suggestion, firs zen amp

spgjmf · 2nd February 2009, 07:53 PM

Hi folks,
well I want to build a zen amp. I have a nice tube amp, 6em7 and chip amp, lm1875 - want to add the zen to the listening room.

Looking over threads, it seems folks like the zenV4 a lot. several pcb file floating around too.
any one have extra pcb made to sell?

Is this a best zen to try ? easy build?

thanks for any other suggestions

Jeff

hifimaker · 2nd February 2009, 08:00 PM

Hi Jeff,

Perhaps you could share your objects and we could better help you. Are building one of the Zen's as a learning exercise or do you have a good deal electronics knowledge or experience and looking to make a high quality SS class A amp?

Also knowing what type of speakers used is also helpful in making a recommendation. IMHO, the Zen 4 onwards are excellent and fun projects. Most can be built from perf board wiring P2P. BrianGT also has mini-Aleph boards available.

-David

stefanobilliani · 2nd February 2009, 08:17 PM

I like Zen V4 too . Easy to listen to , lots of fun

spgjmf · 2nd February 2009, 09:33 PM

Hi david,

I am interested the simple build and class A sound.
I have built several tube amps and many many analog pcb - DIY analogy synthesizers and noise makers. Just finished a P2P JfetBOZ yesterday. 10+ years diy electronics

Speaker are fe103 fostex full range(4") in small ported box. I love the detail of full range. driving via DIY dac (dddac1543mkII) and the diy 6em7 tube amp.

not looking for loud , looking for detail, smoothness and wide sound field.

Is the ZenV4 still a good canidate?

Jeff

Magura · 2nd February 2009, 09:36 PM

F3 would do well.

Magura

hifimaker · 3rd February 2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spgjmf
Hi david,

I am interested the simple build and class A sound.
I have built several tube amps and many many analog pcb - DIY analogy synthesizers and noise makers. Just finished a P2P JfetBOZ yesterday. 10+ years diy electronics

Speaker are fe103 fostex full range(4") in small ported box. I love the detail of full range. driving via DIY dac (dddac1543mkII) and the diy 6em7 tube amp.

not looking for loud , looking for detail, smoothness and wide sound field.

Is the ZenV4 still a good canidate?

Jeff

We have a group buy for the First Watt F1 boards. The F1 is a transconductance amplifier. Nelson has an excellent explanation of how these work on his website at firstwatt.com.

The F1 is a current rather than a voltage amp, and very well suited to full range drivers like the Fostex. Another good current amp is the F2 and Peter Daniel might have boards available soon. The F1 GB is closed, but a few spare boards are available. F1 Group Buy

If you ever plan on moving away from full range drivers, then the Mini-A is an excellent choice. Boards are currently available here at the bottom of the page: http://www.chipamp.com/orders.shtml.

Seriously consider a current amp, and read Nelson's excellent articles on "current source crossovers" and "current amps and full range drivers" on http://www.passdiy.com/articles.htm.

It's my opinion that the sound of the F1, F2, or Mini-A is preferable to the Zen 4 for what you are wanting to accomplish. The Zen 4 sounds great and is probably easier to make.

-David

spgjmf · 4th February 2009, 04:21 AM

David and all,
thanks for the education. wow current amp...a new concept. I love it. It fits well with the full range drivers, whihc I must say, I am hooked on. easier to build than multi driver speakers and I love the single point detail I hear. anyway....

The F1 and the F2 both seem like great amps. Are there still boards fromt he f1 gb buy. I should order some.
too bad the mini-A is not a current amp..it size is less intimadating... and I like the +/-15v PS.

I had a thought that SS amps would be easier build than tube, but these amps all look hugh at the end of the day...I guess its all the current they must modulate. I hope I am not bitting off more than I can handle. Were do you get the gaint heat sinks for the chassie...$$$$.

a new path to follow. hmm,

Jeff

hifimaker · 4th February 2009, 04:15 PM

Hi Jeff,

The Mini-A is pretty easy to make and it has about 45 watts of dissipation with approximately 10-15 watts output, depending on bias and rail voltage. It only requires 2 power mosfets per channel.

After reading Nelson's excellent article on full range drivers, it's pretty tempting to make a current amp. Yes, there are a few F1 boards available. You can find the details on my website. The projects page includes the F1 with a BOM parts list, recommended heat sink, and build guidance.

