gain clone review

randytsuch · « **on:** 8 Jul 2003, 07:30 pm »

Here is another article from 6moons, a review of a gain clone
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audiooasis/audiozone.html

I found it interesting because I am in the process of building a gain clone myself.

Oh, and I guess it is somewhat contraversial, because 6moons reviewed a copy of something somebody else "invented". Don't see the controversy myself.

Randy

Hantra · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jul 2003, 09:42 pm »

Yikes! Looks like some interesting words were exchanged between Yoshi, and Srajan. . . .

I don't know what else to say about this, because I have mixed feelings. I think that the DIY and cloning segment is one that often times improves on original designs, and can be really fun.

I am not so sure that cosmetically copying another manufacturers product is a really good idea. There are many options for enclosures these days, and they have one that is pretty much identical to the GainCard. At least they didn't build the Canadian Power Humpty, eh?

In all seriousness, I will probably post my impressions very soon of my own monoblocked amps which are based on the same chip. Right now, I am too busy listening. . .

B

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Jul 2003, 09:43 pm »

For more on this amp and the controversy surrounding it look into the chip amp section of diyaudio.com. Peter has put much work and thought into this amp, IMO it's far more than a simple case of copying someone else's design.

Peter Daniel has brought to market what many have already done: copied the Gaincard 47 chip amp. I congratulate Peter for being honest enough to admit that the product is highly priced for the given content, but it's still half the price of the original.

If I only knew how, I'd diy myself one. I see these chip amps as the 21st century version of SET's, using a, "short and simple signal path is better," philosophy.

JohnR · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 02:34 am »

Quote from: JLM

If I only knew how, I'd diy myself one.

Heh, the ability to DIY is just a matter of acquiring a few fairly simple skills, it's not something that's genetically programmed into you

Scott Nixon will sell you a board and probably a kit, check out his site.

randytsuch · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 02:38 am »

From Scott,

I have board level kits availble. Meaning everything that physically mounts
to the board
to make an amplifier channel is included. You provide enclosure / sink,
RCAs, wire
transformer and etc hardware. I provide pcb, red/black .75 spaced binding
posts,
resistors, supply caps (pana FC) and Nichicon Muse in feedback, a pair of
diode bridges,
plus stuffing guide and schematic. There are no step by steps and
you need to read parts value markings. It's really DIY.
Hardest part is planning and mechanical fit/ hole alignment. The audio is
taken care of

100.00 pair for normal LM1875 or LM3875 (130.00 assembled module pair)
115.00 pair for inverted LM1875 or LM3875 (145.00 assembled module pair)

Scott Nixon

Scott also has a link on his site to the person building his cases, and you can buy that too. The other stuff you can buy from places that cater to the DIY audio crowd.

Randy

Hantra · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 02:53 am »

Randy:

Scott will build you the amps too, and sell them complete. He built me a pair of 40 watt monoblocks which are absolutely unreal! I just finished a long listening session with them, and I am still not ready to review them yet. I can't really get a handle on all the things they do right. They just sound like music. . . And no one wants to read a review saying that. . .

B

randytsuch · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 06:38 pm »

Hantra,
I know Scott builds them, I was posting the kit prices because Scott did not have them on his website before, that info was from a Scott email. But, I notice he has posted the kit prices on his website now.
http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm
go towards the bottom of the page.

But, I also noticed by the time you buy the kit and enclosure, you just have to spend a little more (if anything) to buy a completed unit.

Randy

Hantra · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Jul 2003, 08:03 pm »

Quote

you just have to spend a little more (if anything) to buy a completed unit.

Heh. . . I opt for that b/c Scott is a wizard with a soldering iron, and I know he can help me troubleshoot if something goes awry. That's where I see the extra dollars going. Goodness knows that I have a serious handicap when it comes to soldering. . .

B