| New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #78931] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 09:28  |
jshupe
Messages: 31
Registered: January 2014
Location: Austin, Texas
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Baron |
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My wife and I are closing on our first house next Wednesday, and since my HTIB receiver has started having issues, I decided it is a great time to refresh my home theater/ home audio solution.
I grew up listening to music on my dad's Weber LBK-400s and my uncle's Aural-15s. Nothing I've ever heard comes close to replicating the sound those speakers made, and I've been searching high and low over the last couple of weeks for a off the shelf solution that competes, but have come up empty handed. I eventually found Pi, and think they're the ticket I'm looking for. I'm going to build two Pi 4 mains and two Pi 3 subwoofers and run a 2.2 configuration.
I'm putting together my build list and would like any thoughts/ advice anyone has. I inherited two Phase Linear PL 4000 preamps and two Phase Linear D-500 Series II amplifiers that I plan to refresh and drive everything with. These two specific amplifiers were modified by Bob Carver in the early 80's to significantly increase their output. I don't have any details of what those modifications were, but will probably be able to find out more once I pick them up in a couple weeks. I plan to replace all the caps in the preamp I decide to use (best of the two) and the two amplifiers before using them.
Since these are going to be part of my home theater solution, I need volume control and digital input from my SmartTV. I plan to facilitate this by using an Emotiva XDA-2 DAC to convert optical from the TV to RCA, and provide line level volume control. To control power on/ power off, I plan to use an Insteon RF controlled AC outlet for the Phase Linear equipment.
I see the configuration as this:
TV > Emotiva XDA2 > PL 4000 Preamp > D-500 | Harrison FMOD 200hz > D-500
The first D-500 will drive the mains, and the second will drive the subs after being filtered through a Harrison FMOD 200hz low pass filter.
I'll use other inputs on the PL 4000 for better quality sources - direct CD, phono, etc and control the volume manually.
For the cabinets, I'm currently planning on using baltic birch with amber shellac, but am worried that I won't be happy with the finish. Another user on this forum uploaded some photos of his speakers finished with amber shellac and they were beautiful, but I'm not sure what wood was underneath them. I'm currently investigating the MDF + veneer route. I will be recessing everything.
My build list (and budget) as follows:
Part Price Qty Total
Pi 4 Kit $400.00 2 $800.00
B&C DE250 $75.00 2 $150.00
JBL 2226 $250.00 2 $500.00
15 guage $30.00 2 $60.00
Pi 3 Sub Kit $135.00 2 $270.00
Shipping $78.52 1 $78.52
Emotiva XDA-2 $269.00 1 $269.00
Insteon 2411R $69.99 1 $69.99
Insteon 2473SWH $45.99 1 $45.99
Jasper 200J $45.88 1 $45.88
Dewalt DW618PKR $156.98 1 $156.98
CMT 191.008.11 $17.93 1 $17.93
MCLS 6077 $41.91 1 $41.91
Baltic birch $50.00 4 $200.00
R13 Insulation $15.00 1 $15.00
Misc. bar clamps $100.00 1 $100.00
Misc. finishing $50.00 1 $50.00
Zinsser 00301 $43.98 1 $43.98
Zinsser 00701 $43.98 1 $43.98
Titebond II $12.99 1 $12.99
Table saw have $0.00
Parts for amp $200.00 1 $200.00
StreetWires ZN1210 $3.40 3 $10.20
Toslink 3ft Optical $1.80 1 $1.80
SKRL-12-50 $24.20 1 $24.20
Harrison FMOD 200hz LP $25.90 1 $25.90
#10-32 Mounting Kit $3.59 6 $21.54
Total $3,301.67
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| Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79261 is a reply to message #78931] |
Mon, 03 February 2014 22:17  |
jshupe
Messages: 31
Registered: January 2014
Location: Austin, Texas
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Baron |
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I'm still waiting on the receiver, various screws and mounting parts I ordered, and the Pi 4 kits but have started working on the boxes. The Baltic Birch doesn't take stain well. After three coats it still looked significantly lighter than I was going for, so I stripped it, sanded it, and tried another brand. Same result. My first set of boxes will be painted after all. I'm going to use chalk paint on both the subs and mains, but the mains will be a pale yellow while the subs will be black. In the near future I'll swap these boxes out for MDF+veneer and a natural color finish.
The boxes are mostly done, but I'm waiting on the components to arrive before I do the front panels, so that I can measure twice and cut once!
My wife is a little upset about how large the cabinets are, so I'm working with her to redesign our entertainment center a bit. I built the current one (it's pretty simple, but works well with our furnishings and gets the job done.)
A photo of the current setup and the proposed design is at http://imgur.com/a/SGKeH
I'm worried about the structural integrity of using single 4x4 posts for each main and the TV, but considering some of the things I've used 4x4 posts for in the past, they should be fine. Tipping is another concern, but the entire assembly could be subtly tethered to the wall.
Placement isn't ideal either, and neither is using the subs to support stuff.
Edit: alternate approach at http://i.imgur.com/IvWu0uX.png, which has cable management integrated via PVC channels in the wall (made up of 2x4s, wrapped in ply)
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