Topic: AKG Active Project part 3

[newplanet7]

Pretty sure it was a compliment Gene.   
He digs the homebrew, DIY, show me the guts posts.

[igene]

OK, then thanks.
I'm weird like that.
I can never tell...

I'm keeping the bar set high for my mods.
My next mod post will prove that.

I don't think anyone has ever done as detailed - step by step mod post as the one I'm about to drop on you guys.
I've gone thru 5 sets of batteries (rechargeable of course) turning the camera on and off shooting the steps.
(I've got my macro focus working overtime)
Still not done. about 3/4 of the way there.

I figured out the steps modding the first one, the second one is coming out much neater.


I'm taking a break.

[igene]

OK.
Finished the 2nd one.
I think I shot over 200 pics as well....

You only get one right now.
My eyes hurt from focusing on such small stuff.
(even w/ electronics glasses)


I'll start the massive picture upload tomorrow,
 and post after I organized the complete mod layout.
It's going to be it's own post.
(I won't hijack this one any more... )

Notice I only have one OMNI cap....HELP !!!






add >

Just ran a test with Dicks Picks 10 (Estimated...) thru my home stereo and some nice big VEGA's

AKG CK-91's>active cables>CA-9100>SD HX-3>Sony V-6 headphones

IT SOUNDS F***ING AMAZING.
I'm So happy I did this. 



So what would the official name of these cables be ?
...when adding to gear info ?

[newplanet7]

So what did this mod entail?

[igene]

I'll post the whole thing in the next few days.

the short version >
cut off the F-bayonette from the existing cables/connectors, drill, resolder new cables and solder on the new miniXLR end.
(and test of course)

It's way more involved than that.
There were some steps that made me crazy (like soldering to the AKG connector and getting it re-seated in the shell)
but I figured it all out. It went much easier and neater the 2nd time.

I have had it today with mods...
I just want a drink and a movie right now.
no more staring at tiny solder connections thru magnifying glasses....

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

OK, much better now   

[jbell]

I was thinking about having this done to my mk90/3-h98 cable too!  My thought was I could use a Naiant PFA to run them w/o the bodies.  I was thinking the other end of the mk 90/3-h98 could be wired with a male Minixlr so you could still run them with the bodies and have breakout cables made to have 15 & 20 cable lengths.  Of course I would have to have someone else build this, but sounded versital.  Looks nice igene!!

[igene]

Thanks.

I took it out of me...
I'll bounce back tomorrow w/ more fun
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure if this will work. Here's a before and after from my email attachment >
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=0da20668b1&view=att&th=12ef5d6d78d6dfb1&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_glrjmei40&zw

[Hypnocracy]

So what would the official name of these cables be ?
...when adding to gear info ?

SE3CIG Active...SE 300 IGene Active

AKG B.I.G. Active...AKG Blueline  IGene Active

Sweet

I wish I had the patience I paid $50 for 4 Mini XLR's to be solidered last fall...after I gave up and supplied the connectors  to the shop

[igene]

Thanks.

I'm honored.

I kind of like AKG B.I.G. Actives
It's got a nice sound to it, notorious even 

Unfortunately, the part I need to do the mod is VERY hard to find.
But I'm going to run with this modding thing on TS.

I'm getting a set of Nak300's that I'll Franken mod my way.
(see my preview pics of the 700's)
Top shelf & Super-tight all the way!   


What I'm thinking of doing is modding, and then selling.
That way folks know exactly what they are getting.
Good idea ?

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Hey there.  I've got a "vintage" set of Beyerdynamic actives.  They have:
  CV750 (body) ---- cable ---- AV750 (collette) + CK703 (capsule)
It is a three wire cable with: 1=polarization, 2=ground, 3=signal.

Well, I just took an AKG CK63 capsule and put it on the end (with about 1" of tubing, and some layers of (tin foil!) tape to make the ends mate).  And it worked!

Here is a schematic of the AV750 adapter, see below.

Comments: It gets 48V (dropped a bit) from the CV750 bodies).  Note also that this draws a fair bit of current at 48V.  Another circuit would run a very low current polarization voltage, and run a lower voltage to the FET.  But, yes, this does work.  A real-world system waiting for someone to build.  Oh yeah, the FET is 2SK67A-J7.  This is a "self biased" fet, used for electret mics.  It is a SOT-23 package.  The J7 refers to the Idss current of the FET.  The J504 is a JFET with only two wires, it acts as a constant current source.  Enjoy...

There have been a few variations of active capsule schematics for 48-60v capsules posted over the past few years.  What's the current wisdom on the best circuit to tinker with?

[illconditioned]

^^ The above circuit is fine.  But this suffers from two limitations.  First the 40V supply must be very well filtered.  (Just using one end of the phantom supply generates noise.)  The other problem is the circuit needs the full FET current at the full 40V.  A smarter circuit would use a lower voltage (5-10V) for the FET and polarize the capsule with a very low current supply.  I built this circuit because it uses the wiring convention of my ancient Beyerdynamic actives.  I would also consider using a bunch of batteries in series to generate the phantom voltage.  In past experiments I just put five 9V batteries in series (glue-tape) and used those.  This is a sure fire way to get a smooth supply, and easier than building step-up circuits.  Electronics for lazy hackers.

I think jon/mshilarious/Naint audio is building a system that will work with his preamps.  Unless you're utterly crazy (like me!), I would just wait for his system.  Hopefully he will publish schematics, and maybe even offer just the collettes, so that DIY types can follow along and experiment.

  Richard

[ts]

I have an extra pair of MK46 cables. Wondering if these could be used in conjunction with Jon's upcoming solution for the CK6x caps, as in remove the lemo ends of the MK46 cables and replace with whatever type of collette Jon comes up with for the CK6x caps? I'd like to keep my JW's in the chain. Nothing against Jon's boxes, I already own two of them.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

^^ The above circuit is fine.  But this suffers from two limitations.  First the 40V supply must be very well filtered.  (Just using one end of the phantom supply generates noise.)  The other problem is the circuit needs the full FET current at the full 40V.  A smarter circuit would use a lower voltage (5-10V) for the FET and polarize the capsule with a very low current supply.  I built this circuit because it uses the wiring convention of my ancient Beyerdynamic actives.  I would also consider using a bunch of batteries in series to generate the phantom voltage.  In past experiments I just put five 9V batteries in series (glue-tape) and used those.  This is a sure fire way to get a smooth supply, and easier than building step-up circuits.  Electronics for lazy hackers.

I think jon/mshilarious/Naint audio is building a system that will work with his preamps.  Unless you're utterly crazy (like me!), I would just wait for his system.  Hopefully he will publish schematics, and maybe even offer just the collettes, so that DIY types can follow along and experiment.

Thanks!  I'm sure Jon will come through, but I want the ability to roll my own.  Even if it is completely the wrong season for it

[Dkrogh]

I have an extra pair of MK46 cables. Wondering if these could be used in conjunction with Jon's upcoming solution for the CK6x caps, as in remove the lemo ends of the MK46 cables and replace with whatever type of collette Jon comes up with for the CK6x caps? I'd like to keep my JW's in the chain. Nothing against Jon's boxes, I already own two of them.

Im not sure it would work with the mk46 cables.

[Hypnocracy]

IIRC the new Collette is hardwired to either a connector going to a Tiny Box or PFA XLR to hook into the Preamp of your choice