Best amplifier for newbie?

Spasticteapot · 11th April 2007, 11:06 PM

I'd like an improvement on the Gainclone, but I don't have much cash, and zero experience. I do, however, have some massive transformers and heatsinks.

Any suggestions? I'd ideally like an amplifier that can cope with my 1.5 ohm Apogee ribbons.

djk · 12th April 2007, 01:42 AM

Build a Krell or Leach clone.

SamL · 12th April 2007, 02:31 AM

What about the new DX amp by Destroyer X?. Look promissing with low parts count and a range of options.

http://users.tpg.com.au/users/gerskine/dxamp/
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...80#post1180680

Have fun,
Sam

bawang · 12th April 2007, 03:48 AM

For a time-tested and DIY proven design, go with the Leach 4.5. Only problem is the relatively high component count and fiddly way to mount the temperature sensing diodes....

Nordic · 12th April 2007, 04:40 AM

If all goes well, I'll be powering up a DX today....

first got to hang a door for the woman next door though....

OzMike · 12th April 2007, 06:47 AM

There was a list of reference amplifiers on a thread here somewhere recently where all the contenders were listed.

With 1.5ohms and low efficiency of the Apogee you would want about 20A current ability and about 300W for it to get up.

Mike

Spasticteapot · 12th April 2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OzMike
There was a list of reference amplifiers on a thread here somewhere recently where all the contenders were listed.

With 1.5ohms and low efficiency of the Apogee you would want about 20A current ability and about 300W for it to get up.

Mike

Woah - 300 watts? That's a lot of power!

The Leach sounds nice, except I'd prefer an amplifier with a smaller parts count - preferably using SMD parts.

AndrewT · 12th April 2007, 10:32 PM

Hi,
the standard Leach v4.5 uses 2pair of 250W devices.
It will not drive 1.5ohm reactive loads reliably.

The 3pair and 5pair that Jan designed can drive low loads if the design parameters are chosen to suit that duty. The 3pair of 200W To247 only just matches the 2pair To3.

I would be tempted to try twin pairs of drivers and 6pair of 250W devices for those killer speakers.

Anything designed to be reliable with Apogees will not be cheap.

Spasticteapot · 12th April 2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AndrewT
Hi,
the standard Leach v4.5 uses 2pair of 250W devices.
It will not drive 1.5ohm reactive loads reliably.

The 3pair and 5pair that Jan designed can drive low loads if the design parameters are chosen to suit that duty. The 3pair of 200W To247 only just matches the 2pair To3.

I would be tempted to try twin pairs of drivers and 6pair of 250W devices for those killer speakers.

Anything designed to be reliable with Apogees will not be cheap.

Yikes!

Anything more affordable out there?

djk · 12th April 2007, 11:03 PM

I have built the Leach with 10 pair of MJ15024/25 driving a 1 ohm ribbon with +/-80V rails.

Been running for over 15 years.

11th April 2007, 11:06 PM	#1
Spasticteapot diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin....what did you expect?	Best amplifier for newbie? I'd like an improvement on the Gainclone, but I don't have much cash, and zero experience. I do, however, have some massive transformers and heatsinks. Any suggestions? I'd ideally like an amplifier that can cope with my 1.5 ohm Apogee ribbons.

12th April 2007, 01:42 AM	#2
djk diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA	Build a Krell or Leach clone. __________________ Candidates for the Darwin Award should not read this author.

12th April 2007, 11:03 PM	#10
djk diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA	I have built the Leach with 10 pair of MJ15024/25 driving a 1 ohm ribbon with +/-80V rails. Been running for over 15 years. __________________ Candidates for the Darwin Award should not read this author.

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12th April 2007, 02:31 AM	#3
SamL diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wgtn	What about the new DX amp by Destroyer X?. Look promissing with low parts count and a range of options. http://users.tpg.com.au/users/gerskine/dxamp/ http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...80#post1180680 Have fun, Sam

12th April 2007, 03:48 AM	#4
bawang diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Malaysia	For a time-tested and DIY proven design, go with the Leach 4.5. Only problem is the relatively high component count and fiddly way to mount the temperature sensing diodes....

12th April 2007, 04:40 AM	#5
Nordic diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	If all goes well, I'll be powering up a DX today.... first got to hang a door for the woman next door though....

12th April 2007, 06:47 AM	#6
OzMike diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2007	There was a list of reference amplifiers on a thread here somewhere recently where all the contenders were listed. With 1.5ohms and low efficiency of the Apogee you would want about 20A current ability and about 300W for it to get up. Mike

12th April 2007, 10:32 PM	#8
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, the standard Leach v4.5 uses 2pair of 250W devices. It will not drive 1.5ohm reactive loads reliably. The 3pair and 5pair that Jan designed can drive low loads if the design parameters are chosen to suit that duty. The 3pair of 200W To247 only just matches the 2pair To3. I would be tempted to try twin pairs of drivers and 6pair of 250W devices for those killer speakers. Anything designed to be reliable with Apogees will not be cheap.

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