VOGONS


CVX4 : high quality covox adapter

Topic actions

Reply 420 of 484, by jaZz_KCS

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
dreamblaster wrote:
Hi here are the corrected STL files, which are used for my new CVX4 case prints. If you have a 3d printer at home, you can prin […]
Show full quote

Hi
here are the corrected STL files,
which are used for my new CVX4 case prints.
If you have a 3d printer at home, you can print it too.

If interested in BLACK+RED printed case, just pm me.
(I only do this GREAT color combination 🤣 )

Does this one have the notches corrected? Then I'm going to print this out again.

Reply 421 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

yes.
Note: I don't have the new 3d prints in my hands yet, but they look good on photo :
I ordered this redesign + many printouts (for cvx4 and opl2lpt), at a local 3d printing hub,
and phoned this guy : we discussed the needed changes, and the next day he confirmed he had it fixed and the enclosure now fits.
So yeah it should be okay. Curious to hear how it goes.

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 423 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

both sides were changed
but yeah, you can print the top first, and if it does not fit, print the bottom as well.

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 424 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Hi, some bad news from the assembly factory, they 'forgot' to order the CVX4 pcb panels, so the assembly of the next batch is delayed.
new timing : It will be ready by end february/early march.

I do have the new CVX4 3d printed enclosures ready : http://www.serdashop.com/CVX4-3d-printed-enclosure

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 425 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Finally, the new 2018 batch of CVX4 boards has arrived. http://www.serdashop.com/CVX4
Also the matching 3d printed enclosures are available now : http://www.serdashop.com/CVX4-3d-printed-enclosure
It fits like a puzzle, quite tight.

if you are interested in a bundle promotion (cvx4 + case), just pm me.

cvx4_cases.jpg
Filename
cvx4_cases.jpg
File size
228.43 KiB
Views
1876 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 427 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
lvader wrote:

Has the CVX-2 design changed at all?

compared to CVX2 : yes
compared to previous CVX4 : no

the new batch CVX4 is exactly the same as the 2017 CVX4, using 0.1% high precision resistors, and all dip options.
The following minor non-fuctional changes :
- the PCB now shows 2018 instead of 2017
- all capacitors have the correct values off factory (in 2017 version, I manually corrected 2 values), so this aspect looks better, the boards are 100% machine soldered.

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 428 of 484, by Artigkar

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Hi everyone!

I just got my CVX4 and printed enclosure in the mail yesterday. I did not expect the CVX4 card to be inside the enclosure already, but it was.
Pretty cool, thumbs up for that!
I bought the CVX4 to replace my older covox clone that I got a year ago, thought it would be a nice sound quality upgrade to my Compaq Contura laptop.
Unfortunately there is a electrical buzzing sound when its connected to my speakers and its turned on. This was not there with my older covox clone.

Here is a video showing what happens when the speakers are turned on with my old covox clone connected:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1OtkyrsLyU

Here is another video showing what happens when the CVX4 is connected:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjrOFhMT9L0

I have tried to test the laptop on a different set of speakers in my kitchen, I connected it to the audio in connection of a Sony branded CD/radio player.
The buzz is less noticeable on that set of speakers, but not entirely gone. On max volume you will still hear it.
Has anyone else experienced something similar with their CVX4?
What could possibly be causing this?
Why was this not issue with my older covox?

To end this post I would say that while I was testing it on the sony radio I noticed that the sound is much more clear or cleaner on the CVX4 than the retrocables clone. So it is unfortunate that the buzzing sound occurs since it other than this issue seems like an upgrade.

Reply 429 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Artigkar wrote:

So it is unfortunate that the buzzing sound occurs since it other than this issue seems like an upgrade.

Hi

1/ is the 3.5mm stereo connector fully inserted ? your connector looks pretty thick on the video, maybe it obstructs with the 3d enclosure ?
2/ can you tell me de dip switch settings ? dip 8 is the DC bypass cap, it should be set to 'off' (although I would not expect this to cause disturbance).
recommended setting is all dips off except for dip 7
3/ if all above is ok, please pm me your address, and I will send you a tested replacement CVX4.

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 430 of 484, by Artigkar

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
dreamblaster wrote:
Hi […]
Show full quote
Artigkar wrote:

So it is unfortunate that the buzzing sound occurs since it other than this issue seems like an upgrade.

Hi

1/ is the 3.5mm stereo connector fully inserted ? your connector looks pretty thick on the video, maybe it obstructs with the 3d enclosure ?
2/ can you tell me de dip switch settings ? dip 8 is the DC bypass cap, it should be set to 'off' (although I would not expect this to cause disturbance).
recommended setting is all dips off except for dip 7
3/ if all above is ok, please pm me your address, and I will send you a tested replacement CVX4.

1: Yes, it is fully connected as far as it can go. Of course I could try take off the enclosure somehow and see if it goes even further. How do I take it off wihtout breaking it?
2: The dip switch setting is 7 set to on and nothing else. I have noticed that if I put some filters on like dip switch 5 it will soften the hum, but not remove it.
3: I get this message when trying to compose a PM on this forum: "We are sorry, but you are not authorised to use this feature. You may have just registered here and may need to participate more to be able to use this feature."
I guess I have too few posts on the forum or something. You have a good alternate way I can send a PM to you?

