Batery powered DIY CNC phono stage

[omishra]

Please find this schematic for CNC phono stage which is as per original design. Please note OP AMP is AD823 to be used, here diagram shows 822 due to lack of library component.

 

[tek]

This might sound like a dumb question, but can the type of battery you use make a difference to the sound of the phono stage? Like If I use Duracel as opposed to some cheap chinese brand 9V, will it affect the sound quality at all?

Cheers

 

[omishra]

This might sound like a dumb question, but can the type of battery you use make a difference to the sound of the phono stage? Like If I use Duracel as opposed to some cheap chinese brand 9V, will it affect the sound quality at all?

Cheers

No it won't make any difference in sound. All battery gives same electron flow, only life time differs. But currently I find so many fakes for well known brands, those cheap chinese brands are working more or less same.

 

[miroflex]

Re: Cnc pcb

Hi G0bble,
This is a standalone preamp and can be paired with any source.Total cost should not be more than Rs 1000/-

Regards,
Sachin

Hi Sachin,

Are you thinking of offering a groupbuy consisting of a kit of parts for the facility of far flung "mofussil" enthusiasts like me also?

You have estimated the cost as Rs. 1000 while Omishraji has mentioned Rs. 2000. Which is the closer estimate?

Regards.

 

[sachu888]

Re: Cnc pcb

Hi Sachin,

Are you thinking of offering a groupbuy consisting of a kit of parts for the facility of far flung "mofussil" enthusiasts like me also?

Regards.

Hi Miroflex,
Actually I am offering only PCB for CNC and simple preamp and I am doing it for cost to cost basis(no profit).I can only help you for getting parts for it,it takes lot of time.There is a good demand for CNC boards in Audiokarma,see this page
Another Super High End Phono Stage! No expense spared... - Page 48 - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
I have to send more 40 boards there.I had to close GB there but still getting PMs from members demanding PCBs,but no one needs any board on HFV.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[sachu888]

Hi all,
I have received second batch of CNC and SSP PSCs
By [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sachu888]sachu888 at 2011-12-19[/URL]
By [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/user/sachu888]sachu888 at 2011-12-19[/URL]

Regards,
Sachin

 

[shaizada]

Hey Sachin,

The boards came in the mail today. Thanks! I've pretty much populated the board. Now I just need to drill holes in the case. I've even wired it up on the PCB side (not shown here) with some 24awg CAT5 cable.

 

[sachu888]

Hey Sachin,

The boards came in the mail today. Thanks! I've pretty much populated the board. Now I just need to drill holes in the case. I've even wired it up on the PCB side (not shown here) with some 24awg CAT5 cable.

Hi,
Your soldering looks great :clapping:.
Regards,
Sachin

 

[tek]

Hey Shaizada, do let us know what you think about the phono stage, especially in relation to other high end phono stages you have already used.

Cheers!
Tek

 

[quad]

Great build, Shaizada. The populated board is looking pretty nice.
Om's layout is a significant improvement over the original.

 

[omishra]

Great build, Shaizada. The populated board is looking pretty nice.
Om's layout is a significant improvement over the original.

Thanks quad, I tried to simplify it, worth of mentioning your help too.

@Shaizada: populated board is really looking great. I also populated one of these. Now waiting for space to start building all in PASS B1 box itself. May be today I can listen. Fingers crossed.

 

[shaizada]

Hey Shaizada, do let us know what you think about the phono stage, especially in relation to other high end phono stages you have already used.

Cheers!
Tek

I definitely will. I can write up a quick comparison and thoughts. Though MM and MC tend to have very different sounds. I'll write what I hear

Great build, Shaizada. The populated board is looking pretty nice.
Om's layout is a significant improvement over the original.

Thanks! It is really fun to build this out. I still have to drill my Graham Robin tonearm holes in my newly acquired Micro Seiki BL-21, then mount up the Shure M97xe. So still a little ways to go.

 

[Audiodoc]

The pass B1 thread has gone silent any update for the rcore group buy.

 

[sachu888]

I definitely will. I can write up a quick comparison and thoughts. Though MM and MC tend to have very different sounds. I'll write what I hear



Thanks! It is really fun to build this out. I still have to drill my Graham Robin tonearm holes in my newly acquired Micro Seiki BL-21, then mount up the Shure M97xe. So still a little ways to go.

Hi Shaizada,
CNC should also work with HOMC (if you have any).

Regards,
Sachin

 

[shaizada]

Hi Shaizada,
CNC should also work with HOMC (if you have any).

Regards,
Sachin

None yet my friend. But I actually might get some a little later.

 

[shaizada]

Ok here is a quick little rig I assembled to give the phono stage a listen and test. It is done as of tonight. I actually didn't put in the LED as I think I would rather enjoy listening to the extra 5 hours I save by not putting it in

First listening impressions:
I am MIGHTY impressed with this thing. It is sounding fantastic on a lowly Audio Technica MM Cart on a mediocre Technics SL-QD33 turntable. I've set it at 47k.

My quick dirty setup here is Technics SL-QD33, Audio Technica MM Cart (don't know model), Oyaide PA-02 RCA Cable, Stefan Arts Equinox RCA Cable, Ray Samuels Shadow Headphone amplifier, Ultimate Ears UE-11 Pro IEMs.

What strikes me right away is the musicality of this phonostage. It quickly grabbed me in to the song and kept me there. The bottom is nicely filled out. However it needs to tighten up. The mids are actually just right. Voices have a guttural feel and there is good throw. The soundstage is decent but I feel it needs to open up more. The top end is sweet and musical. The cymbal attacks are high quality, but lack the last bit of top end air I am used to listening to.

