AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Lab => Topic started by: sts9fan on 3 Mar 2011, 08:47 pm

Title: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: sts9fan on 3 Mar 2011, 08:47 pm
I would like this thread to be a source for finding kits and designs to build.  Please feel free to post links and descriptions to sources of audio kits or designs.  It does not have to be complete componets but could be things like regulators, power supplies or buffers.

I will get it started:

www.bottlehead.com - Tube Kits
www.twistedpearaudio.com - DACs etc
http://www.passdiy.com/ - Buffers, phono stages and class A goodness
http://sound.westhost.com/ - Tons of great info
http://www.electra-print.com/schematics.php - Tube designs and transformers
http://www.welbornelabs.com/ - Power supplies and stuff

Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: doorman on 3 Mar 2011, 08:47 pm
http://www.transcendentsound.com
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: WGH on 4 Mar 2011, 02:00 am
http://www.hagtech.com/ (http://www.hagtech.com/) - Tube kits incl. phono pre-amps, DAC, 8w class-A push/pull zero feedback amp, burn-in generators, and other stuff.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: jtwrace on 4 Mar 2011, 02:03 am
http://www.kandkaudio.com/
Kits-Linestages, DACS, Phono Stages, Lundahl Transformers & Jensen Caps

http://www.tubelab.com/
Tube Kits

Dodd Audio
http://doddaudio.com/diy.aspx
Tube Buffer

Rythmik Audio
http://rythmikaudio.com/
High Quality Servo Controlled Subwoofers

Parts ConneXion
http://www.partsconnexion.com/
Lots of parts!

Piltron Toroidal Transformer. 
http://www.plitron.com/
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: TomS on 4 Mar 2011, 02:05 am
Aikido and stuff from John Broskie

http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/newhardware.html (http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/newhardware.html)
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: mgalusha on 4 Mar 2011, 02:44 am
AmpsLab, uh... amp parts. :)

http://www.ampslab.com/

AMB Laboratories - dacs, headphone amps, power amps, attenuators and who knows what else.

http://www.amb.org/audio/

Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: sonicboom on 4 Mar 2011, 03:39 am
Pete Millett's site has a wealth of information including project schematics, PCB's and downloadable pdf copies of many of the great books written on tube design from the last 80 years.

http://www.pmillett.com/ (http://www.pmillett.com/)
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: planet10 on 4 Mar 2011, 08:51 am
So far i've only seen electronics listed.

Classic Valve Design (http://www.classicvalve.ca/) you guessed it, tube stuff (audio & MI)

how about some speakr stuff (disclosure, i'm related to the 1st 4)

http://www.frugal-horn.com/  (http://www.frugal-horn.com/) Free Horn Designs
http://www.t-linespeakers.org/ (http://www.t-linespeakers.org/) Transmission Lines & more
planet10-hifi Box Library (http://www.planet10-hifi.com/boxes.html) Speaker Designs (also kits & drivers)
Woden Design (http://wodendesign.com/index.html) more speaker designs
Quarter-Wave (http://quarter-wave.com/) Martin King's site
Brines Audio (http://www.brinesacoustics.com/) Kits & plans

dave
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: sts9fan on 4 Mar 2011, 01:40 pm
http://www.41hz.com Great class D amp kits
http://classdaudio.com/ AC favorite
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: richidoo on 4 Mar 2011, 01:51 pm
Selah Audio (speakers) http://www.selahaudio.com/
Troel Gravesen (speakers) http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm
Humble Homemade Hifi (speakers) http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/
Zaph Audio (speakers) http://www.zaphaudio.com/
Aspen Amplifiers (amps and speakers) http://www.aksaonline.com/
Cavalli Audio (headphone amps) http://www.cavalliaudio.com/index.php
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 4 Mar 2011, 05:04 pm
www.drtube.com = Classic tube audio and guitar amp schematics.  Some preamps too.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: walkern on 6 Mar 2011, 02:57 pm
One of my absolute favorites for years (in the speaker kit building arena):

www.gr-research.com (http://www.gr-research.com)

Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 7 Mar 2011, 02:49 pm
http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/audio/audioel.htm

Many tube amp and preamp schematics.  Quite the pic at top of page too!
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: steve f on 8 Mar 2011, 06:19 pm
Anybody got a site for turntable parts? Platters, bearings, motors, pulleys, etc? 
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 8 Mar 2011, 08:19 pm
Wayner and Neobop would know.  Send either a pm or just post the query in the vinyl circle.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Russellc on 23 Apr 2011, 05:04 pm
How about Rod Elliot's site?  http://sound.westhost.com/

Russellc

Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 23 Apr 2011, 05:10 pm
How about Rod Elliot's site?  http://sound.westhost.com/

Russellc

sts9fan already mentioned his website in the 1st post of this thread.

Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: stereocilia on 1 Jun 2011, 01:21 am
Zalytron speaker kits and parts:    http://www.zalytron.com/
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: simoon on 4 Jun 2011, 01:03 am
Anybody got a site for turntable parts? Platters, bearings, motors, pulleys, etc?

Pretty good looking platters with bearings (acrylic and Polyoxymethylene) here - http://myworld.ebay.com/lance6881888/

Some motors too.

I know they are derided here, but if you're into the 'Chinese clone' thing, there are some kits here -

http://www.diygene.com/store/index.php?route=common/home

I actually had the experience of hearing one of the Jadis preamp clones ($400 I think) at a listening party 6 months ago. I'm sure it couldn't have sounded as good as an actual Jadis, but it did sound better than a couple of preamps costing 3-4 times as much.

Brand new 'Dynaco Mark3' kits from TriodeElectronics - http://www.triodeelectronics.com/trmk3tuampki.html

Another 'Dynaco' kit seller - http://www.dynakitparts.com/store/product.aspx?id=3

Yet more 'Dynaco' kits, including a 120W mono version  - http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm#M125

Preamp kits and upgrades also available at these sellers.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: vinylvalet on 6 Jun 2011, 12:28 pm
http://www.diyhifisupply.com/

I've built several of their kits. Outstanding sound, great service. I've built kits from almost all of the the links mentioned above and these guys are my favorite. In my experience, the only one to really avoid is Welborne Labs.

Another good parts supplier: http://www.tubesandmore.com/
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 18 Jun 2011, 11:25 am
Welborne labs has now ALL of its previous design manuals (http://www.welbornelabs.com/manuals.htm) including schematics for sale $10/each.

Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: simoon on 6 Jul 2011, 05:03 pm
I was pretty impressed with these at THE Show in Newport Beach -

PBN Pennywise speakers.

http://www.montanaloudspeakers.com/speakers/pennywise-series

$1250.00 for parts
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 6 Jul 2011, 05:14 pm
I was pretty impressed with these at THE Show in Newport Beach -

PBN Pennywise speakers.

http://www.montanaloudspeakers.com/speakers/pennywise-series

$1250.00 for parts

Interesting. You will need a seriously beefy amplifier to drive those suckers. The crossover network reveals it all. Did you see the drop to 2.2 ohms at around 500 Hz with a seriously negative phase angle? It is actually less than 3 ohms from 200 to 750 hz, right where a majority of the music is.


(http://www.montanaloudspeakers.com/images/stories/Pennywise/impedancevsfreq.jpg)


There is a reason he is selling this design as a kit, and he usually is not a manufacturer who bases his income on kits.

Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: eclein on 6 Jul 2011, 05:20 pm
i was just looking at them and the other stuff....did you see the turntables?? Very cool, very cool.....................
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 6 Jul 2011, 05:58 pm
i was just looking at them and the other stuff....did you see the turntables?? Very cool, very cool.....................

 :dance:


(http://www.montanaloudspeakers.com/images/stories/Olympia/groovemasterside.jpg)


Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 7 Sep 2011, 05:46 pm
SAS Audio Labs 7A kit (http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/pream7a.htm)

Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 22 Oct 2011, 12:23 am
Here is another old timer, Musical Design. They have a new set of kits out for preamp duty, called the Chameleon Preamp. Description as follows:

Chameleon PC-1T Active Board with single 6DJ8/6922/6N23P which is operated in “plate follower” mode is the standard Active Board for Chameleon. On the  PC-1T you can have “degenerative cathode feedback”, know as local feedback, or no local feedback. Other Active Boards include a dual 12AU7 CCGC (Constant Current Grounded Cathode) circuit with moderate gain and low output impedance. There is also a 6 Volt heater version with the superb Russian 6N6P tubes. There are currently five, yes 8 Active Boards for the Chameleon. Active Boards can be delivered in custom form to provide optimum performance with a certain tube. There is even a special board for the highly regarded 5687 tube. Others use the 6H30Pi and the list grows longer. New active boards are planned with SRPP, octal tubes and other versions.

