New amplifacation needed noob!

jasonsrt4 · 29th May 2006, 05:29 PM

Hello to all! I am new on this site and truly find it amazing! Having said that, I just recently finished a pair of speakers. The speakers that I built sound better than any so called "high-end" speakers I could have ever purchased locally. My problem now is amplifaction. I am using an older Pioneer 5.1 reciever to power them. The amp is ok but cuts out often at higher levels. I would like to build two monoblocks and a subwoofer amp. I listen to mostly rock and a little electronic music. I like it loud 9 times out of 10. My speaker consist of 1 fabric dome TB two 4 inch peerless and a 6.5TB for the lows mounted in it's own enclosure.

Does anyone have any ideas as to good kit out there that may fit the bill?

Thank You!!
Jason

Stocker · 29th May 2006, 06:14 PM

www.chipamp.com

You might want to arrange a bridge/parallel combination if these are found wanting at full-volume. These will be cheaper than a built amplifier that will not neccessarily sound as good, but not cheaper than a point-to-point arrangement you do yourself. Gainclones are a fast/easy amplifier that can sound quite good. If you want to "waste" some power, the next most popular type around here seems to be the Aleph type from Nelson Pass's Pass Labs. Do a few days of reading and you'll see what I mean.

jasonsrt4 · 30th May 2006, 01:33 AM

Ok, when you say bridge/parrallel conection, you mean taking two of the 60 watt amps, I forgot the name, and running them together into one 120 watt signal? So I would have two monoblocks each having two amps in it that are bridge together?
If this is the way to go so be it. I am an above average solderer, from building rc cars, but is this a real 120 watts? or is it like some car stereo companies advertise 2000 watts and it's only like 100 watts rms.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Oh the amp I was talking about is the lm 4780

Dominick22 · 30th May 2006, 04:56 AM

Jason,

I cant speak for the true wattage output as I am sure that some math is involved which will be based on the transformer you choose to drive them...But I can say that I just today finished my second LM4780 amp from audiosector.com with the intention of powering my Martin Logan speakers with it. The sound is beautiful to say the least. Very fulfilling and I like it loud too! My point is that these are some of the hardest speakers out there for an amp to drive. It can dip below 2 ohms at higher frequencies and the lm4780 doesnt miss a beat.

Good luck and I am more than willing to help you along the way if you go this route!

Dominick

jasonsrt4 · 7th June 2006, 10:46 AM

Well Dominick, I think this is the way I am going. I just need to go over to partsexpress and hunt down a transformer or two!

Dominick22 · 7th June 2006, 05:18 PM

You might also try searching an ebay for a nj company called antek. (let me know if you find it--I will post a link if not.

Thats where I get my transformers now. They have a decent selection and they can accomodate almost any request. Figure out what you want first. Then look. Don't purchase just because it is easily available!

Dominick

Spasticteapot · 7th June 2006, 07:22 PM

If you built the speakers yourself, why not tri-amp? Gainclones are great in terms of sound quality, but the output is low; however, with a 330-400VA transformer (40$ at Parts Express) per channel, you could easily use 3 LM3886s without any problems. Plus, you could just build the amplifiers into the speakers themselves, and connect them to an external passive pre-amp (essentially just a potentiometer and some relays for input selection) that you could use with later projects.

I've been trying to get my first GC working for months, and it's not been incredibly easy. I would reccomend getting your PCBs made up professionally; it's much less headache inducing.

Dominick22 · 7th June 2006, 08:22 PM

I suggest audiosector.com.

The boards are gold plated.

Dominick

Spasticteapot · 7th June 2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dominick22
I suggest audiosector.com.

The boards are gold plated.

Dominick

And the signal's going through a few dozen yards of copper wire in the speaker, unless you're using Lowthers.

Chipamp.com's got some okay prices, but you can fit about six to eight Gainclone boards on a 33$ order from Olimex. They'll even cut 'em out for you, too!

