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The Millett Hybrid MiniMAX
Overview What is the MiniMAX?
The Millett Hybrid MiniMAXed, or Millett MiniMAX, or MiniMAX for short, is a vacuum tube and discrete solid state hybrid headphone amplifier.
It is the latest refinement in a series of headphone amplifiers that began with Pete Millett, its namesake.
The Millett MiniMAX was designed by Colin Toole (cetoole) to incorporate many new features and advances previously unavailable,
while still adhering to the famous Millett heritage. Two new outstanding features distinguish the MiniMAX from its predecessors: Like its larger cousin, the MAX, the MiniMAX incorporates a full-size, BJT diamond buffer for the best in high frequency response and bass slam, combined with the tubes' natural midrange and liquid sound characteristics. This, of course, is fed from the low-voltage tube gain stage made famous by Pete Millett's original design and now augmented and refined with Colin Toole's Mini-MAX layout and low-noise power supply design. The low-noise power supply design creates tighter, cleaner bass, better high-end detail and greater transparency than previous MAX models. For most people, the Millett MiniMAX will start with the printed circuit board (PCB). After populating the board with specific electronic parts and
powering with a rudimentary wall power adapter,
the MiniMAX will provide excellent audiophile quality amplification for headphone listening enjoyment. What's needed ...
Basic construction and parts selection is covered in detail within these web pages. Other than the parts in the Bill of Materials,
you will need a soldering iron and solder, sufficient for through-hole PCB work. Miscellaneous wire and heat shrink will also be helpful.
Other tools that are useful for PCB work and electronics projects include needle-nose pliers, flush cutters, wire strippers, screwdrivers
and a digital multimeter (DMM) for making voltage, resistance, and HFE transistor measurements. There is a
DMM often available on sale at
Harbor Freight for $2.99, and never more than $9.99. Other outlets sell this DMM for about $10 as well.
It is more than adequate for everything you need to complete the Millett MiniMAX.
How to get help ...
DIYforums.org has more than enough information to help you complete the MiniMAX. Besides these web pages, the forum itself provides ample opportunity
to search for answers or for asking direct questions. Team Millett MAX will do their best to get your problem solved.
In addition, there are many other builders that post and answer questions at:
Head-Fi and Headwize.
We hope you enjoy building and listening to the Millett MiniMAX! |