Total cost to build a chipamp kit?

sqlkev · 23rd May 2005, 08:14 PM

This will be my first chip amp project. What would it cost to build a budget kit? (Nothing fancy like all aluminum housing with exotic knobs and parts)

If i buy the "snubberized" power supply kit, I won't need to source my own ps? Would it provide adaquate power for say..50watt/channel?

Go easy on me, as I'm totally new to this

tcoursen · 23rd May 2005, 08:36 PM

If you buy one of the kits from Brian at chipamp.com you will need the following :

1.) The kit itself.
2.) A transformer. There is a wide range of prices on transformers. Depending on the size and voltage of the transformer you could probably get a decent one for 40-50 bucks. The one that Brian had recomended to me was I think like 42 bucks for a 250VA 25V+25V, or maybe I bought the 330VA 25V+25VA. I am sure others will say you can even go cheaper. www.partsexpress.com has a decent selection of Avel transformers, which is what Brian had suggested to me.

3.) You will need some various parts, like a power cord, a on/off switch, fuse holder, solder, wire, input jacks, binding posts. This stuff won't really add up. You could get all the various stuff you need at a local radio shack, but you can save some bucks and get some better stuff online. partsexpress has most of this stuff as well, as do other places. Probably like 20 bucks.

4.) You will need a case of some sort. I build mine out of wood. Real cheap. If you want a metal case you could probably pick up a hammond case for like 20-25 bucks.

You can probably go cheaper on #3 and #4 on my list, but don't skimp so much on the transformer. You can always go back and move the guts to a better case later on. You can always upgrade your speaker binding posts to better ones. But the transformer is the single most expensive part outside of the kit, might as well start off with one that you aren't gonna want to replace.

sqlkev · 23rd May 2005, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the advices. Seems very logical to get the best transformers. I'll do a bit more research before taking a plunge into this project. Ultimately, I want to do a 6 channel amp/s for an active setup.

BTW, I'm semi local to steve from apexjr.com
http://www.apexjr.com/miscellaneous.html

how are his stuffs compare to the parts from partsexpress?
looks like he got almost everything I would need to build a chipamp, although i'm not too sure about the transformers though.

jimbo1968 · 23rd May 2005, 10:36 PM

I'm also building 6 channels, decided that building stereo amps was the most flexible/sensible approach for me (only 3 tranformers and power leads).

Today I ordered 1 each of 3875, 3886, 4780 kits. This way I will be able to compare them for myself on passive speakers. With the active 3ways the 4780 will give 120W into the subwoofer.

sqlkev · 23rd May 2005, 11:29 PM

Hello Jimbo,
Please keep me updated with your project. I would also like to hear how each kit sounds, but I'm afraid I won't have the fund to do all 3. I'm leaning toward the 4780 kit though. Isn't it the most powerful kit?

jimbo1968 · 24th May 2005, 12:00 AM

LM4780 is a stereo chip (2x LM3886) so as mono you get 120W from it.

The cheapest approach for 6channels would be 1.5 dual mono kits from BrianGT or Peter Daniel if they'll split them.

Or even cheaper maybe you can build it all yourself with just 1 rectifier, no pcbs, and source your own components.

Tweeker · 24th May 2005, 12:43 AM

Apexjr has transfos well suited to gainclones. Id probably go dual mono if using those. The misc goods Ive recced for him were just fine.
The capacitors there are a steal. 10,000 uF 63V listed at $1.50, may be offering them cheaper still for diyaudio members.

Parts Express has $5 "28V CT" transfos that are actually 14V dual secondary, guessing VA at 80.

planet10 · 24th May 2005, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sqlkev
BTW, I'm semi local to steve from apexjr.com

Steve is a good guy... a stroll thru his warehouse(s) and you can probably walk out with most everything you need for less than ordering new stuff -- and you save the shipping and you get to have a nice chat with Steve.

A real good scrounger can put together a GC really cheap... even buying the boards from BrianGT i have a 4-channel GC that i'm purposely building with as many scrounged parts as possible & it will have cost me less than $100.

dave

sqlkev · 24th May 2005, 01:53 AM

I'll go through the manual tonight and will start sourcing the misc. parts.

Dave,
I visited Steve once at one of his warehouses, too bad I only got to pick up a few speakers and didn't have time to go through all his stuffs. Will email him soon about this GC project.

Bill Fitzpatrick · 24th May 2005, 05:51 AM

With parts, shipping, and time valued at $10/hr it will cost about 3 or 4 times that of buying an equivalent used amp.

