Krispy Audio Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 My DIY research only extends as far as headphone amps. I've built a Mini3, and contemplating a B22 build. Obviously a well built B22 is about as good as it gets for headphone amps, but I'm wondering if there is an equivalently well spec'd home amp I could consider undertaking? I'm after a solid state, and need a min of around 60w (8ohm) per channel. Ideally it would be a dual mono block build with external power supply. Cheers.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 The Silicon Chip ULD amp (MKI) is one of the best DIY amps available. IMO, it is superior to the MkII version. Dunno about the MkIII. However, the elegance of the design of the MkI suggests that it may be the best performer of all three. Available from Altronics. External power supply: Why? I can think of no good, sane reason to use long cables to connect power transformer wires to the output stages. The losses would negate any perceived advantage.
Cyber_Murphy Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Hi CP, I have 2 SC ULD-Mk 1's, and am currently in the process of converting one of them to dual mono-block power amps, you can read about it here. Just a note if you chose this amp,, last time I checked there were only a few of these kits left in Australia!! Ta CM
Meganinja Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Hi [/url] I bought the F5 ( kit ) , use it and sold it , and after I bought component to build it again , it is now my favourate amp to listen to music , but it run too hot so I am thinking I will go back to ClassAB , I 'll wait till Cyber_ Murphy compare the SC ULD and SC classA before I decide which one to build , I 've compared the SC ClassA and F5 ClassA and I like the F5 more than SC ClassA , so I would have a figure which one to choose. At the moment I come across a DIY goldmund telos5000 oversaea ( I was in VN for my Holliday ), but instead of 36pairs of Mosfets this one use just 8pairs , I took the PCBs home but found it so many components and many hard to find vintage phillips caps and SMD , that why I keep waiting for Cyber_ Murphy to compare CS ULD that is a lot simpler , and a lot less components to build and the power is not bad before I go on with this . Regards
stereodave Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Hi CP, High quality amp modules are available from Aspen Amplifiers http://www.aksaonline.com/ or Aussie Amps http://www.aussieamplifiers.com/ . Kits are available from SKA http://www.ska-audio.com/diy/index.html and PCBs & instructions from Elliot Sound Products http://sound.westhost.com/index.html . Plenty of local options in addition to the Silicon Chip models mentioned above. Regards
Krispy Audio Posted July 6, 2011 Author Posted July 6, 2011 Thanks Dave, the Aussie Amps gear looks like just what I was after. I'll swing him a line to get ideas about build specs. Can anyone help me in selecting the best design for speakers that are rated at 4 ohms, and 25-200w? Using an external DAC/pre-amp combo, would I be best with dual monoblocks using something like the 180w modules http://www.aussieamplifiers.com/nxv200.htm ? Thanks for the help on this, very new to the DIY thing and not a great deal of knowledge on the different types of builds and their pros/cons.
Art Vandelay Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 The Silicon Chip ULD amp (MKI) is one of the best DIY amps available. IMO, it is superior to the MkII version. Dunno about the MkIII. However, the elegance of the design of the MkI suggests that it may be the best performer of all three. Available from Altronics. External power supply: Why? I can think of no good, sane reason to use long cables to connect power transformer wires to the output stages. The losses would negate any perceived advantage. If you fix the design bugs then MK2 is better. Mk3 has the bugs fixed. It does depend a bit on the load impedance. The MK2-3 are better when driving 4 ohms + tougher reactive loads.
Decky Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 ZB is right - putting full PSUs in a separate box is not a good idea but putting transformers away is sometimes useful if you want smaller amp boxes in order to cut the EMI pickup. The cables then carry AC and the losses are minimal. Worked quite nicely for me. http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/showthread.php/36857-Holton-Precision-Audio-HPA-LSP400se-monoblocks-CAT5-speaker-cable
3G_ Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Although not kit Aleph J or Aleph JX mono blocks would be ideal. Get all the info on diyaudio. They are class a and run hot but boy they sound good. My Aleph J is one of the biggest improvements I have made, previous amp was Silicon chip class ab 150 watt modules.
Krispy Audio Posted July 7, 2011 Author Posted July 7, 2011 Had an informative email from Aussie Amps, and it looks like it will cost around $650 per 180w mono block, excluding the chassis, hookup wire and jacks. That's not bad. Yeah I wasn't sure about the power supply and assumed external was the better option but from researching it a tad more it seems not to be the case for this type of setup.
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