DIY Dodd Buffer

Mariusz · « **Reply #340 on:** 30 Apr 2010, 02:47 am »

Thanks guys!!!
No, won't sing tonight.
Just put a light walnut stain and plan on finishing it with few coats of Watco (walnut piece right under was finished the same way)
Eventually, clear top will be replaced with aluminium or copper plate.

This box project started out as experimental research for cheap and quick kit assembly. To be honest, it was (is) a lot of fun and it looks somewhat decent too.
Best of all:
- $8.99
- compact
- tube rollable

......those light maple knobs, DODD logo and maple finished remote will be just
icing on the cake!

gld · « **Reply #341 on:** 30 Apr 2010, 02:08 pm »

Nice work Mariusz!

What size are the knobs yuo needing?
Gary

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #342 on:** 30 Apr 2010, 02:12 pm »

Quote from: Mariusz on 30 Apr 2010, 02:14 am

Gary
received caps & pin header.
Back in bussines.

and some pics:

That about sums up what I feel about the above build.

Anand.

gld · « **Reply #343 on:** 30 Apr 2010, 03:50 pm »

I'll be makin some maple knobs this weekend

Gary

Mariusz · « **Reply #344 on:** 30 Apr 2010, 04:32 pm »

Quote from: gld on 30 Apr 2010, 03:50 pm

I'll be makin some maple knobs this weekend
Gary

Sounds great Gary.
Any chance of DODD logo

(to save on shipping

)

Mariusz

Mariusz · « **Reply #345 on:** 1 May 2010, 12:02 am »

Gary
Change of plans(hope it's not too late)
The size of knobs I gave you in my previous post will overpower the front and may block remote's reciver.
If possible, the correct size will be:

2 knobs - 1.5" in diameter and 1" thick
1 knob - 1" in diameter and 1" thick

Sorry for miscalculating it.
Now, with the unit in hand the picture is clear.
Original size just wouldn't work very well.

Mariusz

TrungT · « **Reply #346 on:** 1 May 2010, 12:41 am »

Mariusz
Just talk to Gary, he's making your knobs but .... , He going to make the new one as your requested.

Mariusz · « **Reply #347 on:** 1 May 2010, 03:29 am »

Quote from: TrungT on 1 May 2010, 12:41 am

Mariusz
Just talk to Gary, he's making your knobs but .... , He going to make the new one as your requested.

If Gary made the ones in original size already, no problem Ill take them as well. Those might not be suited for this enclosure but I do have at least two other DIY components which need some makeover.

Mariusz

dmatt · « **Reply #348 on:** 1 May 2010, 03:52 pm »

FYI for those that haven't purchased a C-Tek charger yet.

Amazon (no affiliation, yada yada) has the US 800 for sale for 33.50 with free delivery.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002QUT8IC/ref=pe_68490_15229660_pe_epc_d8

Sweet.

David

parodielin · « **Reply #349 on:** 1 May 2010, 04:09 pm »

Quick question, what's the size of mounting hole of the Alps Pot?

Mariusz · « **Reply #350 on:** 1 May 2010, 04:20 pm »

Quote from: parodielin on 1 May 2010, 04:09 pm

Quick question, what's the size of mounting hole of the Alps Pot?

I think it's 3/8".

gld · « **Reply #351 on:** 1 May 2010, 06:20 pm »

5/16" if you are not using the shoulder washers. 7/16" if you use the shoulder washers. Mounting hole for volume pot.
gary

Robert F. · « **Reply #352 on:** 2 May 2010, 02:15 pm »

Gary,
Can you tell us how the various tube generally sound with your buffer? I know each persons system will be different but a little direction for us new to tubes can be of some help.

Robert

gld · « **Reply #353 on:** 2 May 2010, 03:50 pm »

Robert as you said all systems are different! I will try and describe the tubes that I prefer in my system. Somewhere in this thread there is a list of tubes that were tried with the buffer, all of the tubes listed will work with it, but I can't say how they sound as I don't know I just tried them to see if they would work. I'll leave trying them to you guys. Never know there may be a great tube there somewhere. I have used 3 different tubes in my system. I used a Tele 12AX7 smooth plate, RCA clear top 6FQ7 and a JJ E88CC. My system consists of a pair of Danny's V-1's, Squeezbox Duet, a modded Wolfson DAC (HAL) my buffer and most of the time a battery amp. Note everything is on battery except the sub amps, and they are powered thru a PI Audio Sub-Buss. Sometimes I listen to vinyl thru my battery phono stage.
My TT rig is a Sumiko Project with the carbon fiber arm and a Blackbird Cart.
I'll start with the Tele 12AX7, this tube has a very smooth sound to it with a nice extended top end. The bass is good but not a tight as I would like it to be. The midrange is so smooth and natural sounding, but it's not really exciting to me to listen too, it may be due to the very hi output impedance of over 500 ohms.
The RCA clear top solved all the bottem end problems with a fast really tight bass with exceptional extension in the bottom octaves! The draw back was everything else was laid back sounding and not nearly as smooth as the ax7. I would say this tube would be good for loud rock and roll but definately not for criticle listening!
My favorite and MOST musical tube is the JJ ECC88, who'd of thought that!This tube has everything of the other 2 tubes, but it is very very musical in my system period! It works well with all types of music and you never get tired of listening to the system. Extremely hi resolution and killer bottem end!
I am pretty sure that there are many tubes that are currenlty not being used for audio that will work in this buffer and some of those may be real sleepers that no one knows about! I will count on you guys for finding those treasures and let everyone know, cause I sure don't have the time to do it myself.
Hope this helps.
Gary

praedet · « **Reply #354 on:** 2 May 2010, 07:36 pm »

All right, so everything is almost ready for assembly in the Dodd Chassis (when it gets here

)

So how exactly should I be using the zip ties? I didn't see that in the instructions anywhere.

Also, any chance of showing some nice shots of exactly how everything looks in your chassis Gary, especially how they are mounted and wired?

TrungT · « **Reply #355 on:** 2 May 2010, 07:40 pm »

Praedet

You can use the zip ties anyway you want

One here:

and more here: http://doddaudio.com/DIYINSTRUCTION.aspx
Hope that help.

gld · « **Reply #356 on:** 3 May 2010, 01:00 am »

preadet I'll try in the next few days getting some pics of an assembled unit in the real chassis for you guys that have puchased the chassis and would like to see how it goes.

gld · « **Reply #357 on:** 3 May 2010, 01:06 am »

Mariusz here are some knobs for you

Oh yea, would this be up to everyones standards for a logo on a kit????

It is 1.5" by 3" gloss black on brass and it has good double sticky tape already on it!

Just peel and stick!
Gary

Mariusz · « **Reply #358 on:** 3 May 2010, 03:56 am »

Oh my!!!! Those look tasty !!!

Love the logo as well. Just about punching out (11:53pm) from work..... been a little busy ....... building DODD buffer.

Not sure if it will light up or blow up but I'll certainly test it tomorrow.

Thank You Gary

Mariusz

P.S
PM send

TrungT · « **Reply #359 on:** 4 May 2010, 02:01 am »

Mariusz
Is your Dodd Buffer singing yet?