last update 01/08/2007
Most Recent Project: Room Treatment
updated 5/02/2006 ---Room Treatment? What's that? Call it additional insulation for the cold winters around here, at least those things I am slapping against outside walls should have some heating benefit. But there's more - it makes everything sound so much better. Bottom line - I should have done this years ago. Even if you think your room sounds "pretty good" there's a lot to be gained from absorbers and diffusion in the right places. This is totally "a work in progress" right now and will get updated real soon again.
USB-I2S version of the DDDAC16
updated 5/03/2006 ---And there's another DAC project on this site: The 16-chip DDDAC I built in spring 2005 has now been replaced by a highly modified version. The big news is the USB interface that now allows the DAC to drive the power amps directly, using the computer source for volume control.
DIY Cotton/Silver Interconnects
updated 1/13/2006 --- These "how-to" pages have been updated - see the last two thumbnails on the menu for the alternate construction I recently put together.
The latest addition to my system is a radical rebuild of my DDDAC. The old 8way DAC (see blow) has already been dismantled to donate parts for yet another upgrade, but for now this new DAC is the standard of DACs for me. I have yet to hear one that comes close to it, and I have heard quite a few big sticker DACs recently. Also - this DAC has a few tricks up its sleeve few other DACs will ever be able to do. 50 photos show you how this thing was born. Not a beginner project!
Modding the Toshiba SD-3950 as dedicated audio transport
updated 04/01/05 --- Took me a few months to get this page up - the Toshiba has been in service for a few months now and may undergo a few more upgrades. However, what is shown on this page is pretty close to what I am using now.
The DDDAC1543
updated 07/27/04 --- Finally a real DAC in my system. CDs never sounded this good before. For the complete summary of tweaks click on the image:
Cambridge D500 CD Player tweaks
updated 04/19/04 --- I started to add some electronics tweaks to the player. For the complete summary of tweaks click on the imamge:
Bottlehad Foreplay Tube Line Stage
updated 01/06/04 --- The page now shows the latest version of the
preamp, with Schottky diodes and new base plate.
Click on the image for a complete overview:
older project: custom speaker stands
The stands are done (see them in above image all in black)
The base is constructed of 3 layers 3/4" maple/birch plywood. The dimensions of each platform are 2 feet by 3 feet. There
are 6 adjustable spikes under each platform to support the expected weight (speakers plus two heavy amps each side).
The braces are made from high grade 1x6" pine, cut at a 27 degree angle on top and 63 degree angle at the bottom. The maggies sit on their stock feet which are secured to the platform behind the speakers with two metal straps. This allows the rear braces to push against the panels without raising the speakers off the platform. The two braces are secured to the base with two metal angles, while one piece of metal connects the top to the middle of the rear panels, using original maggie screws in that location. A strip of closed cell foam on the top edge of the brace assures smooth contact with the speaker. The hole for the single mounting screw had to be moved close to the wood (and perhaps would work best if replaced with a hole drilled through the wood and a custom screw that's longer than the original one). Earlier tests had the brace slip off the frame and press on the bass panel, causing the sound stage to collapse. Keeping the braces on the edge of the maggie frame is important.
The platform behind the speakers currently supports the crossover box as well as my amplifiers, cutting speaker cable length to about 11 inches.
Once finished, I realized that I would really want to separate the speakers from the amp support structure, so I'll probably build a set of metal stands, or get a commercial product. First I need to make up my mind regarding possible crossover tweaks.
Images of the stands in their current state:
Platform on carpet (spikes sink in deep)
Future amplifier location
Maggie clamp down
Tweeter side brace mount
Rear brace mount on platform
Amps on cement blocks and inner tubes on platform
Amps behind maggies top view - tight fit with XO
stained and finished stands with real ficus tree behind speaker
Short cables from amp to crossover