ebay Gainnclone - Too good to be true? [Archive]

Puffin

24-03-2016, 19:43

Looks like a lot of goodies for the money.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i239/saxonsex/ebay%20GC_zpseaazltjh.jpg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Assembled-LM3886-Plus-amplifier-board-HIFI-with-audio-68W-68W-Pretty-sound-/201503966495?hash=item2eea92851f:g:paAAAOSwa-dWmKra

danilo

24-03-2016, 21:57

Firebottle

25-03-2016, 06:58

Congrats on the 5000th post Rob :mex:

Surprising what you can get from China for very little money. I'd say go for it, nice that it includes the anti-thump/speaker protection circuit as well.

:)

Puffin

25-03-2016, 08:06

Congrats on the 5000th post Rob :mex:

Surprising what you can get from China for very little money. I'd say go for it, nice that it includes the anti-thump/speaker protection circuit as well.

:)

Yes, 5,000....I must get out more:rolleyes::D

I have made many GC's, a BrianGT one, several LM3886 and 3875 point to point and one bridged stereo 3886 P2P (you don't want to see the rats nest of wires underneath!)

This just peaked my interest, and yes having the protection circuit is a unusual bonus for these cheap boards. Heatsink? Oooh getting a bit thin on the ground, I might just nail it to a dustbin lid....in case it is rubbish:lol:

Puffin

25-03-2016, 08:20

More Bits and Bling in that contraption than in my TV set.
There's over a 100$ worth of bits on there alone.. IF they were Genuine

Want a Genuinely "good" Lm3886 amp??
Buy this and Likely need never again get the urge to buy alternate amplifications.
http://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-0/

PS; read the man's resume If you need credentials for the design work

Interesting read and I am sure it is very good. I have got old and lazy and can't be bothered any more to source all the parts needed:rolleyes:

Ari

25-03-2016, 10:00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Assembled-LM3886-OPA2604-Plus-amplifier-board-with-audio-68W-68W-/131460452571?hash=item1e9ba750db:g:Hy8AAOSw7aBVCmd K

Here's a slightly different take with OPA2604 .

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Hy8AAOSw7aBVCmdK/s-l500/r.jpg

The price is so good , it's probably worth checking out .

I've tried various LJM kits , with very good results , and every time from this seller :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-KIT-LJM-GC-LM3886TF-Power-amplifier-kit-Speaker-protection-CL-190-HL-/191432439124?hash=item2c92433554

I've tried the following :

LJM L25D ( IR class D ) - very close to IR reference circuit , amazing performance with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply ( 6x 10 000 uF Nichicon 80V ) ; or with 2x Abletech 53-0-53 SMPS ( one smps on 2x modules blew smps )

LJM L20 ( Class AB ) - excellent with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply

LJM L25 ( Class AB with onboard opamp pre ) - excellent with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply

I see that the seller only sells the L15D Pro and L20D Class D's now . I'd like to get these in future too . I can highly recommend the linear dual-rail PSU option . I built my own , but he sells those too , probably cheaper than building your own . SQ with linear supply sounds effortless and is completely neutral . Simply amazing .

Puffin

25-03-2016, 11:31

I think what Colin says in post #216 regarding the cost of the innards of the TQ amp:stalks: is something I am sure a lot of us have suspected for many years.

I have built a stereo Mosfet LJM L12 which has been running daily and satisfactorily for over 6 months. Sounds very good. I have another board so that I can bridge them both at some stage.

Ari

25-03-2016, 12:50

Hmm - I see there are also L12-2 versions selling - those are probably already bridged as no 4 ohm ratings are given . I tend to stay clear of designs that can't handle low impedance dips and generally try to use slightly lower voltage in suggested range , keeping them cool and unstressed .

I just checked the LM3886 datasheet - looks impressive enough http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm3886.pdf

r100

25-03-2016, 13:22

More Bits and Bling in that contraption than in my TV set.
There's over a 100$ worth of bits on there alone.. IF they were Genuine

Want a Genuinely "good" Lm3886 amp??
Buy this and Likely need never again get the urge to buy alternate amplifications.
http://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-0/

PS; read the man's resume If you need credentials for the design work

I have been eyeing that amp for a while. Have you built one yet ? If so, does it live up to its reputation ?

Greets
Ru

PS. I have built a couple of Gainclones from Chipamp and Peter Daniel and also a LJM L15D Pro all of which I'm very fond of.

r100

25-03-2016, 13:28

I've tried the following :

LJM L25D ( IR class D ) - very close to IR reference circuit , amazing performance with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply ( 6x 10 000 uF Nichicon 80V ) ; or with 2x Abletech 53-0-53 SMPS ( one smps on 2x modules blew smps )

Do you pls have a link to the rectifier board you used ? Thx !

