JoeDesktop O2+ODAC build

[JoePilot]

Joe's Desktop Objective2+ODAC build

Decided to build the Objective2+ODAC in the larger B3-080 enclosure with an aim towards aesthetic appeal and practicality. My version will be desktop only, with only 3 things in the front panel: LED, Volume knob and 6.35mm headphone jack...which means it will have a clean looking front, with all the messy cabling and buttons at the back.

Another design feature is RCA Out for the ODAC, for connecting the ODAC line out to a home theatre system.

Here's what the front panel will look like:

It's a clean simple minimalist look, the brushed aluminium volume knob matches the panel perfectly. My gf thinks the 2 different fonts are a mismatch...what do u think?

Close-up of volume knob:

I especially like the volume knob...it's a work of art. Solid chunk of aluminium, feels hefty in the hand.

I've decided to build not 1...but 5! Including 3 ODAC...for now.
Taking pre-orders now!

First board completed for testing...100% QC pass!

This design involves panel mounting almost everything, which was very time-comsuming. Every wire had to be of precise length, too short or too long won't work. They are twisted pairs to eliminate RFI.
On an open bench system like this, I could still detect a very tiny interference from my handphone held very close, but I believe it will be completely eliminated once mounted in the chassis.
There are actually 3 wire assemblies running underneath the board: gain switch, power switch and AC power line.

Any comments/questions welcome!

NEXT UP: Integration with chassis + view of back panel

 

[JoePilot]

And here's the fun part: soldering! Including tips and tricks for the novice DIY soldering soldier!

Nice shiny conical solder joints...but still a tiny bit too much solder for my liking. Concave surfaces would be perfect.

Nice flow-through to the other side, forming a very robust joint. I use no-clean flux, which is the key to having shiny and flowing solder. Absolutely essential!

For soldering tutorials on youtube, refer to this:

Very comprehensive and professional

and this...

Taught by a certified NASA solder tech trainer...their obsessive compulsive attention to detail really makes u
Not really necessary if you are going to use yr O2 amp on Earth, but still useful to learn a few tricks...

Soldering is not hard, but perfect soldering is an art.
Overall, quite fun to learn a new skill...even though it took me a much longer time than expected.

 

[kaixax555]

the plate is awesome

moi wanna see the final product

 

[JoePilot]

the plate is awesome

moi wanna see the final product

u sure u wanna see only?

 

[kaixax555]

u sure u wanna see only?

got the urge to buy but must see chio or not first

oso no high-end earphone to leverage its potential

 

[RazorLotus]

Looks good

How does the volume pot feel? Smooth? Jerky? Got distortion when turning?

also, where did you get the casing and volume knob from? Do they have them in SG?

I don't mind testing out when you're done with it Or maybe even getting one if it's good enough D:

It's about time someone re-did the O2 thing in singapore. Really messy with everything plugging in from the front.

Font looks alright I guess. I don't have a problem with it. Oh, is it me, or is the right-most hole on the front plate not completely circle?

PM me a price if you're ready to sell them. I look forward to your finished product

 

[Noirkw]

Interested to see the final ODAC with RCA outs. Will be lurking this thread

 

[prtscn]

PM me the price too, may even preorder immediately if its reasonable. Goodluck!

 

[JoePilot]

Looks good

How does the volume pot feel? Smooth? Jerky? Got distortion when turning?

Baby-butt smooth! Silent like a ninja when turning!

also, where did you get the casing and volume knob from? Do they have them in SG?

Both RS and element14 carries it. Allied Electronics (US) has the best price, provided u work out the shipping costs. Volume knob was from element14. It costs as much as all the MOSFETs and ICs combined!
BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY.

It's about time someone re-did the O2 thing in singapore. Really messy with everything plugging in from the front.

Thanks for the encouragement! This was what held me back from buying the JDSlabs version...so I decided to just build my own with aesthetic appeal as a core focus...and still keeping it affordable for everyone.

Font looks alright I guess. I don't have a problem with it. Oh, is it me, or is the right-most hole on the front plate not completely circle?

The hole will completely disappear once the headphone jack is in place.

