First chipamp working

[AudioMike]

I know that this forum seems to deal with primarily LM3886 Gainclone's and the like, which I'd like to have a go at next, but I thought I'd post about my efforts so far. I'm really pleased that I got my STK080 based amp project off the ground. I have it working now, ableit in a not so nice chassis at the moment, but that's the next stage. Hoping to post some pics when I get a better chassis sorted. The STK080's are obsolete now, but I have them to hand so I thought why not put them to good use.


The STK080's don't sound bad at all, not quite as good as my beloved Technics amp, but I was impressed for a home built. I'd eventually like to build an LM3886 based amp to compare. The STK080's are large chips compared to the more modern stuff, but they work and don't get too hot.They're mounted on a thick piece of metal to pass as a heatsink, I will get round to getting a proper heatsink eventually. I've listened to a couple of CDs through it without problems.


The power supply is a simple unregulated +/- 30v dual rail unit, using 2 x 2200uf 35v capacitors, and 4 x 3A2 recitfier diodes in bridge rectifier configuration. The transformer is center-tapped 20-0-20v, 240v AC. I'd like to get a toroidal transformer eventually.


As I said earlier, my next job is to build a nice chassis for it. I'd like it to have solid beech sides, with a brushed aluminium front panel. For the rear panel, I'll use some hardboard. At the moment, all connectors are mounted on the front, but I'd like to put the connections on the rear panel, leaving only the volume knob, and power switch on the front. I would also like to make a relay based 'soft start' power switch, but I need to ask about that in another post.