Dominick22 · 7th June 2006, 11:09 PM

WOW--but you have to supply a schematic?? Right?
I am not that advanced yet.
Dominick

29th May 2006, 05:29 PM	#1
jasonsrt4 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	New amplifacation needed noob! Hello to all! I am new on this site and truly find it amazing! Having said that, I just recently finished a pair of speakers. The speakers that I built sound better than any so called "high-end" speakers I could have ever purchased locally. My problem now is amplifaction. I am using an older Pioneer 5.1 reciever to power them. The amp is ok but cuts out often at higher levels. I would like to build two monoblocks and a subwoofer amp. I listen to mostly rock and a little electronic music. I like it loud 9 times out of 10. My speaker consist of 1 fabric dome TB two 4 inch peerless and a 6.5TB for the lows mounted in it's own enclosure. Does anyone have any ideas as to good kit out there that may fit the bill? Thank You!! Jason

29th May 2006, 06:14 PM	#2
Stocker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin	www.chipamp.com You might want to arrange a bridge/parallel combination if these are found wanting at full-volume. These will be cheaper than a built amplifier that will not neccessarily sound as good, but not cheaper than a point-to-point arrangement you do yourself. Gainclones are a fast/easy amplifier that can sound quite good. If you want to "waste" some power, the next most popular type around here seems to be the Aleph type from Nelson Pass's Pass Labs. Do a few days of reading and you'll see what I mean. __________________ Jesus loves you.

30th May 2006, 04:56 AM	#4
Dominick22 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	Jason, I cant speak for the true wattage output as I am sure that some math is involved which will be based on the transformer you choose to drive them...But I can say that I just today finished my second LM4780 amp from audiosector.com with the intention of powering my Martin Logan speakers with it. The sound is beautiful to say the least. Very fulfilling and I like it loud too! My point is that these are some of the hardest speakers out there for an amp to drive. It can dip below 2 ohms at higher frequencies and the lm4780 doesnt miss a beat. Good luck and I am more than willing to help you along the way if you go this route! Dominick __________________ A real amateur enthusiast!

7th June 2006, 05:18 PM	#6
Dominick22 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	You might also try searching an ebay for a nj company called antek. (let me know if you find it--I will post a link if not. Thats where I get my transformers now. They have a decent selection and they can accomodate almost any request. Figure out what you want first. Then look. Don't purchase just because it is easily available! Dominick __________________ A real amateur enthusiast!

7th June 2006, 08:22 PM	#8
Dominick22 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	I suggest audiosector.com. The boards are gold plated. Dominick __________________ A real amateur enthusiast!


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30th May 2006, 01:33 AM	#3
jasonsrt4 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	Ok, when you say bridge/parrallel conection, you mean taking two of the 60 watt amps, I forgot the name, and running them together into one 120 watt signal? So I would have two monoblocks each having two amps in it that are bridge together? If this is the way to go so be it. I am an above average solderer, from building rc cars, but is this a real 120 watts? or is it like some car stereo companies advertise 2000 watts and it's only like 100 watts rms. Thanks in advance!!!! Oh the amp I was talking about is the lm 4780

7th June 2006, 10:46 AM	#5
jasonsrt4 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	Well Dominick, I think this is the way I am going. I just need to go over to partsexpress and hunt down a transformer or two!

7th June 2006, 07:22 PM	#7
Spasticteapot diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin....what did you expect?	If you built the speakers yourself, why not tri-amp? Gainclones are great in terms of sound quality, but the output is low; however, with a 330-400VA transformer (40$ at Parts Express) per channel, you could easily use 3 LM3886s without any problems. Plus, you could just build the amplifiers into the speakers themselves, and connect them to an external passive pre-amp (essentially just a potentiometer and some relays for input selection) that you could use with later projects. I've been trying to get my first GC working for months, and it's not been incredibly easy. I would reccomend getting your PCBs made up professionally; it's much less headache inducing.

7th June 2006, 11:09 PM	#10
Dominick22 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	WOW--but you have to supply a schematic?? Right? I am not that advanced yet. Dominick __________________ A real amateur enthusiast!

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