[TomS]

OK, DIY boys and girls, Nelson Pass has released the "F5 Turbo" project to the DIY community through his FirstWatt commercial site. He describes theoretical scaling of the modest 25w class A F5 to as much as 1KW in a balanced V3 mode

See link to F5 Turbo here: http://www.firstwatt.com/articles.html

Note the classy dedication of the project to Ed Dell who has himself brought so much to the DIY community. His address is listed there to send him a birthday card and I hope many do so.

I've built at least one of every Fx amp he has given to DIY'ers. I'm about out of big heat sinks, but this is certainly tempting for a long term project. 100w is very achievable with sufficient sinking, while retaining the simplicity of the original circuit.

Anyone here thinking of jumping in?

[cujobob]

Oh hell yes! I loved my f5 and regret selling it. Best sounding amp I've owned so far.

[poseidonsvoice]

OK, DIY boys and girls, Nelson Pass has released the "F5 Turbo" project to the DIY community through his FirstWatt commercial site. He describes theoretical scaling of the modest 25w class A F5 to as much as 1KW in a balanced V3 mode

See link to F5 Turbo here: http://www.firstwatt.com/articles.html

Note the classy dedication of the project to Ed Dell who has himself brought so much to the DIY community. His address is listed there to send him a birthday card and I hope many do so.

I've built at least one of every Fx amp he has given to DIY'ers. I'm about out of big heat sinks, but this is certainly tempting for a long term project. 100w is very achievable with sufficient sinking, while retaining the simplicity of the original circuit.

Anyone here thinking of jumping in?

Don't tempt me please. You know I'm sick...stupendously and psychotically sick!

Thanks for the update...sharp eye.

Anand.

[mgalusha]

I do have a pair of big ass heat sinks I've been saving for years. No... too many projects already in queue.

[dubkarma]

Just wanted to mention that a friend and I recently completed the build of a four-box version of the First Watt F5 Turbo v3.

We used the best components we could afford and a robust power supply (1.4 kVA toroid and 600,000 uF per channel) to supply the 50 V rails.

Overall, best amp I've had in my system. Very pleased with the results. Much gratitude and respect to Nelson Pass for making the design available to DIYers.

Joel.

[poseidonsvoice]

Just wanted to mention that a friend and I recently completed the build of a four-box version of the First Watt F5 Turbo v3.

We used the best components we could afford and a robust power supply (1.4 kVA toroid and 600,000 uF per channel) to supply the 50 V rails.

Overall, best amp I've had in my system. Very pleased with the results. Much gratitude and respect to Nelson Pass for making the design available to DIYers.

Joel.

Joel!

Post pics or it never happened my friend! Looks like a BIG project!

Best,
Anand.

[DaveC113]

This is one I'd really like to build. I have a lot to do right now but I can see building one next year... 

[mresseguie]

Is there any reason, be it safety or difficulty, why an inexperienced first timer should not attempt to build an F5 or even the newer F5 Turbo?

Michael

[TomS]

Is there any reason, be it safety or difficulty, why an inexperienced first timer should not attempt to build an F5 or even the newer F5 Turbo?

Michael

Definitely start with the F5. Not many parts, not a big investment, and not much to go wrong. It teaches you the basics of power amp assembly without having your hands inside an arc welder.

[Wind Chaser]

What is the minimum required input voltage to bring an F5 to full power?

[TomS]

What is the minimum required input voltage to bring an F5 to full power?

Close to 2 volts since it only has 15db of gain for 25 watts, so line level sources generally work just fine.

Here is probably the best and easiest DIY build guide you'll ever see http://www.diyaudio.com/media/build-guides/diyaudio-f5-build-guide.pdf

[Wind Chaser]

Thanks, Tom. Though not ideal, that's exactly what I was thinking. Might add a pre down the line, but my current DAC has a VC.

Will have a closer look at the guide, but with zero experience and zero knowledge it might still be out of my orbit.