NeoMini DigiAmp - USBDAC + RA1 Headphone Amp

Dear Headiophile,

You are viewing NeoMini DigiAmp.

NeoMini DigiAmp is the combination of famous USB DAC, 16bit, 48KHz PCM2702 BurrBown DA Converter, and RA1 headphone amp.

High quality Audio grade components, ie. 1% resistors, Panasonic top grade FM Caps, Wima MKS Caps, Genuine Jpn ALPS Volume Pot, and locking type 24Vdc, 2.5A SMPS.

Digiamp Assembled set:

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It looks retro, aint it? something different on your home/office desktop!

DIY Kit available too!


Details assembly instruction can be found in the following links. PCM2702 chip is pre-soldered, rest assure it's simple, easy to assemble as wiring is minimized. Let's play the electronic LEGO guys! .... and gals(anyone?)

Assembly Instruction Guide I
Assembly Instruction Guide II

Price - Digiamp Assembled Set: S$170

• NeoMini Digiamp assembled w/ premium components
• Custom made casing w/ face plates
• Locking type 24VDC, 2.5A International SMPS

Price - Digiamp DIY Kit Set: S$140

• NeoMini Digiamp Kit w/ premium components
• Virtual Gnd Kit
• Genuine Jpn ALPS 100k Volume Pot
• Custom made casing w/ face plates
• Locking type 24VDC, 2.5A International SMPS

Thanks for viewing! Have a nice day

Sincerely,
Alvin Chee
Tel: +65 9768 4662
MSN/Email: Alvin1118@hotmail.com

Amb Lab Mini3 Headphone Amp

Dear all Headiophile,

AMB Lab Mini3, an excellent portable headphone amp designed by TiKan, AMB Lab.

Be impressed, by this compact, yet powerful headphone amp. Most users satisfied and agreed, AMB Mini3 indeed out perform most of the portable amps at this price range, if not, 2~3x more! Check it out!

headfi Mini3 Review from Head-Fi

The Mini3 is a DIY amp, although it can be purchased complete from a number of sources. Vlad loaned me his completed Mini3 to review. His was nicely built into a small metal Hammond case. There were no features other than a batter charging circuit.

Build Quality: n/a: this will simply depend on how the amp’s builder decides to build it.

Treble: A-: Nice and smooth, and fairly neutral and transparent. Perhaps a bit soft, and lacking the very last bit of top end extension. Still very nice.

Midrange: A: Impressive performance in the mids. Open, inviting, and smooth. I was impressed. Female vocals like Kathleen Edwards and Goldfrapp were very well served by the Mini3’s midrange performance.

Bass: A-: Plenty of bass, but it was a little loose at times. Some of the better amps offer better bass control, and a little more definition. Still, this is only in comparison to the very best.

Neutrality: A-: It’s just a touch warm and rolled off on top from neutral. But it sure sounds pretty!

Soundstaging: B+: Soundstage depth was excellent. Image specificity was very good. Width was just good – soundstage width was not delivered in full measure by the Mini3.

Transparency: A-: Definitely an open, clear, generally clean, grain-free sound. Not the LAST word in resolution, but still very good.

Local User Review by Cygig

AMB Mini3 Assembled set:




*As requested by most users, AMB Mini3 now come with premium 9v 280mAh rechargeable battery! Double up your excitement!



Price - AMB Mini3 Assembled Set: S$170

• AMB Mini3 assembled w/ premium components
• Wall wart Charger
• 9v, 280mAh Rechargeable Battery (Upgraded)

Price - AMB Mini3 DIY Kit Set: S$140

• AMB Mini3 PCB w/ all required components
• Custom made casing w/ face plates
• Wall wart Charger
• 9v, 280mAh Rechargeable Battery (Upgraded)

Need of interconnect bundle? We have it!

• Ipod Line Out Dock Cable (Add S$65, picture for illustration purpose only, actual product may varies)
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• Mini to Mini I/C (Add S$30, picture for illustration purpose only, actual product may varies)
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Note:
(1) Location: AMK or via Singpost (Add $2 for normal mail / $5 for registered mail)
(2) International buyers are welcome, please email me to work out details

Sincerely,
Alvin Chee
Tel: +65 9768 4662
MSN/Email: Alvin1118@hotmail.com

From Sennheiser HD650 to HD600

Sold my Sennheiser HD650 sometime back, think 3 months ago as i am fully packed with my studies.

