Suggestions for DIY project- amp/integrated?
cstmar01
Posts: 4,424
So, due to my future upcoming move and what not I'm not looking to buy anything right now but have always been interested in the DIY options. I'm not planning on starting anything until after the move so would like to use this time to figure out what I want to do.
So to start, the speakers are going to be horns I would be pairing anything with. Either I was going to be doing Klipsch or may go a DIY route for this as well as I have ideas of things I would like to try.
That being said, I would be more geared towards the tube route. I've looked at bottle head stuff but thats upwards of $950 for their 2 channel amp. It would be a fun starting point but wanted to see if there are other suggestions for either other low wattage tube amps, or an integrated project that wouldn't be terribly difficult or a ton of work for someone that is new to DIY.
I've looked at Pass DIY and looks fun but not sure if SS is the direction I want to go right now. I've honestly never heard Pass on a horn so it might be a good combo but figured I would stick with tubes on horns as that is always the combo I enjoy.
Also even if this isn't a kit etc I would be interested in hearing suggestions for maybe an old integrated that would need a rebuild etc. Might be a good way to start. I'm open for ideas so let me know what you guys think.
So to start, the speakers are going to be horns I would be pairing anything with. Either I was going to be doing Klipsch or may go a DIY route for this as well as I have ideas of things I would like to try.
That being said, I would be more geared towards the tube route. I've looked at bottle head stuff but thats upwards of $950 for their 2 channel amp. It would be a fun starting point but wanted to see if there are other suggestions for either other low wattage tube amps, or an integrated project that wouldn't be terribly difficult or a ton of work for someone that is new to DIY.
I've looked at Pass DIY and looks fun but not sure if SS is the direction I want to go right now. I've honestly never heard Pass on a horn so it might be a good combo but figured I would stick with tubes on horns as that is always the combo I enjoy.
Also even if this isn't a kit etc I would be interested in hearing suggestions for maybe an old integrated that would need a rebuild etc. Might be a good way to start. I'm open for ideas so let me know what you guys think.
Comments
-
Check out the diyaudio projects store.
http://diyaudioprojects.com/
Bottlehead stuff is great though, hits way above it's price point. Top notch instructions too. You will encounter high voltages even with low output tube gear..so must be careful.
This is right up mhardy's area of expertise, so I'm sure he'll chime in.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Thanks Rich! I do like the Bottlehead designs and overall think they make a great kit. I just really wanted to see what else is out there that would be comparable and go from there.
-
Any of the First Watt DIY stuff will sound fantastic on horns. This is not a light endeavor and with most of Pass stuff he will guide you, but you must have an understanding of how circuits work.
What I'm saying is you need to know your way around a power supply and amplification circuits beyond just being able to read a schematic. His projects and guidance assumes an intermediate understanding of electronics.
It's not a "paint by number" type of thing.
That being said I've always wanted to tackle one of the EleKits since they are pretty much "paint by number" and allow several specific choices of upgraded parts depending how far the rabbit hole one wants to go.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue45/elkit.htm
http://www.vkmusic.ca/elekitnew.htm
https://www.tubedepot.com/products/elekit-tu-8200-stereo-tube-amplifier-kit
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
I've had fun and 100% success/satisfaction building several of Bruce Rozenblit's designs to drive high efficiency speakers. Great instructions and support IMHO. Check them out at Transcendent Sound.
300B OTL System
-
Any of the First Watt DIY stuff will sound fantastic on horns. This is not a light endeavor and with most of Pass stuff he will guide you, but you must have an understanding of how circuits work.
What I'm saying is you need to know your way around a power supply and amplification circuits beyond just being able to read a schematic. His projects and guidance assumes an intermediate understanding of electronics.
It's not a "paint by number" type of thing.
That being said I've always wanted to tackle one of the EleKits since they are pretty much "paint by number" and allow several specific choices of upgraded parts depending how far the rabbit hole one wants to go.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue45/elkit.htm
http://www.vkmusic.ca/elekitnew.htm
https://www.tubedepot.com/products/elekit-tu-8200-stereo-tube-amplifier-kit
H9
Thanks for the info Brock. Seeing it's going to be my first endeavor I would like something a little easier. I'll check out the EleKits as I haven't heard of them before and sounds more like my thing.
Good to know about the combo as I've never had the chance to get my ears on it. I've heard some terrible pairings of SS with horns that was unbearable but if you get a good pairing it can sound awesome. I'm still a huge fan of the Soundlabs I had but just figure I would try something else.
-
BlueMDPicker wrote: »I've had fun and 100% success/satisfaction building several of Bruce Rozenblit's designs to drive high efficiency speakers. Great instructions and support IMHO. Check them out at Transcendent Sound.
300B OTL System
Wow. Those look amazing and congrats on the build! I'm going to check these out for sure! -
BlueMDPicker wrote: »I've had fun and 100% success/satisfaction building several of Bruce Rozenblit's designs to drive high efficiency speakers. Great instructions and support IMHO. Check them out at Transcendent Sound.
300B OTL System
Wow. Those look amazing and congrats on the build! I'm going to check these out for sure!
Thanks! But, that system is off the Transcendent site to whet your appetite. I built a couple of the smaller, single-ended OTL amps, the grounded grid pre and the power conditioner. -
Chris, I forgot. You can also check out Park's Audio PCB kits. Look under diy projects. I have his Budgie SUT in my vinyl rig. Excellent SQ, reasonably priced.
http://parksaudiollc.com/Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Check out the kits from AudioNote. I was going to jump all over them. VERY high end kits...
http://www.ankaudiokits.comThe Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
SCompRacer wrote: »Chris, I forgot. You can also check out Park's Audio PCB kits. Look under diy projects. I have his Budgie SUT in my vinyl rig. Excellent SQ, reasonably priced.
http://parksaudiollc.com/
Thanks Rich!nooshinjohn wrote: »Check out the kits from AudioNote. I was going to jump all over them. VERY high end kits...
http://www.ankaudiokits.com
These are very nice looking and I'll have to do some further research on them. Some nice looking monos however but a little more than what I'm looking to spend on a DIY project at this point but seriously some nice looking gear.
