My Gainclone Experiment

pics aren't showing up for me, just red x's

edit: now they are=) Looks like a fun project.

 

How's that?

 

Fine now, thx=)

 

Where did you get the case from?

 

It was a present from AMR. One of the AMR guys has contacts in HongKong.

A big Thank You Vince.

 

Very nice.
Have you tested it yet and if so, how's the sound?

 

Been listening to it on my second system and discovered something really odd. I mean it sounds all right really apart from one minor hiccup.

The "odd" thing I mentioned is that every now and then I hear pop or crackle from the speakers, a bit like listening to a record on a poor TT, a static discharge or something. I used to get this with my DIY valve amp and always put it down a faulty cap or a dry joint. However now that the Gainclone is doing it as well it must be my source (a Sony walkman CDP) or the DAC (Entech number cruncher).

Apart from that it sounds really good for what is really a cheap amp. The pre is a Glasshouse pre slightly modified by replacing the attentuator with a DACT. Let's see if it improves with running in, if you believe in that sort of thing.

 

Lovely clean implementation there.

You have given me the kick up the backside to finally order my transformers and put them in the cases i had made.

Where did you get your transformers from?

 

Rapid Electronics. Their website is http://www.rapidonline.com/

I can't remember the part numbers but if I find the invoice, I'll post the model number. Incidentally, the transformers do come with washers, fixing nut and bolt but Thorsten adviced me to go for a non-magnetic brass bolt and I thought why bother with any bolt and came up with the cable ties. Nice and cheap and non magnetic as far as I know. Also I went for 2 transformers for complete dual mono and to give me options for future like biamping or bridging. I have plenty of room in the case for 2 more chip amps in case (sic) I feel like it.

THE most difficult part to get hold of was the case. Then out of blue I got a really nice one courtesy of AMR.

 

Looks very good .......droole

 

Aha. Didn't know you were building one of these, haven't been paying attention. Looks excellent, nice and simple (lots of these clones seem deliberately overcomplicated). Far too big of course

Next time I have a nerdathon you must bring it with you, we can do a shoot out against the real thing...

Which reminds me, I must organise something in the next couple of months.

-- Ian

 

Pssst, I'm having one on the 18th Nov.

And you did know I was building a Gainclone. I mentioned it during your nerdathon. You suggested using a lot of small boxes. So naturally I listened and used one huge one.

 

I forgot, it's an age thing.

Have you got room for one more on the 18th?

-- Ian

 

Ian, of course, you are always welcome.

 

I've been listening to it for about an hour now and I'm surprised at how cool it's running. Everyone I've seen on the 'net seems to have big heatsinks. I admit my heatsink is ridiculously big but even then.

 

Excellent, I'll be there.

-- Ian

 

The heat these things put out is directly proportional to the stiffness of the load they're given. My Gaincard runs slightly warm but never hot. I think the big heatsink thing is just a male status issue.

-- Ian

 

If you could find the part number it would be great, if not don't worry i am sure i can find it.

 

Hi Dom,

This is what I ordered from Rapid:-

Order Code - 88-2566

Description - 25V+25V 300VA TOROIDAL TRAN (12082)

I had to send them a cheque (for £25.62 inc delivery) with the order because I didn't have an account with them.

Of course you realise you only need one of these unless you want to go the dual mono route like I did.