Complete NewB looking for advice

kittelstick · 7th April 2005, 06:39 AM

I am completely new to the DIY amplifier scene as I am only a 19 year old college student. Anyway, if I were to build an amp that were to produce say 400 watts how much would that cost in parts? Also, can anyone direct me to a place which contains a specific board layout including the individual pieces necessary. I don't understand alot of the components listed on the ones I've seen so far so any explaining of the process as well as parts needed will help TREMENDOUSLY. This seems like a hobby I would really like, I hope this isn't too much of a pain. Thanks for any responses,

Garrett

Also, feel free to email me at gkittels@nebrwesleyan.edu

Leolabs · 7th April 2005, 03:35 PM

U should try kitsets

kittelstick · 7th April 2005, 04:11 PM

Curiously, I was looking around partsexpress and I see they offer various power transformers for very cheap. Would any of these work in one of these DIY power amplifiers?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=129-088

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=129-080

ultrachrome · 7th April 2005, 04:57 PM

Are you powering a PA system?

Is that 400W per channel? Is that into a 4ohm or 8ohm speaker?

sam9 · 7th April 2005, 05:02 PM

Whatever it might cost in theory, it will cost less most likely cost less in practice if you build a couple of lower power amps first. I'm not being condescending, I just conveying my own experiences. Sending 400W worth of transistors up in smoke can put a sizable dent in the wallet.

kittelstick · 8th April 2005, 06:37 AM

Alright. What if I were to purchase this transformer instead...

She's only 14v. Let me know if you think this is something I can work with.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=129-082

Is there anyway someone could direct me a little bit with creating an amp? Like I said, I'm new to this DIY things. Thanks,

Garrett

ultrachrome · 8th April 2005, 03:56 PM

Those transformers you are listing have unknown current capability. The amp you decide to build will determine how much voltage and current you need.

For a first timer, the best solution is what is popularly known as a gainclone. Also called a chip amp. What's nice about it is that it uses very few parts, inexpensive, and provides nice sound quality.

Here's a good site with a lot of good gainclone info. Start here.

Also go here and start reading about transformers, power supply wiring, and electronics.

You can buy gainclone kits with all of the parts, less transformer, enclosure, wire, and jacks, from ChipAmp

TECH-DIY also sells a circult board as well as the amp chips.

I'm sure there are others as well. If you like a challenge, you can even solder the parts directly to the chip but for a newb, starting with a kit will save you much time and head ache.

Start hanging out in the chip amps forum and see what other people have done.

sam9 · 8th April 2005, 04:24 PM

I you are going to try the IC based amp ("gainclone") approach, check www.marchand.com, PM21. This design predates most of the other of this genre and definately has any bugs worked out. For a first time project, just working out power supplies enclosures, grounding, connectors, binding posts etc... will keep you busy enough with out all the stuff associated with a decrete amp design.

ultrachrome · 9th April 2005, 12:48 AM

Quote:

For a first time project, just working out power supplies enclosures, grounding, connectors, binding posts etc... will keep you busy enough with out all the stuff associated with a discrete amp design.

Agreed. Always more complicated than it seems.

Bill Fitzpatrick · 9th April 2005, 02:33 AM

If you gave serious consideration to bi-amping from woofer to satellite at about 90Hz you wouldn't need 400 watts.

7th April 2005, 06:39 AM	#1
kittelstick diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lincoln, Ne	Complete NewB looking for advice I am completely new to the DIY amplifier scene as I am only a 19 year old college student. Anyway, if I were to build an amp that were to produce say 400 watts how much would that cost in parts? Also, can anyone direct me to a place which contains a specific board layout including the individual pieces necessary. I don't understand alot of the components listed on the ones I've seen so far so any explaining of the process as well as parts needed will help TREMENDOUSLY. This seems like a hobby I would really like, I hope this isn't too much of a pain. Thanks for any responses, Garrett Also, feel free to email me at gkittels@nebrwesleyan.edu

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newb looking for some expert advice for his first project (5.1 speakers)	tim_programmer	Multi-Way	3	19th July 2008 05:42 AM
Complete Sub Newb looking to dive in	alexmoose	Subwoofers	9	4th June 2008 11:17 PM
newb advice on ar48s	spearribbs	Multi-Way	5	18th April 2006 06:08 PM
Poster in Musical Instrument forum needs bridging advice on BrianGT 4780 advice	moving_electron	Chip Amps	0	16th February 2005 12:37 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

7th April 2005, 03:35 PM	#2
Leolabs diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bukit Mertajam	U should try kitsets

7th April 2005, 04:11 PM	#3
kittelstick diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lincoln, Ne	Curiously, I was looking around partsexpress and I see they offer various power transformers for very cheap. Would any of these work in one of these DIY power amplifiers? http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=129-088 http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=129-080

7th April 2005, 04:57 PM	#4
ultrachrome diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Puget Sound	Are you powering a PA system? Is that 400W per channel? Is that into a 4ohm or 8ohm speaker?

7th April 2005, 05:02 PM	#5
sam9 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Left Coast	Whatever it might cost in theory, it will cost less most likely cost less in practice if you build a couple of lower power amps first. I'm not being condescending, I just conveying my own experiences. Sending 400W worth of transistors up in smoke can put a sizable dent in the wallet.

8th April 2005, 06:37 AM	#6
kittelstick diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lincoln, Ne	Alright. What if I were to purchase this transformer instead... She's only 14v. Let me know if you think this is something I can work with. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=129-082 Is there anyway someone could direct me a little bit with creating an amp? Like I said, I'm new to this DIY things. Thanks, Garrett

8th April 2005, 03:56 PM	#7
ultrachrome diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Puget Sound	Those transformers you are listing have unknown current capability. The amp you decide to build will determine how much voltage and current you need. For a first timer, the best solution is what is popularly known as a gainclone. Also called a chip amp. What's nice about it is that it uses very few parts, inexpensive, and provides nice sound quality. Here's a good site with a lot of good gainclone info. Start here. Also go here and start reading about transformers, power supply wiring, and electronics. You can buy gainclone kits with all of the parts, less transformer, enclosure, wire, and jacks, from ChipAmp TECH-DIY also sells a circult board as well as the amp chips. I'm sure there are others as well. If you like a challenge, you can even solder the parts directly to the chip but for a newb, starting with a kit will save you much time and head ache. Start hanging out in the chip amps forum and see what other people have done.

8th April 2005, 04:24 PM	#8
sam9 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Left Coast	I you are going to try the IC based amp ("gainclone") approach, check www.marchand.com, PM21. This design predates most of the other of this genre and definately has any bugs worked out. For a first time project, just working out power supplies enclosures, grounding, connectors, binding posts etc... will keep you busy enough with out all the stuff associated with a decrete amp design.

9th April 2005, 02:33 AM	#10
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	If you gave serious consideration to bi-amping from woofer to satellite at about 90Hz you wouldn't need 400 watts.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)