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Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Aug 25, 2015
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Hey Everyone,
It’s been about four weeks since the O2 drop closed and we’ve been hard at work pushing every aspect of fulfillment to move along as quickly as possible.
The first step in this process was the fabrication of production prototypes (slight visual update, BOM compliance). We received the prototypes, had to make a couple slight changes to better match the provided rendering, and ordered another round to be manufactured.
Now featuring only components approved via NwAvGuy’s BOM (either in the main parts section or in the notes section) and a visual overhaul, see the attached image for the final look of your O2.
Couple things worth noting, the volume knob is one piece of custom machined metal, the potentiometer is one of NwAvGuy’s specified upgrade options which delivers nearly zero channel imbalance (all standard O2s have very noticeable channel imbalance at low volume levels), and we’ve replaced film components with ceramic components where the BOM specifies the ceramics offer an upgrade. In short, we picked the best parts possible given what’s specified in NwAvGuy’s BOM.
All this said, we have encountered some unexpected delays with our parts suppliers. Where we initially expected this drop to ship on September 14th, our updated ship date is September 30th.
Glad to answer any questions you have, but in the meantime, thanks for supporting this drop and we’ll be doing everything possible to get these shipped as quickly as possible.
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Aug 25, 2015
sonnybobiche
4
Aug 27, 2015
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WillFor those of us who missed it the first time around (I'm still kicking myself for not setting a reminder), can you give us some idea of when this drop might come back? 500+ people have requested already...
Aug 27, 2015
larrymichii
57
Aug 28, 2015
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Willout of curiosity what is the exact part number did you use for vr1? the bom didn't specify that any of the alps or bourne parts were in any way superior. Just like to know since i've replaced the pot twice on my amb mini3 so it would be useful to know which pot you used in case i ever have to replace it.
Aug 28, 2015
ibbilbo
97
Aug 28, 2015
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Will"we’ve replaced film components with ceramic components where the BOM specifies the ceramics offer an upgrade"
Can you be a bit more specific in what exactly you are changing from the BOM with regards to the caps? I'm no electrical engineer but cursory search of the internet would seem to indicate ceramic caps in audio circuits are a no-no.
http://www.co-bw.com/DIY_Relacing_Passive_Components_To_Improve_Sound.htm
This from NwNavGuy O2 details page: ":Capacitors – Don’t try to change the values or types of the electrolytic caps. The ones in the parts list were chosen with real world testing. Bigger won’t be better and may create other problems. C8 and C9 are low ESR types and should not be greater than 220 uF. C2-C5 are less critical so long as they fit the board and are 470uf and >= 35V. The 0.22 uF decoupling caps could probably be 0.1 uF but that’s not been tested."
Should I be concerned?
Aug 28, 2015
dav1k
23
Aug 30, 2015
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WillWill,
Thanks for the update mate. The product prototypes look great. I have a question, I am planning to retrofit an ODAC unit into my O2 from this drop. I plan on sourcing parts from JDS Labs including replacement panels. Will these be compatible?
Thanks!
Aug 30, 2015
EniGmA1987
607
Aug 31, 2015
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ibbilboWill said they replaced some FILM capacitors with ceramics where noted in the bill of materials that it would be an upgrade, they did not replace the electrolytic capacitors. They are different things.
Many people who seem "in the know" use blanket statements like "ceramic caps are bad for audio", however that is not true. In many instances ceramic caps may be worse than the one designed to be used, but in the proper application a ceramic cap will do really well. If NwavGuy says that a ceramic cap can replace a film one in a certain application then I think it will be fine since the creator should know best.
Aug 31, 2015
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Sep 2, 2015
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ibbilboHey ibbilbo,
Nah, no reason to be concerned. I don't have the board in-front of me right now but if you head over to NwAvGuy's blog, download the BOM ( listed in the O2 Resources post I believe), and check the notes section. All the part options are listed there.
Sep 2, 2015
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Sep 2, 2015
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sonnybobicheHey sonnybobiche,
Thanks for the question! Sorry for the late response : (
We plan to launch this drop as soon as the first round of products ship to purchasers. It's a funny thing in that we could probably start a drop for the O2 right now and by the time that drop finishes, the first drop would be ready to fulfill, and there would be no impact on the delivery schedule for either drop, but folks generally react poorly to that kind of thing.
Anyway, look for the new drop at the end of this month. You'll get an email about it I'm sure : )
Sep 2, 2015
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Sep 2, 2015
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dav1kHey dav1k,
Glad you like the final design!
For the ODAC, you're correct, the ODAC board and plates you'd get from JDS Labs should fit without issue.
Sep 2, 2015
dav1k
23
Sep 2, 2015
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WillAwesome!
