First DIY Project - Amplifier - Initial direction sought

[andybee33]

Hi folks,

After a lot of lurking on here, I've decided to speak up and ask a question! :) Short version: a lengthy (2 year) and painful divorce has left me in a position where (a) I've had to sell most of my hifi stuff, (b) I'm skint, (c) I'm ready for a new and different challenge and (d) I need an amplifier.

The obvious solution here is to take on a project to build myself one. I was a bit of an electronics hobbyist as a youth, but haven't soldered for many a moon. All I know at the moment is the following:

1. I think I want to build a nice, simple class A/B transistor amp which focuses on quality components rather than features
2. I'll be plugging a DAC only onto it (which handles inputs) so I really only need one input on the amp - thus saving switching I guess
3. I'd like to add 2 sets of speak posts as my remaining cables are biwire ones and it will be cheapest to keep them
4. Ideally, I'd like to be able to upgrade the amp over time
5. It's for quite a big room (about 20 foot square) and I'm going to be using it with Tannoy Precision 6.2 LEs

I was hoping to start off with a budget of around £300 - what sort of level of performance might I be able to hope for this?

I'm happy to do all the soldering and I could do things like drill cases and stuff. However, I'd rather not make my own PCB if possible.

Can anyone suggest a classic design/an approach/some background reading/web links to get me off on a good footing?

thanks and kind regards,
Andy

[Bigman80]

You'll be looking for a pass type design I'd have thought for bang for buck. Lots of boards on eBay and a whole forum dedicated to them.

[Primalsea]

As it will be your first project for a while the Velleman kits are decent

http://www.velleman.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p308_k8060.html

A basic design but do sound rather good. The PCBs are good quality and the instructions are clear. You can also buy the heatsinks that match. There are probably better sounding designs out there but tend to be more complicated and harder to fault find. I have made these in the past and they have a nice beefy sound.

[Bigman80]

I though Pass designs tended to be low powered and expensive - or have I got that wrong? :scratch:I don't think the PCBs are expensive and they are very easy to find parts for, I was thinking that they'd be suitable due to the amount of support there would be.

Whether they are low powered or not, I don't know. As we know though, a few watts go a long waybb

[Shadowbox81]

The Amp Camp Amp kit is back on sale (pre-order) at diyaudiostore

[andybee33]

Thanks folks. I have to admit that the Amp Camp kit looks great. I'm a bit scared of the pure class A thing but given that the kit is complete, I guess we can surmise that the heatsinks will be appropriately sized! Also, for a first project, it's attractive that everything is included. It's also cool that I could buy another in future and make a pair of monoblocs.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Once the kit arrives I will post up the build. It won't be the standard of some of the DIY'ers here, but I'll do my best :D

[walpurgis]

I'll be interested to see how you get on with this Andy, looks like my kind of amp. It take it yours is supplied with a UK spec mains transformer?

[walpurgis]

It take it yours is supplied with a UK spec mains transformer?

Ignore that. I just looked at the PSU. :)

[ianlenco]

I'd recommend Tom Christiansen's Modulus amps. https://www.neurochrome.com/ I built the Modulus 86 as my first DIY amp project and Tom's support was first class plus there are several long threads on DIY Audio with lots of ideas etc. He also supplies a BOM for easy ordering from Mouser. Oh, the Modulus 86 also sounds fabulous!

[ianlenco]

Well there's more than one way to skin a cat and there are an awful lot of happy builders over on DIY Audio. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/267802-modulus-86-build-thread.html

[snowman_al]

If you have little experience yet, I suggest you take one step back.

Unless you buy a complete kit, case, parts, instructions, support etc., it is best to start with something cheap to practice on and understand before hand rather than try to go straight to your final build. If you buy wisely you can re-use many parts, psu parts, mains transformers etc. as you go along.

