My first SPEC system finally finished (pics)

[Nickleride]

I THOUGHT I saw some new panels in there! I was saying to myself where the HELL did he find THAT?!?! :scratch2:

VERY impressive "Tower of Power"!! Nice work! :thmbsp:

Don

 

[mikebw]

So this is just your first SPEC system? How many more are you planning on having?!

Nice work, BTW.

 

[xlbee]

So this is just your first SPEC system? How many more are you planning on having?!

Nice work, BTW.

As many as it takes...

Seriously though... I remember seeing and hearing Pioneer and Marantz systems when I was a teen but couldn't afford one so after all these years I finally have my first.

My wife did say that it would be great to have an awesome sounding system upstars as well... Hmmm....

 

[Ramundo]

Very nice work.
Ray

 

[Doctor B.]

I think you have good reason to be proud of your work! Nice job! :tresbon:

I am planning to build a cabinet for my gear. You have given me some very useful ideas. I like having a laptop drawer.

Thanks for sharing your technique for printing on stainless. Or are the drawers brushed aluminum? Did you cover the printing with laquer? How "permanent" is it?

 

[m4rz]

that looks awesome! My wife is just beginning to appreciate how music sounds as she was the typical radio junky through school.

I am curious as to what DAC you use from the lappy to the system, or are you just running direct from lappy soundcard to system

 

[jleon92f]

It's a Tower of Beauty!

Enjoy..
John.

 

[xlbee]

I think you have good reason to be proud of your work! Nice job! :tresbon:

I am planning to build a cabinet for my gear. You have given me some very useful ideas. I like having a laptop drawer.

Thanks for sharing your technique for printing on stainless. Or are the drawers brushed aluminum? Did you cover the printing with laquer? How "permanent" is it?

Thanks for your kind comments.

The unpainted, unsanded aluminum panels were purchased from the internet. I screwed them to my workbench using the slots at each end making sure the screw heads fit down inside the slots just slightly so they won't obstruct the sanding process. Then I sanded as straight as possible from one end to the other using 80, then 160 grit sandpaper (it took me about half an hour to get them looking right). Currently, they are uncoated. I thought about spraying them with a Tremclad clear-coat but I like how they look now...

Regarding the printing on the drawers, check out the following link http://www.pacificsun.ca/~robert/pcb/pcb.htm.
*DON'T EXPECT PERFECTION* If you look closely at the pictures of my drawers, the printing isn't perfect but they match the look of the vintage gear nicely.

You can find the fonts on AK if you search. When you go to print your transfer, remember to make it a mirror image.

I'll post a picture of the server rack drawer that I used sometime soon...

Hope this helps...

 

[xlbee]

that looks awesome! My wife is just beginning to appreciate how music sounds as she was the typical radio junky through school.

I am curious as to what DAC you use from the lappy to the system, or are you just running direct from lappy soundcard to system

Thanks.

I'm using an Edirol UA-1EX USB AUDIO CAPTURE device. The sound is way better than the native laptop sound card. Two RCA in and two RCA out (all gold plated). It fits my needs (and budget) perfectly.

By the way, I found it necessary to remove the ground prong on the laptop power adapter cord. With it in place, there was a nasty buzz, without it, the output (with no audio) is completely silent. I tried two laptop power adapters with identical results.

 

[Axcel]

Great looking rack. :yes:

I bet you say that to all the girls

 

[xlbee]

I promised that I would post pictures of the server drawer I used to create my tuntable drawer and laptop drawer. Here you go...
I simply popped out the plastic handle at the front, painted everything Tremclad black, drilled 4 holes in the front of the drawer and screwed a blank aluminum panel in place with the 4 holes.

 

[Arkay]

Outstanding work! :thmbsp:

Not much to say about it that hasn't already been said, but I agree that it is beautiful, well-conceived and well-executed. Lessons there for all of us. :yes: :thmbsp:

 

[kevman]

Is that a 2-post or 4-post telco rack ?

 

[xlbee]

2 post with 6 heavy duty casters mounted under the base. Surprisingly stable despite the amount of gear in it. I love it because it's discrete and allows the gear to stand out. Inexpensive too! I believe I bought it off of the local classifieds for about $70.00.

 

[madpioneer]

Just Awesome!! Love the custom drawers with the vintage touches!

 

[xlbee]

Thanks. I need to post some new pictures soon. Once I get the newly acquired signage hung. I should show the HPM-150s too...

 

[kevman]

2 post with 6 heavy duty casters mounted under the base. Surprisingly stable despite the amount of gear in it. I love it because it's discrete and allows the gear to stand out. Inexpensive too! I believe I bought it off of the local classifieds for about $70.00.

If you could post a picture of the base I would love to see it. I have two 2-post telco racks that I connected together with an kit to make into a 4-post. But if you have it stable with 2-post I would be very interested in seeing the base. Very sharp looking setup. Many kudos to you!

 

[hansvonaxion]

The best piece of DIY I've seen in a long while.

Well done.

 

[xlbee]

If you could post a picture of the base I would love to see it. I have two 2-post telco racks that I connected together with an kit to make into a 4-post. But if you have it stable with 2-post I would be very interested in seeing the base. Very sharp looking setup. Many kudos to you!

I don't have the ability to take any pics of it right now but I will in a week or so. If you don't see a post from me by Sept 29 or 30, PM me as a reminder.

 

[Daunia 70]

Impressive work!! Looks supa cool!