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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 10:44:13 GMT
I am here for a singular reason and things will evolve from there.
I have been lurking on Colins (One4Audio) SECA kit threads for a few months, now it is time to start warming up.
Just ordered a handful of cheap heatpipe heatsinks I may or may not use, part of the fun.
Beyond that, I have been playing around with electronics for about 20y.
Build some simple ebay modular stuff, match voltages, make a multimeter go beep, follow instructions and learn.
Maybe combine a battery charger and motorcycle batteries to make a DAC power supply.
Also guilty of being an unapologetic cheapskate AND an absolute whore for performance, therefore DIY and obsessive reading and planning.
Sometimes you get that hint of magic where music wraps around you like a warm fuzzy blanket, I want some more of that.
It might be with loose wires and heatsinks in a plastic storage bin cooled with a 50w duct fan in the attic, I will clean it up later, someday, soon, promise.
The Seca amp is calling to me with its siren song, begging me to jump off the deep end.
Feel free to ask questions if the mood strikes.
/Zappy The reindeer gazer of the north.
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Post by pre65 on May 4, 2016 10:49:45 GMT
Hi Zappy. 
Is that north as in "above Watford gap services" , or "proper" north ? 
*
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 11:18:53 GMT
Hiya kermit umm, Pre. Thanks for the welcome wagon.
Yes it's even further than Luton, like propa north.
I can drive to the arctic circle in 1h and the damn reindeer walk in front of me like idiots, he is still coming to get us, everyone walk real slowly in front of the car.
On a positive note, the snow just melted this week.
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Post by pre65 on May 4, 2016 11:42:08 GMT
Ah well, that far north. 
One of my ambitions is to see the "Northern Lights", so perhaps you can say when, and where, to go to get the best chance of seeing them ?
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Post by MartinT on May 4, 2016 11:45:10 GMT
Hi Zappy, all sounds good. Dive in (if Vikings do that) and enjoy!
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 11:54:44 GMT
pre65 We get the japanese coming here trying to make babies under the Sky Dragons, usually in coldest winter months, nov to feb. Good place to try is Rovaniemi on the finnish side, just on the arctic circle, they have the santa racket there, good touristing if you like that. If you really want to time it google solar flare activity and you'll have a good shot at seeing the northern lights streaking the skies. I usually spot the biggest ones 3-4x a winter. MartinT Thanks, will grab my chainsaw and slice a hole in the lake in your honor (actually it's thawed but it just sounds more impressive).
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Post by zippy on May 4, 2016 12:10:30 GMT
Ah well, that far north.
One of my ambitions is to see the "Northern Lights", so perhaps you can say when, and where, to go to get the best chance of seeing them ? You can get a fair idea of when to see the lights via this web page: linkand you don't always have to go all the way to the Arctic circle to see them (although I'll be jealous if you can!) We had quite a good display here one night last month |
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Post by pre65 on May 4, 2016 12:18:23 GMT
Yes,thanks for that. I was aware that the lights can occasionally be seen in northern UK.
Even in Iceland the tour company adverts say they can't guarantee a display on a given evening. 
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Post by pre65 on May 4, 2016 12:24:59 GMT
Anyway, back to Zappy.
I have the PCBs for one of Colins class A amps, but have not really got into the construction yet. So I look forward to seeing how you get on with your build.
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Post by ChrisB on May 4, 2016 12:45:16 GMT
Hi and welcome from me too.
I look forward following your progress with interest so I hope you like taking photos!
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 12:54:12 GMT
pre65 Good to hear, I read of the dissapointment when the sales were slow last year, had me worried the SECA kit might be cancelled. Although I haven't been able to find where to buy them in any ordinary way, you know, click a button and paypal handles the rest. Could you tell me how you got yours? I suspect talk to Colin. When it comes to building them it is somewhat scary since I dont have the skills to do any deeper level fault finding, seems well worth it tho. I will now proceed to gush my ideas out, hope you dont mind. Hard not to, I have been thinking about it for a long time. TL:DR, lots of random ideas. Since I have more time than means this year I will go slow, start with a set of amp modules, work on the case design and cooling solutions. My notes are full of ambitious plans that hopefully will come to fruition. Work my way up to bi-amping, turn the bias down a little on the tweeter and juice up the base channels. I have no idea if it is possible but I imagine having a turbo button on the front, change the bias current and jack up the system from casual to max stupid hot magic. Considering water cooling, radiators and pump in a separate case, minimize liquid spills, just have a few waterblocks in the amp case. Something I have done with high power LED projects, 2-300w cobs, all parts except the LEDs themselves are in a box a few meters away. They are still running strong after years of use. Preparing to cool +3-400w with ease, 3x240mm rads, 6 undervolted fans, some temperature regulated fan controllers, maybe place it in a different room. Using chinese ebay parts the cooling unit ends up around 200GBP. I am hoping to run 10w for tweeters and upwards of 30W on the base. Oh and a stepped volume attenuator for a pre, stick it on the front. Later on add the PSU boards and other bells n whistles. I remember reading that there was thermistor control on the bias, cooler = more powa. Will look into it some more as I progress, damn , excited.