HD650 was kept in the box for at least a couple of months (uni life was tough, or maybe i am just not that smart? lol ). Kind of wasted and feeling guilty for not utilizing this great headphone, hence, selling it away for someone been looking for it in classicfied. Not bad, it sold right after i post it, popular huh?

Too bad, I missed Sennheiser sounds badly, especially when i built the new MPA2.5

My only headphone ATH-AD700 sounds BAD (very) with MPA2.5. It was too details, bright, fatiguing after long hour listening. The sound signature of MPA2.5 is pure and transparent. In layman term, it's rubish in rubish out, no added ajinomoto.

I always believe that ATH headphones required specially tuned headamp to sound best. Although most ATH headphones can be easily driven, but not always well matched in most cases. The classic-est example will be the Yamamoto with W1000; anyone?

I'm so grateful that to audition both HD600/HD650 @ Stereo with my own diy headamp at my CONVENIENT. In fact, i brought the MPA2.5 to Stereo and left it over for kakis around to audition it. Special thanks to Aron, two thumbs up for the awesomely excellent service!

Here's my finding of HD600 & HD650: (personal opinion )

Construction: Overall construction of HD600/HD650 is 'almost' the same. Despite having two different types of cable, headband cushion and texture coloring; i've also noticed that HD650 grills are more sturdier built. I have checked with Senn Asia, the cost of HD650 grills is 6.8x more than HD600 grills (wonder what is the 'real' difference in term of technical /material/finishing of these grills ). I have also checked the cost of the cable, funny, HD650 cable cost 2x cheaper than the later.

Driver: Sennheiser has got this driver design for a very, very long time. The earliest model i personally came accross was HD525. I dismantled the old HD525, oh well, the well known HD580 brass ring is there, very thin voice coil and the diaphragm look very much the same as HD580/HD600/HD650. Yupz, so what is the difference(s) of HD580/HD600/HD650 drivers? The laser printed serial number on diaphragm to differentiate them? or? I bet only Sennheiser knows Here's some pics of the Senn driver:

HD525


Old HD600


New HD600

eh? this is my HD600 driver, see the serial number?

Sound: I must confess, I like the bass and dynamic of HD650. It produce very nice punch and involving sound. It's laidback, dark, warmth -er as compared to HD600. To me, HD600 is neutral, not warmth nor bright, might be a little laid back but it sounded just nice with MPA2.5. To be more specified, HD600 wins in vocal (but not entired mid range). In some tracks, it's very obvious that the vocal reproduced by HD650 is somewhat recessed, which is the major reason why HD650 set me back in taking it home.

Overall, I am quite happy with HD600 and also, the wonderful service by Stereo. Currently stick with stock cable and eyeing for the Cardas

DIY - Big Angel Power Amp - Part III （大结局）

Completed: 16th June 2009

The PSU


The Power Amp


w/ flash on


The Alu. Tower


The ALR Jordan Entry Si


Love the details and sound stage. Surprisingly the Si is very well driven w/ great dynamic

DIY - Big Angel Power Amp - Part II

Update: 15th June 09

Partially assembled the power amp unit


4x UK made BHC 5000uf caps


Classic Toshiba power transistor, two pairs per channel


Spks protection circuit


Binding post, rca jack etc

DIY - Big Angel Power Amp - Part I

DIY - Big Angel Power Amp

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The PSU:

120VA Toroidal Transformer


Precision Dual Voltage Regulator - +15, 0, -15 Vdc


The Power Amp:

Chassis


Custom Made Heat Sink, 1.5kg each! cost me S$200+


Big Angel PCB, 200++ components, >500 soldering points....

DIY - MPA2.5 Headamp - Part II

manage to mount those assembled and tested PCB blocks in the chassis...waiting for the last thing to be in! R-Core transformer, where are you?









Update (26 May 09): it's DONE !!









sorry for the messy wiring

surprisingly very very very clean, almost no notice-able noise when power on!! Even with low impedance earbud ex888lp :thumbup:

burning in using STS Digital Burn In CD, any high impedance headphone (>=300ohms) to recommend?