Link is here (http://www.musicaldesign.com/MC_Cham.html).

Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: wushuliu on 28 Apr 2012, 07:02 am
Direct Coupled Pass B1 Buffer/Preamp Build (that I put together, hehe)

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=85001.0 (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=85001.0)
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: wushuliu on 28 Apr 2012, 07:10 am
There are now a wide array of outstanding speaker kits available from Meniscus Audio from Paul Carmody and Jeff Bagby and others. I must also add that Meniscus provide great customer service.

http://meniscusaudio.com/kits-c-133.html (http://meniscusaudio.com/kits-c-133.html)

Venerable Parts Express also has high-end kits with BEAUTIFUL cabinets (seriously those piano black cabs scream quality - just treat them with care). Usher drivers are VERY impressive.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=769 (http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=769)

Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: PRELUDE on 3 Sep 2012, 04:09 pm
Hi Folks,
I was just looking at  this post and could not find this two sources.
just in case if somebody would be interested in.

http://www.audionotekits.com/

http://www.marchandelec.com/
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 5 Sep 2012, 12:33 am
Total DIY Noob question here...but, where do you guys get decent, inexpensive hook-up wire?  The cheapest thing I see at Parts Connexion is $1.35/ft.  I have pretty good hookup wire I'll use for signal but need some wire to run between power supply and amp...300+volt wire.  Thx!
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: PRELUDE on 5 Sep 2012, 02:25 am
Total DIY Noob question here...but, where do you guys get decent, inexpensive hook-up wire?  The cheapest thing I see at Parts Connexion is $1.35/ft.  I have pretty good hookup wire I'll use for signal but need some wire to run between power supply and amp...300+volt wire.  Thx!
http://www.parts-express.com/term/hook-up-wire?pg=1
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 5 Sep 2012, 03:54 pm
Thanks Prelude!  Big help!  After doing some more searching on that brand that Parts Express sells I found an even cheaper source.  Some of the off colors are significantly cheaper.  Here's the page:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/search.aspx?C=0000001536

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: mgalusha on 5 Sep 2012, 05:01 pm
Total DIY Noob question here...but, where do you guys get decent, inexpensive hook-up wire?  The cheapest thing I see at Parts Connexion is $1.35/ft.  I have pretty good hookup wire I'll use for signal but need some wire to run between power supply and amp...300+volt wire.  Thx!

AllElectronics (http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/825/Wire/Cable/1.html) has solid core and stranded for a good price. Various colors, gauges and lengths. I've purchased several 100ft rolls of the solid core.



Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: PRELUDE on 5 Sep 2012, 08:12 pm
Thanks Prelude!  Big help!  After doing some more searching on that brand that Parts Express sells I found an even cheaper source.  Some of the off colors are significantly cheaper.  Here's the page:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/search.aspx?C=0000001536

Thanks again!
I am glad I could help and yes mcmelectronics is a good place to shop on line. :thumb:
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: EDS_ on 5 Sep 2012, 10:07 pm
You guys are awesome - this is my favorite AC thread in years.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: PRELUDE on 5 Sep 2012, 11:45 pm
Here are two more sources for you guys.
http://www.audiyo.com/

http://www.vellemanusa.com/products/view/?id=350535
17 years ago when first this amp just came out I ordered one for my friend and he is not diy but he went crazy when he saw the mirror finish and asked me if I could assembly it for him.
Make the very long story short I ended up to assembly 8 of them.
It was $700US at that time.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 6 Sep 2012, 05:48 pm
AllElectronics (http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/825/Wire/Cable/1.html) has solid core and stranded for a good price. Various colors, gauges and lengths. I've purchased several 100ft rolls of the solid core.

