Getting started

Mark245 · 18th May 2006, 01:12 AM

Hey
I am new at building audio equipment.
I'm looking to get into building solid state stereo amplifiers. I have had some experience with amplifier design but I would like to get into it more. Can you reccommend some things to read and websites to visit? I want to build a amplifier that supplies 120 to 150 watts per channel rms. I have two old Cerwin Vega speakers that have an imput impedance of 8 ohms. Maybe later down the way, I will put together a new speaker system. I really just want to know what building a power amp involves. Like I said, I have some circuit design experience but I will probably not be able to design an audio amplifier right now. So I want to build someone else's design and just see how it works.
Any help to get me started will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark

AndrewT · 18th May 2006, 08:11 AM

Hi,
really simple first decision:- chip amp or discrete?

next:- kit or buy your own parts?

Finally:- really good sound and aesthetics or just for the learning experience?

Try Leach for a good explanation of a well documented discrete.
ESP for a long list of electronic topics (many amp design projects there as well).
Ampslab,
Brian GT here on the forum for a chip amp.
SKA discrete, available as a ready assembled PCB or as a PCB + components or PCB only.
Aksa,
Borbely,
Krell thread for a rambling read with a few gems thrown in (some technically correct and a few howlers).

and many others.

pinkmouse · 18th May 2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AndrewT
Krell thread for a rambling read with a few gems thrown in (some technically correct and a few howlers)

That'll be me then!

Mark,

120-150W is very challenging for a complete beginner, and can even throw a few experienced builders. How about MikeB's Symasym? 60W or so and a well-regarded relatively simple amp, with lots of backup on the forum. A great discrete component project, other than that, the various LM4780 chip amp projects would be a good start.

Mark245 · 20th May 2006, 06:23 AM

I want to build a discrete design amplifier from a kit. I would like to build Bi120 from Ampslab.com. However, I cannot find a design for a power supply for the Bi120 to run off of. Can you reccommend a design or point me to a webpage?
Thanks

AndrewT · 20th May 2006, 08:05 AM

Hi,
look up ESP @ http://sound.westhost.com 04 & 43 plus power supplies.

18th May 2006, 01:12 AM	#1
Mark245 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	Getting started Hey I am new at building audio equipment. I'm looking to get into building solid state stereo amplifiers. I have had some experience with amplifier design but I would like to get into it more. Can you reccommend some things to read and websites to visit? I want to build a amplifier that supplies 120 to 150 watts per channel rms. I have two old Cerwin Vega speakers that have an imput impedance of 8 ohms. Maybe later down the way, I will put together a new speaker system. I really just want to know what building a power amp involves. Like I said, I have some circuit design experience but I will probably not be able to design an audio amplifier right now. So I want to build someone else's design and just see how it works. Any help to get me started will be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

18th May 2006, 08:11 AM	#2
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, really simple first decision:- chip amp or discrete? next:- kit or buy your own parts? Finally:- really good sound and aesthetics or just for the learning experience? Try Leach for a good explanation of a well documented discrete. ESP for a long list of electronic topics (many amp design projects there as well). Ampslab, Brian GT here on the forum for a chip amp. SKA discrete, available as a ready assembled PCB or as a PCB + components or PCB only. Aksa, Borbely, Krell thread for a rambling read with a few gems thrown in (some technically correct and a few howlers). and many others. __________________ regards Andrew T.

20th May 2006, 08:05 AM	#5
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, look up ESP @ http://sound.westhost.com 04 & 43 plus power supplies. __________________ regards Andrew T.

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20th May 2006, 06:23 AM	#4
Mark245 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	I want to build a discrete design amplifier from a kit. I would like to build Bi120 from Ampslab.com. However, I cannot find a design for a power supply for the Bi120 to run off of. Can you reccommend a design or point me to a webpage? Thanks

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