I'd like to add a low gain switch

hifitoaster · 4065

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Offline hifitoaster

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on: October 16, 2022, 02:59:31 PM
After the Crack, I was hooked. So build the S.E.X., it sounds awesome! I really like it with the LCD-X headphones (20 ohms, Sensitivity: 103 dB/1mW). However there's some hum with those headphones and I can BARELY turn the volume up from 0%.

I'd like some advice on how I could wire a low gain switch in the amp. Perhaps adding some resistors and a switch?

Thanks for the help!

Crack + Speedball -> Sennheiser 6XX
S.E.X. C4S

RME ADI-2 DAC FS, Denafrips Ares II -> Burson Soloist 3XP -> Audeze LCD-X (2021)


Offline ccmccull

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Reply #1 on: October 16, 2022, 03:35:13 PM
I've done a couple of versions of this with PB's guidance

https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=14385.msg130935#msg130935

I ended up using a switch but you don't have to. See the thread linked to from there to see the switchless version.

Colin. Insta @act4audio
{Ortofon 2m Blue > U-Turn Orbit > Eros 2} & {Roon Ropieee RPi4 > hifiberry-digi2-pro > ANK DAC 2.1} > Moreplay > {SVS_SB-1000 (x3)} & {diy kegger design kt88 SET} > Magnepan .7


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #2 on: October 17, 2022, 04:07:02 AM
Be sure that the nut near terminal 36 isn't touching terminal 36.  If those two touch, you'll get some hum.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline hifitoaster

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Reply #3 on: October 17, 2022, 05:36:38 AM
Be sure that the nut near terminal 36 isn't touching terminal 36.  If those two touch, you'll get some hum.


Thank you Paul, I did check terminal 36, I even placed a bit of card stock paper between the nut and terminal 36 as an insulator. The funny thing is, I don't think I noticed a hum before the C4S upgrade. It seemed like the output was higher after the upgrade. Or maybe I did something wrong during the upgrade to introduce the hum.

Crack + Speedball -> Sennheiser 6XX
S.E.X. C4S

RME ADI-2 DAC FS, Denafrips Ares II -> Burson Soloist 3XP -> Audeze LCD-X (2021)


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #4 on: October 17, 2022, 05:37:49 AM
If the volume control is all the way down, is the noise there?

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline hifitoaster

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Reply #5 on: October 17, 2022, 05:40:51 AM
Yes, still a subtle hum with the volume all the way down.

Crack + Speedball -> Sennheiser 6XX
S.E.X. C4S

RME ADI-2 DAC FS, Denafrips Ares II -> Burson Soloist 3XP -> Audeze LCD-X (2021)


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #6 on: October 17, 2022, 05:42:23 AM
The padded output would be a good idea for your situation.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline hifitoaster

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Reply #7 on: October 17, 2022, 05:45:28 AM
Thanks for the help Paul!

I'll order the parts to get a switched L-pad setup added. I'm going off the setup you helped ccmccull with.

Crack + Speedball -> Sennheiser 6XX
S.E.X. C4S

RME ADI-2 DAC FS, Denafrips Ares II -> Burson Soloist 3XP -> Audeze LCD-X (2021)