New Prototype Gadget -- Headphone Amp with Two Line In's

  • Thread starter Thread starter arethustra
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arethustra

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So here goes...Would any one be interested in a headphone amplifier that has two line in's - one is stereo for an MP3 player (IPod, Nomad, etc.) and the other is mono for a Radar Detector...It's going to be pretty small 'bout the size of a cigarette pack with a rechargeable battery bulit in...The prototype I've commisioned will attach to the underside of my RCU shelf (it will be dust and water resistant). The headphone jack itself will be routed under the tank and will come up between the seat and the tank so that the cord for my helmet speakers can be routed inside my jacket...Looking at a pretty good lead length to allow for routing.

I have a buddy of mine who is an electronics guru cooking this up for me and was wondering if anyone else was looking for something like this since it isn't really commercially available.

Right now he's in the process of sending the circuit boards out to be made (he's just being lazy...) but, that means he can make additional modules relatively easily...since the CAD's are on file at the manufacturer.

Don't exactly know what they'd cost yet as mine is a prototype but, if anyones interested I can get the particulars on the design and op amp used etc. to provide...

I know several folks use things like the Boostaroo but, he's promised me that this will blow it away and be able to feed the RD signal into the same headphones\helmet speakers which for me solves the debate on the H.A.R.D. light doo-hickey....

Let me know if you're interested and I'll post the details and pictures when the prototype is complete...
 
Yes I would as my mini disc has a fairly low output and the Autocom does'nt amplify it enough when earplugs are worn, the satnav and phone are fine though, its just the music source.
Will the device have an adjustable volume control ??
 
Me Too

I have the same problem as Jimb, I have connected a MD player to my autocom system but the volume is too low. If you're amp will connect into the autocom system that will be great.
 
Guys, if you had speakers that are built into your earplugs, would you still need a separate amp system?

I'm refering to the type of earplugs that are available from Headset sevices at Shoreham in Sussex as just one company amongst others.
 
Phil Reynolds said:
Guys, if you had speakers that are built into your earplugs, would you still need a separate amp system?

I'm refering to the type of earplugs that are available from Headset sevices at Shoreham in Sussex as just one company amongst others.
Click to expand...

Yes, you'll most likely still need it as most manufacturers don't spend didly squat on the amplification side since they can keep the cost per unit down that way...
 
Jimb said:
Yes I would as my mini disc has a fairly low output and the Autocom does'nt amplify it enough when earplugs are worn, the satnav and phone are fine though, its just the music source.
Will the device have an adjustable volume control ??
Click to expand...

I'll have to check on the AutoCom plug in question and get back to everyone on that...but, I can say that it will not have a volume control as it is simply an amp...it will double the volume that the input device is capable of producing and in the interest of keeping it simple the volume control will remain the duty of the input device...
 
I have the same problem when using through the autocom. has anyone spoken to autocom re this problem?

If not I will contact them this week and report back
 
No Volume Control

Arethustra, That's fine, better that way, let us know when you have a finished product.
The mini disc is fine if no ear plugs are worn, I use filtered ear plugs that let speech frequencies thru' but stop those above about 4K Hz where the hearing damage would occur, double the existing level would do the trick.
Cheers Jim B
 
XMA3 Is Now Available!

Well, we finally got the amp through prototyping and user testing...And, it is now generally available for purchase!

It is called the XMA3 and is a three input (2 mono and 1 stereo), Audiophile quality, Class 'A' amplifer with cross-feed...with a 15.5 dB gain - roughly about 3x's as loud as the source.

The amp has been extensively user tested by members of advrider.com and is discussed at length in the following thread: XMA3 Thread - AdvRider.com .

I wanted to extend the availability, and discount off of retail cost :D, to the members of UKGS'er.com as they have also contributed to the development of the XMA3.

