Newbie's first amp - Where to start?

[uzernaam]

So I discovered the diyaudio forum a few days ago, and all I can say is - OVERWHELMED.

I've been an enthusiast of electronics, gadgets, and DIY in general, and have a few years experience installing audio professionally. My electronics background, however, is limited to playing around with a couple of radio shack electronics kits when I was a kid.

One thing I've discovered is that the learning curve for anything complex gets a lot easier the more interested you are in the subject. I have been self-taught in creating things from computer programs, to telescopes, to loudspeaker designs. Now, I've been bitten by the amplifier bug and I want to get one under my belt. I believe I can tackle this and come away happy.

So I'm looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Here are some things I'm looking for in my first project:

* Quality - I want the amplifier to "get out of the way" of the sound so that the liveliness of the music can shine through. I don't believe this requires large amounts of power, or necessarily really expensive components. I won't be needing loud volume levels or to create a lot of bass. For me, it's balance, neutrality, openness, airyness, and lack of fatigue during long listening. I want the sound to be a clear cut above the standard stuff you find in a major electronics store, and for it to be apparent that no important corners were cut in the design.

* Simplicity - I'm looking for a tried-and-true, simple, proven, and basic amplifier design without a lot of gotchas, tweaks, frills, unnecessary gadgets and doodads. Large fancy regulated power supplies, elaborate feedback schemes, debatable features, and silly hard-to-prove improvements are things I want to leave out. This will be my first build, so I want to start with the basics but I also want to get the basics right and not leave a lot of room for improvement for what it is, being simple.

* Price - I'm looking for the "sweet spot." I'm willing to lay down a few hundred bucks to do this right, even better if it's less, but do not find it worthwhile to spend a lot of time or cash pursuing hard to find or expensive parts. My guess is that for somewhere between 150 and 500 bucks I can end up with an amp that will really sing and make something of comparable price from an electronics store seem like junk.


So, there it is. If there's a kit out there that fits the bill, great. If all I can hope for is a schematic, and I have to hunt down all the parts, that's okay too. But I guess my biggest fear is not finding a project that fits my above three criteria. So, for you experienced ones out there, has the above description brought anything to mind?

I'd love to hear it.

[suntechnik]

Pretty simple design LT1356 + OPA549 you can download schematics here on the right side across Tale 3U

ÑÒÐÀÍÈÖÀ ÇÀÃÐÓÇÎÊ 3

[imagios]

Well it depens on what do you expect...
I can suggest the D class amps of 41Hz Audio - News I have build two of the AMP 6 by my self. Sounds nice but I dont know if 20W are suficient for you. You find some nice amps there with decent price and good quality and a lot of reference on the web.

For solid state there are a lot of AB class amps with 100W power out.
For exmaple Module Amplificateur - Module amplificateur stéréo SAP15 2x100W ClassAB
its a french site but I buy there and trust theyr product will be decent.
cheers

[alexcp]

Another fine example is Power Amp Kits by AmpsLab - I had very good experience with their Lm60 kit.

[bobodioulasso]

3886 gainclone seems to fit your project.
Many threads here about it.
Several kits available.

[mikje]

This site has awesome amps and a lot of support. Peter Daniel, the gentleman behind this equipment, is a big help on these, as well. I built the LM3875 and am really impressed. DIY Chip Amplifier Kits, PCB's, Components and Information.

Mike

[AndrewT]

Peter Daniel's implementation of the Power Amplifier is DC coupled and is designed to particularly to suit a high efficiency speaker.
These are not intended for Beginners or Newbies.

[mikje]

Originally Posted by AndrewT

Peter Daniel's implementation of the Power Amplifier is DC coupled and is designed to particularly to suit a high efficiency speaker.
These are not intended for Beginners or Newbies.

I highly respect your opinion/info Andrew but I'm not sure I'm following. As a newbie, I built the LM3875 with no problems. It only took a few hours and works well. I run a pair of Fostex FE127s and they sound great.
Mike

[AndrewT]

Hi Mikje,
are you blissfully unaware of the risks you are taking using a DC coupled amplifier?

If you are aware and have decided to accept those risks, or have taken steps to ameliorate those risks, then you are not a beginner.

[mikje]

Originally Posted by AndrewT

Hi Mikje,
are you blissfully unaware of the risks you are taking using a DC coupled amplifier?

If you are aware and have decided to accept those risks, or have taken steps to ameliorate those risks, then you are not a beginner.

Hi AndrewT,
Uh oh ... not aware of what is meant by DC coupled, nor do I know the dangers. Care to enlighten me? It would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike