AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Tube-o-phile Circle => Topic started by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:04 pm

Title: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:04 pm: A woodworking project almost done. Picked up a Don Sachs Model 2 from Hum4God but it did not have a wooden case. So, what the heck, let's make one, and it might as well be an exotic wood.

Start with the proverbial sketch on an envelope, then a plan in my audio notebook:

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218749)

Spend some quality time with your router:

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218750)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:06 pm: Love the Forstner bits:

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218754)

Start sealing the MDF so the veneer will have a chance to stick on a very smooth surface:

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218752)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:15 pm: I cut 3 tops before I got it right. My bits did wander some even with pilot holes so I used one of the scrap tops as a template for the forstner bits so no more wandering. Needed a sharp edge so the veneer would not crack under an unsupported edge.

I decided on Sapele Pommele veneer and had PSA attached to make it a little more idiot proof because gluing requires more skill and preferable a vacuum bag.

I was planning to just use Polyurethane but for giggles I tried some cherry stain center and a darker stain on the right for comparison. No contest, Poly all the way.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218755)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:21 pm: Veneer being applied. My sequence was not as planned. Probably getting senile. I wanted all the sides on first and then the top. IN the end it didn't matter.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218756)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218757)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:28 pm: This Sachs case has vents and logos cut into it on all sides. It is a heck of a lot easier to drill holes than cut slots so I opted for offset vent holes on the top surface.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218758)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Dec 2020, 11:45 pm: Final coat drying. The trick with Poly is those last 2 coats (of 5) are slathered on then wiped off with a cotton rag. Brushes just leave nagging air bubbles. A firm wipe is needed.

Should have this completed in the AM after a full night curing in the laundry room.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218759)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218760)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218761)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Don_S on 26 Dec 2020, 12:07 am: Looks wicked. Well done. :thumb:
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: mresseguie on 26 Dec 2020, 12:56 am: :thumb:

Very nice.

Will you slip the metal encased Model 2 into the this 'sleeve', or will you remove the top (or bottom) plate beforehand?
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Dec 2020, 01:47 am: Slip right in. Custom fit all the way. Locked in with the original mounting feet and longer screws.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: JakeJ on 26 Dec 2020, 05:11 am: Very nice, sir!
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: uncola on 26 Dec 2020, 11:13 am: No pics of the preamp installed? Veneer looks great, lots of depth
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Dec 2020, 01:59 pm: Quote from: uncola on 26 Dec 2020, 11:13 am
No pics of the preamp installed? Veneer looks great, lots of depth

Patience.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: uncola on 26 Dec 2020, 02:01 pm: but I want it NOW

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218777)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 26 Dec 2020, 03:42 pm: Looks awesome BRM!

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: twitch54 on 26 Dec 2020, 04:09 pm: Love it !

hats off to those with talent !!!
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Dec 2020, 06:37 pm: Okay, fully dried. And I needed to take new system photos anyways with the new devices - pre, amp, and PC.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218781)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218780)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218782)

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218783)

Pythons in the house!

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=218784)
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Dec 2020, 06:38 pm: Quote from: twitch54 on 26 Dec 2020, 04:09 pm
Love it !

hats off to those with talent !!!

First time doing any real veneer work. I got lucky and don't zoom in!! :o

I did not bookmatch the veneer because I was cheap and only bought a 24 x 24 piece.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: JakeJ on 27 Dec 2020, 02:10 am: You can alway make another after the skills become more developed. It still looks good, BRM. Wish I had the time to do stuff like that.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 27 Dec 2020, 03:51 am: Quote from: JakeJ on 27 Dec 2020, 02:10 am
You can alway make another after the skills become more developed. It still looks good, BRM. Wish I had the time to do stuff like that.

A couple of hours each night for about 5 days and then incessant poly coating, sanding, coating, sanding, rinse and repeat. Not too much time. Mental therapy for me.

I'm looking around the house for more veneering opportunities! :thumb:

I achieved what I wanted and that was a much sexier suit for the preamp to wear.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Stercom on 27 Dec 2020, 05:03 pm: Looking good BRM! Is that a VTV Purifi amp? How you liking it with the Wilsons? What buffer does it have?
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 27 Dec 2020, 09:59 pm: Quote from: Stercom on 27 Dec 2020, 05:03 pm
Looking good BRM! Is that a VTV Purifi amp? How you liking it with the Wilsons? What buffer does it have?

VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier
Input Buffer:
VTV Amplifier Custom Input Buffer w/ PR Sonic Imagery Labs 995FET Pro Opamp

12V Trigger:
No Trigger (Default)

Binding Post Option:
WBT-0702.01 TopLine

$1800, free shipping, no PP fees, 30 days not much risk there. I'm keeping this one.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Stercom on 27 Dec 2020, 10:08 pm: Thanks. I’ll be getting one soon.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: happyrabbit on 28 Dec 2020, 01:53 am: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/discrete-opamp-review-sonic-imagery-vs-sparkos.10325/
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Stercom on 28 Dec 2020, 11:31 am: Quote from: happyrabbit on 28 Dec 2020, 01:53 am
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/discrete-opamp-review-sonic-imagery-vs-sparkos.10325/

AudioScience didn't measure any difference in the Sparkos and Sonic Imagery buffers and says "This is not the most precise study of the differences between these two sets of discrete opamps." Thats interesting I guess.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Big Red Machine on 29 Dec 2020, 03:37 am: Quick comment on the preamp. This is the best sound I have ever had in any room. Hands down addicting.

Don's manual is straightforward and he says you won't get much variation or expect to get much better sound with various 6SN7 variants. He's kinda right about that. Don provided Malcolm with CV181's and a decent 6BY5G. I have a slew of 6SN7's from the TRL Dude days and went out and added a few more rectifier tubes for kicks. After a few nights of rolling in some of my highly rated (by me) tubes I have a very sweet combination running and am wowed by this set-up. Very pleased with the VTV amps as well. Way more musical than anyone remembers Class D delivering.

In essence I took out $23k retail in 3 pieces of gear and put back about $8k in their place. Synergy, quality, simplicity.
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: mresseguie on 29 Dec 2020, 04:24 am: BRM,

As a dedicated D Sachs fanboy (who has heaped lots of praise on Don's gear on AC and elsewhere), I'm delighted and gratified that Don's Model 2 is performing so well for you. I bought the newest rendition of his Model 2 this year, and just couldn't bring myself to sell my 5-yr-old model, so it is in my audio system in Taiwan.

Enjoy!

Michael
Title: Re: Santa's workshop now using exotic woods
Post by: Stercom on 29 Dec 2020, 10:18 am: Quote from: Big Red Machine on 29 Dec 2020, 03:37 am
In essence I took out $23k retail in 3 pieces of gear and put back about $8k in their place. Synergy, quality, simplicity.
:thumb: