I would guess that many of us have built GC's after having owned discrete SS amps.
In my case, I ahd a pair of highly modified Arcam A60's that I spent three years improving. But the GC was clearly an improvement over what were very good discrete SS amplifiers.
I have not heard of many people building a GC and then going back to their previous amplification.
In my case, I ahd a pair of highly modified Arcam A60's that I spent three years improving. But the GC was clearly an improvement over what were very good discrete SS amplifiers.
I have not heard of many people building a GC and then going back to their previous amplification.
percy said:
Hi percy,
This is a really loaded question because there are just so many different implementations of a Gainclone. I don't believe anyone can give you the definitive answer.
For example, I've heard Joe Rasmussen's JTLi and in his system it sounds very very good
, one of the best systems I have ever heard. On the other hand, my humble GCs, although well built, in my system don't come near that of Joe's JTLi but they do hold their heads up well compared to my P3A, SC480 and DIGI125 (in my system.) My reference amp is a standard AKSA 55 and it is still my favourite. If you haven't built a GC yet, I would highly recommend you do. Why not 3, once you start you just can't stop. I think you have to experience a GC in your own system, don't rely to heavily on others opinions.
BTW: I haven't tried buffered, filtered or regulated GCs so can't comment on them. From what I read they may? sound better and the JTLi is buffered and filtered.
Well, "GCs" are state of the art, a SET may not be "state of the art" and still sound better though, it's all up to preferance.
As for comparing them, well, the GC is better than some and worse than others. It all boils down to PREFERANCE. A gainclone is a good amp, it is. Some people love it, to others it's not their cup of tea. A gainclone is cheap, pick up some of BrianGT's boards and it'll be quick and easy to build as well, then YOU'LL know if you like it or not and how it compares to other amps you've heard.
I personally like gainclones, I listen to some, but I also listen to my single-ended Class-A MOSFET amps alot as well I like them both. I hope you do go ahead and try it for yourself, it's the only way you'll know.
As for comparing them, well, the GC is better than some and worse than others. It all boils down to PREFERANCE. A gainclone is a good amp, it is. Some people love it, to others it's not their cup of tea. A gainclone is cheap, pick up some of BrianGT's boards and it'll be quick and easy to build as well, then YOU'LL know if you like it or not and how it compares to other amps you've heard.
I personally like gainclones, I listen to some, but I also listen to my single-ended Class-A MOSFET amps alot as well I like them both. I hope you do go ahead and try it for yourself, it's the only way you'll know.
Jeff Rowland and the model 12 Amplifier for +13000US have got really good reviews even compared to very expensive discrete amps like Krell and ML.
I have never heard theese amps so I cant say anything about it, but I would think that they are darn good.
They use LM3886T(12/channel) in those amps.
I have never heard theese amps so I cant say anything about it, but I would think that they are darn good.
They use LM3886T(12/channel) in those amps.
Thanks for all your responses.
It seems that GC would stand up really well atleast to what I am comparing with. i.e the SS amps I mentioned above.
For the price, I don't expect GC to be anyway near the other $$$ amps that were mentioned above, although Lazyworm's post is quite positive about it.
It seems that GC would stand up really well atleast to what I am comparing with. i.e the SS amps I mentioned above.
For the price, I don't expect GC to be anyway near the other $$$ amps that were mentioned above, although Lazyworm's post is quite positive about it.
Actually!
I have got close taken picture from inside the Model12 amp and know what components that are connected to each one of the
12LM3886.
I did start (with help from another friend on this forum) to do a schedule on it a few days ago and I think it will be ready to do a PCB from in another few days. I have changed a few components and redid the unbalanced/balanced step on it.
I think it will be a really nice sounding amp in around 200W 8ohm and 370W 4ohm, and it will be safe to drive down below 2ohm.
Including a 2*1000VA from germany and 20*15000uF caps
And the 24 pieces of LM3886 it will cost around 650US + alot of time to build.
I have got close taken picture from inside the Model12 amp and know what components that are connected to each one of the
12LM3886.
I did start (with help from another friend on this forum) to do a schedule on it a few days ago and I think it will be ready to do a PCB from in another few days. I have changed a few components and redid the unbalanced/balanced step on it.
I think it will be a really nice sounding amp in around 200W 8ohm and 370W 4ohm, and it will be safe to drive down below 2ohm.
Including a 2*1000VA from germany and 20*15000uF caps
And the 24 pieces of LM3886 it will cost around 650US + alot of time to build.
Why don't you read some of the reviews of GainCard:
http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews1.html
http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews3.html
http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews6.html
http://www.dagogo.com/47LabGaincardS.html
A well implemented Gain Clone can sound even better. Modesty prevents posting reviews of my amps
http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews1.html
http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews3.html
http://www.sakurasystems.com/reviews/reviews6.html
http://www.dagogo.com/47LabGaincardS.html
A well implemented Gain Clone can sound even better. Modesty prevents posting reviews of my amps
Hi. I have built the Leach low tim and Brians GC.
My Leach amp is now sitting under my bed. It seems to be missing the lower octave. This seems to be a issue with the Leach. Maybe because I used MJL3281a and its compliment.
I dont know why?
The Gainclone sounded very good with out any adjusting and was very easy to build.
I do have a hum with the G.C. that comes and goes. I must try changing the grounding.
At this point I think the G.C. has a better balanced sound.
If any one has an idea of why the leach amp is missing some bass I would like to hear it. I used it for a while as a sub amp and it put out the power but on my 3 ways not the same as the G.C or my Sumo amp.
Thanks Steve.
My Leach amp is now sitting under my bed. It seems to be missing the lower octave. This seems to be a issue with the Leach. Maybe because I used MJL3281a and its compliment.
I dont know why?
The Gainclone sounded very good with out any adjusting and was very easy to build.
I do have a hum with the G.C. that comes and goes. I must try changing the grounding.
At this point I think the G.C. has a better balanced sound.
If any one has an idea of why the leach amp is missing some bass I would like to hear it. I used it for a while as a sub amp and it put out the power but on my 3 ways not the same as the G.C or my Sumo amp.
Thanks Steve.
if i'm not mistaken these are peter's. couldn't find any other reviews online.
audiozone amp-1
amp-2 and pre-1
just remembered this one: 'Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil'. -Rousseau (sic!)
audiozone amp-1
amp-2 and pre-1
just remembered this one: 'Modesty only begins with the knowledge of evil'. -Rousseau (sic!)
Inside the Jeff Rowland Model 12
You can see inside the Jeff Rowland Model 12 at
http://www.jeffrowland.com/review12-2-HK.htm
and here
http://www.jeffrowland.com/m10-12ssrevp3.htm
Cheers,
Ashok.
You can see inside the Jeff Rowland Model 12 at
http://www.jeffrowland.com/review12-2-HK.htm
and here
http://www.jeffrowland.com/m10-12ssrevp3.htm
Cheers,
Ashok.
Pedja said:
I hope that this excellent post by Pedja doesn't pass unnoticed.
Everyone should read it.
I (we) usually generalize that these are very good sounding chips, very good amps, etc.
One can take an LM chip (any of these) and make bad sounding amp. Guys, don't think it's only the chip that makes the amp.
It's much more than that, it's everything.
percy
u are asking whats better a chip amp or a solid state amp in the chip amp forum , its like going to the ferrari forum and asking what is the best car 
u should check it yourself and see what u like more .imho if everything is ok with the construction there should be no audible difference at all , but thats just me
anyways check this one
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42694
u are asking whats better a chip amp or a solid state amp in the chip amp forum
, its like going to the ferrari forum and asking what is the best car u should check it yourself and see what u like more .imho if everything is ok with the construction there should be no audible difference at all , but thats just me
anyways check this one
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42694
How is that going to be any different than asking on the SS forum if the SS amp is better than the chip amp ? Although I was going to post there also to listen to that side of the arguments.
Anyway, thanks for the link. Looks like BobEllis did not use BrianGT's PCBs so the missing piece of information is that the pcb was indeed a good design(or otherwise) and free of things that can make a GC sound bad.
Anyway, thanks for the link. Looks like BobEllis did not use BrianGT's PCBs so the missing piece of information is that the pcb was indeed a good design(or otherwise) and free of things that can make a GC sound bad.
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