Add to that tools you may need to buy, time troubleshooting if it doesn't work, and who knows what else.

Sounds like a real bargain to me.

23rd May 2005, 08:14 PM	#1
sqlkev diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 714	Total cost to build a chipamp kit? This will be my first chip amp project. What would it cost to build a budget kit? (Nothing fancy like all aluminum housing with exotic knobs and parts) If i buy the "snubberized" power supply kit, I won't need to source my own ps? Would it provide adaquate power for say..50watt/channel? Go easy on me, as I'm totally new to this

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23rd May 2005, 08:36 PM	#2
tcoursen diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Jersey	If you buy one of the kits from Brian at chipamp.com you will need the following : 1.) The kit itself. 2.) A transformer. There is a wide range of prices on transformers. Depending on the size and voltage of the transformer you could probably get a decent one for 40-50 bucks. The one that Brian had recomended to me was I think like 42 bucks for a 250VA 25V+25V, or maybe I bought the 330VA 25V+25VA. I am sure others will say you can even go cheaper. www.partsexpress.com has a decent selection of Avel transformers, which is what Brian had suggested to me. 3.) You will need some various parts, like a power cord, a on/off switch, fuse holder, solder, wire, input jacks, binding posts. This stuff won't really add up. You could get all the various stuff you need at a local radio shack, but you can save some bucks and get some better stuff online. partsexpress has most of this stuff as well, as do other places. Probably like 20 bucks. 4.) You will need a case of some sort. I build mine out of wood. Real cheap. If you want a metal case you could probably pick up a hammond case for like 20-25 bucks. You can probably go cheaper on #3 and #4 on my list, but don't skimp so much on the transformer. You can always go back and move the guts to a better case later on. You can always upgrade your speaker binding posts to better ones. But the transformer is the single most expensive part outside of the kit, might as well start off with one that you aren't gonna want to replace.

23rd May 2005, 09:44 PM	#3
sqlkev diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 714	Thanks for the advices. Seems very logical to get the best transformers. I'll do a bit more research before taking a plunge into this project. Ultimately, I want to do a 6 channel amp/s for an active setup. BTW, I'm semi local to steve from apexjr.com http://www.apexjr.com/miscellaneous.html how are his stuffs compare to the parts from partsexpress? looks like he got almost everything I would need to build a chipamp, although i'm not too sure about the transformers though.

23rd May 2005, 10:36 PM	#4
jimbo1968 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK, bristol	I'm also building 6 channels, decided that building stereo amps was the most flexible/sensible approach for me (only 3 tranformers and power leads). Today I ordered 1 each of 3875, 3886, 4780 kits. This way I will be able to compare them for myself on passive speakers. With the active 3ways the 4780 will give 120W into the subwoofer.

23rd May 2005, 11:29 PM	#5
sqlkev diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 714	Hello Jimbo, Please keep me updated with your project. I would also like to hear how each kit sounds, but I'm afraid I won't have the fund to do all 3. I'm leaning toward the 4780 kit though. Isn't it the most powerful kit?

24th May 2005, 12:00 AM	#6
jimbo1968 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK, bristol	LM4780 is a stereo chip (2x LM3886) so as mono you get 120W from it. The cheapest approach for 6channels would be 1.5 dual mono kits from BrianGT or Peter Daniel if they'll split them. Or even cheaper maybe you can build it all yourself with just 1 rectifier, no pcbs, and source your own components.

24th May 2005, 12:43 AM	#7
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Apexjr has transfos well suited to gainclones. Id probably go dual mono if using those. The misc goods Ive recced for him were just fine. The capacitors there are a steal. 10,000 uF 63V listed at $1.50, may be offering them cheaper still for diyaudio members. Parts Express has $5 "28V CT" transfos that are actually 14V dual secondary, guessing VA at 80.

24th May 2005, 01:53 AM	#9
sqlkev diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 714	I'll go through the manual tonight and will start sourcing the misc. parts. Dave, I visited Steve once at one of his warehouses, too bad I only got to pick up a few speakers and didn't have time to go through all his stuffs. Will email him soon about this GC project.

24th May 2005, 05:51 AM	#10
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	With parts, shipping, and time valued at $10/hr it will cost about 3 or 4 times that of buying an equivalent used amp. Add to that tools you may need to buy, time troubleshooting if it doesn't work, and who knows what else. Sounds like a real bargain to me.

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