A mad amount of projects. Mostly Class-A, but other interesting bits as well...

[6L6]

This post was originally in a diffeent thread, and fairly OT. This is a much better place to post it. Enjoy!

``````````

I'm a hard-core DIY builder. And by hard-core, I mean completely bonkers... :D :D :D

Lately (Approx. the last 2yr) I've been making build guides (over at diyaudio.com) for people interested in these projects. I've found that most interested parties can get one of these done with a bit of patience, guidance and a decent set of photos. So I've been doing that. It's a blast, and I've had the honor of taking to people (Email, phone, skype) all over the world about their projects and our hobby.

Others may have noticed a few well-illustrated posts I've made here at AOS, such as

SL-1200 DC PSU -- http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26620-SL-1200-DC-Power-Supply-DIY

SL-1200 tonearm rewire -- http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26652-Rewiring-SL-1200-Tonearm&p=462165#post462165


This is merely a continuation of the things I do at diyAudio. Most are Nelson Pass designs, but I will tell you that there is a reason his projects are so incredible popular. Take a look -

Pass/Firstwatt F5 (My first big guide, and this is still the most popular project in DIY land) http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/188691-illustrated-guide-building-f5.html

The B1 preamp, this post got re-formatted and kinda screwed up, but still not bad. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/181552-b1-preamp-build-thread.html

The incredible Pearl 2 phonostage - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/204336-building-pearl-2-a.html

The F5Turbo amp (this one looks very clean, I'm quite happy with it) - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/254056-f5turbo-illustrated-build-guide.html

The legendary Aleph J amp, (what I've been listening to for quite some time) -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/241729-aleph-j-illustrated-build-guide.html

The Pass "Amp Camp Amp", this amplifier and guide is intended for the complete beginner, and so shows essentially everything -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/247361-aca-illustrated-build-guide.html

The Pass Burning Amp BA-3, this one has a video I really like in post #3 -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/258301-ba-3-amplifier-illustrated-build-guide.html

The front-end board from the BA-3 is a fantastic preamp, and currently in use in my system, here -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/258022-ba-3-preamp-build-guide.html#post3968063

The Pass F4, this is amongst my most favorite guides -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/234355-guide-building-pass-f4-amplifier.html

And a few non-Pass projects;

The O2 headphone amplifier -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/headphone-systems/217086-building-o2-headphone-amp.html

Hagerman Bugle 2 phonostage - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/237627-hagerman-bugle-2-a.html#post3605491

A guide to the universal chassis from the diyAudio store - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/245959-illustrated-guide-4u-deluxe-chassis.html#post3704810

And the universal PSU guide - http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/power-supplies/244788-diyaudio-power-supply-circuit-board-v3-illustrated-build-guide.html


Gawd, that's a lot of things when listed like that. :) I've never actually made a list as such. (And I haven't gotten any of my Valve project's guides completed...)


My apologies, now that your eyes are bugged out from looking at all that, I suppose you would like to know a bit more about me... Here's everything you need to know about me in regards to DIY projects, a (literally) 5-min talk at Burning Amp Fest '13 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5eOnuQJ3ww

[walpurgis]

You are a busy chap Jim. Well done! I like a project now and then, but there's no way I could keep up with you. :)

[Ninanina]

It's completey lost me Jim.... I wish I was as intelligent as you to give a diy amp a go... but unfortunately that's not where my intelligence lies.... damn it !!!!

Well done you..... :):)

[awkwardbydesign]

I don't really know what I'm doing most of the time, but I can't stop building stuff either. Speakers (30 or more in the last 40 years), amps and preamps ( clones and the odd kit), a turntable or two, racks and supports, cables, room acoustics, and of course almost everything in the house (kitchen, floors, cupboards, lighting, even sofas!). If I don't make it, then I modify it! I even made a motorbike, using parts from 32 different bikes. At the moment I'm finishing (I hope!) some speakers, an LDR pre, a valve power amp, someone else's speakers, veneering the stairs,and have two turntables waiting in the loft.
I guess if you are that way inclined it is hard to stop. It makes me smile to read about people changing equipment all the time; I CHANGE my equipment if it doesn't suit!
Oh, and I can sew too.
But I don't cook.

[awkwardbydesign]

It's completey lost me Jim.... I wish I was as intelligent as you to give a diy amp a go... but unfortunately that's not where my intelligence lies.... damn it !!!!

Well done you..... :):)
Try a simple amp kit. It really isn't hard, and amazingly satisfying. To listen to music playing through something YOU made! http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/siliconray-online-electronics-store/200533-6p3p-tube-amplifier-kit.html
I bought the ready made version of this (it needed to be modded for safety) but it's not bad and good fun.

[6L6]

It's completey lost me Jim.... I wish I was as intelligent as you to give a diy amp a go... )

I bet you could -- give a good long look at this guide -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/247361-aca-illustrated-build-guide.html -- and tell me if you still think you couldn't do it.

[awkwardbydesign]

I bet you could -- give a good long look at this guide -- http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/247361-aca-illustrated-build-guide.html -- and tell me if you still think you couldn't do it.
:thumbsup:

[Puffin]

Hi Jim, I used to be a feverish builder and was logged into Diyaudio for what seemed years.

It all started with the Sonic Impact modding craze and Pano helped everyone to great satisfying "cheap" sound. Then bought 2020 boards from Autocostruire and some "audiophile" inductors ;)

Then I moved on to Gainclones, and built several LM3886 amps and bridged 3886 monoblocks point to point! Madness. 2 LM3875 Monoblocks with regulated supplies courtesy of Nick Whetstone at Decibel Dungeon.