-David

spgjmf · 4th February 2009, 09:30 PM

I just order the f1 boards from your site david.

the current amp idea is just oo tempting to try.

I am sure I'll have questions, but the forum looks good for answers.

thanks again,
Jeff

spgjmf · 7th February 2009, 11:22 PM

I ordered the f1 boards from David's GB ( assuming there are some leftover).
I have been reading the zen stiff on passdiy and firstwatt...I want to build them all...I have DIY freeze. too many options.
so much to learn. I have a fair understanding of tubes, but the SS stuff is different. it might be a while before I have a zen humming here, but class-A mosfet is the next step.

the pass forum is great....can't wait to hear a zen, maybe before summer.

thx,
Jeff

2nd February 2009, 07:53 PM	#1
spgjmf diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	suggestion, firs zen amp Hi folks, well I want to build a zen amp. I have a nice tube amp, 6em7 and chip amp, lm1875 - want to add the zen to the listening room. Looking over threads, it seems folks like the zenV4 a lot. several pcb file floating around too. any one have extra pcb made to sell? Is this a best zen to try ? easy build? thanks for any other suggestions Jeff

2nd February 2009, 09:36 PM	#5
Magura diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denmark, Viborg	F3 would do well. Magura __________________ Everything is possible....to do the impossible just takes a little while longer. www.class-a-labs.com

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2nd February 2009, 08:00 PM	#2
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	Hi Jeff, Perhaps you could share your objects and we could better help you. Are building one of the Zen's as a learning exercise or do you have a good deal electronics knowledge or experience and looking to make a high quality SS class A amp? Also knowing what type of speakers used is also helpful in making a recommendation. IMHO, the Zen 4 onwards are excellent and fun projects. Most can be built from perf board wiring P2P. BrianGT also has mini-Aleph boards available. -David

2nd February 2009, 08:17 PM	#3
stefanobilliani diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Italy	I like Zen V4 too . Easy to listen to , lots of fun

2nd February 2009, 09:33 PM	#4
spgjmf diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	Hi david, I am interested the simple build and class A sound. I have built several tube amps and many many analog pcb - DIY analogy synthesizers and noise makers. Just finished a P2P JfetBOZ yesterday. 10+ years diy electronics Speaker are fe103 fostex full range(4") in small ported box. I love the detail of full range. driving via DIY dac (dddac1543mkII) and the diy 6em7 tube amp. not looking for loud , looking for detail, smoothness and wide sound field. Is the ZenV4 still a good canidate? Jeff

4th February 2009, 04:21 AM	#7
spgjmf diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	David and all, thanks for the education. wow current amp...a new concept. I love it. It fits well with the full range drivers, whihc I must say, I am hooked on. easier to build than multi driver speakers and I love the single point detail I hear. anyway.... The F1 and the F2 both seem like great amps. Are there still boards fromt he f1 gb buy. I should order some. too bad the mini-A is not a current amp..it size is less intimadating... and I like the +/-15v PS. I had a thought that SS amps would be easier build than tube, but these amps all look hugh at the end of the day...I guess its all the current they must modulate. I hope I am not bitting off more than I can handle. Were do you get the gaint heat sinks for the chassie...$$$$. a new path to follow. hmm, Jeff

4th February 2009, 04:15 PM	#8
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	Hi Jeff, The Mini-A is pretty easy to make and it has about 45 watts of dissipation with approximately 10-15 watts output, depending on bias and rail voltage. It only requires 2 power mosfets per channel. After reading Nelson's excellent article on full range drivers, it's pretty tempting to make a current amp. Yes, there are a few F1 boards available. You can find the details on my website. The projects page includes the F1 with a BOM parts list, recommended heat sink, and build guidance. -David

4th February 2009, 09:30 PM	#9
spgjmf diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	I just order the f1 boards from your site david. the current amp idea is just oo tempting to try. I am sure I'll have questions, but the forum looks good for answers. thanks again, Jeff

7th February 2009, 11:22 PM	#10
spgjmf diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	I ordered the f1 boards from David's GB ( assuming there are some leftover). I have been reading the zen stiff on passdiy and firstwatt...I want to build them all...I have DIY freeze. too many options. so much to learn. I have a fair understanding of tubes, but the SS stuff is different. it might be a while before I have a zen humming here, but class-A mosfet is the next step. the pass forum is great....can't wait to hear a zen, maybe before summer. thx, Jeff