51x Rack - group project

[Drumstruck]

You guys are so evil - tempting me with these interesting projects...... I need to find one of Manning's young'uns for this sort of thing.

[Manning]

Well I'm only using a young'un because of the short-term needs of my studio.

I'm still going to be burning holes in my desk and creating ping-pong-ball-sized globs of solder for the sake of my own edumahcayshum.

[danander11]

I've found it's good therapy when things start seeming to pile on.. Head to the bench and fire up the old Hakka.. I lose track of time. It's good fun...... in a geeky sort of way.

[Jason]

[quote="danander11"]I've found it's good therapy when things start seeming to pile on.. Head to the bench and fire up the old Hakka.. I lose track of time. It's good fun...... in a geeky sort of way. [/quote]

I agree. Hours just run away without you knowing I fined. Good fun.

[Manning]

Alrighty then - I'm emailing Cemal to get prices, and I need the folks here to start getting serious about what's getting ordered.

We'll be getting the rack kits (ex power supply) from Cemal Ozturk in London. Separately we'll be getting the power supplies from JLM in Brisbane. (I've emailed JLM to alert him and to get any input he might think is appropriate.)

So, who's probably in and for how many?
(I appreciate I don't have final prices yet)

[Alistair]

If there is a strong $$$ reason to do it now I'm in for 1x rack kit, otherwise I'll probably hold off a few weeks/months until I've recovered from December/January. I think I've already got a spare JLM Powerstation here.

[mattsyd]

Hey Manning,
Re cost:
As best as I can work it out, it looks to be around $850 total, at least according to the figures from the link below. N.B. It's now 2 1/2 years old. http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=33849.0.

May 30, 2009

GDIY 511 Rack $330
Power Connector Set for the 511 rack $31
Power Supply:
2RU PSU Case + Electrical Wiring Kit $273 ( in part to be replaced by the JLM module?)
Toroidal power transformer $57
Heatsink kit $45
Blank PSU PCB $30
Electronic Components for the PSU PCB $84.75

T = 850.75

Is this list complete or am I missing something?

For comparison, the pre assembled Purple Audio Sweet Ten Rack you mentioned is going for $800 US, (if bought from within the US).

[mylesgm]

Hi Matt,

some of your price is a bit off and there are a couple of significant differences between a 51x and a purple rack. Firstly the 2ru 51x power supply is way more than what you need, my 2 51x racks run off the JLM powerstation and probably cost me less than $274 each fully built. I did scrounge pre used cases and heatsinks from my scrap parts box but even so... I reckon budget is more like:

51x rack $330
power connectors $30 (there are at least two options)
Power supply should be around 250-300 depending on what parts you might have lying around.
put in another 50-100 for postage and you're looking at around 700 or so.

Then consider a 51x rack fits 11 modules not 10 and has an additional set of power rails giving you +/-16v, +/-24v and 48v for a wider variety of modules. Neve circuits use 24v and the 51x allows you to use copies of the 1071 pre without dc converters and a bunch of the DIY modules make use of this feature.

Might not matter to you depending on your approach but it makes a big difference to me. Also the 51x rack is built like a tank but I have no clue about the purple rack.

[Jason]

I'm intersted in 2 cases depending on cost.

Cheers. Jason

[mattsyd]

Might not matter to you depending on your approach but it makes a big difference to me. Also the 51x rack is built like a tank but I have no clue about the purple rack.

Thanks for clearing that up Myles, a real bargain at around $700. The advantages over the purple rack are clear. I may need to wait until the next round of buying I think, though I'm really glad I've come across this thread.
Happy DIY'ing.

Matt

[Manning]

Hey Matt

I mentioned in the original post that the 51x doesn't come in at a fraction of the price of a regular rack. However you're getting a more flexible, higher-current, multi-voltage system that can also accomodate any of the 24V 51x-only module kits that are floating around.

That 24V is a huge appeal to me, there are quite a few 51x Neve-clones that use 24V and are (according to reports) closer to a genuine 1073 than the $1100 Neve-branded 1073LB is.

[Manning]

PS - Matt, even though we used to share a house and have played in bands together for years, I must still advise you that the rules in these parts are that you must put your full name in your signature.

Will call you tomorrow

[mattsyd]

Manning. I have just listened to Big Red Car by the Wiggles as punishment for my heinous crime.
|
How's this... \/

[Manning]

For pricing... Here's the email I just got from Cemal in London:

--------------------------------------------
Merhaba Manning,

Very Happy New Year to you too.

Currently I have 15 x 511 racks in stock.
There is absolutely no problem of using JLM's power supplies.

However, I have just designed a dual power supply in a single 2U case. The case accommodates 2 x transformer, 2 x psu pcb and 2 x heatsink (which are 300mm x 75mm x 40 mm). The case will come with two heatsinks as standard and with all the other electrical components. At this stage you can purchase 1 transformer and 1 set of electronics. But in the future if you decide to have another 511 rack then all you'll need to do is to buy another transformer and set of electronics. Perhaps you can discuss this with the members as an option.

The price for the 511 rack is below. The 7 pin Neutrik power connector set is optional and also priced separately. If it is not required it can be taken off from the total.

Currently the total is just below GBP 300.00 so there will not be any issue with import tax.

1 x GDIY 511 rack kit GBP 200.00
1 x 7 Pin Neutrik set GBP 20.00

1 x Shipping GBP 65.00
1 x Paypal fee GBP 13.00
________________________

Total payable GBP 298.00
My paypal e-mail is info (_at_) ozturk.co.uk

I will be shipping to the registered paypal addresses. However, I will also require the telephone number of each purchaser.

Ben de cok te.
Kind regards,
Cemal

[Ben M]

Hey ya Manning. Like Alistair I might wait until my bank balance recovers. Cheers.

[Manning]

I can see your point, but I'm getting seriously swayed by the recent 27-year high of the AUD against the GBP.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/ ... 1q56z.html

[Ben M]

I see your point too, but my bank account has had no emotional change to that news

In a month when I can afford one, the rack price will still be the same and who knows the aus dollar might be even stronger than it is now....time will tell.

[Jason]

Well I'm in for 1. Whats the go from here??

[Manning]

Well it looks like we won't have enough to convince Cemal to be flexible on price. Hence buying two is the best option for combining postage but avoiding GST. There's probably no saving to be had with getting two sent to Sydney and then me shipping one to you in Brisbane.

For the moment I'm hanging back to see if anyone else in Sydney wants one. Failing that I'll just go and order one next week.

So at the moment the best bet is for you to order directly from Cemal (I can send you the details once I get to my work machine where the emails are). if you can find someone else to order one in Brisbane then you'll save a bit on postage.

[Jason]

My rack arrived today ;-)

[Ruxton]

Long time reader, first time poster! I've been waiting since this thread started to get activated on the forum.

Inspired by the thread and the fact I wouldn't be the only one building one I took the jump and threw a whole heap of money at a 51x Rack and PSU kit. The package arrived about 2-3 weeks ago but I've been busy and haven't had much of a chance to get into it yet.

Can't wait for everything to settle down so I can get into building the AC->DC board! After that, I'm going to get some VP25 and/or 26's and build those!