As a simple cheap (usually work first time) amp choose something like an MX50 se stereo kit for £15 off ebay. Or NAP140 clone even. You only need to add a decent heat sink, PSU parts and transformer then you can even build it on a piece of plywood. When you get it working, you will be surprised how good they can sound and there is plenty on the web about building and modding them. You might not need anything better?
As an alternative, look for a roomy old amplifier in the 'spares or repairs' or not working sections of ebay. Strip everything out except the transformer an power supply parts and install your kit boards in there. It can be a lot cheaper than buying the power supply and case parts individually.

Then when you have a better idea what you need / want then maybe try something else.

[snowman_al]

Just re-read your post #8 and realised that you have pre-ordered the Pass kit already... Interesting to see the build.

While you wait, add the Rod Elliott site to your reading list. Once you get his style, there is so much information there. http://sound.whsites.net/index2.html

[337alant]

You cant go wrong with the Avondale audio NCC 200 power amplifiers they a relatively easy build and superb sound
Les Wolstenholm also has a new amp the NCC 220 and is finalising the NCC- 300 amp so visit his web
site http://avondaleaudio.com/
Where you can buy built up boards and block build an amplifier or call Les up as he sometimes sells bare circuit boards so you can build an amp from Scratch

I use these amplifiers my self and they are excellent IMO
Here is a monoblock Voyager amplifier I built with NCC 200 amplifier boards on the right next to left a Stereo Hackernap amplifier which was a group design and buy from the DIY part of Pinkfishmedia again the hackernap is based on the old RCA class A/B design that NAIM modified and exploited to very well over the years.
wish you all the best of luck with your first build its very interesting and rewarding when they dont blow up :D

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/16341453552_7577391cf3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qU3dPb)IMG_2232 (https://flic.kr/p/qU3dPb) by Alan Towell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/69508926@N05/), on Flickr

Alan

[Cherry]

Hi,
Does anybody know of good class D or T kits ?

Thanks
Abraham

[disarmamant]

Hi,
Does anybody know of good class D or T kits ?

Thanks
Abraham

https://www.diyclassd.com/product/nc400/11


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[Cherry]

https://www.diyclassd.com/product/nc400/11


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Thanks Martin. Looks a bit pricey at €575 + vat for a mono block kit

[disarmamant]

Thanks Martin. Looks a bit pricey at €575 + vat for a mono block kit

You didn’t state what your budget is.


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[Cherry]

You didn’t state what your budget is.


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Yes I didn't. Somewhere between £300-400.
Thanks

[Gregje]

Not willing to spend lots of money I would not go for the latest Hypex. Their older Ucd modules seem to be fine. Ucd180 is an example. You might also want less power. There are some lower power modules available directly from Hypex.

Finally, second hand equipment is very often of great value.

[Cherry]

Thanks Greg

Has anybody any experience with the ICE modules ? they seem reasonably priced !

[Shovel_Knight]

The main problem with ICEpower is very low input impedance, for best results they require a buffer before the power amplifier. Their response at higher frequencies seems to be load-dependent, at least their old modules had this quirk, which could lead to a "brightish" sound with some speakers.

[Gregje]

I was thinking about ICEpower, but haven't mentioned them for that reason. To be fair I actually haven't heard any of them.

[Pharos]

The main problem with ICEpower is very low input impedance, for best results they require a buffer before the power amplifier. Their response at higher frequencies seems to be load-dependent, at least their old modules had this quirk, which could lead to a "brightish" sound with some speakers.

When you say "Old", what sort of time of release are you referring to?

[Shovel_Knight]

I would say ~10 years ago? To be honest, I haven't heard their newest offerings.

[Cherry]

the ones that I found interesting are the ones from Avondale - Would there somebody who I can get advice from to build this.
The other one I found is the Beta 24 from AMB Laboratories but it looks more complicated.

[337alant]

As per my post 13
Call Les Wolstenholm directly from Avondale Audio
http://avondaleaudio.com/

Alan