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 12:56:50 GMT
Hi and welcome from me too. I look forward following your progress with interest so I hope you like taking photos! Thanks, I sure will, give back a little, my bumbling will show others what not to do ;-) Hopefully you dont mind that it might take a few months. I am imagining the basic stereo amp will be done in the fall at worst the winter. The final form, who knows. |
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Post by MikeMusic on May 4, 2016 15:15:33 GMT
Hi Zappy from another cheapskate and performance chaser
Ebay has kept me going quite nicely instead of DIY, not confident.
Do like bargains and will do almost anything to extract more music from my system
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 15:49:12 GMT
Hi Zappy from another cheapskate and performance chaser Ebay has kept me going quite nicely instead of DIY, not confident. Do like bargains and will do almost anything to extract more music from my system Hey there Mike. I must admit I am a little hesitant about building the electronics, I can use a soldering iron and do some measurements, taking a gamble that nothing too strange happens. How could anyone resist Ebay . 3.34gbp triple fan controller with over temp alarm and slow ramp up, yesterday I ordered 340g heatpipe heatsinks for 8e a pop. Have you been buying pre owned or perhaps China audio? Some of those are very tempting, I have been looking at amps like YAQIN MC-100B tube amp, Xindak 6950, Vincent sp-331, all seem like nice options. But danggit, time to take the plunge and go SECA. What kind of tweaks have you done if you dont mind my asking, peaked my interest. |
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Post by MikeMusic on May 4, 2016 16:06:15 GMT
Started Ebay like a little boy in a toy store !
I knew the sort of prices things cost when new so was delighted to see what they went for on Ebay and bought all sorts.
Linn and Naim to start with, Kans, Saras, 2 extra sets of Isobariks. Naim 82, 500.
Started on mains cables with cheaper Russ Andrews Kimber, not thinking they could make a difference then went up the range never selling any. Still got loads left. Next was interconnects, Russ Andrews Kimber again and all sorts of mains things like Purifiers, mains blocks, CD mats starting with a Statmat then up to Marigo. Mana stands and bases, RDC cones, Chord SPM1200E power amp, Rega Isis CD player - and I may have forgotten a lot !
Not ventured into China for hifi, loads of other items though
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 16:28:05 GMT
Yes, bypassing the wholesales and boutiques, the sweetest nectar.
Thats some proper name brand gear, I can imagine going from the "usual" price.
I will have to try mains cables one day, skeptical but will give it a go.
Mains Filters, wouldn't mind a proper one, I get these nasty pops when the fridge and water heater kick into action, I have made some plans for an isolation transformer, still in the works.
I am quite sure the differences you are going for with mains filtering aren't quite that simple. I tend to see main filters and look at the parts that go into them and shake my fist when they are 4x more expensive in a marketed and assembled product. Makes me feel like an old grandpa yelling -You Youngsters with your hair, get off my lawn!!! (not that old, only halfway).
HOOOLY crap that Chord amp is some serious gear, sexy
Nice tip on the Kimber basic cables, very reasonable, if I can resist buying raw leads and contacts I will def give it a go.
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Post by John on May 4, 2016 16:42:13 GMT
Welcome to TAS Zappy I am really looking forward to reading your build
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Post by MikeMusic on May 4, 2016 16:43:14 GMT
It's a crime *not* to take advantage of the prices 'Course you can beat a lot of them on Forums Kimber is a 'known' name. My reasoning at the time was I could always sell them back on Ebay. Mistake I made was *not* selling as I upgraded. Partial excuse is the other systems I have in use but they don't take all that much kit ! The Chord is stupidly good. Beat a Naim 500 and still doing wonders into my Isobariks |
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 17:45:11 GMT
Thanks John, I hope it will at least be entertaining.
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Post by zappytheviking on May 4, 2016 17:48:03 GMT
It's a crime *not* to take advantage of the prices It's the classic, look at how much I saved, THOUSANDS hehehe, works for me, as good an excuse as any. |
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