Thanks mate!
Sep 2, 2015
Budget_Audiophile
98
Sep 3, 2015
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WillWill - would it be possible to do a desktop version in the next drop with the most requested features (rear power with choice of power supply, rear RCA inputs, 1/4" front output, rubber feet, choice of gain, dot on volume knob to indicate level)?
Sep 3, 2015
Massdrop_Adam
14
Sep 4, 2015
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Budget_AudiophileThere's already a dot on the volume knob (well technically it's a line),and there's already a gain switch(look at the button on the front) . You can mod yours to have all the other things for a couple bucks more. There's a pretty great guide here: https://www.jdslabs.com/pdf/AssemblyGuide-LEO2ODAC.pdf and I'm 99% sure that JDSlabs sells all the parts you'll need. For sure you'll need the neutrik 1/4 inch jack that they sell, and the back and front panels matching what you need. I know that personally, I'm going to be carrying out these mods the day I get my o2
Sep 4, 2015
Budget_Audiophile
98
Sep 4, 2015
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Massdrop_AdamMassdrop_Adam - Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see a dot or line on the volume knob in the most recent pictures that Will posted. Agreed, there is selectable gain, but the default levels may not be ideal for everyone (for example, those with very low or very high impedance headphones). I could buy the design as is and modify it but considering that a significant number of those commenting have requested these same features, it makes more sense to take advantage of economy of scale and produce a desktop version at undoubtedly a cheaper cost than if I modded myself (not to mention voiding the warranty). It would be great if you came back and posted pictures of your O2 with the mods in place - I would like to see how it turns out.
If possible, could you take some pics before you mod it as well? It could just be that a flash was used but the finish on the front in latest pictures looks glossier than the matte black case and a little different from the matte black from Will's first update picture.
Sep 4, 2015
VanillaWaferX
1
Sep 4, 2015
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Budget_AudiophileIt looks like @Massdrop_Adam Linked the jdslabs PDF. JDSlabs is also a great place to get the hardware to do an rca and rear power conversion.
There are many people out there that have pics and posts about the o2 conversions.
Sep 4, 2015
Budget_Audiophile
98
Sep 5, 2015
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VanillaWaferXI appreciate the help from you and Massdrop_Adam but rather than buy the stock O2 and modify it myself, I believe that Massdrop should offer a desktop version of the O2 given how many people on this site have requested the same features.
Sep 5, 2015
larrymichii
57
Sep 6, 2015
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Willthnx
Sep 6, 2015
Massdrop_Adam
14
Sep 7, 2015
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Budget_AudiophileSorry I was looking at the wrong o2, not the one that Will posted. I will definitely keep the community updated, and most likely do a full album with before/after as well as detailing the tools and methods I used.
Sep 7, 2015
Budget_Audiophile
98
Sep 7, 2015
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Massdrop_AdamThat would be awesome - I'll keep an eye out for it!
Sep 7, 2015
sonnybobiche
4
Sep 18, 2015
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WillGiven that the ship date for the first drop has been pushed back again (to early October if I'm reading correctly), and given that a decent number of users are now looking to cancel their orders, would it somehow be possible to take their place in the original drop?
Sep 18, 2015
CoSk4n
2
Sep 19, 2015
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sonnybobicheThat's a good idea, very good, MD try to organize this for them! ;)
Sep 19, 2015
Inabit
59
Sep 19, 2015
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sonnybobicheWith 732 people requesting the return of this product, it's certain that all the cancelled orders would find a home.
Sep 19, 2015
Massdrop_Adam
14
Sep 26, 2015
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WillWill the enclosure work with JDS labs front plates?
Sep 26, 2015
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Sep 30, 2015
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sonnybobicheHey Sonnybobiche,
Sorry for the slow response, but there's some good news. While we can't collect one-off orders for individual units, we will re-launch the drop as soon as the first batch of orders is fulfilled.
All the units made to fulfill now-canceled orders will be sitting in our warehouse ready to ship as soon as the drop ends.
Join the second drop early, odds are your order will be fulfilled from inventory.
Sep 30, 2015
Bolas
1
Oct 10, 2015
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WillTake a look on page 60. That was the final pic of the unit after our suggestions. Why did you think it would look any different? Please be nit picky on real issues, not because you weren't paying attention. Mine looks exactly like that.
My light is perfect though, so the person that commenting on that has a legitimate beef.
Edit: Meant to reply to the others that said it should have a silver knob. I disagree.
Oct 10, 2015
JimmyNgai
1
Sep 19, 2016
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WillHello Will, may I know the exact part nos. used for those alternative "upgrade" components (those not in the main parts section of the BOM)?
Sep 19, 2016
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