"Micro Bamboo Project" : 3E Audio 260-2-29A Stereo amplifier + Micro-Audio PSU

[daniboun]

Sounds pretty good though.

I imagine that you will develop this point after a good listening session?

 

[CamRector]

Not sure, I understood I would need 2 SMPS for a mono setup but I think the Micro Audio SMPS has enough power to run 2 3e boards from a single SMPS (its 600w).
Maybe I use one of them later for something .
I'm not sure how to work out if a single SMPS can run x2 3-e boards.

Sounds pretty good though.

You could run it off 1 board no problem and still get 300w@4ohms

 

[Yoku-San]

Dear @daniboun, could you please provide a really complete list of all parts (I mean really, all parts) that I need to build the Amp? Including all cables, connectors, spacers etc.

That would be very helpful for me as a beginner. Thank you very much in advance.

Would an EMI filter give any advantage with the Micro Audio PSU? You had an EMI filter in your previous build.

 

[cfwotzka]

This can cause damage in the short term so don't skimp on this point....

measured between 17-18V and return to the original Silmic II. again many thanks for advice!

 

[brunes]

Dear @daniboun, could you please provide a really complete list of all parts (I mean really, all parts) that I need to build the Amp? Including all cables, connectors, spacers etc.

That would be very helpful for me as a beginner. Thank you very much in advance.

Would an EMI filter give any advantage with the Micro Audio PSU? You had an EMI filter in your previous build.

The manual has the following :

manual

 

[CamRector]

Dear @daniboun, could you please provide a really complete list of all parts (I mean really, all parts) that I need to build the Amp? Including all cables, connectors, spacers etc.

That would be very helpful for me as a beginner. Thank you very much in advance.

Would an EMI filter give any advantage with the Micro Audio PSU? You had an EMI filter in your previous build.

It’s really all at the beginning.
I was a newb too and had zero problems building a 2 channel and 4 channel.

My 4channel with a Ghent audio case fits the emi filter Cw2B-10a-T
On my 2channel I used the Qualtek 850-10-003. Jeff Rowland uses these in his $15000 amps.

​

 

[Yoku-San]

The manual has the following :
View attachment 348485
manual

OK, it says the SMPS has its own EMI filter. I guess that is sufficient.

 

[Yoku-San]

It’s really all at the beginning.
I was a newb too and had zero problems building a 2 channel and 4 channel.

My 4channel with a Ghent audio case fits the emi filter Cw2B-10a-T
On my 2channel I used the Qualtek 850-10-003. Jeff Rowland uses these in his $15000 amps.

​

So I do not need to buy any additional JST connectors for connecting the cables to the boards? What is the purpose of the PET/nylon sleeves?

 

[brunes]

Dear @daniboun, could you please provide a really complete list of all parts (I mean really, all parts) that I need to build the Amp? Including all cables, connectors, spacers etc.

That would be very helpful for me as a beginner. Thank you very much in advance.

Would an EMI filter give any advantage with the Micro Audio PSU? You had an EMI filter in your previous build.

Almost everything is available at audiophonics.

The 3e audio comes with the terminals so you just need some wire, the speaker connections and the XLR connections.
The Micro Audio SMPS comes with almost all the cables you need to connect it (Sami the owner of Micro Audio is really super helpful).
I just needed to make the cable for the switch and the LED (he provided the connectors so I just need wire and the crimp tool).

The case for me was the big question, I ordered from Modushop, they are pretty nice, bit more expensive and are annodized so you need to work out a way to ground the front, back sides etc. Depends how much you want to drill holes in a case or have someone else do it .
Gianluca at Modushop can make the case for you with all the holes cut if you don't want to do it yourself.
I can share my Audiophonics order if you want the exact items.

 

[CamRector]

So I do not need to buy any additional JST connectors for connecting the cables to the boards? What is the purpose of the PET/nylon sleeves?

Micros power supplies will come with what you need.
You’ll need 1/4in faston connectors for the 3e boards. Power input and signal output.
2 xlr female connectors
Binding posts or speakon connectors
Nylon sleeving is just for nice looks and cable management and not needed.

Highly recommend the Ghent audio cases.

 

[brunes]

Maybe this helps?

 

[daniboun]

The manual has the following :
View attachment 348485
manual

EMI filters are optional depending how good is the EMI filter from PSU )

 

[Yoku-San]

Almost everything is available at audiophonics.

The 3e audio comes with the terminals so you just need some wire, the speaker connections and the XLR connections.
The Micro Audio SMPS comes with almost all the cables you need to connect it (Sami the owner of Micro Audio is really super helpful).
I just needed to make the cable for the switch and the LED (he provided the connectors so I just need wire and the crimp tool).

The case for me was the big question, I ordered from Modushop, they are pretty nice, bit more expensive and are annodized so you need to work out a way to ground the front, back sides etc. Depends how much you want to drill holes in a case or have someone else do it .
Gianluca at Modushop can make the case for you with all the holes cut if you don't want to do it yourself.
I can share my Audiophonics order if you want the exact items.

