1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

[Lutkeveld]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

The isolated DC-DC converter is to prevent groundloop right? You can use a groundloop isolator in the line-level signal. It's basically a 1:1 input trafo and eliminates unwanted noise.

[Melby Audio]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Yes just wire it inline. I believe it does isolate a ground loop, however I have bad luck with car audio ground loop isolators. It seems that they reduce but don't eliminate the noise.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Yes just wire it inline. I believe it does isolate a ground loop, however I have bad luck with car audio ground loop isolators. It seems that they reduce but don't eliminate the noise.

Thank You! I did try a car audio ground loop isolator with zero luck. I ordered a 1w and 2w model. I am actually in. Fort Worth this weekend but don't have time to stop on the way back down south. If this works or reduces the noise that would be wonderful. I am hopefully going to go take a look at some different wood this afternoon. I really appreciate the help Melby.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

After we got home this afternoon, I took a trip to Dakota Hardwoods. I picked up 11 bdft of mahogany and 11 bdft of soft maple. I was rather shocked by their prices. They were significantly cheaper than the big box stores of course.

I did not price the red oak they had, which of coarse was much better wood, but the Mahogany board was $58. I spent ~$85 on red oak at Lowes for one cabinet. This puts the build cost for one cabinet out of mahogany at $29. It is cheaper to buy the hardwood than MDF and veneer. I kind of wanted to get into learning how to veneer but at these prices it may not be worth it. They also had cherry, alder and other exotics. I really wanted to see some of their burled maple but was afraid I might end up leaving with 3 boards not 2.

Since the wood is sold by the board foot it is 13/16" thick. I will have to buy a surface planer to get the wood to 3/4" as well as finish the rougher surface. A planer will also allow me to work with 5/4 boards and bring costs down further.

[mzisserson]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Awesome execution!

[joeybutts]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

After we got home this afternoon, I took a trip to Dakota Hardwoods. I picked up 11 bdft of mahogany and 11 bdft of soft maple. I was rather shocked by their prices. They were significantly cheaper than the big box stores of course.

I did not price the red oak they had, which of coarse was much better wood, but the Mahogany board was $58. I spent ~$85 on red oak at Lowes for one cabinet. This puts the build cost for one cabinet out of mahogany at $29. It is cheaper to buy the hardwood than MDF and veneer. I kind of wanted to get into learning how to veneer but at these prices it may not be worth it. They also had cherry, alder and other exotics. I really wanted to see some of their burled maple but was afraid I might end up leaving with 3 boards not 2.

Since the wood is sold by the board foot it is 13/16" thick. I will have to buy a surface planer to get the wood to 3/4" as well as finish the rougher surface. A planer will also allow me to work with 5/4 boards and bring costs down further.

Seeing this beautiful lumber has me itching to do a new all out build.

[chambers13]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Nice job! Have all the parts lined up to do something similar, but using a Pyle amp. Looking to upgrade a Sprite that I made. You've given me some great ideas, gotta do a charity job first and then jump on in...hope it comes out as well as yours!

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Yes just wire it inline. I believe it does isolate a ground loop, however I have bad luck with car audio ground loop isolators. It seems that they reduce but don't eliminate the noise.

I got the part today and wired it inline per the instructions. I don't think it really made much of a difference. I would say the data noise was reduced some but not all the way. It only take a little volume to get past it.

I have ordered 2 Sure APT-X BT 4.0 Receivers from Sure in China.

http://store.sure-electronics.com/audio/aa-ab41136

They have both shipped and should arrive on the 27th. Sure sells 2 BT modules, one that PE carries, and the APT-X that is specifically designed to "eradicate RF and digital signal interference..." I really don't know WHY PE does not sell these and other BT modules. The one they do sell Part # 320-351 seems to be on eternal back order.

If the fine PE folks are reading this please offer the Millennia BT module and the new Sure APT-X Bluetooth 4.0 Audio Receiver SKU: AA-AB41136. They would not doubt be great sellers.

[Melby Audio]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Hmm, yeah must be the BT module then. Is it a 12v or 5v module?

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Hmm, yeah must be the BT module then. Is it a 12v or 5v module?

It is a 12v module. I have Fusion BT100 that is also a 12v module that encounters the same data feedback. If I go 1/8" headphone to RCA direct, there is no noise. So yes, it is the BT module. This is why I am hoping that the new Sure BT module will fair better. It is not a deal breaker if I cant clear it up but I would like to exhaust all options. Worst case i guess i could find a 5v module and use a DC-DC converter for 12v to 5V and try that. Do you have any suggestions or preferences for 5v BT module? I have a few weeks before the Sure BT units arrive and I am willing to try other options.

[tyger23]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Out of curiosity - are you using an iDevice? If so, you might consider spending up for the AirEnabler:

http://airenabler.qnology.com/

Airplay is lossless and much better quality audio than Bluetooth (even APT-X).

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Out of curiosity - are you using an iDevice? If so, you might consider spending up for the AirEnabler:

http://airenabler.qnology.com/

Airplay is lossless and much better quality audio than Bluetooth (even APT-X).

Yes I am, but I do not want to have the box dedicated to the iDevice platform. I also want to have all components mount inside the box for a single plug solution. I will be researching the AirEnabler more for a possible other application. Thanks for the info.

[Melby Audio]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Believe it or not I have had good luck with the $7 usb stick looking cheapies off of ebay combined with the Murata DC-DC. I have also used a Target clearance off brand, and a Phillips unit. All were good once the DC was isolated, and all were problematic using standard voltage regulators. I also have both the 12v and talking ones that PE sells, but I still need to test those before I can say how well they will work or if they have ground loop issues.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Believe it or not I have had good luck with the $7 usb stick looking cheapies off of ebay combined with the Murata DC-DC. I have also used a Target clearance off brand, and a Phillips unit. All were good once the DC was isolated, and all were problematic using standard voltage regulators. I also have both the 12v and talking ones that PE sells, but I still need to test those before I can say how well they will work or if they have ground loop issues.

I am ordering the parts today to implement the above. I found that a floppy drive power cable has .254 pin spacing the same as the DC-DC converters. This will make it easier than just soldering wires on. My goal is to have the least number of parts and connections as possible. I am hoping the Sure BT modules will be the answer. But if the above works and solves the problem I will be just as happy.

Thanks for the guidance and I will post my findings when I get the parts.

[Gordy]

Re: 1st Boombox Project - The Madeleine

Interesting find today. I was getting the parts list put together for The Madeleine and was looking up the Shc 40 1-1/4 parts # at Home Depot. In my search results on the depots site, I saw PVC pipe by Formufit. It is a furniture grade PVC company. They have several different colors of PVC including black. The price is not bad either.



I emailed them a few min ago to inquire about their 1-1/4" pipe as they stated it meets Sch 40 standards. I could not believe it but on a Sunday I got a response. The ID of their 1-1/4" PVC pipe is 1.360. Only a .015" deviation from the 1-3/8" needed. I never liked the white PVC port and wanted it black but did not want to hassle with painting it.

I ordered (2) 3ft sections and will post pics when it comes in. If this works, it will be a better alternative than white PVC especially for those of use who prefer to flush the port in the front to back of the enclosure.