation, much more so than my dull looking 8000P.