what is the mt. everest of diy?

[Guest]

[quote author="Viitalahde"]Damn! When had SPL put that up?

I wanna see what those "supra" op-amps are about. Discrete op-amps at +/-120v sound porn to me. :green:[/quote]
only info i can find
Power for sound: SPL SUPRA components

The central component of the PQ is a fundamentally new amplification design: discrete, custom made Class A audio operational amplifiers which run on a 120V operating voltage (+/- 60 V). This amounts to over three times the operating voltage found in most high quality audio gear (+/- 15-20 V) and about twice as much as the highest voltages used in the best units currently available.
This extremely high voltage allows the circuitry to process an astonishing dynamic range of ca. 150 dB and an amazing +34 dB of headroom, virtually eliminating overloading of individual filter stages?even when processing extremely high-level signals.
For the first time, transistor circuits with such an impressive degree of stability and freedom from harmonic distortion can be realized. After the revival of tube units in the early ?90s, we feel that the time may be ripe for a revival of the ?transistor sound? in the near future.

Input stages of the SUPRA components
Wolfgang Neumann, founder of SPL and developer of the High Gain Series, has paid the highest attention to realizing components with high loop amplification, extremely low phase shifting and THD, combined with maximum amplification and a frequency response up to 100 kHz.
A main and obvious advantage of the discrete SUPRA components is the exclusion of those parts often found in industrially manufactured standard components that are not necessary for audio processing.
The SUPRA input stages are designed as symmetrical differential stages and comprise six matched high voltage transistors switched in parallel.
The concept of the input stage is based on the established principle that parallel circuits are not correlated noise sources, but the wanted signals are added geometrically which decreases the overall noise. The input stages are free of coupling capacitors to exclude additional capacitor noise. The symmetrical operation voltage of +/- 60 V is delivered from a linear -80 dB high voltage power supply.

Intermediate stages of the SUPRA components
The audio signal is lead to a further differential stage and from there through further processing stages to the Class-A output stage. All passive components have been tested for the highest fidelity.


Output stages of the SUPRA components
Extremely low noise, high voltage output transistors are set up with a high quiescent current and excessive heat is dissipated via special cooling plates.




Technical specifications

Input impedance (balanced): 10 kOhm
(Welwyn precision resistors; transformerless)
Output impedance (balanced): 600 Ohm
(CMR trimmers, transformerless)
Overload resistance: +34 dB
Harmonic distortion:
@ -30 dBu: 0.2%
@ -20 dBu: 0.05%
@ 0 dBu: 0.01%
@ +10 dBu: 0.002%
@ +30 dBu: 0.0005%
S/N ratio: A-rated: -108 dBu
CCIR 468-3: -97 dBu
Transmission bandwidth: 8 Hz-200 kHz
Processed frequency range: 10 Hz-28 kHz
Phase: +5.5° @ 10 Hz
0° @ 1 kHz
-1.23° @ 10 kHz
-8.8° @ 100 kHz
-11.25° @ 200 kHz
Common mode rejection: ? 70 dB @ 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz
Dimensions: Standard EIA 19? rack chassis (4 units)
Weight: 18,25 kg/40,15 lbs

 

[NewYorkDave]

[quote author="PRR"]I love the past and love people who try to keep it alive. But "DIY" can and should and does encompass completely original work (as original as possible in a field where you have to stand on the backs of giants and piles of midgets). [/quote]

Good post. I'm much, much more interested in original designs than in building clones. Matter of fact, I don't believe I've ever built a direct copy of any circuit in my life. I've found that designing your own circuit is an unbeatable learning process. You never really wrap your head around a circuit completely if you're just following someone else's diagram. And I don't think building a clone can ever give the kind of satisfaction you get when you turn on your circuit and it works!

But for better or worse, this is by and large a cloner's forum. I don't think there are more than ten people here who are into designing their own stuff. Just look at the number of pages contained in threads about popular clones versus threads about original projects.

