[randytsuch]

For anybody interested in building a gainclone.

Over at diyaudio, in the chip amp forum, couple of threads going.

One is for ordering a kit, including PWB's most of the parts you need to build the GC.  I think kit cost is $55 plus shipping.

Another thread is for the chassis.  Peter Daniel is going to offer a chassis he designed, for around $150 each.  If you are familiar with Peter's work, you know it will look good.  He has pics in the thread.

So, you spent around $200 so far.
You would still need a transformer, maybe $50-$70 for that.
If this is an integrated amp, you need a volume pot/atteneutor and a selector switch.  Cost really depends on what you get.  For about $275 you could get a dact atten and selector, and I am pretty sure it would be higher quality than most commercial stuff.
Maybe $50 for IEC and other assorted HW, like feet.

So, for around $600 you would have one cool looking integrated amp.  I have not built this version, built a different version of a GC.  But, from what I have seen, I think this thing would be hard to beat at that price.  You could also use cheaper pots, or just build this as an amp, and it would only be a little over $300.

One caveat is GC's are particular about the load they drive.  They did not like to drive my rather long, bi wired speaker cables, so I had to go to a single cable to make them happy.  With one cable, they have no problem driving my monitors.

As for myself, I was planning to build a battery powered version of the GC described in these threads, but I am now tempted to just build one or two of these guys.  WAF will be much higher if I use Peter's chassis.  Must be something I could do with a few SLA batteries.

Almost forgot, you need binding posts and RCA's, which add to the cost.  If you want Cardas, check out the DIYaudio group buy info I posted in the market forum.  Add $50-100, depending on what you want.  I plan to used the Cardas patented binding posts, and I have some Vampire OFC RCA's I will use.

Randy

[Doc Jr 8156]

Hello,

Just wondering, for around $650 you will get an integrated gainclone.  Maybe I'm wrong but for $450 (kit) you can have monoblocks by Scott Nixon.  The remaining $150 will be enough to do a passive preamp using Elna selectors and an attenuator. I think Scott's amp were derived from the Gainclone pedegree.  Correct me if I'm wrong?  Thanks.

[randytsuch]

Hello,

Just wondering, for around $650 you will get an integrated gainclone.  Maybe I'm wrong but for $450 (kit) you can have monoblocks by Scott Nixon.  The remaining $150 will be enough to do a passive preamp using Elna selectors and an attenuator. I think Scott's amp were derived from the Gainclone pedegree.  Correct me if I'm wrong?  Thanks.

Looks like for around $400 you can get a kit and the enclosures.  This is a GC, but unless it was updated, it is an older recipe that has been on the net for a while.  
The stuff for sale right now is a newer version, non inverting type.  Peter has spent a lot of time trying different types of resistors, and then different chassis materials to come up this design.
Other difference is Scott's will only be an amp.  The diyaudio version can be an amp, or a passive preamp style integrated.
Apples to apples, is about $300 for the diyaudio versus $400 for Scott's kit.  Diyaudio maybe a little more work, because you still have to pick some stuff out yourself, and $300 did not include RCA's or binding posts, so after that, it may be a wash in price.
There also may be a difference in quality of parts.  I have no idea what Scott uses, but the diyaudio kit is using high quality stuff, panasonic FC caps, and some caddock and some riken resistors.

Edit:  For the SN kit, $400 does not include a transformer, so price would be around $500 including two transformers.  SN also has a seperate PS box.  This is the "classic" GC design, but some people like a one box solution.
The one drawback to the diyaudio design is it only allows for one transfomer, unless you build two of them.  I would prefer two, but it makes the box much bigger.

Randy

[peranders]

I have also a group buy over at www.diyaudio.com My project has a little different approach as you can see. I have the monster solution with buffers and DC servo.

http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.php?page=Sj%F6str%F6m+QRP-01+Monster+Gainclone+Group+Order

[scottnixon]

For the record..  I do not have a $400 kit, what I sell as a kit is $100 to $115.  If you shop carefully and plan ahead you can build a nice amp for under $200 total.   I sell completed custom amps from $450 on up depending on format/power.  Just setting the record straight.

[_scotty_]

Hey guys,here is a link to the gain clone page from Marchand
http://www.marchandelec.com/pm21.htm
$100 and you build the power supply and supply the chassis.The heat sink
is only $20,also from Marchand.
It looks like you could make a complete amp for around $450 worst case.
I have heard a version of the gain clone with this IC,Jensen storage caps,10,000ufd size
and a 225 watt toroid transformer and it sounds very good! It will give most bipolar output stage amps a run for their money on all but the most difficult low impedance loads. It will double its output into 4ohm loads with this size power supply. Very dynamic and very transparent window into the sound stage.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Looks like you can buy a fully assembled amp for $450us from scott nixon.

Just a thought   .

regards

rod

[_scotty_]

The Marchand kit is 65watts /channel and is based on the LM3886 IC.If it is built with the proper power supply and rail voltage it will do 60watts/8ohms and 120watts/4ohms and meet its claimed distortion spec. A little extra work if you are mechanically inclined but worth it for the higher power.A gainclone using the LM3886 costs $5/channel from Digi-Key. The rest of the money is in supporting parts. These things are stupidly good for the amount of money invested. When properly built
these amps will give much more expensive amps a run for the money and nightmares to boot.

[randytsuch]

For the record..  I do not have a $400 kit, what I sell as a kit is $100 to $115.  If you shop carefully and plan ahead you can build a nice amp for under $200 total.   I sell completed custom amps from $450 on up depending on format/power.  Just setting the record straight.

For the record, I did not say the kit was $400, I said the kit and enclosures were $400, and that was the price when I checked.  Looks like the enclosures are cheaper now.

Randy

[scottnixon]

Mr Tush,     Since I don't sell kits with enclosures, it confusing to folk reading this thead.  I do not sell a 400.00 kit, which is mentioned twice in your post above.  The last I looked you can get my basic ampkit for ~100, one of Art Taylor enclosure sets for 150.  In my math that's ~250 and add a trans, for ~40, plus RCAs and wire/hardware, that's it. 300-325 for an extremely nice box and good amp. The  problem I have here is someone explaining what I do, when I don't do it the way it's explained.  No harm, no foul.

[scottnixon]

I apologize for screwin' up your name Mr. Tsuch

[randytsuch]

Mr Tush,     Since I don't sell kits with enclosures, it confusing to folk reading this thead.  I do not sell a 400.00 kit, which is mentioned twice in your post above.  The last I looked you can get my basic ampkit for ~100, one of Art Taylor enclosure sets for 150.  In my math that's ~250 and add a trans, for ~40, plus RCAs and wire/hardware, that's it. 300-325 for an extremely nice box and good amp. The  problem I have here is someone explaining what I do, when I don't do it the way it's explained.  No harm, no foul.

I said,
"Looks like for around $400 you can get a kit and the enclosures. "

Later in the thread, I did mention a $400 kit, which was misleading.

At that time, the kit was around $100, and the enclosure around $300.  Since then, price for the enclosures has dropped.  I know you don't sell the enclosure, but you have a link to Art enclosure from your site.  I did not go into detail on your stuff because this was not supposed to be a SN amp thread, sorry if I misrepresented you, it was not intentional.

Randy