1st build suggestions

[MarkL1]

Hi i am currently studding an BTEC level 3 in electrical engineering at college. I have always been interested in home audio and I want build something to rival my marantz pm6003.

Can anyone recommend some DIY amplifier kits that include step by step instructions and that include a power supply.


My budget is around £100 (160USD)
What tools will I need (i have none) and how much will they cost?
will I be able to build something to rival my Marantz pm6003 on my budget?
How safe are the kits to build and use?
how will it work with my current set-up? Arcam Rdac and Monitor Audio BX2?

thanks for your help here some iv found so far........

Class D Audio CDA-254S Kit - Amplifier Kits

New CCAcathode-coupled amplifier PCB & Kit

[piano3]

Mark,
Your Marantz amp probably produces about 50W per channel and this more or less needed to drive your bookshelf type(I think) speakers. Doing this with valves is expensive and dangerous if you are not used to working with high voltages. The valve kit you mention is just a preamp. Why not hang around this forum for a while,watching what some of the(extremely resourceful!!) experts here do and save up for a suitable project. Some members here build impressive amps with salvaged components. I am sure you can easily build a class D amp within your budget, however. Have you looked at the class D forum?

[MarkL1]

Thanks for your reply. I Have looked through most of the forums and im finding it hard to know where to start. A valve amp for someone with no experience sounds like a very bad idea. Is class D going to be the most rewarding option with my budget?

[suntechnik]

Originally Posted by MarkL1

Is class D going to be the most rewarding option with my budget?

Switching power supplies and class D amps I would definitely stay away from for DIY since they need a lot of experience and established shop with good equipment.

Tube amps are easy to build & lot of pleasure too. Excellent book highly recommend http://www.amazon.co.uk/Valve-Amplif...5772931&sr=8-1

An interesting project to implement MagneQuest DIY: Kurt Strain's COBALT SET 45 Parafeed Dual Mono Amplifier

[trondareo]

The best way to learn about tube amplifiers, I think, is to build a pre-amp/headphone amp. You can use it with your existing system. There are loads of schematics and descriptions out there. Look for 12AT7, 12AU7, 6N1P, 6N2P for instance.
Here are two suggestions: Simple tube preamp...

You could also build a spud amp - A one-tuber - as an amplifier for computer speakers for instance or a guitar practice amp. My favorite tube right now is the 6S45P. It can take a lot of abuse and has 150 - 170V plate voltage (B+)

[Jebem]

Hi Mark,

Beating a Marantz is not so easy... but we can and should do it. We are on DIY after all...

May I suggest something that it is easy to build and not dangerous because we deal with low secondary voltages, will have a low cost within your budget, and can sound really good as well: The GainClone, based on an original product from 47Labs ( Amplifier ).

There are so many sites to choose a GainClone design from:
GainClone Introduction
ADX Electronics - Why Gainclones work

Have fun!

[Jebem]

Forgot to mention that You may find a lot of other people doing "Chip Amps" on our forum as well:
Chip Amps - diyAudio

[sreten]

Hi,

I have a degree in EEE, and the first thing thing that is obvious
is you don't have a prayer of getting anywhere near your £300
PM6003 with a £100 budget in any realistic context.

Not with proper casework, quality switches and pots etc....

In the UK you can't build anything that remotely approaches
buying stuff used cost effectively, that is the way it is.

rgds, sreten.

[sreten]

Hi,

I have a degree in EEE, and the first thing thing that is obvious
is you don't have a prayer of getting anywhere near your £300
PM6003 with a £100 budget in any sensible realistic context.

Not with proper casework, quality switches and pots etc....

In the UK you can't build anything that remotely approaches
buying stuff used cost effectively, that is the way it is.

rgds, sreten.

[MarkL1]

Thanks everyone for your reply's.

Ok so im not going to better my Marantz amp especially on my first attempt at DIY. So can anyone point me to some good and SAFE class D or chip amp kits. preferably with step by step instructions and has good tried and tested reviews.
Many thanks Mark