I'm just nitpicking here. For the price, I really have no complaints at all. Is it better than something like the RSA Nighthawk?? No it isn't but it is close enough to not worry about it. This phono is very musical and makes me smile. I can't wait to let it settle in and hear what it's really about.

I am really happy with it and folks, Sachin is just a class act. He sent the PCB as fast as he could and helped me get my part order down. Further, he is lightening quick at responding to my questions and just left a very good feeling every time we communicated. My best to him.

Lastly, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

 

[sachu888]

Ok here is a quick little rig I assembled to give the phono stage a listen and test. It is done as of tonight. I actually didn't put in the LED as I think I would rather enjoy listening to the extra 5 hours I save by not putting it in

First listening impressions:
I am MIGHTY impressed with this thing. It is sounding fantastic on a lowly Audio Technica MM Cart on a mediocre Technics SL-QD33 turntable. I've set it at 47k.

My quick dirty setup here is Technics SL-QD33, Audio Technica MM Cart (don't know model), Oyaide PA-02 RCA Cable, Stefan Arts Equinox RCA Cable, Ray Samuels Shadow Headphone amplifier, Ultimate Ears UE-11 Pro IEMs.

What strikes me right away is the musicality of this phonostage. It quickly grabbed me in to the song and kept me there. The bottom is nicely filled out. However it needs to tighten up. The mids are actually just right. Voices have a guttural feel and there is good throw. The soundstage is decent but I feel it needs to open up more. The top end is sweet and musical. The cymbal attacks are high quality, but lack the last bit of top end air I am used to listening to.

I'm just nitpicking here. For the price, I really have no complaints at all. Is it better than something like the RSA Nighthawk?? No it isn't but it is close enough to not worry about it. This phono is very musical and makes me smile. I can't wait to let it settle in and hear what it's really about.

I am really happy with it and folks, Sachin is just a class act. He sent the PCB as fast as he could and helped me get my part order down. Further, he is lightening quick at responding to my questions and just left a very good feeling every time we communicated. My best to him.

Lastly, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Great build Shaizada,
It looks very professional,nice and honest review too.I am glad you like the sound.It will take 30+ hrs for break in.I hope you will like its sound on better cart/TT combo.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[omishra]

Ok here is a quick little rig I assembled to give the phono stage a listen and test. It is done as of tonight. I actually didn't put in the LED as I think I would rather enjoy listening to the extra 5 hours I save by not putting it in

First listening impressions:
I am MIGHTY impressed with this thing. It is sounding fantastic on a lowly Audio Technica MM Cart on a mediocre Technics SL-QD33 turntable. I've set it at 47k.

My quick dirty setup here is Technics SL-QD33, Audio Technica MM Cart (don't know model), Oyaide PA-02 RCA Cable, Stefan Arts Equinox RCA Cable, Ray Samuels Shadow Headphone amplifier, Ultimate Ears UE-11 Pro IEMs.

What strikes me right away is the musicality of this phonostage. It quickly grabbed me in to the song and kept me there. The bottom is nicely filled out. However it needs to tighten up. The mids are actually just right. Voices have a guttural feel and there is good throw. The soundstage is decent but I feel it needs to open up more. The top end is sweet and musical. The cymbal attacks are high quality, but lack the last bit of top end air I am used to listening to.

I'm just nitpicking here. For the price, I really have no complaints at all. Is it better than something like the RSA Nighthawk?? No it isn't but it is close enough to not worry about it. This phono is very musical and makes me smile. I can't wait to let it settle in and hear what it's really about.

I am really happy with it and folks, Sachin is just a class act. He sent the PCB as fast as he could and helped me get my part order down. Further, he is lightening quick at responding to my questions and just left a very good feeling every time we communicated. My best to him.

Lastly, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Thanks shaizada for your inputs. Congrats, as you are the first person to build and listen this new layout. I am very very happy. :yahoo:

As Sachin pointed out, it will be another 30 hrs to make some difference.

 

[omishra]

Update: My CNC is running from last 2 weeks and now time to review it again. I found that low and high ends are little opened. But still that high are not up to mark.

I find that this my be issue with cartridge loading. I am using shure mm 97xe.

Simply changing recommended 47K loading resistance to 62K made life little easy. but not that much. Then I fitted this piece of IC sockets to experiment with different C values for loading at R=47K. I arrived to this conclusion considering manufacturer recommended loading C,R values stands good for neutral response from cartridge.
This was the extra mod for loading capacitor.

I experimented with 56pf, 68pf, 82pf, 120pf and 150pf. At 68pf I found the missing air of crash plate. Now its more live. This was tested with heavy metal rock music which has this frequency present.
As I read at tnt forum this cartridge responses accurately flat at loading with 47K resistance and 250pf capacitor parallel to it. This means my wires from tonearm to RCA may be contributing somewhere approx. 180pF (This is wild guess without any measurement.)

 

[reubensm]

Update: My CNC is running from last 2 weeks and now time to review it again. I found that low and high ends are little opened. But still that high are not up to mark.

I find that this my be issue with cartridge loading. I am using shure mm 97xe.

Simply changing recommended 47K loading resistance to 62K made life little easy. but not that much. Then I fitted this piece of IC sockets to experiment with different C values for loading at R=47K. I arrived to this conclusion considering manufacturer recommended loading C,R values stands good for neutral response from cartridge.
This was the extra mod for loading capacitor.

I experimented with 56pf, 68pf, 82pf, 120pf and 150pf. At 68pf I found the missing air of crash plate. Now its more live. This was tested with heavy metal rock music which has this frequency present.
As I read at tnt forum this cartridge responses accurately flat at loading with 47K resistance and 250pf capacitor parallel to it. This means my wires from tonearm to RCA may be contributing somewhere approx. 180pF (This is wild guess without any measurement.)

talking about heavy metal music, which album did you use for testing?