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Post by jerrygp on Dec 28, 2015 0:07:10 GMT
I am a new forum member with some DIY headphone amp experience...having built four of various types- a Millet tube hybrid being my latest. I have just purchased the new Fostex TR50 Mk III phones and will be modding them as info becomes available. Would love to build your Kameleon-2 with power supply and any filter board for my Fostex, Senn HD600, or Grado 225 'phones. Will pm you after this post for any info on available parts or build threads.
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BMF
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Post by BMF on Dec 28, 2015 1:56:38 GMT
FWIW, I had HD-800 and Orpheus HE90 with HEV90 amp for 18 months. Both were impressive in the mids and sound stage width, a bit light in the bass freqs, and tilted towards the treble end. Orpheus was amazing (no hype)... super fast...light speed. Imaging, clarity, and detail retrieval with the Orpheus were all phenomenal and its treble sparkles and shimmers realistically without ear fatigue. The HD800 (on a Kameleon) is tonally about the same as an HD600 (on Kameleon) but with better 'separation' and 'articulation'. Both (on Kameleon) have an equal amount of subbass but the HD800 has lower amounts of distortion (cleaner and slightly better defined bass) I have HD-598 and HD-600. They're good, particularly for the prices I paid during Black Friday week. If 600 had a bit more bass weight and extension, it would be just about perfect for me. I ordered HD-650 from Amazon bundled with a $200 Amazon gift card, so the HD-650 was only $299.. They arrive tomorrow and I look forward to comparing them to others....and trying some of your mods. I'm interested in your Kameleon and filters...PM sent last night. Yes, the HD600 will have better bass and extension and the 3kHz 'over presence' (some complain about) is lowered slightly as well. That same 3kHz peak is not lowered in the HD650 though but I could make a filter that lowers it (closer to Kamleonised HD800 tonally) Will think about that, not needed when you are using old pads on the HD650 and that is the main reason I use older pads (and the fact that older pads are more comfy) Also need to get to work on the crossfeed module (needs another type of filter PCB). Comparing HD-650 to HD-600, I prefer the 600. 650 sounds bloated in comparison. 600 sounds more clear with faster bass compared to 650's greater bass quantity. I haven't heard 700's. My preferences: 800 > 600 > 598 > 650
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Dec 28, 2015 8:27:59 GMT
The SR225 will be very hard to EQ. Don't have access to one of those but they aren't very different from the 125 except they have a bit more bass. Also depends a lot on the pads used.
The T50RP-III needs a different filter from the T50RP but with the help of plenty of known graphs it should be feasable to add 'air' (top end extension), add some subbass and remove the treble peak (this one also seems to have). That treble peak sort of 'masks' the lack of treble extension.
The HD600 is easy to do. Bass extension (suddenly you will hear deep sub-bass) and a tiny fraction of the sometimes 'sharpish' treble is slightly reduced, just enough to take that (sometimes) sharpish edge off without changing the tonality.
All PCB's are available but still have to finish writing the Desktop version manual. This takes up way more time than I thought I would have 'available'.
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BMF
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Post by BMF on Dec 28, 2015 12:41:41 GMT
The HD800 (on a Kameleon) is tonally about the same as an HD600 (on Kameleon) but with better 'separation' and 'articulation'. Both (on Kameleon) have an equal amount of subbass but the HD800 has lower amounts of distortion (cleaner and slightly better defined bass) Yes, the HD600 will have better bass and extension and the 3kHz 'over presence' (some complain about) is lowered slightly as well. That same 3kHz peak is not lowered in the HD650 though but I could make a filter that lowers it (closer to Kamleonised HD800 tonally) Will think about that, not needed when you are using old pads on the HD650 and that is the main reason I use older pads (and the fact that older pads are more comfy) Also need to get to work on the crossfeed module (needs another type of filter PCB). Comparing HD-650 to HD-600, I prefer the 600. 650 sounds bloated in comparison. 600 sounds more clear with faster bass compared to 650's greater bass quantity. I haven't heard 700's. My preferences: 800 > 600 > 598 > 650 Frans, Sounds like Kameleon-2 and an HD-600 filter is just what I need! I look forward to building the portable and the desk top amps with power supply and basically a "full house" of filters. I understand the time and effort it will take you to write manuals for everything. Must be a labor of love to do all this work and share with everyone...for free! You have contributed immensely to the DIY community. I want to thank you in more ways than one. What is your favorite charity? I'd like to make a donation in your name. Best to all, Keith
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Post by mruzmininu on Dec 29, 2015 23:15:13 GMT
Were they any experiments doing a HD700 filter for the Kameleon?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Dec 29, 2015 23:31:24 GMT
Haven't got access to one. Could look into it when I can find some trustworthy plots.
