Highest quality design

[D_o_S]

Hi,

I am relatively new to audio and everything, and since I got new speakers, I've decided that a new amp would be nice as well... I would like to go for a separate pre-amp, and seperate power amps for each channel (left/right)

I would like to build a pre-amp and amp myself.

I have electronic engineering skills (at least my dad does).

My first and foremost question is: can I build an amplifier of comparable quality to McIntosh/Classe/ other high-end audio brand?

And if the answer to the first question is yes, then which design would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[Nico Ras]

Originally posted by D_o_S
Hi,

I am relatively new to audio and everything, and since I got new speakers, I've decided that a new amp would be nice as well... I would like to go for a separate pre-amp, and seperate power amps for each channel (left/right)

I would like to build a pre-amp and amp myself.

I have electronic engineering skills (at least my dad does).

My first and foremost question is: can I build an amplifier of comparable quality to McIntosh/Classe/ other high-end audio brand?

And if the answer to the first question is yes, then which design would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

The answer to your first question is, without a doubt. The second question is much harder to answer, this is what you have to decide, what would suit your needs. There are many very excellent designs available by some of the members of this forum, some members have their web sites with designs that they offer. Have a look at http://users.tpg.com.au/users/gerskine/dxamp/ also visit Rod Elliots web http://sound.westhost.com/projects.htm then there is Nick Whetstone's place that could get you started http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nuukspot/...loneindex.html and look at Quasi's pages http://www.adam.com.au/cgpap/QuasiWeb/index.htm, there are too many to name, so sorry guys if I left you out.

[D_o_S]

Thank you for your reply.

Please, give me some more suggestions on recommended projects/schematics... I do not have the skill to go and design something myself, yet I am fairly certain I could build something that requires a lot of skill by following a plan (with the help of my dad ofc), so don't worry and suggest complicated projects off the bat.

My motto is "do it once, do it right", and I plan to do the same here Then on the other hand "I'll try anything once... twice if I like it"

[Nico Ras]

Originally posted by D_o_S
Thank you for your reply.

Please, give me some more suggestions on recommended projects/schematics... I do not have the skill to go and design something myself, yet I am fairly certain I could build something that requires a lot of skill by following a plan (with the help of my dad ofc), so don't worry and suggest complicated projects off the bat.

My motto is "do it once, do it right", and I plan to do the same here Then on the other hand "I'll try anything once... twice if I like it"

Those web-sites actually offers complete designs and building instructions, some are very well described and informative, especially NUUKs web. What are your requirements, big small, discreet, chip, tubes?

[CBS240]

Originally posted by D_o_S
Thank you for your reply.


My motto is "do it once, do it right", and I plan to do the same here Then on the other hand "I'll try anything once... twice if I like it"

If you plan to use someone else’s 'kit', then doing it successfully once is very important. After all, isn't that what your paying for? As for me, I decided early that I wanted to make a superb quality amp from my own design, completely out of discrete parts, from scratch. Thus I have built quite a few revisions, and with each one, learning how to make it better. I am finally near the goals I set out for. The circuit works right, but the PCB will take some time to work out. For sure, it is much easier to build an amp rather than design a new circuit, but I just wanted to see if I could do it, for my own satisfaction.

[Nico Ras]

Originally posted by D_o_S
Thank you for your reply.

Please, give me some more suggestions on recommended projects/schematics... I do not have the skill to go and design something myself, yet I am fairly certain I could build something that requires a lot of skill by following a plan (with the help of my dad ofc), so don't worry and suggest complicated projects off the bat.

My motto is "do it once, do it right", and I plan to do the same here Then on the other hand "I'll try anything once... twice if I like it"

Why not build the KRELL KSA50 Clone, it is not complicated, probably been built by several thousand enthusiasts.

It is a proven commercial design originally by Dan Augustino CEO of KRELL.

It works very well, some will swear it is the best since sliced bread, and you can bias it in class AB, lift the supply voltage to 55V and push > 170 watt if the heat generated by the original 50 watt class A scares you.

Have a look at Jan's site http://delta-audio.com/Krell-Clone.htm Jan has put in extreme effort for the DIY community building this amp earlier last year.

Kind regards

Nico

[D_o_S]

I am interested in building an amp that will give around 150 to 200W @ 4 ohms.

I want it to be standard-size "audio unit" form factor, it can be as high as necessary.

I would like to get clear, dynamic sound. I need it to be 2 channel, plus I need a channel for my subwoofer, but maybe I could build a dedicated amp for that?

Also, I'm not quite sure what a chip-amp is? I think audio uses either solid state or tube amps, or can you show me some commercial chip amps?

[Nico Ras]

Originally posted by D_o_S
... can you show me some commercial chip amps?

http://www.sakurasystems.com/intro.html

[Nico Ras]

Originally posted by D_o_S
I am interested in building an amp that will give around 150 to 200W @ 4 ohms.

Krell clone run from 50V rails biased in class AB (about 36 mA) will give you > 350 watt @ 4 Ohms

[D_o_S]

Ok, I would like something that is class A...

I was also thinking about some of the amps Upupa Epops had, the DA 386, or so (I don't know the name exactly), is that any good? Can anyone get me a schematic?

Also, what about the Simple Killer Amplifier by Greg Ball? As here: http://www.ska-audio.com/diy/003.html

Is that any good? I would need 2 kits ofc, but it looks like a nice way to start perhaps?

I showed my dad the Krell clone, he doesn't seem to impressed by it, he sort of couldn't figure out how it was working, saying it was some "old configuration" or so

Can anyone else point me to anything nice?