My first diy amp project... what parts to buy?

[ashleycox]

Hi all,
Have been wanting for a long time now to build my own amplifier; nothing special, just a project for a bit of fun.

I'm looking at buying some amp kits. I was wondering if somebody could recommend an amplifier kit, a pre-amplifier kit, a power supply, and anything else i may need that will just work to build an amplifier?
I've been google searching, and come across several kits, but none of them have recommendations for pre-amps and PSU's that will work, and i'm at a loss to know what to buy.
Don't want anything too expensive, the cheaper the better. My goal is to make an amp that is stereo, has tone and volume controls (maybe ballence), as many inputs as I can have (with input selecter), etc. The inputs should be line level. If possible, i'd like a headphone jack, though not necessary.
that's about it.
If someone could tell me a site that will link to the parts with good links to what will work with what, or better still if someone could tell me exactly what to buy, it would be much appreciated!
Needs to be obtainable in the UK.
Thanks in advance!
Ashley

[ingenieus]

Check out the Velleman K8060 power amp kit. Besides the kit itself, you only need a heatsink and transformer. They will sell you that as well. You can even get the heatsink with all the holes pre-drilled. I've read good things about it.

As for the pre-amp, that depends. How many inputs do you need? Do you want tone controls? How about remote control? Everything is available at a price.

[ashleycox]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. i would like tone controls on the pre-amp. Maybe 3 or 4 inputs.
I was going to get one of those ktis from esr electronics, but they had no clear recommendations as for what parts to buy that work with it, and the sales reps weren't very helpful either.
ash

[Andersonix]

If you need to practice your soldering/un-soldering, you could re-package an old (free?) receiver and use better PS, connectors, etc. (I see 'pedigree' 6-ch receivers go for next to nothing on craigslist, so that's 6 channels of working amplifiers for 'free.')

Also keep a regular eye on the swap-meet forums here for popular projects, and be ready to act fast.

[rfj5106]

There are many kits on ebay. I have built the L20, Sure TK2050 and Mofet400. You need to add transformer, heatsinks and enclosure which are best obtained locally due to shipping costs. Ebay also sells soft start modules, speaker protection modules and power supplies. Mix and match, it is great fun. Prices are incredibly low, but delivery is typically 3 weeks. I have yet to have a bad experience with e-bay. I have built 5 amps, 2 pre-amps sourced from ebay. The simplest to build and best bang for the buck are the Class T amps from Sure Electronics.