DIY Amp? Design philosophy? Best Sound?

graphix99 · « **on:** 23 Jan 2006, 03:03 pm »

Hi,

I want to build a solid state power amp! (I like tubes but don't want to worry about replacement and don't have a place for them)
I've done some research on DIY Solid State designs and here's what have learned thus far:

Section 1:
Mosfet Amps/ Traditional A/B Designs: Hard to build. Many parts.
Chip amps/Gain Clones: Good for DIY'ers. But Chip amps need to be connected to XLR outputs from my preamp (which I don't have) unless I add a balanced line driver (like a SSM2142 balanced line driver from Analog Devices).
Class D: Don't sound very good
Class T: No no freakin' idea

Section 2:
My requirements for my DIY amp?
A KIT or pre-made PCB's with a parts list and assembly instructions/schematics
At least 120 Watts Per Channel RMS 20-20KHZ
Stable to run my 4ohm speakers. (A/D/S L990's)
I can supply the box(s)
Available/Shippable to USA.
I'm handy, and can solder, but I'm not an electrical engineer!. I have a basic understanding of electrical theory and I'm learning more every day. The more step by step the instructions are, the better.
Sound good, maybe as good as a mid level amp like a Rotel or B&K

On the first section, lease let me know where I might be wrong, which design you like or any designs I haven't covered. On the second section, please let me know of parts/kit suppliers you have had success with or that meet my requirements.

many, many thanks in advance for your help!

Greg

randytsuch · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 04:01 pm »

I think your requirement for 120 watts will drive what is available for you.

I do not know of many DIY amps that put out 120 watts.

AKSA is well regarded, but is 100 watts. But, I think there will be VERY little difference in that last 20 watts, the effect of the max SPL will be minimal.

I don't know of any chip amps/gain clone boards that put out 120 watts. You can bridge the chip amps to get more power, but the kits I know of are not bridges. Of course, these are cheap and easy to build, so you might just try one, and see if it has enough power for you.

Digital amps will meet your power requirements, there is one diycable has on a demo tour. These are not really a kit though, it is more like buying a module, and hooking it up.

Good luck,

Randy

PSP · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 04:11 pm »

Hi Greg,
You might want to check in with Hugh Dean about the 100w AKSA. On the Aspen website, he claims that the 100w AKSA will deliver 218w into 4 ohms

.

I've got a 100w AKSA Nirvana Plus (I'm extremely happy with it) and am building another one for bass duty in the Orion.

Peter

kfr01 · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 04:51 pm »

Quote from: graphix99

Hi,

I want to build a solid state power amp! (I like tubes but don't want to worry about replacement and don't have a place for them)
I've done some research on DIY Solid State designs and here's what have learned thus far:

Section 1:
Mosfet Amps/ Traditional A/B Designs: Hard to build. Many parts.
Chip amps/Gain Clones: Good for DIY'ers. But Chip amps need to be connected to XLR outputs from my preamp (which I don't have) unless I add a balanced line driver (like a SSM2142 balanced li ...

2 Channel UCD kit:

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=140&products_id=590

Use the UCD 400 modules and you'll meet your wattage requirements. I haven't personally heard these amplifiers yet, but they seem to have received positive reviews ... better than any I've seen recently of any Rotel or BK amplifier.

I have a demo UCD 400 amplifier coming from DIYCABLE sometime this week. I plan on putting it up against Arcam (which I feel kicks the snot out of Rotel) and Musical Fidelity (same).... I'll let you know how it goes.

skrivis · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Jan 2006, 05:47 pm »

Quote from: graphix99

Hi,

I want to build a solid state power amp! (I like tubes but don't want to worry about replacement and don't have a place for them)
I've done some research on DIY Solid State designs and here's what have learned thus far:

How about ESP? For example: http://sound.westhost.com/project101.htm

amplifierguru · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 07:52 am »

Well Hi graphix99,

You clearly have not heard of my 'cutting edge' amplifier kits. They're a well kept secret. 150Wrms or 300Wrms.

Cheers,
Greg

graphix99 · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 01:52 pm »

Nope, haven't 'em. I used Rotel amps as an example of a respectable sounding amp that certainly was better than my current power source. (Yamaha RX-V2500). Better sound than the 180 watt Rotel's I've heard would be a bonus. If these op-amp kits sound's as good as a Mark Levinson, it's wasted on my speakers and my ears.