Ari

25-03-2016, 17:02

Hi Rupert

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Assembled-6-10000uF-100V-high-quality-power-supply-board-PSU-board-amp-/121560800380?hash=item1c4d969c7c

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QIIAAOSwk5FU0IeD/s-l1600.jpg

In South Africa I bought a 400VA Torroidal ( I bought a couple actually , price was ridiculously good ) , with 230V primary and 35-0-35 @ 5A . The electricity in my town is ~240V AC so I get 43-0-43 ; and rectified +60 0 -60 VDC .

I really like the sound with the dual-rail supply . Seemingly effortless on not so efficient speakers .

I bought 2 of these supplies , but am still using ones I built myself . Mine are Nichicon 10 000uF 80V , the ones on the board being sold are Nippon Chemicon 10 000uF 100V and have the extra R-C filter . As rectifier I am using metal case 600V 30A metal block that looks similar to this :

http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mQSCBN4rm2YW7pzs51XjZrA.jpg

r100

25-03-2016, 19:48

hi, and thank's--- I thought it would be that one (xd218.com).. I have the same with 4 Elcos. I had to swap them out because one of them started to bulge but no big hassle. It works great with the L15D's. Maybe I should try a real "double-mono" configuration one day the only thing holding me off ATM is the price of the transformers. The amps seem to drive the speakers (85dB) without the slightest hesitation even with a single transfo. I get my toroids from Poland (http://sklep.toroidy.pl/en_US/index). They where the best I could get for normal money. They are "audio grade" (whatever that means) :eek:

Best
Rupert

PS my parents are from SA :) but I live in CH :rolleyes:

danilo

25-03-2016, 20:30

I have been eyeing that amp for a while. Have you built one yet ? If so, does it live up to its reputation ?

Greets
Ru

PS. I have built a couple of Gainclones from Chipamp and Peter Daniel and also a LJM L15D Pro all of which I'm very fond of.

No I've not bought that one.. have tried other Chi Fi ones on a lark ..Too many.
The Lure of almost free draws in the naive.. in droves.
Typically (without fail) Every piece is a Fake. Surprisingly, the resultant sounds were/are decently average... for as long as the thing worked.

Yet a Simple Genuine parts one such as Chipamp... Are leagues better.
And Peter's are that much better yet. But still, no candle to the neurochrome one

IF you've done those, the above Gizmo may dissapoint entirely
Feeling Lucky?

r100

25-03-2016, 20:49

The only "disappointment" I've had so far with Chi-Fi bits where the rectifier elcos .. I get my stuff from two or three vendors on ebay (aalong, douk) and so far (touch wood) almost everything has worked as described.. some kit, notably the LJM amps where way better than expected, so they got their own chassis and are sitting in my main setup. I would say that they perform as well, if not better in my system than the Gainclones (maybe due to the extra power capable to drive the 86db speakers ?)

I'm on the fence with the Modulus.. but I have so many amps lying around at the moment :eyebrows:

danilo

26-03-2016, 00:24

Well then You.. have had Far better luck than I have :-) Congrats.
I have ~ a half dozen total failure (within hours of power up) Chi Fi amps from Ebay/Aliexpress and a few others that make unnerving Noises on power On and Off.
Junk basically... But Hey! really ! cheap to buy with Free Shipping!
Can't cheat an Honest Man ...can you :eyebrows:
I've bought Guaranteed 'genuine' Chips from Arjen Helder.. only to have complete garbage in the delivered package.
Recourse ? yeah that's likely.
Yet my USA made / sourced efforts are Surprisingly good sounding and proving reliable as Rocks.

IMO.. We really must stop buying Chinese junk gear .. it does everyone a disservice Here and 'There'.

Ari

26-03-2016, 07:29

Running 2x power supplies will improve separation . Maybe you should try it sometime Rupert .

I think I'd rather be in CH than SA right now , our currency is going down the drain , all I can afford is the Chinese goodies . Where do your folks live ? Are they born South Africans ?

r100

26-03-2016, 13:57

yep, both are from Jo'Burg but live (lived) in CH and in Spain. I haven't been back since before Mandela was elected.

DaveFred

03-10-2020, 01:32

Hello,

I am looking to build and LJM amplifier, which one did you like best?

Thank you,

David.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Assembled-LM3886-OPA2604-Plus-amplifier-board-with-audio-68W-68W-/131460452571?hash=item1e9ba750db:g:Hy8AAOSw7aBVCmd K

Here's a slightly different take with OPA2604 .

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Hy8AAOSw7aBVCmdK/s-l500/r.jpg

The price is so good , it's probably worth checking out .

I've tried various LJM kits , with very good results , and every time from this seller :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-KIT-LJM-GC-LM3886TF-Power-amplifier-kit-Speaker-protection-CL-190-HL-/191432439124?hash=item2c92433554

I've tried the following :

LJM L25D ( IR class D ) - very close to IR reference circuit , amazing performance with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply ( 6x 10 000 uF Nichicon 80V ) ; or with 2x Abletech 53-0-53 SMPS ( one smps on 2x modules blew smps )

LJM L20 ( Class AB ) - excellent with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply

LJM L25 ( Class AB with onboard opamp pre ) - excellent with 400VA torroidal + dual rail supply

I see that the seller only sells the L15D Pro and L20D Class D's now . I'd like to get these in future too . I can highly recommend the linear dual-rail PSU option . I built my own , but he sells those too , probably cheaper than building your own . SQ with linear supply sounds effortless and is completely neutral . Simply amazing .