Thank you very much for that helpful information. I guess I can order all the things then. I will use an LED switch on the front. I guess I can just connect it to the Standby Input of the SMPS.

 

[daniboun]

So I do not need to buy any additional JST connectors for connecting the cables to the boards? What is the purpose of the PET/nylon sleeves?

You will need VH 3.96 cables for the Micro Audio this is for mains AC.
Sleeves provide additional protection for cables but I mainly use them for a more beautiful design))

VH 3.96mm Cable Female to Bare wire 1 Pole No Casing Gold-Plated 30cm Black (Set x10) - Audiophonics

This cable consists of a gold-plated 3.96mm VH male connector and a bare wire. This interconnect cable is ideal for internal wiring of your DIY projects, in order to make your connections easily and quickly.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[brunes]

Thank you very much for that helpful information. I guess I can order all the things then. I will use an LED switch on the front. I guess I can just connect it to the Standby Input of the SMPS.

Yes, you need a latching switch. Sami at MicroAudio has one (also mentioned in the manual). You just need to connect the 2 cables (red/black) from the switch to the 12V output on the SMPS and the switch to the SMPS STBY. You will need to crimp the JST connectors to the wire and insert them in the provided connector (advise the JST tool).

(You can also do it how Daniboun did it and use the an IEC with a switch (easier). He uses an LED that can run from the mains I think )

 

[daniboun]

Thank you very much for that helpful information. I guess I can order all the things then. I will use an LED switch on the front. I guess I can just connect it to the Standby Input of the SMPS.

If you intend to use led from front panel and if you begin in Diy use a 220V led as described on my projects ) They are easy to integrate ) In this case Stand by connector must be locked with a jumper.

 

[brunes]

Forgot to mention, for the XLR, you need to connect Pin 1 to ground using the tab (big discussion, I did it and there is no hum or buzz, ground loops or whatever!).

Take a quick look at this epic video from Neurochrome of how to wire the back panel and switch.

 

[daniboun]

Here is my effort (posted in another thread - there are a couple )
Took a while but doable. Drilling the holes for the 3e heatsink was a bit tricky and my holes only sort of line up
Needed to buy a new tool for JST connectors and making sure the modushop amp is earthed is a pain as its anodized ( I went with cables instead or removing the anodizing).
The Mirco Audio heats sinks seem really well made! Will try my speak on connections next (need to make the cables).

Forgot to ask....How much did you spend on this DIY project? (including sleeves, cables etc etc)

 

[brunes]

Forgot to ask....How much did you spend on this DIY project? (including sleeves, cables etc etc)

Hmmm not sure I want to know
Would be one SMPS cheaper if I knew what I was doing...
So..
2 x Micro Audio SMPS 129 USD each
2 x 3e (audiophonics) 107 Eur each
Modushop case 118 (+ drilling , printing, cad around 100 euro (( I had 2 cases made so it was a bit cheaper))
Parts (cable, XLR, IEC, binding posts, sheath) let's say 20-40 euros max.

So that's around 720 EUR/USD/CHF (not including shipping/tax/customs whatever)

590 if you take just 1 SMPS

approx 490 if you can drill your own holes in your case.

(not including the JST crimp or the tap set that I bought to make the holes, but I guess I can keep them or the M3 and M4 drill bits)

I was looking at the Buckeye purifi amps which seem pretty cheap, 1075 USD for a stereo or 750 USD for a monoblock (1500 USD for a pair but with 225 W at 8 ohms) so it cheaper than these.

Not sure DIY is always cheaper, but I had a great time, learnt a lot and enjoyed chatting with everyone on here!

 

[daniboun]

Hmmm not sure I want to know
Would be one SMPS cheaper if I knew what I was doing...
So..
2 x Micro Audio SMPS 129 USD each
2 x 3e (audiophonics) 107 Eur each
Modushop case 118 (+ drilling , printing, cad around 100 euro (( I had 2 cases made so it was a bit cheaper))
Parts (cable, XLR, IEC, binding posts, sheath) let's say 20-40 euros max.

So that's around 720 EUR/USD/CHF (not including shipping/tax/customs whatever)

590 if you take just 1 SMPS

approx 490 if you can drill your own holes in your case.

(not including the JST crimp or the tap set that I bought to make the holes, but I guess I can keep them or the M3 and M4 drill bits)

I was looking at the Buckeye purifi amps which seem pretty cheap, 1075 USD for a stereo or 750 USD for a monoblock (1500 USD for a pair but with 225 W at 8 ohms) so it cheaper than these.

Not sure DIY is always cheaper, but I had a great time, learnt a lot and enjoyed chatting with everyone on here!

Thanks . Indeed it is a budget but it still remains honest compared to the prices of assemblers. Are you in Switzerland ? Next to Geneva ?
I have built several amplifiers based on Purifi, I even developed a dedicated Buffer with the help of an Italian engineer. I sold my Purifi projects for less than €900, that's to tell you the margin that is generated by Audiophonics, Buckeye, Nord, VTV etc. )
I think the 3E Audio project is worth it, it's a great module!