Batery powered DIY CNC phono stage

[tek]

So thought I'd just post a follow up:

I've had the CNC Phono stage for about 2 weeks now..I really don't know how many hours I've put on it, but I usually listen for about 2-3 hrs a day. There may be a couple of days I've not listened to it, so lets say about 10 days x 3 which is approx 30 hrs.

The sound has definitely improved.. if I had to describe it now, I would say it's "warmer". I'm really enjoying it, and its a very pleasurable listen. Esp if I'm listening to some Jazz records on the "Pablo" or "3 Blind Mice" labels, they sound excellent.

My batteries are still going strong and haven't needed to change them yet. A question to Sachu or Omishra - how will I know when it needs changing? Will the sound deteriorate significantly? I have an LED light on mine, so will that become dimmer or just go off completely?

I think i'll look into some of these other battery options posted here in some time.. for now i've bought about 3 pairs of 9V Duracels, so will let those run out first

 

[Anil kumar]

Nice thread
How does it sound with LM 3886 amp? has any one tried?


Regards,
Anil

 

[sachu888]

So thought I'd just post a follow up:

I've had the CNC Phono stage for about 2 weeks now..I really don't know how many hours I've put on it, but I usually listen for about 2-3 hrs a day. There may be a couple of days I've not listened to it, so lets say about 10 days x 3 which is approx 30 hrs.

The sound has definitely improved.. if I had to describe it now, I would say it's "warmer". I'm really enjoying it, and its a very pleasurable listen. Esp if I'm listening to some Jazz records on the "Pablo" or "3 Blind Mice" labels, they sound excellent.

My batteries are still going strong and haven't needed to change them yet. A question to Sachu or Omishra - how will I know when it needs changing? Will the sound deteriorate significantly? I have an LED light on mine, so will that become dimmer or just go off completely?

I think i'll look into some of these other battery options posted here in some time.. for now i've bought about 3 pairs of 9V Duracels, so will let those run out first

Hi Tek,
You will not get any sound if batteries are dead.I am not using LED so can't comment.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[tek]

Hi Sachu

Thanks. Was wondering, as the batteries are getting almost over, is there deterioration in sound? Or do you just wait till it is completely dead and then change the batteries?

 

[sachu888]

Hi Sachu

Thanks. Was wondering, as the batteries are getting almost over, is there deterioration in sound? Or do you just wait till it is completely dead and then change the batteries?

Hi Tek,
In my case it was suddenly sounding very distorted and completely went dead within 5 mins.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[reubensm]

Hi,
I can send you PCB if you want.Believe me its better than NAD phonos.People have compared it with many expensive phono stages and it sounded better.If you can PM your email address I will send you the PCB file.

Regards,
Sachin

Wow!! That would be very nice. Please email me at [email protected] which is my official address.

Meanwhile, do you know anyone who could make one for me? I've never done DIY projects on PCBs.

Thanks and Regards

 

[omishra]

My batteries are still going strong and haven't needed to change them yet. A question to Sachu or Omishra - how will I know when it needs changing? Will the sound deteriorate significantly? I have an LED light on mine, so will that become dimmer or just go off completely?

I think i'll look into some of these other battery options posted here in some time.. for now i've bought about 3 pairs of 9V Duracels, so will let those run out first

I was looking at data sheet of AD823 Op Amps. They are stating that it operates as low as 3 Volts (+-1.5V). As per gain setting used by us, we will get 34X in first step, 24X in second step. So for 4 mV input, we can get 3.264V output. That means below 5 Volts (+-2.5V) you will get distortion. Before that our attached LED will be off. So you can use it safely till LED is ON or its working distortion free.

Meanwhile, do you know anyone who could make one for me? I've never done DIY projects on PCBs.

I could have done PCB soldering but your location seems to be Texas and foreign shipping is nightmare/costly.

 

[reubensm]

Have a quick question, almost all are using batteries as a power source, anyone tried a transformer-based PSU? Has anyone noted any marked difference with functionality while on batteries?

 

[sachu888]

Wow!! That would be very nice. Please email me at [email protected] which is my official address.

Meanwhile, do you know anyone who could make one for me? I've never done DIY projects on PCBs.

Thanks and Regards

Hi,
I have sent you express PCB file.Are you in India or US?It is a very simple project you can easily do it if you follow soldering guide which I have attached in one of my post in this thread.I have also done this first time.I can send you PCB to your address if you need.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[reubensm]

Hi,
I have sent you express PCB file.Are you in India or US?It is a very simple project you can easily do it if you follow soldering guide which I have attached in one of my post in this thread.I have also done this first time.I can send you PCB to your address if you need.

Regards,
Sachin

Thanks Sachin, for the help. I'd love to get a PCB, I'll be back in India next week. Do tell me how much it would cost (PCB only) and about the other logistics as well.

 

[sachu888]

Thanks Sachin, for the help. I'd love to get a PCB, I'll be back in India next week. Do tell me how much it would cost (PCB only) and about the other logistics as well.

Hi,
It is only Rs 90+shipping.I have uploaded a BOM for CNC you can order directly from Digikey as you are in US.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[omishra]

Have a quick question, almost all are using batteries as a power source, anyone tried a transformer-based PSU? Has anyone noted any marked difference with functionality while on batteries?

As input for this is cartridge, very low input ~4mV, power supply need to be quite. Battery eliminates that issue.
But I experienced that LM317 and LM337 based regulated dual power supply with C-L-C filter at output could be made quite up to some 2-3 micro volts. I will be experimenting that after festive season is over. Definitely I will update my findings.

 

[sachu888]

Have a quick question, almost all are using batteries as a power source, anyone tried a transformer-based PSU? Has anyone noted any marked difference with functionality while on batteries?

Hi
As Om posted it can be run from 3v to 18v,so well filtered +/-15V power supply would be ideal for this Phonostage.I am using batteries as noise level is very low.Its running dead quiet on batteries.If you are worried about battery life you can use four 6V lantern batteries,two per side,which will give you +/-12V and last over two years.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[reubensm]

Hi,
It is only Rs 90+shipping.I have uploaded a BOM for CNC you can order directly from Digikey as you are in US.

Regards,
Sachin

Thanks Sachin, I'd prefer to buy straight from you. Please let me know your bank details (pls send a PM if you may) and I'll make the transfer (please include shipping in the final cost).

deleted personal info:

 

[stevieboy]

My address is:

Reuben,

I would advise a little caution in sharing personal details on the open Internet, a PM would be better. It's pretty easy to piece together a profile these days

regards

 

[reubensm]

not a bad point, did not think of that, sent PM, deleted info from post. thanks

 

[sachu888]

CNC Enclosure

Hi all,
I have decided to get a metal box for my CNC.Here are some pics of enclosure.There are some changes in final design.This one is a MS enclosure,final design would be in Aluminium.Enclosure size is 8"X6'.Your comments are welcome:

By sachu888 at 2011-10-09

By sachu888 at 2011-10-09

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Regards,
Sachin

 

[quad]

Looking good, Sachin.
MS is fine - no need for Aluminium.
You can get it powder coated once you are done with all the
metal work on it.

 

[quad]

inadvertently posted this. pls delete if possible.

 

[sachu888]

Looking good, Sachin.
MS is fine - no need for Aluminium.
You can get it powder coated once you are done with all the
metal work on it.

Yes,
It will be powder coated later.I had bought a piece of 1.25" thick Aluminium sheet, so I gave him for fabrication.He was not ready to make 2-3 pieces,so I ordered 6 cases (minimum quantity was 20 pieces),so I will have 5 spare cases.I will get one big enclosure for my next project if this looks good.

Regards,
Sachin