HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

More crazy ideas coming out of my long suffering brain.

I thought it might be an idea to build an amplifier (the whole thing) into the bottom of floor standers or box construction speaker stands if for example you are using stand mounts (inc cubes)

My B&W P4 speakers could be done this way if the are fully doc modded and the upper part where the drivers are can very easily be closed off from the transmission line ( But I would not be able to try my other idea which was filling the TL with cement) . Rip out the TL and put in the amps. Heat sinking to rear, transformers at the very base of the cabinet (so not to interfere with drivers), rectifier and cap banks above transformer and amplifier boards near the top. That should minimise any effects from having the transformers to close to magnets or coils / inductors.

Disadvantages would be each speaker would need a power cable, interconnects between preamp and power amps would need to be long (not sure I could afford TIS at the lengths needed) and possible vibration effects (if any).

Similar could be done with stand mounts by building stands which contain the amps.

I need to think about this some more

Basically that is what Cubix Pros are but because of transformer size the PSU is in outer box, amps in speakers.

Cheers doc, I did not realise that.

My power amp transformers are 350VA each (four of them). I had them custom built by Canterbury windings on oversized cores and about 80mm x 140mm. They weigh a bloody ton. They are physically bigger than some of the 500VA I have seen.

Maybe I could fit two of them in each speaker if I mount them to the sides of the cabs. Put a big slab of steel between them and the rest of the amps and bob is your uncle.

Stu

Then you can't use them with other speakers, you are stuck with what you have.

Good point

I would have thought it better to keep power supplies in a separate box anyway. Some speakers have crossovers outside the box to improve sound but that may just be bullshit marketing to charge more? Can't see any advantage in this apart from saving on speaker cable.

My crossovers are currently 6 " behind my amps and then speaker cable to the cabs.

I thought about this to save space and make use of dead space. I have four mono blocks to house with separate psu for front end and output stage along with regulators for the front end, soft start and speaker protection units (for dc and switch on thump).

All this takes up a lot of real estate especially when you want to keep adequate distance between transformers and other parts and prevent crosstalk between channels etc, etc, etc.

Stu

I think you are thinking too much. This is not an intellectual process it is a subjective empirical process, almost all theories and equations are only your ears count. I am afraid you are typical you are presuming things will be better either because of the bullshit out there, or you somehow justify things as logical. IF something complicates IT IS WRONG if it simplifies and it still works IT IS RIGHT!!! Until YOU hear it it is ALL even Doc Mods is until you experience it. Other people experience just helps you look into it.

Just build those three way speakers and then think about other things.

I hear you Doc. This place is slowly changing my way of doing things.

I need my baffle sorting out on the marantz now. I will have to contact my helper.

Stu