Ceratec Microamp - cheap gainclone?

sharpi31 · 6th January 2007, 03:13 PM

Have a look at this small chipamp on ebay....

Ceratec Microamp

Not worth buying since it's cheap to build a high-spec chipamp, but interesting to know that these things are becoming common.

Anyone heard this thing?

sharpi31 · 6th January 2007, 03:16 PM

This listing has internal pics....

Ceratec Microamp

davidlzimmer · 6th January 2007, 09:51 PM

Digital?

sharpi31 · 7th January 2007, 04:24 PM

Doesn't look digital - you can see what looks like LM3875 or one of that family....

I guess it could be any similar type chip though

DcibeL · 8th January 2007, 05:51 AM

Somehow I think the heatsink should be larger than those two scraps of aluminum.

Edit: Nevermind, I didn't see that it is connected to the chassis underneath the PCB.

CarlosT · 8th January 2007, 03:54 PM

Tight packaging...interesting...for $80...prolly about the cost of the parts for DIYers? The toroidal can't be terribly big to fit in that box...reminds me of another project....

Yep...my TweedybirdOne

All in a 2" x 5" X 9" box.

davidlzimmer · 8th January 2007, 04:09 PM

Carlos,

Is that the Amp where you had probs with the two small caps hitting the heat sink?

Looks like it turned out very nice!

davidlzimmer · 8th January 2007, 04:18 PM

Back on topic. Would that chip be a TDA7377 or simular?

Requires small transformer. And small heat sink.

Nordic · 8th January 2007, 04:22 PM

My wife would kill me if I spend that much...

You can do it for quite a bit less... but the fancy case would knock you in one-of quantities.

CarlosT · 8th January 2007, 06:17 PM

Yes, David...that was the original test mule for the TweedybirdOne kids retro amp. Two in service since Xmas with no complaints

I'm staring at a third finished cabinet that needs the amp...that's going to my niece soon. I'll post pics soon.

Nordic yeah...one off parts is not where it ends...it can quickly add up the first DIY time around:

Toroid $30
Amp Kit $50
Extruded Case $30
Cables, RCA, binding posts $50
Alps pot $40

I mean you can quickly exceed $200-$300 in a decent DIY project if you go "brand name"...you know...Cardas, Vampire, Black Gate, Tocos, Alps, Noble...nevermind the working man stuff they sell at Parts Express...that could still set you back $100-$200 with the Dayton Audio brand stuff.

I'm sure there's a reason the more esoteric, finished GCs go for $2-$3Gs.

6th January 2007, 03:13 PM	#1
sharpi31 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Ceratec Microamp - cheap gainclone? Have a look at this small chipamp on ebay.... Ceratec Microamp Not worth buying since it's cheap to build a high-spec chipamp, but interesting to know that these things are becoming common. Anyone heard this thing?

6th January 2007, 09:51 PM	#3
davidlzimmer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairmount, GA	Digital? __________________ Poor stereo mix? Switch to mono! Perfect.

8th January 2007, 04:09 PM	#7
davidlzimmer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairmount, GA	Carlos, Is that the Amp where you had probs with the two small caps hitting the heat sink? Looks like it turned out very nice! __________________ Poor stereo mix? Switch to mono! Perfect.

8th January 2007, 04:18 PM	#8
davidlzimmer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairmount, GA	Back on topic. Would that chip be a TDA7377 or simular? Requires small transformer. And small heat sink. __________________ Poor stereo mix? Switch to mono! Perfect.

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6th January 2007, 03:16 PM	#2
sharpi31 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	This listing has internal pics.... Ceratec Microamp

7th January 2007, 04:24 PM	#4
sharpi31 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Doesn't look digital - you can see what looks like LM3875 or one of that family.... I guess it could be any similar type chip though

8th January 2007, 05:51 AM	#5
DcibeL diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saskatchewan	Somehow I think the heatsink should be larger than those two scraps of aluminum. Edit: Nevermind, I didn't see that it is connected to the chassis underneath the PCB.

8th January 2007, 04:22 PM	#9
Nordic diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	My wife would kill me if I spend that much... You can do it for quite a bit less... but the fancy case would knock you in one-of quantities.

8th January 2007, 06:17 PM	#10
CarlosT diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Yes, David...that was the original test mule for the TweedybirdOne kids retro amp. Two in service since Xmas with no complaints I'm staring at a third finished cabinet that needs the amp...that's going to my niece soon. I'll post pics soon. Nordic yeah...one off parts is not where it ends...it can quickly add up the first DIY time around: Toroid $30 Amp Kit $50 Extruded Case $30 Cables, RCA, binding posts $50 Alps pot $40 I mean you can quickly exceed $200-$300 in a decent DIY project if you go "brand name"...you know...Cardas, Vampire, Black Gate, Tocos, Alps, Noble...nevermind the working man stuff they sell at Parts Express...that could still set you back $100-$200 with the Dayton Audio brand stuff. I'm sure there's a reason the more esoteric, finished GCs go for $2-$3Gs.

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