First endeavor into DIY, amp?

concealer404

So this winter i'd like to try my hand at my first DIY project. Stumbled across this:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=320-300

Would that be a bit of an unrealistic undertaking for a first timer? I'm ok with a soldering iron, though i'd have to dust off some cobwebs from my overclocking/motherboard modifying days.

I'd like to build a component of some kind, amp would be cool, but i'm worried it might be a little too much for a first project.

IF i were to go with the above, (and here starts the really dumb questions) how do i know what else to get? Make my own enclosure or buy a "kit" for that as well?

heiney9

What are using it for? If it were me, I'd pass on this as it's somewhat of a toy and look up Peter Daniels on the Diyaudio forum and buy his boards and PS and build a Gainclone amp. That will be much more musical and versatile than the PE build. It'll cost more, but be a much better project. Unless you're just looking at powering some computer style speakers.

http://www.audiosector.com/lm3875.shtml

http://www.audiosector.com/lm4780.shtml

Solid seller and designer and get your learn on here.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/chip-amps/9112-not-just-another-gainclone.html

I highly, highly recommend this as I was going to build one and found a real "gem" already built. I'll reserve subjective comment on the sound of the gainclone's. Mine had the absolute best parts (Black Gates, Caddocks, Dale, etc.) You don't have to get that fancy with pricey components. This amp will be sooooo much better than the PE amp you linked to.

H9

concealer404

I'm not REAL sure what i'd be using it for, to be honest. It would be neat to use it to replace my Oinker amp, but i'm unsure if i could build something with enough power without putting a hurt on the wallet.

Of the three links you posted, if you've got the time, what are the main differences between them?

[EDIT]

Duh, just saw that audiosector is his website. Are there hidden costs that i'm not seeing? Those two kits don't seem THAT much more expensive.

strider

An amp is a great project to start with. They're relatively simple, the amp board, power supply, couple of input jacks and binding posts, and power.

This kit, though, looks like the board's already populated and it doesn't come with a power supply. Figuring out the power supply has been the most intimidating thing for me when I'm building something, putting the components on the board has been the mindless fun part.

I'd suggest finding a complete kit, amp board, power supply, etc. for the first go 'round. Saves you from fretting about component choices and lets you concentrate on the build aspect. Put it in a Bud Built project box (or Hammond if you prefer) and call it a day.

Take a look at chipamp.com's kits. The link is to their LM3886 offering. You'd need a transformer, hook up wire, power switch, IEC input and power cord, RCA input jacks, and binding posts. One of the Bud Built boxes (available from Allied Electric, Digikey, and Mouser among others) is the simplest way to do it, IME.

heiney9

concealer404 wrote: »

I'm not REAL sure what i'd be using it for, to be honest. It would be neat to use it to replace my Oinker amp, but i'm unsure if i could build something with enough power without putting a hurt on the wallet.

Of the three links you posted, if you've got the time, what are the main differences between them?

[EDIT]

Duh, just saw that audiosector is his website. Are there hidden costs that i'm not seeing? Those two kits don't seem THAT much more expensive.

Poke around a bit but yes there are some hidden costs as is heatsinks (not large at all) and a case (hand built or bought or something else hollowed out,e tc.) Torridial transformer and I'd suggest the "snubber kit" for the power supply, but it's not necessary.

Plan on about $200 invested with the power transformer. I ran my SDA's with the gainclone so it will have enough power and reserves for most applications. With his pcb's and parts list, it's easier than you think.

H9

heiney9

strider wrote: »

An amp is a great project to start with. They're relatively simple, the amp board, power supply, couple of input jacks and binding posts, and power.

This kit, though, looks like the board's already populated and it doesn't come with a power supply. Figuring out the power supply has been the most intimidating thing for me when I'm building something, putting the components on the board has been the mindless fun part.

I'd suggest finding a complete kit, amp board, power supply, etc. for the first go 'round. Saves you from fretting about component choices and lets you concentrate on the build aspect. Put it in a Bud Built project box (or Hammond if you prefer) and call it a day.

The Peter Daniels kits aren't populated, IIRC.

H9

heiney9

Be sure and spend sometime reading the DIY thread as they cover just about every possible question. It will take you some time to "learn" but in the end it will be worth it. The gainclone I had was impressive, but in the end I didn't care for the sound. Everyone should try one atleast once. They are simple and there is tons of build info and help available.

H9

concealer404

heiney9 wrote: »

Poke around a bit but yes there are some hidden costs as is heatsinks (not large at all) and a case (hand built or bought or something else hollowed out,e tc.) Torridial transformer and I'd suggest the "snubber kit" for the power supply, but it's not necessary.

Plan on about $200 invested with the power transformer. I ran my SDA's with the gainclone so it will have enough power and reserves for most applications. With his pcb's and parts list, it's easier than you think.

H9

$200 invested is plenty reasonable. I assume somewhere in that huge thread you linked there's power supply suggestions?