Reply 431 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Artigkar wrote:
1: Yes, it is fully connected as far as it can go. Of course I could try take off the enclosure somehow and see if it goes even […]
Show full quote

1: Yes, it is fully connected as far as it can go. Of course I could try take off the enclosure somehow and see if it goes even further. How do I take it off wihtout breaking it?
2: The dip switch setting is 7 set to on and nothing else. I have noticed that if I put some filters on like dip switch 5 it will soften the hum, but not remove it.
3: I get this message when trying to compose a PM on this forum: "We are sorry, but you are not authorised to use this feature. You may have just registered here and may need to participate more to be able to use this feature."
I guess I have too few posts on the forum or something. You have a good alternate way I can send a PM to you?

1: opening the case : gently lift the case sideways.
2: dip settings are ok
3: to contact me : you can also use this contact form : https://www.serdashop.com/Contact

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 433 of 484, by Artigkar

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
dreamblaster wrote:

1: opening the case : gently lift the case sideways.

How gently is gently here? It won't budge, it sits very tight and I am just trying to open with my hands.

With that said I have looked a bit more closely on the hole for the 3.5mm audiojack on the card.
It seems like the hole for it in the enclosure is slightly off center if that makes sense.
There is a slight gap on the left side of the jack. Not sure if this would affect it.
I could try to take a picture of it and upload it here to show it to you if you think its important?

Reply 434 of 484, by Artigkar

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Artigkar wrote:
dreamblaster wrote:

1: opening the case : gently lift the case sideways.

Ok, I have been up all night trying to get it open and I have good news:

Attachments

  • P_20180310_043528.jpg
    Filename
    P_20180310_043528.jpg
    File size
    1.16 MiB
    Views
    1687 views
    File comment
    Spiky CVX4 underside
    File license
    Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 435 of 484, by Artigkar

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

The underside is oddly spiky compared to the image on the webstore page for CVX4. 😲
Anyway, I have tested it without the printed enclosure and the buzz from the speakers is gone. 😀
It seems its only when its trapped in the enclosure that the buzz is there.
Maybe if the hole for the audio jack was widened or altered somehow it could fix it?

Reply 436 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Artigkar wrote:
The underside is oddly spiky compared to the image on the webstore page for CVX4. :exclamation: Anyway, I have tested it witho […]
Show full quote

The underside is oddly spiky compared to the image on the webstore page for CVX4. 😲
Anyway, I have tested it without the printed enclosure and the buzz from the speakers is gone. 😀
It seems its only when its trapped in the enclosure that the buzz is there.
Maybe if the hole for the audio jack was widened or altered somehow it could fix it?

The 'spikyness' is normal, these are the legs of the dip switch, it should not be a problem.
You could test first with the top lid open, to see what happens when you insert the cable :
Cutting off these legs will allow the pcb to lay a bit lower, but I don't think that's the problem.

I did some further testing here :
The 3d case is quite thick and has a hole cutout for the 3.5mm connector.
If the connector is 'thicker' than this cutout, it is not possible to completely insert it through the case.
The problem is obstruction of the 3.5mm connector body with the enclosure cutout.

See the photo's, you can see the usual connector, fits fine.
I could find one cable with thicker connector, and this does not fit.

2 different cables: the upper one fits fine, the lower one does not.

connectors_compared.jpg
Filename
connectors_compared.jpg
File size
143.98 KiB
Views
1665 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

this one fits fine

fits.JPG
Filename
fits.JPG
File size
246 KiB
Views
1665 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

this one does not fit - cannot be inserted completely

not_fitting.JPG
Filename
not_fitting.JPG
File size
237.45 KiB
Views
1665 views
File license
Fair use/fair dealing exception

So what could be the solution ?
You could enlarge the hole, but it will not look good, I would advise not to do it :
More elegant would be just to use a different cable, maybe you have one laying around with a smaller connector to try out ?
Or you can add a small extension cable, for example this 1$ cable :
https://www.ebay.com/p/3ft-3-5mm-M-f-Plug-Jac … Cable/502253526

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 437 of 484, by Artigkar

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

I tested out a extension cable I had earlier today and it works. Before I did that I did a small alteration to the hole. I cut off the thin top part of it to see if that was enough to make the speaker cable fit. It was not.

Anyway its working now without buzz, as you can see in this video I uploaded early this morning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7J7e0noRLo

Its all good! 😁

Reply 438 of 484, by dreamblaster

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Artigkar wrote:

Its all good! 😁

Glad to hear !! 😀

Visit http://www.serdashop.com for retro sound cards, video converters, ...
DreamBlaster X2, S2, S2P, HDD Clicker, ... many projects !
New X2GS SE & X16GS sound card : https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE ,
Thanks for your support !

Reply 439 of 484, by cvx4fanboy

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Hello. I've got a CVX4 thing and cvxplay program. It does work and I can play sampleu.raw.
One thing I couldn't figure out yet is how to convert mp3 or wav to this covox raw format.
Could you please explain this to me?