Is it possible to build a good amplifier out of junk parts?

smartx21 · 7th May 2010, 12:16 PM

I decided to build an amplifier with parts ready available, that is, reused from computer monitors, PSU, UPS, and some others from my parts bin. The results will be shown here. But the question is: how nice will be the sound quality? Will it last for a long time? Which are the most critical ones that should not be reused? Feel free to post your comments, they are all welcome!

djk · 7th May 2010, 12:38 PM

Semiconductors, resistors, and capacitors are so inexpensive it's foolish to recycle.

Transformers, heatsinks, and chassis metal-work recycle quite nicely.

sakis · 7th May 2010, 12:41 PM

did the same expiramnet with my P3A none of the parts i used was used but i used the lower quality available cheap carbon resistors all transistors chinese not matched fake 1943-5200 and ceramics everywhere

the amplifier is working still after produced two years ago works daily 8-10 hours in a lofi application but perfomance is terrible compaired to the standard "high quality " P3a

regards sakis

Conrad Hoffman · 7th May 2010, 12:58 PM

It depends on how clever you are and what equipment you have available. No doubt a wonderful amplifier could be build, but you'd need to characterize devices with a curve tracer, find breakdown voltages and such, for all the "house number" parts used in commercial equipment. Some of the capacitors used in switching supplies are probably good, but I wouldn't use any of the resistors found in inexpensive consumer equipment for audio. It's way cheaper and easier to buy the right parts unless you like scavenger hunts!

Conrad

smartx21 · 7th May 2010, 01:11 PM

Here are some pictures:

tinitus · 7th May 2010, 01:40 PM

I cant open your pictures

smartx21 · 7th May 2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinitus

I cant open your pictures

Sorry, I'll try to fix that.

smartx21 · 7th May 2010, 01:58 PM

Maybe pictures were too big. These are small versions.
Regards,
Max.

HighTec · 7th May 2010, 02:21 PM

Hm,

well, that transistor 2SC5200 on the left isn't genuine Toshiba's. You can still use it but don't expect high performance.

smartx21 · 7th May 2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighTec

Hm,

well, that transistor 2SC5200 on the left isn't genuine Toshiba's. You can still use it but don't expect high performance.

Thanks, I suspected that, since both doesn't have the same logo and marks.
Regards,
Max.

7th May 2010, 12:16 PM	#1
smartx21 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Santiago, RS/ Brasil	Is it possible to build a good amplifier out of junk parts? I decided to build an amplifier with parts ready available, that is, reused from computer monitors, PSU, UPS, and some others from my parts bin. The results will be shown here. But the question is: how nice will be the sound quality? Will it last for a long time? Which are the most critical ones that should not be reused? Feel free to post your comments, they are all welcome!

7th May 2010, 12:38 PM	#2
djk diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA	Semiconductors, resistors, and capacitors are so inexpensive it's foolish to recycle. Transformers, heatsinks, and chassis metal-work recycle quite nicely. __________________ Candidates for the Darwin Award should not read this author.

7th May 2010, 12:41 PM	#3
sakis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: nea makri athens greece	did the same expiramnet with my P3A none of the parts i used was used but i used the lower quality available cheap carbon resistors all transistors chinese not matched fake 1943-5200 and ceramics everywhere the amplifier is working still after produced two years ago works daily 8-10 hours in a lofi application but perfomance is terrible compaired to the standard "high quality " P3a regards sakis __________________ SERVICE ΙΑΠΩΝΙΚΩΝ ΜΗΧΑΝΗΜΑΤΩΝ ΗΧΟΥ www.eastelectronics.gr

7th May 2010, 12:58 PM	#4
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	It depends on how clever you are and what equipment you have available. No doubt a wonderful amplifier could be build, but you'd need to characterize devices with a curve tracer, find breakdown voltages and such, for all the "house number" parts used in commercial equipment. Some of the capacitors used in switching supplies are probably good, but I wouldn't use any of the resistors found in inexpensive consumer equipment for audio. It's way cheaper and easier to buy the right parts unless you like scavenger hunts! Conrad __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

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7th May 2010, 01:11 PM	#5
smartx21 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Santiago, RS/ Brasil	Here are some pictures:

7th May 2010, 01:40 PM	#6
tinitus diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005	I cant open your pictures

7th May 2010, 02:21 PM	#9
HighTec diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sibenik, Croatia	Hm, well, that transistor 2SC5200 on the left isn't genuine Toshiba's. You can still use it but don't expect high performance.

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