ZenV9 or Aleph 30?

[boonedog]

Looking to order the parts to make my first Class A amp and am trying to decide between a ZenV9 or Aleph 30. Has anyone built both of these amps and compared them? Besides the difference in power (15w to 30w), what are the significant differences sonics wise for these amps? Also as my speakers are 96 (166esr Fostex) and 91db (GR AV3) efficient, would 15w be enough to drive a 91db speaker. I'm not into classical music but listen to alot of folk, jazz and rock.

I also looking to order the metal for the cases prior to recieving the parts. I will be using the Conrad heatsinks that are 14 inchs by 6 inchs high. Does anyone have a recommended width that will allow enough room to build either of these amps?

Thanks,

Chad

[Phill]

hello

these two amplifiers make very beautiful music ... the same family
but a few additional Watts make associations easier… (mais quelques watts supplementaires rendent les associations plus faciles...)

http://domainedupossible.free.fr/pag...ENV9/zenv9.htm

http://domainedupossible.free.fr/pag...H5/aleph51.htm

Phill

[MikeW]

If you need the power go with the A-30. If you don't zen V9.

[Dennis Hui]

Hello Chad,

I can get pretty good volume level with a T-amp at ~10W.
Speakers are less efficient than yours. The room is on the
small side though.

A 19" wide chassis should work nicely. Assuming
2" thick heatsinks, you'll still have 15" of interior space.
(My A30 only has $13.5" inside and everything fit
reasonably well.)

I suspect the ZV9 will be a more interesting choice
than the A30 for the Fostex drivers. Plus, you can
build it as a transconductance amp.

Cheers,
Dennis

[vatofale]

Plus, you can build it as a transconductance amp.

What modifications are required to do this? And what would be the benefits for fostex drivers?

[Dennis Hui]

Originally posted by vatofale


What modifications are required to do this? And what would be the benefits for fostex drivers?

You can just build Installments 1 & 2 of the ZV9 article
to get a transconductance amp:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...728#post874728

As for the comment about Fostex drivers, I was thinking of
Mr. Pass' article where he showed better responses at the
frequency extremes for some full rangers (including a
few Fostexes) when driven by a transconductance amplifier.

http://www.firstwatt.com/downloads/cs-amps-speakers.pdf

Cheers,
Dennis

[boonedog]

Thanks for the replies guys. Still not absolutely sure which way I'm going but am leaning toward the ZenV9.

[steenoe]

Still not absolutely sure which way I'm going but am leaning toward the ZenV9.

Good call, considering the speakers you have. If you want the best from both the ZenV9 and the Aleph 3, build the Babbelfish

Steen

[boonedog]

Steenoe,

Is anyone planning to produce pcb's for the Babblefish? Or can one of the other PCBs be converted into an Babblefish?

[Zen Mod]

Originally posted by boonedog
Steenoe,

Is anyone planning to produce pcb's for the Babblefish? Or can one of the other PCBs be converted into an Babblefish?

for now I have plans to organize at least one smaller pcb batch for Babelfish ,just because I received several mails with same question........if I receive affirmative response from NP.
dunno,seems that I'm in sort of disgrace ........or NP just didn't read mails lately

anyway-for now I have few offers for pcbs production with somewhat higher price than I expected (in range of 35-40 euros + shipping)........and I really don't want to have KK's prices ,just because I expect just beer money from that.

I hope in few weeks max I'll have more to say regarding pcbs and.....who knows......I have dreams about finding few dozens of 2SJ109 ,to offer with pcbs,and make life easier to interested

ps-you can always use pdfs from start of Babelfish thread and learn home toner transfer methods