Xbox into Neve Preamp

Hi Guys,

i thought i'd document my Neve preamp journey using an old broken Xbox console into a preamp.

?? You drunk or whoa'?

;D

Jakob E.

Hi Jacob,

not at all!!!! i was just looking for a case which was a nice size and have a couple of broken xbox 360 consoles lying around and thought, if i gut it its got a nice metal case inside!! hopefully should work perfect!!

sizing it all up, seems to all fit apart from the transformer i'm going to wind for the 2 x 24v, but its only a little bigger than the output transformer so will be fine.
start drilling tomorrow!

gonna probably use this other Xbox360 as a case for the stereo API 553 EQ, both will have VU meters on.

Spencerleehorton said:

gonna probably use this other Xbox360 as a case for the stereo API 553 EQ, both will have VU meters on.

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A PS2 would give you more bass.

squarewave said:

A PS2 would give you more bass.

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At least he has the right generation of 360.  The newer, smaller chassis ones just doesn't sound as good as the older ones.

I once built a stereo API mic pre and A/D converter into an Atari 2600...unfortunately it was 8 bit!  ;D

I have a ps2 and an original master system!!!

These new consoles sound plain sterile,
use the Master System for extra  warmth or Nintendo NES if you want a wider stereo image!

Got all the bits, now to put it all together!

have tested transformer ive built and getting 2 x 23.82VAC and have test PSU pcb and getting 23.83v out, just need to tweak the 48v as I'm getting 60v at the moment!!

Have used the ssl 9k psu but not populated the - rail, is this why I'm getting 60v on the 48v?
Could none suggest a tweak please so I can just use 24v and 48v.

Spencerleehorton said:

Have used the ssl 9k psu but not populated the - rail, is this why I'm getting 60v on the 48v?
Could none suggest a tweak please so I can just use 24v and 48v.

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2 x 23.82VAC  = 47.64 VAC
after full wave rectification  47.64 VAC x 1.414 =67.36 VDC
This is probably the aproximate voltage you have at the LM317 input

You don't need to populate the -rail, but you will need to put a trimmer into the LM317 that regulates the 48V rail.
With the trimmer you can adjust the output voltage for that rail.
Replace R1 (8k2) for a 10K trimmer wired as a variable resistor.

A Multiturn trimmer will work the best because you can be more precise when adjusting the voltage.
Use an heatsink on the LM317

here is my eurorack PSU made from microphone box...
nice and portable

2

Great idea for a portable PSU box.

You should put a mesh/grille on that fan to avoid at some point some screws getting inside the PSU and shorting out, or even breaking the fan

Whoops said:

Great idea for a portable PSU box.

You should put a mesh/grille on that fan to avoid at some point some screws getting inside the PSU and shorting out, or even breaking the fan

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i have some side holes,  for air circulation, i placed mesh there, but, ran out of mash...
then i got lazy

Best finish this preamp sharpish in case this thread is hijacked with loads of weird cases and builds!!