There are currently two versions available: the battery powered unit (9v) and the bike powered unit. The batttery powered unit costs $110 USD + shipping (we do ship internationally - otherwise this would be a pointless post)...The bike powered unit is $125 USD + shipping - approximately 68.88 GBP and 78.28 GBP respectively; given current exchange rates...We also offer it as a complete kit for those of you that have a little bit of the do it yourself'er in 'ya...The battery powered kit costs $75 USD and the bike powered kit costs $90 USD...

As a side note, we are getting a bi-powered unit ready for market (either bike or battery powered)...We will be offering a retro-fit kit for the battery powered units ONLY...So if you would like a unit that you can use both off and on the bike (it works great to amplify your laptop or personal DVD player on the plane or train while travelling) buy the battery powered unit or wait for the bi-powered unit.....Also, we are working on some specific interface cords which will allow us to amplify the output of the various Autocom's and the LT J&M intercom system....

We have a rather extensive FAQ posted in the previously mentioned thread on AdvRider.com (Not reposting to save bandwidth on UKGS'er.com) - use the above link and it is midway thru the thread...

If you are interested in purchasing a unit or just have questions please PM me or post on this thread.

-Todd
 
Phil Reynolds said:
Guys, if you had speakers that are built into your earplugs, would you still need a separate amp system?
Click to expand...

Probably not. I use the Duocom earplugs/speakers with Autocom and have Betty Swollocks from the SPIII at volume level 3 or 4 (out of 8) and can still hear her clearly at 100mph.

Greg
 
Arethustra, this looks good, two questions though?

1. What are the dimensions of the unit?
2. Does this plug into the music input on the Autocom control box and then the MD player into your XMA3?

If it's small enough and does what it says on the box then I'm up for one!

Mike
 
Sounds great any chance of picture or two ? maybe an installed picture as well? :D
 
Greg Masters said:
Probably not. I use the Duocom earplugs/speakers with Autocom and have Betty Swollocks from the SPIII at volume level 3 or 4 (out of 8) and can still hear her clearly at 100mph.

Greg
Click to expand...

Actually, the answer to that question really is - It depends...It depends on a number of things actually...For instance, if you're an iPod owner your answer would probably be that you like an amp...I personally have one and while it is a fantastic product they scrimped on the audio ouput circuit...The result of that being that the unit doesn't generate an exceptional amount of gain...Another factor is also your helmet...If, for instance, you are using a Schuberth your answer might be yes as well since they are about as quiet as a wind tunnel...The last factor, would be the earplug headphones that you have...A set of custom made ones go a long way towards blocking out most of the unwanted ambient noise (25-33 dB) but, something like the Etymotics ER-6's only block out approximately up to 20 dB - this still leaves you with some ambient noise to overcome...

Lastly, you have to consider sound quality as well...I'm sure you can hear the music at 100 mph but, what does it sound like? I'm kind of a nut for sound quality so for me the big deal was not only hearing the sound but, enjoying the quality of it...In the end, it's really a totally personal thing...
 
Lord Snooty said:
Arethustra, this looks good, two questions though?

1. What are the dimensions of the unit?
2. Does this plug into the music input on the Autocom control box and then the MD player into your XMA3?

If it's small enough and does what it says on the box then I'm up for one!

Mike
Click to expand...

1. The dimensions of the XMA3 are approximately 1.1” H x 2.5” W x 3.5” D...

2. Some of our users currently use it in that configuration; We are currently prototyping an interface cord that allows for us to be down stream from the Autocom - this would allow us to amplify the output of the Autocom while still maintaining the voice path for the intercom. The nice thing about this configuration is that you can plug your RD and music into the XMA3 instead of the Autocom which guarentess that the sound quality will be much higher...If you have any other questions I have started a thread in the Vendor area (XMA3 Thread) that includes our FAQ...
 
Geezer said:
Sounds great any chance of picture or two ? maybe an installed picture as well? :D
Click to expand...

Working on it...Had to become a sponsor first...They'll be in the XMA3 thread in the Vendor area...
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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