cMoy Portable DIY Headphone Amplifier in an Altoids can!
Have you ever looked at a piece of digital audio equipment, let’s say an amplifier, and wonder: Just how would you go about making one of these contraptions? Well, do I have a present for you. For many years now, there has been a portable headphone amplifier on the market that has been quite the sensation among young audiophiles today. The cMoy can be seen everywhere: on eBay listings, audiophile forums, internet advertisements, and now right here on Audiologies.
The CMoy headphone amp was originally invented by Chu Moy. He created a simple design that can be powered by a 9V battery and stuffed inside a small container like an Altoids tin, making it a popular DIY project.
But what makes this amplifier stand out among the rest? Well, for starters, it’s very cheap. Combine that with the fact that it is completely home-made (as in, you do it yourself/someone makes it for you), then I think we have a winner in our hands. It’s very easy to order the parts online, cheaply mind you, and assemble them right in you home with a simple guide. If you are at all interested, then might I direct you to the most wonderful cMoy guide in the world? That site is so comprehensive, I really don’t think it’s worth it for anyone to bother writing another guide.
But don’t just leave me yet.
That guide will only cover the core aspects of the cMoy amplifier (though in a very in-depth manner). If you wanna make things a bit easier, then I would suggest purchasing a pre-made circuit board. The great thing about these amps is that they can be modified and specified to complete your needs. Need a bass boost? Then consider the JDS Labs cMoyBB! Would you like a feature rich cMoy? Go for the Biosciencegeek cMoy! The possibilities are endless. That is why you should look for a good circuit board, so that it can fit everything you could ever need or want. Research is key when delving into audio DIY, so you best keep that in mind.
Speaking of research, a proper op-amp is also important. This part is what ultimately determines the sound of your cMoy. So if your leaning towards warm and bassy, there’s an op-amp for you. But if you prefer a colder and brighter sound, then there’s an op-amp for that (stupid iPod/Phone/Pad commercials).
While it may seem like cMoy’s are an audio-lover’s dream, please realize that they aren’t the top when it comes to quality. Prices will typically range from $30-$70, and so you aren’t exactly pumping money into this project. But that’s what makes it so great. This should be more of a learning experience – building a cMoy, that is. If you mess up, it’s not big deal! Just start right over, and do it over again. Eventually you will develop a love for the parts in all sorts of technology, and you will soon find yourself delving deeper into audio DIY.
And again, don’t expect these cMoy’s to drive your ultra-expensive Sennheiser HD800’s. They simply aren’t capable of such things. But if you find yourself needing a little more juice, or some extra features such as bass-boost or more gain. Heck, even if you are just bored on Saturday afternoon and wanna build something, then consider a cMoy. All it takes is a nice internet guide a trip to you local Radioshack for parts.
And remember, just have fun!