Quote from: amplifierguru

Well Hi graphix99,

You clearly have not heard of my 'cutting edge' amplifier kits. They're a well kept secret. 150Wrms or 300Wrms.

Cheers,
Greg

JoshK · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 03:19 pm »

Greg,
Considering your last post. I'd suggest that you might reconsider the UcD modules (class d, oh the horror) as they are likely a lot better than you heard they were. From those I know who have compared them to chipamps, they are at least as good (maybe for different things though). The might not possess the je ne sai quoi of the best of the best, but it sounds like you aren't going for that anyway. The AKSA amps are also incredibly good and I bet would even meet your power requirements which are probably overstated.

Ampguru (the other Greg),
I don't want to derail the original topic, as seeing as you are relatively new here, I'd like to remind you that posting in this type of thread with a commercial response is frowned upon. You are however welcome to post in the "Market Circle" and I'd encourage you to do so as I am interested in your design and would like to inquire further (for all to see).

Josh

Occam · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 03:45 pm »

Greg (Amplifierguru)-

Well, as Moderator of this Lab Circle I'll chime in. Ideally, one would like a partisan of your product to make the suggestion (so as to make it appear non self serving). But as your post was purely informational, and you've not been selling these specific products for long enough to develop a cadre of partisans, I've no problem with your post.

Joshk's suggestion is a good one. The Market Circle (commercial) is an ideal place to inform the Circled of what products you've available, and to discuss their benefits and features. Its also a good place to put a link to further information, website, etc....
[EDIT - additionally, unless you're willing to fully disclose the schematic, the Lab forum really isn't the place for detailed discussion]

Welcome to AudioCircles!

Regards,
Paul

graphix99 · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 04:00 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

Greg,
...and I bet would even meet your power requirements which are probably overstated.

I rarely overstate anything.

Actually, I'm thinking conservative power. I've spent a fair amount of time (although it was 10 years ago) around the low end of the high end. I'm comfortable with what 130Watts really sounds like. I think that Yamaha's rating of 130wpc might be conservative compared to the low end receivers but not the same as 100wpc of a Bryston 3B by any means. I also think my receiver will make a reasonable front end to a decent, conservatively rated Kit amp and that's why I'm pursing this angle. (and besides, I need a hobby). So, my goal is finding out the differences between the different designs and thanks to you kind people, I'm learning a lot!

kfr01 · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 04:51 pm »

Just to add some input here based on my experience with the Exodus UCD 400 (200wpc) demo amplifier I had last week.

I feel that as a DIY project[/b] the UCD modules make all the sense in the world. Why?

1) Ease of Installation - I haven't built one myself, but the module based nature of the Hypex amp and psu should make it an easier DIY solution than most.

2) Cost - Cost of a DIY UCD solution will likely run under $1000. For this price the performance is fantastic.

3) Performance - From what I heard the UCD will hold its own against most other amplifiers out there. If you're expecting worse sound from the UCD simply because it is class d, don't; I actually found the sound relatively indistinguishable from a/b designs I also listened to this past week. I was stretching my ears and probably my imagination to hear consistent differences.

Would I pay retail for one? I'm unsure, once price nears $2000 there are a lot of really nice amplifiers out there. However, I'd certainly consider it and would not rule it out based on the class d nature. In fact, the low power, space, and heat elements of the class d design are only benefits, in my opinion.

graphix99 · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 06:43 pm »

Right, and I have no particular bias against any one type of design or topology. I'm only citing the preconceived notions that I had going in to this.

Quote from: kfr01

Just to add some input here based on my experience with the Exodus UCD 400 (200wpc) demo amplifier I had last week.

I feel that as a DIY project[/b] the UCD modules make all the sense in the world. Why?

1) Ease of Installation - I haven't built one myself, but the module based nature of the Hypex amp and psu should make it an easier DIY solution than most.

2) Cost - Cost of a DIY UCD solution will likely run under $1000. For this price the performance is fantastic.

3) Performanc ...

amplifierguru · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Feb 2006, 01:42 am »

Thanks Occam,

I have taken your advice, while I don't at this stage consider myself commercial, I have posted to Marketplace my "SKA Introductory Offer" and look forward to your questions on this elegantly simple new amplifier design.

Cheers,
greg