Savoie Drive Calibration
Calibration jig for our Savoie drive system. Oscilloscope not shown.
Read MoreTube Subchassis
While waiting for the first batch of NiWatt chassis from our fabricators, we received our vibration solution from the anodizing shop.
We're turntable guys after all, and vibration and mechanical considerations are never far from our focus.
Shown here is a mock-up (click to enlarge).
Vibes ...
We debated implementing a 4 chassis design (external power supply for each monoblock) to address noise and vibration issues, but prototyping showed us there was no free lunch.
Whenever we shortened wire paths, there was an improvement and an external supply conflicted with this.
The solution lied in a carefully planned layout, quality power transformers from Monolith Magnetics, and the vibration solution you see here.
This was not a cost-saving exercise, as the isolation sub-chassis is 30% of the cost of the case work.
The First Batch - Before Finishing
The sub-chassis is suspended from the main chassis with custom, high-temperature isolation bushings.
Your custom isolation shelf and amplifier stand is most certainly welcome, but know that amplifiers generate their own noise and sonic returns can be had by mitigating this.
We solved the problem without having to resort to outboard power supplies.
Bonus! The lone coupling cap in the amplifier is also mounted to the sub-chassis.
More Mechanicals ...
Octal & 4-Pin Tube Sockets
The NiWatts deserve the best tube sockets we could source.
These ceramic sockets for the signal tubes were selected for best mechanical contact.
Note the 6-finger collet construction: cup-shaped to match the radius of the tube pins (click to enlarge).
Related Posts
NiWatt Amplifier Build – Part 3
(click to enlarge)This is part 3 of our NiWatt build log (installment #2 is here). We’re nearing the finish line with about 3 hours’ work remaining for each amplifier. The observant reader will note that this is a photo of the right ampifier (note the binding post and output transformer location on the left side of
Read MoreNiWatt Amplifier Build – Part 2
NiWatt Build in Progress (click to enlarge)Part 2 of our NiWatt build log (installment #1 is here). At this point, in the build, about 7 hours’ work remains for each amplifier. Shown here are the glass/fiber epoxy boards after “staking” the turrets: 3 boards for each amplifier. Preparing boards to the point shown here
Read MoreA Pass Labs XA-25 Demo With Rockport Speakers
(click to enlarge)We just demo’d a Pass Labs XA-25 amplifier at a customer’s house. The amplifier showed its pedigree, with all of the clarity, delicacy and nuance you’d expect from a Pass Labs design. At the same time, the Rockport speakers showed how power hungry they are. While the amps never sounded stressed (up to sane, but loud
Read More