- Build Rating
This is my second Aion Amethyst build. Here's my first.
My wife got me the MN3005 and the CT3101 from @Cabintech for Xmas. My previous build used the (much cheaper) 3205 BBD. The main reason I was interested in the more spendy 3005 BBD chip is that it can run at a higher voltage, and I wanted to see if that made any audible difference.
The build itself was unremarkable, and everything worked on first power-up. I actually had to modify my custom CMOS-based relay bypass board for this build in anticipation of running it at >9V. Since the previous build used a BBD chip that cannot run above 9V, I made my relay bypass simple, and used a 9V relay. This new build might run at higher voltages, so I had to add a 5V regulator to the design (and use a 5V relay). This is a custom bypass PCB just for the Aion Amethyst, as there are a couple circuit-level components on Aion's stock 3PDT board.
If you read my previous build report, I had some trouble getting the bias just right. Anticipating similar issues on this build, I again installed a multi-trim pot for the BIAS control. But I don't think that was necessary. I didn't attach the scope to this build, but I quickly tuned it by ear and in my opinion, sounds great. The previous build seemed to have a very small range on the BIAS pot (even the multi-turn pot) where it sounded good. This new build seems to have a pretty broad area where I sounds just fine.
I don't know what the reason is, but I'm taking it as a win. Can I hear a difference running it at 12v? Maybe? It definitely sounds absolutely great, and I might even give it the edge over my good old Boss DM-2w. I haven't yet compared it side-by-side against my original Amethyst build. But it sounded so good, I put the back cover on, added velcro, slapped it to my board, and rocked out for a while.
The finish is AliExpress mandala stickers and Envirotex resin.
My wife got me the MN3005 and the CT3101 from @Cabintech for Xmas. My previous build used the (much cheaper) 3205 BBD. The main reason I was interested in the more spendy 3005 BBD chip is that it can run at a higher voltage, and I wanted to see if that made any audible difference.
The build itself was unremarkable, and everything worked on first power-up. I actually had to modify my custom CMOS-based relay bypass board for this build in anticipation of running it at >9V. Since the previous build used a BBD chip that cannot run above 9V, I made my relay bypass simple, and used a 9V relay. This new build might run at higher voltages, so I had to add a 5V regulator to the design (and use a 5V relay). This is a custom bypass PCB just for the Aion Amethyst, as there are a couple circuit-level components on Aion's stock 3PDT board.
If you read my previous build report, I had some trouble getting the bias just right. Anticipating similar issues on this build, I again installed a multi-trim pot for the BIAS control. But I don't think that was necessary. I didn't attach the scope to this build, but I quickly tuned it by ear and in my opinion, sounds great. The previous build seemed to have a very small range on the BIAS pot (even the multi-turn pot) where it sounded good. This new build seems to have a pretty broad area where I sounds just fine.
I don't know what the reason is, but I'm taking it as a win. Can I hear a difference running it at 12v? Maybe? It definitely sounds absolutely great, and I might even give it the edge over my good old Boss DM-2w. I haven't yet compared it side-by-side against my original Amethyst build. But it sounded so good, I put the back cover on, added velcro, slapped it to my board, and rocked out for a while.
The finish is AliExpress mandala stickers and Envirotex resin.