Even better prices!  Thanks Mike!
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Hogg on 12 Sep 2012, 03:21 pm
http://www.akitika.com/ (http://www.akitika.com/)

An inexpensive solid state amp

                                                    Jim
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 12 Sep 2012, 05:34 pm
http://www.vellemanusa.com/products/view/?id=350535
17 years ago when first this amp just came out I ordered one for my friend and he is not diy but he went crazy when he saw the mirror finish and asked me if I could assembly it for him.
Make the very long story short I ended up to assembly 8 of them.
It was $700US at that time.

I recently saw that tubedepot.com is selling that kit.  $2k for the stereo amp and $1,400 for each monoblock...ON SALE!!!    :o


http://www.tubedepot.com/kitshifi.html
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: PRELUDE on 22 Sep 2012, 06:14 pm
I recently saw that tubedepot.com is selling that kit.  $2k for the stereo amp and $1,400 for each monoblock...ON SALE!!!    :o


http://www.tubedepot.com/kitshifi.html
Wow! it is x3 now.It seems like even DIYers cannot survive in this days. :duh:
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 12 Jan 2013, 01:13 am
Here's another new comer, looks interesting:

OddWatt (http://www.oddwattaudio.com/owproducts.html) - Great new tube amp kits, yeah! And a review by Fremer: http://www.analogplanet.com/content/vc-audio-labs-mb-45-kt120-monoblock-power-amplifier-kit

SKA (http://www.ska-audio.com/) - Simply Killer Amp by Greg Ball

I was wondering if the moderator can make a long cumulative list into a 'sticky' for easier access instead of looking through 3 pages?

Thanks,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Ericus Rex on 12 Jan 2013, 01:37 am
Here's another new comer, looks interesting:

OddWatt (http://www.oddwattaudio.com/owproducts.html) - Great new tube amp kits, yeah!

SKA (http://www.ska-audio.com/) - Simply Killer Amp by Greg Ball

I was wondering if the moderator can make a long cumulative list into a 'sticky' for easier access instead of looking through 3 pages?

Thanks,
Anand.

Interesting stuff!  I look forward to seeing their KT120 amps.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: kevinh on 9 Feb 2013, 01:19 am
Horn Loudspeaker kits:

http://www.pispeakers.com/contents.html

http://www.gedlee.com/Loudspeakers.htm

http://www.diysoundgroup.com/


Open Baffle:

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/

more loudspeaker kits and parts:

http://madisound.com/



Schematics of a couple of PP Class A DHT amps by Lynn Olson and a line stage he uses:

http://nutshellhifi.com/triode1.html


Some nice chassis and components for the tube builder (along with SS cases and parts)

http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.php
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 16 Feb 2013, 08:12 pm
diyaudio store (http://www.diyaudio.com/store/) - A good place for Mesmerize (DCB1), F4, F5, Honey Badger circuit boards; multiple chassis that can accomodate F4, F5, and other designs, fully tapped (!) as well. Look around!

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: sts9fan on 16 Feb 2013, 09:31 pm
diyaudio store (http://www.diyaudio.com/store/) - A good place for Mesmerize (DCB1), F4, F5, Honey Badger circuit boards; multiple chassis that can accomodate F4, F5, and other designs, fully tapped (!) as well. Look around!

Best,
Anand.

The chassis are great. I got the big one and am very happy.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Richard Dunn on 17 Jun 2014, 08:25 pm
I hope this post fits in here as it is about kits.

There seems to be a movement at the moment to sell LDR based passive pre-amp kits, and there seems to be complete ignorance about these Light Dependent Resistor products. A word of warning really needs to be published about LDR based pre-amps. LDRs contain Cadmium gas which is lethal (kidney or liver failure) if eaten or breathed and is a long term serious health (Cancer) risk if just touched on a regular basis. Because of this it is illegal to import or sell these items within the EU as they are not RoHS or WEEE approved, so cannot be given a CE mark. This is true for both kits and built products.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 19 Jul 2014, 10:47 am
Most diy'ers can design basic power supplies, especially for tube based designs with ease. Using Duncan PSUD2 (http://www.duncanamps.com/psud2/), etc...as design software. The trouble comes with regulator design. A few sources I have found very useful:

