in 2017 I designed the LEAR Amp. A small tube amplifier built in two parts, a power supply and the amplifier itself. The name is a tribute to the Low Energy Antiproton Ring (LEAR) at CERN. I designed a series of 250A bipolar power supplies for the accelerator and later operated the machine for almost 10 years. The shape of the “ring” was the rounded rectangle we see in the amplifier design. A two part post on the LEAR amplifier is here: https://geneticfractalsdotcom.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/tube-amp-by-genetic-fractals-the-lear-part-1/
I designed and built a CNC machine first and then carved out the would and acrylic for the sandwiched housing. Although the amplifier works, I decided against putting it in service as I wasn’t happy with the security of a 400V cable between the two units.
The design and construction taught me a lot. The idea that the object itself and its electrical function can be united in a design story. That is probably where “phoph” started.
I learned that a lot of detail goes into design of real devices. I knew of course that circuit design, component selection, layout, construction are an art and a science. But when you design for industrial purpose, you also use rack standards, existing or prescribed enclosures. You assume power, internet and even water supplies are where you need it. You assume safety inspections and outsourced construction. I learned with the LEAR amplifier, that nothing is there. It’s a blank sheet and sometimes you discover very late in the design process, something needs to be adapted, and that may impact everything you’ve done. Like my lesson that the power supply should not be separated from the amp, or if it must be, then the safety features of that separatists a key design constraint.
now I’m launching phoph. I’ll build up the design process, the language. The research and development. I intend to respect the audio design as much as I’ll respect the physical design. The safety as much as the serviceability. The manufacturing complexity and cost against the uniqueness.
That’s phoph. I’ll invite you to learn with me, or me from you. That’s phoph too, a community learning together.