Suggestions for beginner Power Amp design

[spasmolytic]

Hello,

I'm new to the site and I've read with interest how you're building the pass labs amps.

Is there a power amp design that is fairly basic, low power (I have a pair of old wharfdale delta 50's, 75W), but has a fairly hi-fi sound?

Oh, and low cost! I'm looking at making my own pcb's so availabilty wouldn't be a problem if the gerber's exist. I've not built a whole amp before but have dabbled with modules and fixing bits of kit.

Have built many circuits, but just want something good and simple to start in hi-fi amplification.

Many thanks for any suggestions

James

Oh, after doing a search I listen to a lot of types of music, mostly industrial, experimental etc. you may wonder why I want a hi-fi power amp as some of it is just noise!

speaker sensitivity is 87 dB - is that good? what is that the ratio of? I'm guessing smallest possible difference in sound, so that sounds bad compared to 90+ figures :S

I have a lot of experience with building stuff, I could build pretty much anything, but don't want to launch into a massive project just yet.

Cheers!

[vdi_nenna]

Try the Aleph-60 or 30.

http://www.passlabs.com/aleph.htm

Look for the service manuals. You can learn about them by reading the owners manual.

Vince

[roddyama]

Hi James,

Welcome to the forum.

Originally posted by spasmolytic
Hello,

I'm new to the site and I've read with interest how you're building the pass labs amps.

Is there a power amp design that is fairly basic, low power (I have a pair of old wharfdale delta 50's, 75W), but has a fairly hi-fi sound?

Oh, and low cost! I'm looking at making my own pcb's so availabilty wouldn't be a problem if the gerber's exist. I've not built a whole amp before but have dabbled with modules and fixing bits of kit.

Have built many circuits, but just want something good and simple to start in hi-fi amplification.

If your interested in the Pass designs I would suggest you start with the Pass Labs site and the Passdiy site . There is a lot of information there.

Originally posted by spasmolytic
speaker sensitivity is 87 dB - is that good? what is that the ratio of? I'm guessing smallest possible difference in sound, so that sounds bad compared to 90+ figures :S

The sensitivity is typically a ratio of the speakers output SPL at 1W input (for 8ohm) or in general 2.83V to a very low reference pressure (which I don't remember the value). +3db is a doubling of the SPL.

[spasmolytic]

Thanks lads, i understand dB's but didn't know what it was with reference to!

I'll look into the aleph 3's I think, depending upon the complexity I might do something bigger.

Thank you!

[vdi_nenna]

Aleph-30 is an updated version of the Aleph-3.

[spasmolytic]

ahh, i see that now thanks.

I can see that building a chassis as presentable as the others will take a lot of work!

[vdi_nenna]

Without a doubt.