[JohnR]

i think there might have been some comments in some other threads, possibly in C&C. Anyway, time for a dedicated thread? Why not 

Here's the background reading (a lot of it):

  http://nwavguy.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/o2-summary.html

[adydula]

I started a thread in the cheap and cheerful area....about the ODAC and mention the O2AMP as well...but this would be a good thing to start here.

I have an 02 amp from JDS Labs for 2 weeks and I am building a second one and am about 1/2 way done.

Using the amp with LCD2's, Grado 352is and ATH 50's....

Have posted pics in the cheap and cheerful area of the amp and dac.

I will report back more results when I get back from vacation next week..

Summary, an outstanding amp for $144 assembled that will drive most any can to very high levels, and is totally neutral....very revealing and is well documented and easy to build.

The ODAC as well is a $99 to $150 dac that pairs well with the amp and other amps as well.

I have been doing a lot of comparisons with other dacs and amps...the O2amp is totally transparent.....the ODAC is indistinguishable to other dacs i have as well...pretty impressive for such low dollar, very well designed equipment....

The NWavguy's site/blog has a lot of very interesting  and eye opening articles and data.

All in all refreshing....

All the best
Alex

[J-Pak]

I am going to start building one this weekend if I am free. I am building an AC only version with no batteries.

[dB Cooper]

Waiting on the desktop (ODA) version but no updates on his blog for quite awhile now.

A co-worker just bough the O2 and gives it two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

[adydula]

I am waiting on three 40.2k resistors and the NJM2068D op amp to finish mine.
The 2068 has been on back order at Mouser.com for several weeks looks like it will come in on
Aug 20th.

Took about 2 and 1/2 hrs to put it together.

I also have tried 2 of the AC to AC adapters at differnt voltages, the one the JDS sells for 12 vac and one from Mouser
on the recommended list at 18 volts ac and 500ma.

The resistors are really small!!

I have one all completed from JDS and its performing very well.
The second one is for the other pc work area and I just wanted to build something!!


All the best
Alex

My project on the left ...the O2 from JDS Labs complete on the right..








ODAC uncased on the right...

[JohnR]

Well done on building your own, I'm keen to see how it works out

I also took the easy way out and got one from JDSLabs.

[adydula]

The 40.2K resistors and 2068 op amp are on their way!!!

Alex!

Here is the ODAC I put in a case and added some RCA outs as well as the mini jack out front..

[fenderf4i]

Here are the photos of the desktop version I have built.

[adydula]

Nice job fenderf4i!!

I got my 40.2 k resistors in but upon examining the board noticed my gain switch was shorting to a via hole as indicated on nwavguys site in the pre power on checks and I hae to destroy the switch to get it unsoldered...new switch tomorrow and its power on test time!.

Alex

[fenderf4i]

Yeah I missed the via switch on my first build, I just bent it over a bit with a screwdriver.

[adydula]

Hey,

Installed the new switch and the Q1, Q2 etc...did all the resistance and voltage checks and the battery power managment checks...all ok fine.

Time to play...

IT WORKS!! LOL

Gosh this amp sounds great!!

Dreams....the cymbals...play it loud ..."Dave" like breaking glass on the Grados!!

Now to decide on a case and to integrate the ODAC and make it a desktop unit.

All the best
Alex
 

[fenderf4i]

That's awesome! They're so gratifying to build, because they sound so good. Are you going to build it with RCA's and a 1/4" out?

[adydula]

Thats what I am trying to decide now....I would like the 1/4 jack for the phones for sure. I would probably on use this for headphones only so having RCA's isnt needed. I have the seperate ODAC with RCA's that allows me to use in my main system..

Would think a 1/4 phone jack, power on/off, power led, gain and volume on the front panel.

The usb input on the rear along with the AC power in...

Alex

[DaveNote]

Hey,

Installed the new switch and the Q1, Q2 etc...did all the resistance and voltage checks and the battery power managment checks...all ok fine.

Time to play...

IT WORKS!! LOL

Gosh this amp sounds great!!

Dreams....the cymbals...play it loud ..."Dave" like breaking glass on the Grados!!

Now to decide on a case and to integrate the ODAC and make it a desktop unit.

All the best
Alex
 

Good news, Alex!  I have retrieved my very old Grado RS1, and have connected it to my O2. At this very moment I'm listening to Fleetwood Mac's Dreams, and I can comfirm that this combination surely does produce "Dave" like breaking glass cymbals for Dave. 

Dave

[adydula]

Yahoo!!

Alex

[randytsuch]

Hi
I am resurrecting this thread because I just finished my O2 build over the weekend.

I ended up buying parts from three places, Mouser, JDSLabs and Ebay for the rechargable batteries.

My Mouser order came in on Friday, so I spent a couple hours Sat and a couple yesterday putting it together.
Turned it on, checked it out and everything works fine, and it makes music.

I listened last night, and was pretty impressed with it.  Let it run overnight, and will let it run all day, and give it another listen tonight.

I haven't tallied up the cost yet, but I did buy some "premium" parts, I am guessing a little over $100 for parts, and a few hours of work.  I have built a bunch of things in the past, so I may not be the best judge, but I think it is a pretty easy build.

The really nice aspect of the DIY part of this is that you don't need to do any case work.  All the parts are mounted on the PWB, and if you buy the front panel and case from JDSlabs (highly recommended), then you just put the PWB together and slide it into the case, and screw it all together (after checking out the assembled board).

I did spend a little time makeing sure the switches and knobs lined up with the front panal, but as long as you make sure everything is pushed all the way down and square while soldering it was no problem.  My power LED is a little high, but you can see it no problem.

Randy

[eclein]

Congrats Randy!!!!

[adydula]

Hi Randy!

Great news on your O2...I think you will like it very much...I am listening to Jack McDuff's 'Bringing it Home' cd....
with the 02 and odac....have been going back and forth with some other pc sound stuff and other dacs....

Keep coming back to the 02 and ODAC...running on "pure DC"...amazing how 2 little batteries can allow this amp
to play so nicely....

What are u using for cans and source?

All the best
Alex