I finished this today and it works

Listening to XFM radio on DAB through the switcher/valve amp right now and it sounds really good

I have a new toy

Right now, my switcher is knobless but once I've secured a couple of black satin finish knobs, fitted them and labelled the front, I'll post a few pics of my media setup.

I did have problems with the volume control, it was causing buzzing but then I used a volume control method known as 'shunt control' which basically uses a fixed resistor as a potential divider with the pot tracks between earth and output. Sort of. Anyhow, it works well.

nice ... waiting to see finished pics

I've been listening to music a lot with this setup and words like musicality, presence and warmth come to mind.

My only regret is that I made this thing then sat on it for 24 years But, no matter, listening to music has now taken on a whole new dimension

Here's some pix of my media setup, all I need now is a telly. And a PS3 would be nice. But other toys have priorities, sad to say.

I've listed details of all the stuff just in case anybody might be interested.

To me, it sounds bloody brill, but I have oft been accused of being a philistine during my more excitable moments.

Everything has a remote control including the TV tuner card and media case, except the valve amp and switcher. The little black button hanging out by the computer case is the TV card remote receiver. The wooden box houses a couple of pairs of headphones (rarely used).

The connect leads for CD Player and tuner are home made from quality components and cable. The connect leads for the I-Pod and the Computer are cheap & nasty ready-mades.

And yes, I need to replace the volume control label, that one's imperfect.

Ok, here's the spec, followed by a few random pix:

Media centre:

Home made stereo valve amp, 10 watts per channel
Home made 5 way audio switcher
Cambridge Azur 640C CD Player
Cambridge Azur 640T DAB/FM Tuner
Cambridge iD10 I-Pod docking station
KEF Cresta loudspeakers
Gale loudspeaker stands

Asus M4N78-VM Micro-ATX motherboard
Integrated Nvidia 8200 Graphics
AMD AM2 5050e dual core 2.6Ghz CPU
Stock cooler
2Gb (2 x 1Gb) Corsair XMS2 6400C4 Memory
Asus Pci-e Xonar D2X sound card
80Gb Drive for Vista OS
1Tb drive for storage – DivX movies; music; photos
Asus DVDRW
Hauppage Win TV Nova-T 500 Twin digital tuner TV Card
Antec Black Fusion media case with remote control
Logitech Wireless keyboard & mouse

Currently sharing 24” monitor with main computer via Aten KVM switch

24 years, that's almost as old as me

You've done a very neat job there Flops Once you've got a TV on top of there you will be in media-heaven! The capabilities of a media PC are just fantastic - it's so easy to watch iPlayer etc... on a big screen.

Nice work there man....no easy project either......bet the neighbours aint happy lol.

I'm in a fortunate position as I have no neighbours directly adjoining me.

On the 6th floor and that floor has three flats, two on one side, me on the other.

Add to that both other occupants also like to play their music and have occasional parties and I'm in a rather fortunate position

I don't have it blaring out stoopid but I do have it at a level I can enjoy.

MadX: Not really brains mate, it all stems from being made redundant in '82, seeking an alternative career, finding it then applying work skills to home skills, is all

I still make stoopid mistakes just like everybody

But this setup works. And it's good.

My amp is as old as Ian

Strange thought, lol

I suppose over the years, not been made redundant thankfully, but changing jobs I have had to learn new skills, lol and I have a few under my belt....

You'll be old enough to get married soon then

Can anyone envisage a world where wires to power our things are no more. I mean all those wires going in/out of Flops projects,I bet they alone help keep the room warm. But seriously will we ever be rid of those pesky wires?

historian