Having said that, I won't rule out ever building a clone. I keep hearing so many positive comments about the SSL compressor project that it's becoming hard to resist the temptation to build one to try it for myself.

 

[Svart]

I design motor and light controls for robots for a living however have limited experience (or time!) to truly learn to design audio equipment. However much I would like to not be seen as just a clone builder it's necessity as I soak up info on this forum. Stuffing boards and using the devices, (plus relationships, and other life functions) take so much of my extra time. If i could win the lottery, I would take up true DIY for everything!

I'm sure others have similar issues too, It all depends on the person doing the DIY. Stuffing clones truly saves me time and money while educating me on various things that I have even used in my normal work, like now i use polyester caps for bypassing instead of the ceramic ones, that have been used in this equipment since before my time, and there is a noticable difference in precision/reliability and so forth.

just my .02$

:guinness:

 

[cuelist]

[quote author="PRR"]>
All respect to the "cloners" here, who try to preserve or recreate the best of the past: cloning is not the pinnacle of DIY. [/quote]

I agree. I'd like to see more original projects and discussions on design. While cloning is an art itself, it can get a bit too retrospective at times :wink:

 

[owel]

The "Mount Everest" of DIY is that feeling you get when the circuit you designed/built from scratch WORKS!

Yes, there's a certain HIGH when you've finished a kit, or finished stuffing components on a ready-made PCB...

But it's nothing compared to the feeling of designing your own circuit, designing the PCB layout, masking, etching, drilling, soldering, powering up, and working....

Yes, even if it's just a stupid little non-inverting opamp or power supply you designed yourself.

It's not about how big the project is, or how expensive, or how rare the parts are... it's how much of that project is your OWN design.

 

[ChumpitO]

[quote author="PRR"]> what is the mt. everest of diy?
My father built vacuum-tube computers in college (they didn't work so well). [/quote]
Speaking [OT] of this does anyone have links to books or info on old vacuum tube computer circuits?

 

[Consul]

My two cents on cloning vs. original design:

My goal is not to become an electronics expert, but to make a good-sounding studio with good-sounding gear. I just happen to be getting good at electronics as a side effect more than anything. Clones versus original designs actually fall to beside the point for me.

Yes, I'm building clones, but given what my true goal is, that works just fine for me.

 

[CJ]

Eric Barbour wrote some articles for VTV called the "The Savage Art Of Computing" which featured vacuum tube computers. Most used 6SN7's by he bucket load.

 

[tk@halmi]

[quote author="Consul"]My two cents on cloning vs. original design:

My goal is not to become an electronics expert, but to make a good-sounding studio with good-sounding gear. I just happen to be getting good at electronics as a side effect more than anything. Clones versus original designs actually fall to beside the point for me.

Yes, I'm building clones, but given what my true goal is, that works just fine for me.[/quote]

Well, that is the reaffirmation of YOUR goals. I am interested in learning and especially enjoy learning about electronics. Good sounding audio equipment is just an occasional perk. We all come here for different things. Some people just want clones, some want good sound, some want new ideas, some want to make money, and some just want to hang around. It is like a "drinking hole" where each species have their own agenda. Most are pretty good, and just a few are rather devious...

 

[nacho459]

[quote author="Scenaria"]I have yet to see a DIYer clone a 670...[/quote]

I don't know if you would consider Anthony Demaria a DIYer because he runs a company and has stuff prefab'ed, but he makes a 670 clone.
http://www.anthonydemarialabs.com/products.html#ADL670
Not as Indie as most DIYers, but still a cool guy who gave me a lot of help when I was working on my DIY LA-2a

 

[NewYorkDave]

He's a local guy, but I've never met him.

 

[Consul]

[quote author="tk@halmi"]Well, that is the reaffirmation of YOUR goals. I am interested in learning and especially enjoy learning about electronics. Good sounding audio equipment is just an occasional perk. We all come here for different things. Some people just want clones, some want good sound, some want new ideas, some want to make money, and some just want to hang around. It is like a "drinking hole" where each species have their own agenda. Most are pretty good, and just a few are rather devious...[/quote]

Oh, I'm not faulting anybody's reasons for being here. Ultimately, I may even end up designing my own gear. I've been thinking about it already, as a matter of fact.

