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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