Made several LDR pre amps (the original of which has stayed since it was built and installed in the system)

I then built some Fostex back loaded horns and wanted a nice low wattage amp to drive them, so plumped for Pass F2 using Peter Daniels excellent boards. All the components were top notch and including the tranny cost about £300!. I was basically given a huge case with huge heatsinks that just needed tidying up. The thing weighed a ton.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/PassF2_zps7f3ec5e4.jpg

I then made a Shigaclone CD transport with a cannibalised JVC boombox which was pretty good, but died after far too much tinkering and fettling!

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/JLHClassA1_zps5cd0258f.jpg

I then built a JLH Class A with free boards from someone on Diyaudio whose name escapes me!

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/JLHClassA4_zpsb68aa531.jpg

Then a B1 buffer - great piece of kit.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/DSCF17291.jpg

I have some F4 boards that I have had for years and must get around to doing something with them.

I then sold the Fostex and the F2 and am now using some modded P500 Cambridge amps with bridging boards from Everyday Practical electronics. Really good.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/P500_zpsa2438339.jpg

I was involved in the "Cheapo Chinese Dac" modding malarkey on Rock Grotto a few years ago and have heavily modded a Beresford 7510 ...oh and Dac LiTe Ah :)

Got a Marantz CD63 for £20 and modded the hell out of that using the very loooooooong thread on Diyaudio.

I haven't bodged or killed anything for about 18 months now and am missing the smell of burning skin and solder:D:D

[istari_knight]

Which would you rate higher Rob, the JLH or the Pass ?

[6L6]

Rob - wonderful stuff!

I wholeheartedly suggest building the F4, it's an amazing amp -- it literally is invisible. It sounds like the preamp you drive it with. Or, use it as a power buffer, make a flea-watt valve amp to drive the F4, and all the tone of that amp will come through, but have actual power and damping factor.

James - the JLH is an old design that has lots of design compromises, any of the modern Nelson Pass designs not only sound much, much better, but are genuinely amongst the best ss amps you can have.

[Barry]

The only things I have ever built are:

1 a pair of Mullard 5-10 power amps

2 a pair of Nelson-Jones 10W class A amps

3 a pair of Sugden 12.5W class A amps

4 a copy of the Electrocompaniet "Two Channel Amplifier", base on the original circuit by Jan Lohstroh and Matti Otala published in JAES.

Plus a pair of Wharefedale 1.2cu distributed port enclosures (fitted with the Wharfedale RS8 DD driver).

None of the above items are with me now.

[struth]

I built one of these;


























:)

[walpurgis]

One of what Grant? :scratch:

[Barry]

I built one of these;


























:)

They are an excellent design - totally transparent; you wouldn't know they're were there. Certainly don't make their presence felt in any way at all!

[Puffin]

Which would you rate higher Rob, the JLH or the Pass ?

James, I built the JLH not long before I sold the Fostex horns and I didn't really have time to consider it's virtues (or lack of them). I used the F2 over a long period and loved it's faultless sweet presentation. The JLH was not dissimilar soundwise, but I would really need to fire it up and use it for an extended period before I could categorically say which I would rate more highly.

[6L6]

They are an excellent design - totally transparent; you wouldn't know they're were there. Certainly don't make their presence felt in any way at all!


Ha! :D :D :D A wonderful response to Grant's example of 'Scottish wit"...

[istari_knight]

James, I built the JLH not long before I sold the Fostex horns and I didn't really have time to consider it's virtues (or lack of them). I used the F2 over a long period and loved it's faultless sweet presentation. The JLH was not dissimilar soundwise, but I would really need to fire it up and use it for an extended period before I could categorically say which I would rate more highly.

Ah, okay... Thanks Rob [and Jim] I've often thought of building a firstwatt clone :hmm:

As for my past "builds"... that would be a Naim clone

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/9223803033_e8bc2cbafc.jpg

And a "B4" pcb courtesy of Rob :D

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/10347189963_ff7b2b16dc.jpg

I've got all the parts here to build a Decware Zen clone but have neither time nor space to do it presently.

[struth]

One of what Grant? :scratch:

Hoping to fill the space with my TT, although don't hold your breath.....sorry for the excruciating lack of wit, but I cannot help it.......its the meds honest.


and Jim; I'm in awe of your abilities; and Barry too...wish I had taken my training further when younger, but alas I didn't....:)

[6L6]

...wish I had taken my training further when younger, but alas I didn't....:)

I'm not an electrical engineer, nor trained or employed in that business... I'm a Learjet Captain by trade. I've figured out all this by gosh and by golly, feeling about in the dark and occasionally touching the wires that hurt.

[Andrei]

They are an excellent design - totally transparent; you wouldn't know they're were there. Certainly don't make their presence felt in any way at all!
Did you take your inspiration from that famous painting called: 'Black Cat at midnight eating licorice in a coal-barn"?

[6L6]

James - how did the Naim clones sound? I've been somewhat interested in that for some time.

I need to take some photos of my current Valve linestage project, a John Broskie "Aikido". It's coming along nicely.

[istari_knight]

James - how did the Naim clones sound? I've been somewhat interested in that for some time.

I need to take some photos of my current Valve linestage project, a John Broskie "Aikido". It's coming along nicely.

Sorry, only just spotted this ! In completely stock form using only components included with the PCB's it sounded okay but really nothing to write home about... Did have very groovy bass though.

Consequently I substituted many of the components [ceramic caps for polystyrene, electrolytic caps for tantalum, BC transistors for ZTX etc] essentially by the time I finished I had replicated what Naim used on their boards with great improvements in sound quality. The groovy bass was still present but with added refinement & all round quality which was previously missing.

In a nutshell I would say the standard boards sound like a PA amp but when fitted with Naim spec parts they really come close the real thing. I would highly recommend them :thumbsup: If you wanted a list of all the necessary parts to make it a proper Naim clone I could rummage through my notes... Let me know.