Hairball Audio, LLC - DIY Kits and Components. HairballAudio.com

This case news is like waiting for a birthday present you know you want

Hi All,

I get a lot of email asking about enclosures and as you may know it's something I have been working on with the help of Skylar.  Skylar (as you know) is awesome and this would not be possible without his amazing design/CAD skills.

I've been working for several months now with a few different Chinese manufactures.  I few started very promising, however after months of back an forth I would find out they were unable to do the blind standoffs needed to mount the switch banks and zero adjust.  This has been a very frustrating process.

I have decided to have the enclosures made in the USA.  After exploring many options and looking into having the frontpanel made in the US and enclosures done overseas I have come to the realization that to do this right I need to have it done as locally as possible.

As far as the details, basically it's a 9" deep enclosure with many cool features.

Here is a Chinese prototype. This is not the enclosure but it will give you an idea of the features included.

http://hairballaudio.com/diy_images/enclosure/proto1.jpg

If you are familiar with the parmetal enclosures, these are similar. Two side panels, top, bottom, rear and frontpanel. No lip!

http://hairballaudio.com/diy_images/enclosure/proto2.jpg

The rear is drilled for common XLR, IED inlet and multiple output transformer options (5002, B11148, Cinemag).  There are two power transformer mounting holes one on the back and one on the side.  There are also mounting holes on the side for the input transformer PCB.

http://hairballaudio.com/diy_images/enclosure/proto3.jpg

Inside includes a really cool feature, PCB rails.

http://hairballaudio.com/diy_images/enclosure/proto4.jpg

Here is a B11148 mounted.  These same holes will hold a Cinemag and the second hole allows for the 5002 to be mounted.

http://hairballaudio.com/diy_images/enclosure/proto5.jpg

Here is a view of the PCB rails.  These should accommodate and 1176 type pcb ever made including the Gyraf boards.

Not shown are the switch bank brackets and zero adjust bracket that will mount to the blind standoffs on the rear of the front panel.  These are included of course.

No drilling or mods will be needed with this case.  It should be ready for your build as is.

I may loose the black powder coating and use a different treatment for oxidation.

Time?  Hard to say.  I hope to have them in 6 weeks but as I have learned with metal work things work very slowly.  Cost?  These will not be as cheap as I wanted but they will be built like a tank and will be ready to go with no drilling or modifications.  These will certainly be cheaper then a parmetal case and front panel express cutting/filling.

I know everyone is interested in dual cases/blank cases/blue stripe/silverface/frontpanel only.  All of these things sound great and I am willing to do it.  However, I need to get through this first order.  This is a HUGE investment and I need to move carefully and get to know the demand and manufacturer.

Obviously a huge thank you to Skylar as well as Ed and Mako for the input and support.

I'll keep you posted and let you know when the order is placed.

Thank you for the patience guys.

Mike

Wow!

Nice work guys.  8)

Love the PCB rails.  Thanks for all the hard work you are putting into this project.  This is why I love this site.

This seems infinitely better than anything sold on this board. 

Awesome stuff Mike, Skylar,

The rails are pretty cool (Ed's idea).

Nothing is fastened to the top or bottom panel so testing and repair is made very easy.

Mike

Mike

My meters came in only 3 days !!! FAST FAST FAST
(they look GREAT too!!)

thanks

GARY

I picked up two 1176 kits from the customs today, everything is perfect!

Thanks and best wishes, Marten

Awesome!

Thanks guys.

I'll keep everyone posted on the new "N" type output and mic input transformers and cases as soon as details develop.

Mike

oh ya thoes cases look great, I'm in for 3

The real ones will be even better! 

More news in about 1 week.

Mike

Mike they will be awesome and better in time.
I'm working on a 1272 solution on one board.
Let me know how the input transformer pinout ends.

Thanks

Looks great again mike, as does everything you put together.

Brandon

Thanks!

I've just placed a small test order.

I'll have them in hand in about 3 weeks.  I'll post some images when they arrive.

Mike

Mike

Please hold 6 La5/La3a knobs when you get them.

Thanks

GARY

Hi Gary,

Will do.  I have them on order and they should be here in 2 - 3 weeks.

Thanks,

Mike

I'll be buying some of those 3/5 knobs too, Thanks for stocking those.

Any chance you have the OD handy?

kazper said:

I'll be buying some of those 3/5 knobs too, Thanks for stocking those.

Any chance you have the OD handy?

Click to expand...

By OD do you mean dimensions?

If so:

.718" knob
1.218"skirt

Mike

Skirt, was what I was after, sorry for not being clear.

Thanks! I'll check these against my layout that I would like to use them with.

Kaz

Hi All,

A few updates:

Enclosures: Test run is in production.  I should have them by Oct. 15.  If all is well I will sell a few of those and make the production order.  The production order should be ready by Dec 1.

"N" type mic input and gapped output transformers: The delays are on the manufacturing side.  Hope to have a solid date soon.

LA3A/5A Knobs: Shipped from the factory.  I'll have them early next week.

Special New Product: I have a special *surprise* release coming out in 2 weeks.  You will like it

Thanks,

Mike