I appreciate the help so far!


Strider, thanks for your input, that answers the next question i had about enclosures.

strider

heiney9 wrote: »

The Peter Daniels kits aren't populated, IIRC.

H9

I don't think they are, either. Another thing that's nice with the PD kits is he's got his own subforum over at diyaudio if there are any questions about parts or how to do it.

So does chipamps.com now that I look at it. Both PD and Chipamp.com are pretty similar, I think they got their starts together.

heiney9

That's right I think I was going to buy the kit from chipamps.com

Check that one out to concealer as well as the sub-forum.........it's all coming back to me now. I did all the research about a year or two ago.

http://www.chipamp.com/

concealer404

One thing i'm seeing in chipamps' favor is that they have the PS kits as well. That might be a good thing since at the moment i'm just trying to see if i have the "goods" necessary to pull something like this off and then go further in later if successful.

FTGV

strider wrote: »

So does chipamps.com now that I look at it. Both PD and Chipamp.com are pretty similar, I think they got their starts together.

Yeah they have some form of cooperation between them.The CA boards use the LM3886 and PD's use the LM3875 variant.As strider suggests Gainclones are fairly straight forward without the necessity of any test equipment beyond a good multi meter,nor need critical bias adjustments and such.SQ is respectable as long as they are not driven hard or into low impedances. I have built a few units with Daniels boards.Here is one I did in a Sherbourn chassis I salvaged. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71781&highlight=gainclone+lm3875

ben62670

I have built Brians amps before from his kits at chipamps.com Good build quality and easy to fallow instructions.

FTGV

I purchased this trio some time ago but have yet to build up the amp boards.I used the PS board for a Hypex Class D project.The quality is VG and are a real bargain IMO.http://cgi.ebay.ca/LM3886-Power-Amplifier-PCB-DIY-NEW-/260423747314?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca27706f2

Face

There's Class D audio, their boards are already populated, but at least you'll have an amp that's useful.

strider

Face wrote: »

There's Class D audio, their boards are already populated, but at least you'll have an amp that's useful.

How much would a no frills Class D amp cost to build?

strider

Concealer: Here's a link to a pretty good write up on constructing a gainclone. Goes over everything from power supply to enclosure. I find the website a little cumbersome; in addition to the article in the link there's also a bunch of pages on the left of that screen about gainclones.

The enclosures I like are Bud Industries Converta series. I flip them upside down and mount the boards, PS, etc on what they refer to as the cover on the data sheet. RCA/power/ etc goes on the short side of the cover. Makes it real easy to get to anything in the case when the lid comes off. The largest size is 15"L 7"w 2.5"h though, which may be a bit tight for an amp.

concealer404

strider wrote: »

How much would a no frills Class D amp cost to build?

Curious to know as well. I wasn't anticipating getting anything with more headroom than what i'm using now out of the project, but if what i end up with could replace the Oinker in every way, that would be a great unexpected side bonus.

concealer404

strider wrote: »

Concealer: Here's a link to a pretty good write up on constructing a gainclone. Goes over everything from power supply to enclosure. I find the website a little cumbersome; in addition to the article in the link there's also a bunch of pages on the left of that screen about gainclones.

The enclosures I like are Bud Industries Converta series. I flip them upside down and mount the boards, PS, etc on what they refer to as the cover on the data sheet. RCA/power/ etc goes on the short side of the cover. Makes it real easy to get to anything in the case when the lid comes off. The largest size is 15"L 7"w 2.5"h though, which may be a bit tight for an amp.

Thanks Strider, now i've got some reading material today.

heiney9

concealer404 wrote: »

but if what i end up with could replace the Oinker in every way, that would be a great unexpected side bonus.

You probably won't, but you will have a nice little amplifier to mess around with in various rigs for something a little different and the satisfaction you buiilt it yourself. These aren't toys.

The gainclone was nice but not without it's faults and the final sound I did not care for, YMMV. Class D chipamps that are part of kit I'm sure would be similar. However, the build is fun and they really do sound pretty good for what they are.

That's my .02c

H9

Also don't skimp on the parts, use really good resistors and caps, it makes a difference and the extra cost isn't that bad.

heiney9

I will throw in my very strong opinion on the gainclone amp. Lots and lots and lots of hype and people claiming these are giant killers and best amp they have ever heard, yada,yada,yada. In my case it never lived up to all the hype and I had probably among the nicest one built with premium parts. Caddock and Dale resistors and Black Gates in the power supply. Very nice torrid, etc.

But, I was amazed at how far along an I/C chip has come and thought overall it wasn't a bad sounding amp considering every function of a typical discrete amplifer was on a single silicon chip.

I was disappointed because I bought into the extreme hype and IMO, it fell pretty short of my expectations based on all that I had read. I still encourage you to build one and listen for yourself because lots of people seem to like them.

YMMV,

H9