I'm just trying to keep myself from losing sight of what it is I'm actually after.

 

[soundguy]

If the demaria 670 "clone" (which I doubt it is anyway) sounds anything like his LA2A "clone" (which has PCBs) I wouldnt hold your breath at all. I had one of those la2a things of his and dont recall even the hint of the slightest moment of joy using it... An La2a it most certainly is not, its totally its own thing.

dave

 

[Marik]

[quote author="gyraf"]I'd say an analouge tape recorder - or even a decent tape echo - is out of reach for most DIY.

Jakob E.[/quote]

I made two tape recorders from scratch (including transports) about 17 years ago--one reel-to-reel, and cassette. Because in Russia of that time there were no good analog machines, Russian magazine "Radio" was full of plans and schematics.

But the "Everest" would be a ribbon mic :wink: with top end comparable to this of good condenser.

Still working....
:guinness: :guinness: :guinness:

 

[fluxivity]

Now that my girth allows me to sit on both sides of the fence I'd like to affirm that yes, it would be cool to have a cloned 670 to warm the control room and blanket the mix output. I got to touch a real one and put it on every track for a week. I'd love to repeat the experience at will.

Also cool would be a cloned Electro Harmonix 16 sec dig delay.

But I have to say what would be cooler would be coming up with something that was "the" box the way the EH was in its day or the Eventide in the early seventies. One that blew minds and kept everyone who wasn't in the know guessing.

It's nice to build a studio full of gear that you and others love to use, but imagine designing a device that did something new and cool that was suddenly a sound that everyone was reaching for, that seems like everest at least from my bench.

 

[dale116dot7]

I was looking at a DIY digital mixer - quite simple, really, in concept. So I did some preliminary calculations and system architecture and as a reality check I popped apart my Tascam DM24....

Eight (Yes, EIGHT!) ADSP-21065L (60 MHz SHARC)
Eight AK5383 ADC
Three AK4527VQ
Two 28.7 MHz Hitachi RISC processors
8.5 Megabytes of RAM
Two Xilinx XC9536 CPLD
One Xilinx XC9572 CPLD
Three custom TEAC chips for TDIF interface
Alesis AL1402 and AL1401 chips for ADAT
Two CS8420 for AES/EBU interface
Lots of flash memory

All of that for $3000. Wow! My reality check was correct in terms of processing power - my calculations found that I would need roughly that amount of processing. That would be a Mt. Everest of DIY, I think...

 

[Kev]

:roll:

Getting a mention during a Grammy acceptance speach.

:green: :green: :green:


" I'd like to thank God and Mum and Dad ... and my record company ... OH ! and Steff for making me that G9 Mic-pre ... "


wait for it
it's not over yet

Later during an interview by MIX magazine the question is
" what Mic did you use for lead vocal ? "
" No idea ... my man, Steff got me a Mic made by a guy called Gus - I think. Steff then did a couple of tweaks for me and that was that "
" How do we find Steff and Gus ?"
" simple ... go to the LAB ? "


... smug mode ... :thumb:

 

[babyhead]

I seem to recall a CNC engraver DIYed...I messed myself when I saw that! I wouldn't climb that mountian without an expert guide.


:thumb:

 

[alk509]

[quote author="babyhead"]I seem to recall a CNC engraver DIYed...[/quote]

HOLY *****, YES! That was last year on TT! This guy in Israel got some kind of surplus space laser cannon thing from the Israeli army and made himself a laser engraver! It was computer-controlled and everything, IIRC... He even posted some basic instructions on how he did it in the old forum.

Hats off to those who go that far (and to the Israeli army :green.

Peace,
Al.

 

[jrmintz]

what is the mt. everest of diy?

Building gear and staying married.

:shock:

:green: