What?! Another headphone amp kit?! Smack me!

Doc B. · 35101

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Offline Doc B.

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Reply #60 on: October 06, 2011, 12:13:24 PM
Chassis plates finally arrived this afternoon. We should be able to get the final prototype built and photographed for the manual next week before we leave for RMAF. With a little bit 'o' luck we should be able to start shipping kits not long after we get back from RMAF.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #61 on: November 01, 2011, 04:59:39 AM
This has obviously taken longer than I anticipated. The good news is Shawn and I are halfway through the construction of the final production prototype and writing of the manual, and all the parts are here. So we hope to start packing these later this week.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Armaegis

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Reply #62 on: November 03, 2011, 11:00:44 AM
Looking forward to it...



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #63 on: November 03, 2011, 11:07:35 AM
Shawn is soldering in the last caps as I write this. Next, on to resistance and voltage measurements. Then I will spend tomorrow processing the last photos and writing like a madman (I'm about 2/3 of the way thru the manual). Hopefully we can begin packing on Monday.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #64 on: November 08, 2011, 05:48:56 AM
Manual is complete and proofed, and the gang started to kit up the parts bags yesterday. Should be ready to ship the first kits in a day or two.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Armaegis

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Reply #65 on: November 09, 2011, 05:43:29 AM
Great news. The pics look great. I'll have to start cleaning up the workbench to make room for this next project.



Offline Jim R.

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Reply #66 on: November 26, 2011, 02:43:40 PM
I think I have an idea for my wife to get me for a christmas present :-).

Dan, any idea on when the impedance switching boards will be available for s.e.x. 2.1 and stereomour?

-- Jim

Jim Rebman -- recovering audiophile

Equitech balanced power; uRendu, USB processor -> Musette DAC -> 5670 tube buffer -> Finale Audio F138 FFX -> Cain and Cain Abbys near-field).

s.e.x. 2.1 under construction.  Want list: Stereomour II

All ICs homemade (speaker and power next)


Offline tdogzthmn

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Reply #67 on: November 28, 2011, 04:26:42 PM
I have another question about the smack, and if it would be considered a hybrid tube amp similar to those produced by Cavalli Audio.  I dont not know the differences that separate a "hybrid" amp design from that of a traditional tube amp.

Thanks.



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #68 on: November 28, 2011, 05:15:58 PM
A hybrid amp typically implies that one of the amplification stages puts the signal through a solid state device. The Smack does not do this. There are solid state devices in the constant current source and shunt voltage regulator, but none in the signal path.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline M^Cubed

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Reply #69 on: January 11, 2012, 06:13:35 AM
Is the input impedance 100k like the Crack?



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #70 on: January 11, 2012, 07:04:57 AM
Yes, the volume control at the input is 100K ohms.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline tdogzthmn

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Reply #71 on: January 12, 2012, 07:14:22 PM
Have the Smack kits started shipped yet?  I haven't seen any posts saying the first batch has been sent out. 



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #72 on: January 14, 2012, 02:26:14 PM
Yes, there are quite a few in the field and more shipping this week. It just seems to be taking some time for those who have purchased to post their impressions.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Mr. Davis

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Reply #73 on: February 03, 2012, 01:30:00 PM
What happened to all the Smack builders?  Are your kits collecting dust in the garage? 

Looking forward to seeing some build pictures and impressions.

Perry Davis


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #74 on: February 03, 2012, 01:59:12 PM
Shawn just completed an assembled Smack that shipped today and we just received an order for another assembled Smack this afternoon (thanks John!), so at least two guys won't have to build them in order to gather some impressions.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.