iAmp - CMoy Amp in iPod Package

Here is how to put a CMoy headphone amplifier inside an iPod Nano package.

Credit for this build goes to the following:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Headphone_Amp_Chu_Moy/
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/
http://www.headwize.com/projects/cmoy2_prj.htm

The difficulty level of this build is medium level. What makes it medium level is some of the aesthetic design elements such as exposing internal circuity and the Apple "white-wash" theme. This build would be considered easy if some of these design elements were skipped.

Tools:
Drill
Saw
File
Sandpaper
Plastic Polish
6-32 tap
Hot Glue Gun
Stepped Drill Bit
Tin Snips
Computer
Scanner
Photoshop-like Software
Printer

Parts:
iPod Nano Package
CMoy Parts - See Parts List at http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/
This build used all Digi-Key parts except:
- In/Out Stereo Mini Jacks, Radio Shack Part No. 274-0246
- Volume and On/Off Pot, Alps Part No. RK097, Buy here - http://tangentsoft.net/shop/
- Power Indicator LED (D1), used blue LED instead of red
- Diode Resistor (RLED), Radio Shack 680 ohm value for RLED
- Note: Capacitor (C1), Digi-Key Part No. P3104 is too large, requires drilling of new holes in PWB
Matte Photo Paper
White Paint
Acrylic Glue - Tap Plastics
1/8 Sheet Acrylic - Tap Plastics
3/32 Sheet Acrylic - Tap Plastics
1/4 Sheet Acrylic - Tap Plastics
Two 9V Batteries
White plastic knob or drawer handle pull
Self Adhesive White Velcro
Two 3/4 Clear plastic bolts 6-32 - Tap Plastics
Battery clips from two old used 9V batteries
http://www.instructables.com/id/Salvage-9V-battery-clips-from-dead-batteries/
White 26AWG wire
Two 3/8" long spacers 1/4" O.D.

Step 1 MAKE the CMoy Headphone Amp

This Instructable doesn't cover the CMoy headphone amp build because it has been well documented elsewhere. Follow the steps here
http://www.instructables.com/id/Headphone_Amp_Chu_Moy/
or here
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

As noted in the parts list above, there are a few exceptions to the CMoy build. The one small but main difference is the power LED. A blue LED was used which required a different value RLED resistor, 680 ohms. Both the components were then mounted on the PWB instead of the enclosure. A couple of extra holes must be drilled on the PWB to accommodate both the LED and resistor. C1 capacitor was larger than expected so extra holes were drilled and minor changes to the trace layout need to be made to accommodate them.

Solder all the lead wires, using white 26AWG wire. The leads should be 6 inches long.
For this build the lead wires were soldered onto the parts side of the circuit board. For ease of final assembly and for aesthetics, it would be better if the wires were soldered on the trace side of the circuit board.

Comments

[MACKattacksnipe]

nice and clean pro look almost went to apple.com to see how much nice work man

[garagemonkeysan]

Thanks! I was going for "an exposed" Apple look. : )

[F-17]

That pretty slick man, i like it, its like an all compact Amp, looks commercially made, 5*

[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you for leaving the nice comment! : )

[book man]

can this work with itouch????

[garagemonkeysan]

I've never tried it out on an iTouch but I see no reason why it wouldn't work. : )

[Cew27]

thanks for the credit :D

[garagemonkeysan]

No problem, you are da man! : )

[limpach]

Why did you paint it? Is that safe? Other wise this is pretty cool. The apple packaging would make pretty cool project boxes.

[garagemonkeysan]

It was painted solely for aesthetics. There are no obvious dangers of painting it. Eliminating the "white-wash" theme would also yield a beautiful design. Yes, the iPod package was saved, waiting for inspiration to reclaim it. Thanks for the comment! : )

[juggalo_assassin183]

i absolutely hate apple but i must admit its packaging lends its self in size and shape to the classic cmoy quite well

[garagemonkeysan]

Yes, the iPod package makes a perfect project box! Thanks! : )

[denanderen]

nice thing you got there! the white components really give it the "mac" feel + a good idea to recycle that otherwise useless packaging. thumbs up ;-)

[garagemonkeysan]

Thank you! : )