Here I am, need some suggestions for my first amp

[Razorblade]

Hi all,

Well ... i didnt know where to post this so i do it in my introduction thread.

Here I am 28 years, discovered Hifi several years ago, and start to get addicted to it, I already moded my CDP and build a VSPS, I have some basic electronics skills but learn a lot at the moment.

i need some suggestions for my first selfbuild amp. There are thousands of shematics on the net and choosing the right one can be quite confusing for a amp building virgin.
I have a catalog of attributes the amp should match and maybe you can help me choosing the right one.

1. Output Power 5-10W at 8 Ohms (my speakers are Jamo Studio 180 and they are labeled 4-8 Ohms)

2. Class A - No discussion on that topic

3. Tube / Solid State / Mosfet / Jfet / Hybrif doesnt matter, I prefer Tubes (at the moment i run a vintage philips 9016) but am open for everything

4. Should be easy to build, withou PCBs would be best

5. Should be easy to simulate in Microcap, i recognized that Spice simulation helps me a lot to visualize, understand and learn low things work

6. No exotic parts, everything should be easy to source

7. Not expensive, i am living on a very tight budget and it will take me several month for sure just to source the parts even for a cheap design

8. As little parts as possible in the signal path

9. Last but not least: High linearity, low distorsion, good sounding, Hifi

I plan to build two monoblocks since i always wanted and admired the look of monoblocks, the volume pot and source selection (just CD / Phono) can be integrated in my VSPS housing easily.

And finally some Pros / cons :

Tubes: Sounding nice, easy to build, low parts count but expensive output transformers (exept I wind them on my own)

Transistors : Big Heatsinks are not easy to get, but spice models are usually quite accurate. Most designs require a good PCB Layout and ridiculously large filter caps

Maybe you can help me to find the right circuit for my needs
Thanks for your help.

[Netlist]

Welcome, Razorblade.

My opinion? Pass.
www.passdiy.com
www.firstwatt.com. Mostly speciality amps.

/Hugo

[Cal Weldon]

Hello Razorblade and welcome to the forums.

[c2cthomas]

Welcome to the diyAudio forums RazorBlade

From reading your post and requirements I think that you will find some helpful information at this web site: http://www.lampizator.eu/

Read the section "Lampizator DIY step by step for beginners - a DOC word tutorial". Very useful information and I think you will enjoy it.


Best Wishes!

[Razorblade]

Thanks for the welcome and for the input,

the lampizator site is really a great source of information and has pointed me in the right direction what to do with the digital part of my system, but i still dont have a real clue what amp to build, these transistor thingies scare me, 27000uF fliter capacy ... sry thats not my world. i guess i will go all tube, i have chosen two circuits that look quite promising, one is a mullard 3-3 clone, the other is a 6l6 SE, both with the EF86 as first stage, but for both output transformers are hard to get here in germany.

Thanks for your help

[paulb]

Welcome.
Your requirements 2 and 7 are conflicting. If you can find cheap transformers, etc. (surplus?), I'd look at the Pass F5.
What's a VSPS?

[sreten]

http://www.lundahl.se/claus_b_se.html

Hi, very intelligent design, IMO, /sreten.

[Razorblade]

Great, great, great, no more suggestions please, the F5 or the 6l6 SE, it will be one of these two, i will have to calculate which one will be cheaper in the end.
But after a rough estimation of the costs both will be the same ... maybe the good old cointoss has to decide

But first my vsps needs a power supply ... first things first