The M³ Stereo Headphone Amplifier
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M³ Gallery - Page 2

Quick jump: AMB | rjkdivin | MisterX | steinchen | skyskraper | phobus
pabbi | tkam | meat01 | steel | ylshieh | GregVDS
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hardnrg

pabbi's M³

This M³ is housed in a vacated Sun computer external disk drive enclosure, which also holds a STEPS power supply configured for 32V. A steel divider plate between the power supply and the amplifier sections provide shielding. Pabbi used OPA637AP and OPA627AP opamps in this build.


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tkam's M³

This M³ was built by Rockhopper Audio, and is housed in an clear anodized aluminum enclosure along with a STEPS PSU. This amp features a DaCT CT2 stepped attenuator volume control and Alps Blue Velvet bass boost control. There are three switchable input sources and one loop-out, all via Cardas RCA jacks. The bass boost capacitors are from Solen, all other film capacitors are Wima and Vishay-Roederstein, and all electrolytic capacitors are Elna Cerafine. Vishay-Dale resistors, OPA637AP and OPA627AP opamps complete the package. Its owner tkam describes the sound as "very clean, transparent and powerful".


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meat01's wooden M³

The electronics in this M³ were built by meat01. It has mostly the default configuration and is powered by a TREAD power supply. The enclosure and knob were designed by meat01 and built by a friend.


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Two M³s by steel

Steel built two handsome M³s. The first six photos depict the first one and the next six shows the second. The first M³ is powered by a STEPS power supply producing 32V. This amp features Elna Duorex II electrolytic capacitors, Wima film capacitors, Vishay-BC 0.1% precision resistors, and OPA637/OPA627 opamps. The volume and bass boost controls are Tocos/Tokyo Cosmos potentiometers wired off-board. The second M³ is powered by a STEPS and Ultimate Mini Regulator combination producing 30V. This M³ board differs from the first one in the use of Elna Silmic and Rubycon Black Gate electrolytics and large polyprolylene boutique capacitors. The voltage gain of this M³ can be adjusted via a 5-position Grayhill rotary switch mounted internally. Also, the volume control is a stepped attenuator filled with Vishay-Dale precision resistors.


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ylshieh's M³

Boutique-grade parts are used on this M³ built by ylshieh, featuring Nichicon Muse and Elna Silmic ARS electrolytic capacitors and Holco 1/2W resistors. The power supply is based on the Ultimate Mini Regulator board from Taiwan. The power transformer is a custom-wound toroid, encased in an epoxied can. The elegant case is also a popular unit from Taiwan.


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M³ by GregVDS

GregVDS's artfully crafted M³ and STEPS are each housed in a custom case (based on a Segor Electronics enclosure, but most panels have been replaced with special machined pieces). The knobs are from diycable.com. This amplifier features OPA627 opamps, Vishay-Sprague Orange Drop capacitors, and a modified Linkwitz stereo-crossfeed circuit. The DC power jack is a Neutrik SpeakOn connector, and the RCA phono jacks are from WBT. The engraved "Snow Leopard" insignia is a tribute to Pieter Matthiesen, an American writer who wrote the eponym book The Snow Leopard.


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