n_maher

Duly noted.

Actually, the ones that I'm using are bi-metal hole saws, specifically made for working with metal. I may be a hack but I do believe in safety first and always use the right tool for the job. Maybe not the best tool, but the right tool nonetheless. And while I'd certainly prefer to be using something like a greenlee punch for this type of work the three that I would need for this project (2-1/2", 2" and 1-3/8") would cost around $320 which makes them decidedly cost prohibitive. It'd be cheaper to have the panel made by FPE, which I may very well do if I decide to do a final version of the amp.

Now that would be a challenge! This is what I'm using:

That's like saying you just woke up for the 8th day in a row.

Does this mean that I finally need to build you a set of cables?

Everything. At least that was the idea that was used for design. I'll post a brief history of how this project came together some time this weekend if I have time.

I'm already realizing that I'm going to have to do something to stiffen the chassis, it's no match for the weight of the iron. I probably won't get to that before FLA but it'll have to happen at some point. The big trafo on the left side weighs about 15lbs and it's model number is "BFT", no joke. And that's the lighter of the two big pieces of iron, the large primary choke on the right weighs 21lbs. It should go relatively quickly at this point or at least it had better if I have hopes of bringing it to CanJam. The power supply is "scheduled" to be done this weekend and then I'll be stuck waiting for the amp chassis to arrive on Wednesday of next week. :fingerscrossed:

Thanks guys, so far so good. No real trick other than using a drill press, drilling the appropriate pilot hole, using the right speed and holding the material tightly in place. I've got a bench-top drill press that makes things pretty easy and I built an over-sized table for it so that it fully supports even stuff as large as this chassis. I'll try and remember to post a picture of it. Heh, I'm quite sure that my workshop and KG's are world's apart when it comes to goodies laying around. I had originally bought this chassis for my Aikido project but have since sold those parts and the buyer didn't want the chassis. It worked out quite well really and the amp will be going in a matching 17 x 12 x 3 chassis. Neither really needs to be that big but I'd rather have room to spare when it comes to routing wires and the inevitable probing during troubling shooting. Cramped space + high voltage = not good for Nate's health.

I'm going to create a thread for this amp since it is my intention at the end of the build to publish the schematic and any relevant details so that anyone who's crazy enough can build this amp. So for now this (and the amp) are a work in progress and just somewhere where I can share pictures. Actual information will come later. Night #0 of PS chassis fabrication: I did a preliminary layout of all of the parts on a large 17" x 14" x 4" Hammond Steel chassis that I happened to have laying around. It seemed big enough so I took rough measurements of where everything was located so that I could tweak them later for better alignment and symmetry. I'm not all that concerned about everything being dead-nuts accurate for this amp build. The look is going to be decidedly industrial, frills need not apply. Night #1 of chassis fabrication for the power supply: I got all of the hole centers marked and drilled a majority of the small diameter mounting holes. Both the transformer and the chokes are mounted on vibration isolating grommets, not strictly necessary but they can't hurt. Came home early the next day from work to break out the 2" hole saw to cut holes for the large motor-run caps and drill the associated mounting holes. Night #2 of PS fab: not much time tonight, drilled a few of the larger holes for wire penetrations in the chassis and installed insulating grommets to prevent wire wear and shorts. Also test fit the caps and small chokes. I erroneously bought a 2-1/16" hole saw so the cap holes are slightly oversized, oh well, there are worse things. I'll pick up the proper saw for the remaining 2, 2" diameter caps in the amp section. Night #3 of PS fab: drilled the remainder of the wire routing holes in the chassis so that I could do a fairly complete mock-up of the iron and caps. All seems to fit well but holy hell this thing is heavy. Tomorrow I'll pick up the remaining bits and parts that I need to complete the PS fab, all that I really need is a 1-1/8" bit for the tub sockets. I could use a stepped bit that I have but even with the drill press that bit gets unwieldy and I'd rather not trash the chassis at this stage.

I'm with you mulveling, I am not a fan of the LOK RCA connectors. I used them once early in my career, never again.

Well, it's not going to be the sexiest thing you've ever seen but should be pretty clean and tidy. It just didn't seem to make much sense to try and make a sledgehammer look like a delicate piece of artwork. And at this stage I'm pretty much planning on having to tear it back down after CanJam to make adjustments and tweaks so the goal right now is to just get it working in time for Florida in a state of build that will not be a complete embarrassment.

I have a majority of the chassis fabrication done for the power supply and started mounting parts last night. I'll be at it again tomorrow night and I'm probably going to take the second half of tomorrow off to work on it. How's that for dedication!?!??! I hope to have the PS done by end the end of the weekend and start the amp next week.

NO EXCUSES!!!

Impressions plskthxby!

Take a minute and stop posting just to post and you might just work out fine. Keep up the general trend you've started and I'll unleash the full wrath of on you. And you don't want that.

Hey look everyone, it's the new forum asshat, soundfreq.

You're on the path to an ass kicking.

I agree, jackass.

I'm with Vicki, if when Senn replaces the 650 it won't be with a less expensive headphone. I'd wager it'll be a lot more $$, not that I know anything...

I haven't heard the 601s for more than 10 minutes but I did own the 501s at one point and they left me wanting in a big way.

Call me crazy but I think that was the one purchased that started this whole conversation, no?

http://bathyswatch.com/main.php?link=auto_mens_100fathomblackdial

Thanks guys, more importantly it sounds great. Glad to hear it, I'm still enjoying the music you sent me as well.

Is that $3k for 5.1? or for just the front 2?

Well, I figured enough was enough and that it was time I got my own Senn cable.