Ari

03-10-2020, 08:59

Hello,

I am looking to build and LJM amplifier, which one did you like best?

Thank you,

David.

Hi David , I do like both the L25D ( Class D copy of IRAUDAMP7 ) and the L20 ( Class AB ) . The former being quite clinical and the latter a little warmer . There is also an L15D pro , which has speaker protection built onto the board , which may be what I would buy now if I had to buy any pre-assembled modules . The L20 definitely requires a soft-start module , these are also available and require their own power supply .

Do you have any spare parts already ? Like transformers ? That could also influence my choice as I have a couple of 400VA 40-0-40 torroidals .

Cheers
Ari

Ari

03-10-2020, 09:07

Oh ... and if you want to build from scratch ... this has piqued my interest recently : https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/227503-ab100-class-ab-power-amplifier-post6167110.html

DaveFred

17-10-2020, 00:52

Oh ... and if you want to build from scratch ... this has piqued my interest recently : https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/227503-ab100-class-ab-power-amplifier-post6167110.html

You have no idea what you have done!

JLCPCB in China is making 20 boards for me that I should have by the end of next week and I have a 600va 36v x 4 custom transformer on its way from Poland...

:)

David.

Ari

17-10-2020, 05:51

You have no idea what you have done!

JLCPCB in China is making 20 boards for me that I should have by the end of next week and I have a 600va 36v x 4 custom transformer on its way from Poland...

:)

David.

Excellent David ! :lol: I'm glad to have affected someone else with the dreaded DIY bug .

Please post a link to the build thread here so that I can follow . :)

hornucopia

17-10-2020, 14:58

Yes, 5,000....I must get out more:rolleyes::D

I have made many GC's, a BrianGT one, several LM3886 and 3875 point to point and one bridged stereo 3886 P2P (you don't want to see the rats nest of wires underneath!)

This just peaked my interest, and yes having the protection circuit is a unusual bonus for these cheap boards. Heatsink? Oooh getting a bit thin on the ground, I might just nail it to a dustbin lid....in case it is rubbish:lol:

Strangely, it's 'PIQUED', not peaked-just for kaizen.
It CAN mean irritated-if you feel like it!

Lawrence001

17-10-2020, 18:10

I happen to have bought a chip amp based Gainclone the other week. It's great!

Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

DaveFred

29-10-2020, 00:26

Excellent David ! :lol: I'm glad to have affected someone else with the dreaded DIY bug .

Please post a link to the build thread here so that I can follow . :)

Here are the boards.... :)

28767

Ari

29-10-2020, 05:32

Beautiful ! Go you mind posting a link as to where you got these Gerbers from exactly ? Please .

Ari

29-10-2020, 05:59

More Bits and Bling in that contraption than in my TV set.
There's over a 100$ worth of bits on there alone.. IF they were Genuine

Want a Genuinely "good" Lm3886 amp??
Buy this and Likely need never again get the urge to buy alternate amplifications.
http://www.neurochrome.com/modulus-86-rev-2-0/

PS; read the man's resume If you need credentials for the design work

Has anyone here built one of these modulus 86 amps ? I'm quite intrigued , a good DIY'er I know from SA has been going on about this and Neurochrome LM3886 Done Right . https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendor-s-bazaar/293972-neurochrome-lm3886-45-8-0-002-thd-80-4-0-004-thd.html

Firebottle

29-10-2020, 07:30

I have built the Neurochrome 86 amps and they are extremely transparent. They are better when built fully mono with separate power supplies.

I have bought the Neurochrome 286 amplifier and converted that to dual mono, it is my end game amp. I have also built up a 286 for a customer.
I have also heard the Neurochrome 686, if you need lots of power that is the one.

Highly recommended.

Ari

29-10-2020, 08:36

Firebottle

29-10-2020, 09:57

No I've not tried that one but can guess it's not far behind the others.

DaveFred

31-10-2020, 01:20

Here is my LM3886DR,

28768

28769

28770

28771

I am listening to it right now with a pair of speakers I recently made.

28772

Even my wife notices the difference between my Adcom "stack" and just this amp with a medium quality DAC (Topping D30).

David.

DaveFred

31-10-2020, 01:34

Beautiful ! Go you mind posting a link as to where you got these Gerbers from exactly ? Please .

Here are the gerbers for the AB100 boards,

The original AB100 by Nelson Pass,

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/227503-ab100-class-ab-power-amplifier-47.html#post5804161

And the board redesign by Prasi,

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/227503-ab100-class-ab-power-amplifier-82.html#post6167110

David.