PM me a price if you're ready to sell them. I look forward to your finished product

I'll publish the price once it's ready to ship! I assure everyone, no carrots will be harmed!

 

[JoePilot]

PM me the price too, may even preorder immediately if its reasonable. Goodluck!

Stay tuned for pics of the final product!
Will publish the price once it's ready to ship!

 

[soupgoblin]

Woah looking for odac/o2 actually, but just a student, if cheap cheap i'll get Support LOCAL!

 

[behling]

This looks promising spec wise, functionality and aesthetics. Kindly PM me on purchasing details on a completed set

 

[JoePilot]

Woah looking for odac/o2 actually, but just a student, if cheap cheap i'll get Support LOCAL!

I wanted to outsource the soldering to my pinoy maid...oh well.

NAH JUST KIDDING!

Yesterday finished assembly and testing of 2 more O2 boards.
100% QC passed! All 3 boards so far have output DC offset of 4mV, well within the <8mV test criteria.


Remote mounting all the jacks and switches takes up more time than soldering all the components on board.
Next up, O2+ODAC integration...
It's a real challenge to get work done in this hot weather...REALLY ISH SWEATSHOP SIAH!
At least those sweatshops in China have aircon

 

[RazorLotus]

I wanted to outsource the soldering to my pinoy maid...oh well.

NAH JUST KIDDING!

Yesterday finished assembly and testing of 2 more O2 boards.
100% QC passed! All 3 boards so far have output DC offset of 4mV, well within the <8mV test criteria.


Remote mounting all the jacks and switches takes up more time than soldering all the components on board.
Next up, O2+ODAC integration...
It's a real challenge to get work done in this hot weather...REALLY ISH SWEATSHOP SIAH!
At least those sweatshops in China have aircon

Yeah wanna support local also. Hopefully it's affordable for me as well!

Do post your updated pictures.

Oh and also, I'm interested in getting my hands wet with these DIY stuff so if you need a helper or a partner, I'm willing to help and hopefully learn something at the same time Hoping we can go out and you can show me where to source for parts and teach me some stuff hahah

If the volume knob and casing cost as much as the circuitry, wouldn't the whole thing come off as very expensive?

 

[alamakazim]

now I know why my cheapo no frills sets cant sell anymore

 

[JoePilot]

The LINE-IN (blue cable) hugs the side of the chassis, away from the power circuitry and output stage. Inside the blue cable housing holds twisted pairs.
Only one battery terminal is mounted, this is necessary to hold the ODAC in place.

And here's what it looks like on the other side...
AC power line hugs the side of the chassis, under the power circuitry. This nice thick beefy wire is thick enough to fit the PCB mounting holes perfectly...it's at least 18AWG!

In the middle running almost diagonally is the power switch and DC rails. It's actually recycled from a spare USB cable, which I retain the red/black power line. Even the metal shielding is intact.

Finally there's the gain switch, using a recycled Ethernet Cat5 cable.

So both the AC and DC lines run underneath the board, and are thus separated from the input and output stages by the PCB.

 

[madcap386]

Looks good, keep the pictures coming!

 

[JoePilot]

OH FRAK I just received a warning from mods.

Dear JoePilot,

You have received a warning at HardwareZone.com.sg | Product reviews | Technology News | Blogs.

Reason:
-------
Unsolicited Content (Commercial solicitation / Ads / Referrals / Spam)

Hi there,

We noticed your intention of sales/mass-order.

Kindly keep threads in this forum strictly for audio related discussions.

If you intend to do mass orders or sales - use the respective forums.
You're not supposed to use the discussion forums to promote your sales.

Thank you.
-------

How is my thread not an audio related discussion?
And I didn't say I'll publish the price in this thread.
OK OK from now on I'll promote more DIY in this thread

OH WELL.

 

[JoePilot]

If the volume knob and casing cost as much as the circuitry, wouldn't the whole thing come off as very expensive?

No. Cos it's made in a sweatshop in Singapore. No minimum wage laws.

 

[alamakazim]

OH FRAK I just received a warning from mods.



How is my thread not an audio related discussion?
And I didn't say I'll publish the price in this thread.
OK OK from now on I'll promote more DIY in this thread

OH WELL.

me got b@nn many times selling o2 lol