[IronForge]

Has anyone done a 5.1 system using these amp modules?  What is the cheapest way to feed these amps home theater? (DTS/Dolby/etc)

What is gained by using the dodd audio preamp?  What type of input does the dodd audio preamp take?

[srb]

Since you need a Dolby/DTS decoder, beyond a few rare stand-alone decoder units, you are basically talking about one with a preamp built-in, either a surround processor/preamp or a surround receiver with preamp outputs.  The cheapest solution would be probably be a surround receiver with preamp outputs (and having the latest codecs and features) or an older used surround preamp/processor that only does Dolby/DTS 5.1, and therefore has taken quite a hit on resale price in the used market.
 
The Dodd Tube Buffer is a two channel unit, and while it could be used on the main front L/R channels, you would not need it's impedance matching buffering ability with a preamp, and I imagine that any "tubiness" flavor that might be added to the two front channels would not be of too much use for HT.
 
Steve

[IronForge]

Since you need a Dolby/DTS decoder, beyond a few rare stand-alone decoder units, you are basically talking about one with a preamp built-in, either a surround processor/preamp or a surround receiver with preamp outputs.  The cheapest solution would be probably be a surround receiver with preamp outputs (and having the latest codecs and features) or an older used surround preamp/processor that only does Dolby/DTS 5.1, and therefore has taken quite a hit on resale price in the used market.
 
The Dodd Tube Buffer is a two channel unit, and while it could be used on the main front L/R channels, you would not need it's impedance matching buffering ability with a preamp, and I imagine that any "tubiness" flavor that might be added to the two front channels would not be of too much use for HT.
 
Steve

Would it be possible, or laughable, to connect this up to your HTPC and have that do the decoding?  Heck, if you had a large enough metal PC case you could mount a small mATX board and the amp in the same case, and have a PC fan or two blow on it.

[wushuliu]

Would it be possible, or laughable, to connect this up to your HTPC and have that do the decoding?  Heck, if you had a large enough metal PC case you could mount a small mATX board and the amp in the same case, and have a PC fan or two blow on it.

You may want to check out Pete Schumacher's PCeiver build...


http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=218374&page=7

[jtwrace]

Sorry, I thought you were being facetious when I saw the the external wiring in the link you shared. I'll check out the rest of their wares. Thanks.

http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_dhlabs.html

[srb]

Would it be possible, or laughable, to connect this up to your HTPC and have that do the decoding?  Heck, if you had a large enough metal PC case you could mount a small mATX board and the amp in the same case, and have a PC fan or two blow on it.

I use an HTPC for encrypted cable HDTV recording, playback and DVD playback.  But I choose to use an external AVR for audio decoding and preamplification.  There don't seem to be too many high quality 5.1 analog audio soundcards, as opposed to high quality 2 channel analog audio soundcards.
 
If you want to keep additional heat and size down, a surround processor may be a better choice than a receiver if you don't plan to use any of the receiver's internal amplifier channels.
 
Again, if 5.1 Dolby/DTS is all you need, you may be able to find a surround processor known for better than mainstream receiver audio quality in an older used unit from manufacturers like Anthem, B&K, Rotel, etc. in the $300 - $500 range.
 
Steve

[IronForge]

You may want to check out Pete Schumacher's PCeiver build...


http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=218374&page=7

Sweet, that's what I thinking about.  They have some HTPC cases that are very receiver-ish looking, too.

[topp]

Where are you guys buying your enclosures for your amps?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Topp

[corndog71]

Where are you guys buying your enclosures for your amps?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Topp

Here's where I got mine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3U-Audio-Steel-Aluminum-Rackmount-DIY-Case-10-19085B-/370238950878?pt=BI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item5633f60dde

[NeilT]

Where are you guys buying your enclosures for your amps?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Topp

I just bought an enclosure for my Dodd buffer from these guys.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/4158
TrungT hooked me up.

Neil

[praedet]

see page 113 post 2247, I used 1Kohm vishay nude resistors, just cut the
wires down and soldered resistors to the end of the wires

Any idea where to get these resistors?  What power rating?  I have been searching and have found LOTS of choices...

[jtsnead]

the resistors I got from here

http://www.partsconnexion.com/resistors_vishay_var.html

[praedet]

What is the difference between 1K, 1K2, and 1K5?

[johnhc]

What is the difference between 1K, 1K2, and 1K5?

jtsnead, 1K2=1,200 Ohm, 1K5=1,500 Ohm.  See here http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Practical_Electronics/Resistors  Enjoy, John.

[corndog71]

SDS-258 Done!  Now I just have to remember to buy the little fuses and not the big ones.



Success!!!

[jtwrace]

How does it sound?

[corndog71]

So far it sounds good.  I just had it driving a pair of AV123 X-LS bookshelf speakers.  Over the next few days I'll be pairing it with X-Omnis and X-Statiks.

I've done a couple of tweaks right off the bat.  I swapped out the PS caps for Panasonic 6800uF giving me 40,800uF total.  I also swapped out the stock bridge rectifier for a 25 amp version.  I've read many times over the years that you can't go too big on the power supply so I got an Antek 1000VA / 45V transformer.  This whole thing has to weigh around 20 pounds!

Input wire is Homegrownaudio copper wire.  I also used it for the gain control wires.  PS and output wires are Electra Cable 16awg solid core copper.  Connectors were sourced from Parts Express.

I've read this giant thread a dozen times and have learned a lot.  This is my first solid state kit build.  I've previously built several tube preamps and amps as well as rebuilt a few Dynaco amps.  I'm pretty happy with it so far.  I've been wanting a big amp for a long time and for the ~$600 investment the classdaudio amp is working nicely.

I'll post more thoughts later.  Thanks to all of you guys for sharing your work and experience.

[mikeeastman]

I have a question about fusing. There are hi end fuses some fairly expensive but I don't see hi end fuse holders. Seems silly to put a $50 fuse in a $2 fuse holder.

[corndog71]

I have a question about fusing. There are hi end fuses some fairly expensive but I don't see hi end fuse holders. Seems silly to put a $50 fuse in a $2 fuse holder.

Here you go.

http://www.acmeaudiolabs.com/

[mikeeastman]

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.