DHT Regulators: Rod Coleman. On diyaudio you will see his DHT regulators are becoming more and more famous. Direct contact is:
valve.amps@yahoo.co.uk;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/31qxp71reg65810/ANdht01v2.pdf

HV and LV shunt regulation: http://www.belleson.com/index.php and http://kandkaudio.com/accessories.html

There is also the Bybee Music Rail for your consideration, although, it is not a regulator, it has its applicability at the tail end of a regulator, all info is here:

http://www.bybeelabs.com/

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 15 Feb 2015, 07:11 pm
Another newcomer, with excellent design, documentation, and measurements by Tom Christiansen:

Neurochrome Audio: http://www.neurochrome.com/audio/

Check out his:
Modulus 86 advanced chip amplifier
Parallel 86 advanced chip amplifier
DG 300B amplifier
Maida 21st century regulator (max 600V and 300mA!)
Universal Filament Regulator

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 2 Sep 2015, 02:08 am
Like small tube amp kits? From the creative mind of Shannon Parks...Look here:

http://parksaudiollc.com/diyprojects.html

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: Johnny2Bad on 20 Sep 2016, 06:32 pm
Like small tube amp kits? From the creative mind of Shannon Parks...Look here:

http://parksaudiollc.com/diyprojects.html

Best,
Anand.

Your link is dead, and I don't see any reference to DIY at the Parks Audio LLC site.
Not sure if it's OK to link to other forums, so I won't, but Shannon Parks founded a forum with all the DIY stuff referenced there. It's called DIY Tube dotcom
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 20 Sep 2016, 08:25 pm
Your link is dead, and I don't see any reference to DIY at the Parks Audio LLC site.
Not sure if it's OK to link to other forums, so I won't, but Shannon Parks founded a forum with all the DIY stuff referenced there. It's called DIY Tube dotcom

Thanks man.

Can't do much about dead links unfortunately.

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 23 Dec 2016, 05:42 pm
Welborne labs has now ALL of its previous design manuals (http://www.welbornelabs.com/manuals.htm) including schematics for sale $10/each.

Anand.

All of Welborne's manuals are now available for free download:

http://welbornelabs.com/manuals.htm

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: OzarkTom on 23 Dec 2016, 07:56 pm
My buddy  Rex spent $20 for the Decware DNA Horns and says these are one of the best that he has ever owned. Parts cost him $300. Add a pair of Vaughns  plasma  tweeters for a true SOTA  sound.-7K

http://www.decware.com/newsite/HORN.html

http://www.vaughnloudspeakers.com/products
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 7 Jul 2018, 04:21 am
Adire Audio is BACK!!!  :green:

Dan Wiggins sold the company to 2 audio enthusiasts who are carrying the torch forward! When they closed (http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/104524-adire-audio-closes-shop-bad-2.html#post1247865) shop in 2008-2009, I was sad to see them go! So those of you that loved the Shiva, Tempest, Brahma, etc...here they are in new form! Let’s hope they survive the intensely competitive diy sub driver market!

https://adireaudio.com/catalog/

Best,
Anand 
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: emailtim on 13 Sep 2020, 12:49 am
Ghent Audio is supposedly coming out with a Purifi EIGENTAKT EVAL1 case in one month.

https://purifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EVAL1-Users-Guide-1.25.pdf (https://purifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EVAL1-Users-Guide-1.25.pdf)
https://purifi-audio.com/vare/eval1/ (https://purifi-audio.com/vare/eval1/)
https://www.diyclassd.com/product/smps1200a400/10 (https://www.diyclassd.com/product/smps1200a400/10)
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: pinkfloyd4ever on 11 Dec 2020, 05:05 pm
Surprised the DIYAudio Store hasn't been mentioned yet.

https://diyaudiostore.com/

A lot of great designs there, including a bunch of Pass/FirstWatt clones (endorsed and often supported by Nelson Pass himself)

The store has PCBs and kits (when they're in stock) for lots of the more popular designs discussed on the forums at https://www.diyaudio.com/ Lots of build info and help/support available there.
Title: Re: Kit and Design Sources
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 5 Jul 2021, 10:49 am
Surprised the DIYAudio Store hasn't been mentioned yet.

...

It was. Scroll up and see my post from February 16, 2013.

Best,
Anand.