It seems to have be somewhat similar to the HD800 and also shows a 6kHz peak
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Post by tunkejazz on Dec 30, 2015 19:08:45 GMT
Frans, if I send to you my HE400i, would you do the measurements that are needed for the filters? Since I will be sharing office from Jan 2016, the modded Philips will get A LOT of play time, so I can send you the HE400i for a while :-)
Just let me know!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Dec 30, 2015 19:19:16 GMT
You could send along the HE400i along with the Polaris.
I can measure, listen, make a filter for it and then return the 400i + filter module.
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Post by tunkejazz on Dec 30, 2015 20:27:28 GMT
Thanks Frans that sounds terrific, it is very kind of you! I will send everything once I am back in Sweden 10 days from now.
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Post by varzyl on Jan 25, 2016 17:58:17 GMT
Hello! I would like to thank Frans for the huge and amazing job he has done for the headphone lovers folks. You are a hero! How is the Desktop Kameleon-2 version proceeding? I really can't wait to have it next to my HD650 ^_^ May I ask a couple questions? 1) What DAC would cut the job best? ODAC\Modi 2\SMSL Sanskrit 6th are good enough for the Kameleon to shine to its full potential? 2) Does the Kam2 happen to have a RCA pre-out (for loudspeakers switching)? It would be a nice feature for lot's of people I think 3) Do you still have the test sample files for the HD650 filter available? I read on another board you had them uploaded for a week but it's long expired. Would be nice to have a taste of those filters! Thanks again for your competence and good will!
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 25, 2016 20:01:54 GMT
Welcome to the forum Varzyl,
1: For me these DAC's would be good enough. 2: The Kameleon 2 desktop version would have room to fit 4 RCA's in the back. You could use those as a 'pass-through'. The Kameleon for now is still a DIY amp so you can make it the way you want it.
3: I don't have those files any more but could make a new one when I have some time for it.
The Kameleon portable manual is available, the desktop version of the manual is not. Will take me quite some time to finish that due to other projects that have been piling up.
For those that would like to start building the desktop version I could PM a guide that at least has some essential info (BOM lists etc.) and some raw pictures that can give clues.
Completely finished products won't be available till the manual is there.
Portable Kameleon amps could be built soon as PCB's and all needed data is available.
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Post by varzyl on Jan 25, 2016 20:42:41 GMT
I see! Well, I've never soldered anything complex before, so I'm not sure I'd be able to do it all on my own. I think I'll wait for the detailed guide to be ready and then make a decision (try to build it myself or ask someone to do it for me). How much would the components parts cost in your opinion vs price of finished one? I mean, DIY is really fascinating (so far I just build a car subwoofer enclosure) but I'm not sure if this is the right project to start with PCB's and OPAMPS. EDIT: I was trying to figure the parts cost of a Kamaleon 2 portable amp, and I found out that the DIL-8 socket is out of production
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Post by varzyl on Jan 30, 2016 1:40:52 GMT
I may have found someone to help me, so I'm probably going to give it a try at doing it myself as soon as the guide is ready! One question though: is hot air soldering station needed\preferrable over to iron for SMD components of this project? Or am I good to go with an iron?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 4, 2016 21:12:11 GMT
I may have found someone to help me, so I'm probably going to give it a try at doing it myself as soon as the guide is ready! One question though: is hot air soldering station needed\preferrable over to iron for SMD components of this project? Or am I good to go with an iron? I solder the small parts with a soldering iron with a small tip. No need for a hot-air system. The desktop version is easier to build. The portable version has more and smaller components. A magnifying glass and perhaps some desolder-litze can come in handy. Slowly started to work on the desktop version manual again. Been sidetracked by a lot of other things and life happening.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Feb 21, 2016 9:40:58 GMT
The portable Kameleon 2 manual is finally available in a finished form. Still working on the desktop manual though that is coming along nicely as well. If only there was more time available ..... Writing and illustrating (taking and editing pictures) is soooo time consuming.
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