My first solid state amplifier the ZENV9

Bas Horneman · 8th May 2006, 10:24 PM

I'm very curious. Having so far only played with tubes, I find any SS power amplifier very daunting. (Ok..I've done gainclones ...but that does not really count because it's not discrete)

Here is a picture of my ZENV9 (The Backdrop is a 6N6P pushpull amp by James Doddington I'm building)

-_nando-_ · 8th May 2006, 10:29 PM

Ok, only this picture!?

How it sounds for you?

Bas Horneman · 8th May 2006, 10:31 PM

Hi Sorry..not finished yet..I thought I'd post as it progresses. I still have to find huge heatsinks, apparently they are neccessary.

grataku · 8th May 2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bas Horneman
I'm very curious. Having so far only played with tubes, I find any SS power amplifier very daunting. (Ok..I've done gainclones ...but that does not really count because it's not discrete)

Here is a picture of my ZENV9 (The Backdrop is a 6N6P pushpull amp by James Doddington I'm building)

Oops! You scratched the wood case!

-_nando-_ · 8th May 2006, 10:34 PM

Ooh, okay ! hehehe

Please, post your progress ! And I'm very curious about the final result !

Just asking, how gainglone sounds for you?! Is it good or decent compared with tube amp?

Thanks !

Bas Horneman · 8th May 2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Oops! You scratched the wood case!

That's ok..it's the bottom! Oeps am I allowed to say that

Bas Horneman · 8th May 2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Just asking, how gainglone sounds for you?! Is it good or decent compared with tube amp?

I quite like them on my efficient loudspeakers... and like them compared to tubes as well...not a hell of a lot of difference and definitely worth it for the money. In the end I still prefer tubes (still have to build my first PP amp though)

And just like SE tube amplifiers I don't think they drive difficult loads too well. (I don't expect the ZENv9 to do that either)

For example a briangt lm3875 kit sounded a lot fuller than a Pioneer A400 (european version) that was quite highly rated in the 80-90's. The Pioneer is punchier thought..better with transients. (both on Prometheus speakers)

Another comparison is with a CSS FR125..The Gainclone drives it about as well as a SE 300B...(not very good imo) ..when you use an amplifier that can dump a lot of current into the speaker..like a friend's Rod Elliot P3a...the FR125 comes alive.

No extensive listening has taken place though...and these are all really impressions from very short listening sessions..

So basically gainclone go for it...but match with the right speakers.

hifimaker · 9th May 2006, 01:09 AM

It looks like you're off to a good start. You're boards look great!

Keep us posted on your progress, especially when it starts to play music.

-David

steenoe · 9th May 2006, 07:37 AM

Hi Bas, that board looks good

I am looking forward to hear about your listening impressions with the ZenV9. I think it sounds really sweet

Dont get them heatsinks too small, and watch that the fet's dont get too close to the top-edge of the sink.
Happy building

Steen

Bas Horneman · 9th May 2006, 07:38 AM

Thanks David and Steen for the encouragement!

8th May 2006, 10:24 PM	#1
Bas Horneman diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Netherlands Blog Entries: 18	My first solid state amplifier the ZENV9 I'm very curious. Having so far only played with tubes, I find any SS power amplifier very daunting. (Ok..I've done gainclones ...but that does not really count because it's not discrete) Here is a picture of my ZENV9 (The Backdrop is a 6N6P pushpull amp by James Doddington I'm building) __________________ Boatanchor amps forum My "adventures" in audio

8th May 2006, 10:31 PM	#3
Bas Horneman diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Netherlands Blog Entries: 18	Hi Sorry..not finished yet..I thought I'd post as it progresses. I still have to find huge heatsinks, apparently they are neccessary. __________________ Boatanchor amps forum My "adventures" in audio

9th May 2006, 07:38 AM	#10
Bas Horneman diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Netherlands Blog Entries: 18	Thanks David and Steen for the encouragement! __________________ Boatanchor amps forum My "adventures" in audio

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8th May 2006, 10:29 PM	#2
-_nando-_ diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sao Paulo	Ok, only this picture!? How it sounds for you?

8th May 2006, 10:34 PM	#5
-_nando-_ diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sao Paulo	Ooh, okay ! hehehe Please, post your progress ! And I'm very curious about the final result ! Just asking, how gainglone sounds for you?! Is it good or decent compared with tube amp? Thanks !

9th May 2006, 01:09 AM	#8
hifimaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose	It looks like you're off to a good start. You're boards look great! Keep us posted on your progress, especially when it starts to play music. -David

9th May 2006, 07:37 AM	#9
steenoe diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004	Hi Bas, that board looks good I am looking forward to hear about your listening impressions with the ZenV9. I think it sounds really sweet Dont get them heatsinks too small, and watch that the fet's dont get too close to the top-edge of the sink. Happy building Steen

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