In need to solder!!

[canonnica]

Hi all, can you please suggest your best kit amp to build.

I'm looking to build a good-sounding 2ch. amp that does around 75-100W/ch. I prefer not chip-amp. Fets and bipolar are OK to me.

I've been struggling on this forum to find an answer by myself but there are as many projects as forum users, I got totally overwhelmed.

I don't exclude building amp clones (Quad, Naim, etc.) Preferably the amp PCB should be readily available. I don't mind having to find invidual components.

I've found my way to the speaker protection circuits, the power-supplies, the soft-start circuits, etc. Only the amp boards/circuits confuses me... too much designs!

As for the money i'm ready to spend... we'll say max 200 (USD) for board and components for both amp boards (AKSAs are eliminated ). I know that all that's around (power supplies, case, etc.) can cost double of that. I'd like to keep the total under 400-500

I want to actually solder things soon.
Thanks for your input!

Martin.

[Bigun]

If you are OK finding parts then all you really need is a pcb for a proven design (unless you fancy making a pcb?).

I'd suggest the DX amplifier for starters with lots of threads on this forum. Outside of the forum check out Rod Elliot Sound Products.

[digits]

Its a shame you can't do the AKSA's, awesome work supported by an awesome guy.

[ostripper]

Instead of going the usual route -

#1 - Scan Ebay for $20-40 used pro-amps and certain OEM's. Correlate your biddings with a google image search. Many times you can get a look at the insides. Look for amps that have centered power supplies with external side mounted heatsinks. If you can land one , even if in need of repair , you will have the case w/ heatsinks , a sizable trafo , input/output connectors.
I just spent $90USD for a altec lansing 2240 and a sampson sx1200. I now have 2 cases with 4 huge heatsinks , a 1kva R-core 46-0-46V trafo , a 800va 50-0-50v toroid , 2- 50A bridges , 4 pair working mj15024/25 output transistors , and 4 pair working 2sc5200/1943 OP's (sampson had a blown channel).
ALL FOR $90usd !!!

#2 - Don't reuse the caps unless the amp is new. Apex jr. has real good 63-100V power supply caps. Feel free to reuse most of the semi's , the pro- amp's use the best (no fakes).
If you have the right case style , most ebay cheap power supply/capacitor bank kits (lots of them for $20-30 will fit right in.

#3 - The amps - you can make your own , $90 for a HP laser printer , sprint layout and some fr-4/hcl-h2o2 - done. I just made the power supplies for both the above amps in an hour (below) , pcb uses the APEX capacitors or any 10mm snap-in.
Order any semi's from mouser/digikey (no ebay - fakes). Use the excellent NJW ON semi line if you want a $20 output stage.

You can not beat this system. After I sell the sampson .. I actually will make over $100 and have my DIY amp for FREE !

PS- If you must buy the ebay kits (amp wise) some of the fully complimentary (leach amp) types are "usable" , repopulate with ONsemi devices and mouser nichicon/panasonic parts - good to go!! The kits are so cheap , I just buy them for the boards and any reverse engineering opportunities.
OS

[lduarte1973]

naim clone | eBay UK

[ostripper]

I have to add - get the "big stuff" done first. Get the case/PS , with lots of room. You will be able to swap a few amps out before finding one that pleases you. The amp/PCB is the lowest priced part of the DIY equation. Most of mine cost just $15-30 apiece , about the same as a full ebay kit (but with better parts - mouser/on semi).

OS

[Bigun]

Originally Posted by digits

Its a shame you can't do the AKSA's, awesome work supported by an awesome guy.

Agreed.

[scott17]

The SKA amps get some great reviews: SKA - Simple Killer Amplifier by Greg Ball

[Bigun]

Not in the same league as AKSA.

[scott17]

Originally Posted by Bigun

Not in the same league as AKSA.

The OP's original post said that ASKA amps were eliminated.

What makes the SKA devices not in the same league? Please inform me with the details. I am very interested.