That is very interesting, a great deal of thought into that amplifier. The price however is a little over budget.
But i will keep it in mind.
hahaha, actually i think you are right. Class A all the way, i don't mind class d i tend to use it for driving subs or party speakers. But when it comes to listening to real music with some lovely sounding speakers, has to be valve and a class A somewhere.
This will be my first major build!
People have had 'mixed experiences' with chipamp.com.
Read this thread for more info:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/chipamp/305336-chipamp-com-they-real-scam.html
Ideas, buying parts, links. Thoughts
So i've been scouring the internet to get an idea of what i'm putting myself in for.
I really want to build a first class amp and learn what's involved.
Yes i would love to build it from scratch, from choosing the power supply, the capacitors, how the enclosure will look etc etc.
So i guess what i am asking is what is the best kit i can get for a true class a amplifier with the ability to run at different loads i.e 4,6,8ohms?
My thoughts are with a firstwatt type amp, some form of first watt clone.
http://www.kk-pcb.com/amps.html
looks like some great boards here.
https://diyaudiostore.com/products/amp-camp-amp-kit?variant=20290606852
This also looks like great value for money and a great starting point.
i also thought about the Jean Hirage build
Jean Hiraga's Super Class-A Amplifier
from what i gather the power supply, heatsinks, caps and transformers are the most expensive parts to this project!
So the research continues, anyone had any experience in these builds? Give me an overall idea on cost or links to builds i can check out?
Thanks
V
So i've been scouring the internet to get an idea of what i'm putting myself in for.
I really want to build a first class amp and learn what's involved.
Yes i would love to build it from scratch, from choosing the power supply, the capacitors, how the enclosure will look etc etc.
So i guess what i am asking is what is the best kit i can get for a true class a amplifier with the ability to run at different loads i.e 4,6,8ohms?
My thoughts are with a firstwatt type amp, some form of first watt clone.
http://www.kk-pcb.com/amps.html
looks like some great boards here.
https://diyaudiostore.com/products/amp-camp-amp-kit?variant=20290606852
This also looks like great value for money and a great starting point.
i also thought about the Jean Hirage build
Jean Hiraga's Super Class-A Amplifier
from what i gather the power supply, heatsinks, caps and transformers are the most expensive parts to this project!
So the research continues, anyone had any experience in these builds? Give me an overall idea on cost or links to builds i can check out?
Thanks
V
When you say 'kit', do you mean : "gear, equipment, etc. "
I think that's what 'kit' means in 'British'. 🙂
Or do you mean the N. American meaning of 'kit': "all the parts to build a working item, bought as a package" ?
If the latter, the Amp Camp Amp kit (Pass ACA) would be one of the obvious choices for a Class A 'starter' amp kit....assuming they are ever in stock again at the diyaudio store. But its power output doesn't match with the title of this thread...i.e. it's less than 10-20 watts.
If you are just looking for a pcb, there are a lot of choices. Or, do you want to make the PCB yourself?
For any power amplifier, be very careful to choose one with the dB of gain, and maximum power you need. What are your plans for a preamp or volume control?
Absolutely! But if you didn't mind messing around, all of this can be used trying many amps.
One of the nice things about a lot of the Pass stuff, is that so many of the amps can use the same PSU and chassis/ sinks. For example, If you built the PSU at the bottom of the FirstWatt service manual, you can build most of the First Watt amps as well as the classic Aleph 3/30 ... and more.
http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f5_man.pdf
I'd go with 400VA minimum Transformer. In most cases you'd be a few watts above your target.
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You heretic! 😀
Just a (maybe unknown to the beginner) note on class A: 20W is a big amplifier.
I suggested the AMP CAMP kit as it's an easy build to get me started on learning about Class A amplification, this gets me ready to do a bigger build like a 20-30watt build.
When i mean "kit" it means all the parts to build a working item.
i don't have the means to build a PCB (unless you can use a 3D printer?)
Otherwise i'd rather buy the PCB made, then i can just choose the components.
As for preamp control, i have no idea 😀, thats next on my list, wondering if its possible to build one into the amplifier (so it has a volume control).
When i mean "kit" it means all the parts to build a working item.
i don't have the means to build a PCB (unless you can use a 3D printer?)
Otherwise i'd rather buy the PCB made, then i can just choose the components.
As for preamp control, i have no idea 😀, thats next on my list, wondering if its possible to build one into the amplifier (so it has a volume control).
That is interesting, thank you!
Heart set on either a Jean Higra or some form of PASS, First Watt type build
Heart set on either a Jean Higra or some form of PASS, First Watt type build
Jean Hiraga, Aleph or F5
Think its a going to be either Jean Hiraga, Aleph or F5
Obviously the one that i can source all the right information, the parts and is relatively an easy build will be the winning choice.
On here who can tell me the difference between these? Seems that PASS/Firstwatt are popular choices.
If i'm going to do this ill want to make sure i use high quality parts and components!
If there is anyone in North London UK or within the area that i can contact to see and listen to there amplifiers it would be appreciated!
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/188691-illustrated-guide-building-f5.html
Nice build on this thread
Thanks
V
Think its a going to be either Jean Hiraga, Aleph or F5
Obviously the one that i can source all the right information, the parts and is relatively an easy build will be the winning choice.
On here who can tell me the difference between these? Seems that PASS/Firstwatt are popular choices.
If i'm going to do this ill want to make sure i use high quality parts and components!
If there is anyone in North London UK or within the area that i can contact to see and listen to there amplifiers it would be appreciated!
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/188691-illustrated-guide-building-f5.html
Nice build on this thread
Thanks
V
Hiraga super 30W class A amplifier kit ! | eBay
This seems to make life easier? Any thoughts on the quality? Or am i better just buying the PCB from kk-pcb and sourcing my own components?
This seems to make life easier? Any thoughts on the quality? Or am i better just buying the PCB from kk-pcb and sourcing my own components?
Sourcing components isn't always an easy task. It generally takes me two weeks to source the components, and a few days to build the amp. I always end up with surplus components. It's up to you. But that looks like a nice kit. Maybe just find a place where you can source output transistors in case they do blow.
And enjoy!
Nelson Pass is 'on the record' as saying that 'standard' quality parts will work well in his designs - there's nothing to say you shouldn't use 'audiophile $$$' caps and resistors, but it's not necessary.
One thing to keep in mind: finding the jfets for some designs is a hassle - expensive, not available, need matching, etc.. It's a lot easier if components are available from Digikey or Mouser and they both ship to Canada very very quickly and cheaply and I assume to the UK as well, though at higher cost, perhaps.
About the preamp and volume control:
You may find a thread I started a while ago interesting:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/305702-pass-amps-just-insensitive-something-wrong-my-ideas-builds.html
It shows the problems I created for myself, building amps without paying attention to the dB of gain and the voltage from the source I was going to use (CD player). I thought (like tube amp projects and chip amp projects) that I could just put a volume pot between the source and the power amp. For some Pass designs (and perhaps others as well), that definitely won't work.
Check out the table with Pass amplifier specs on this page:
FIRST WATT PRODUCTS
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Looks nice but ... no output semi's with the kit. And 20W classA means more than 40W of heat to dissipate, nothing in the kit for that.
Plus you need a power supply for + and - 20volts 1500mA.
Mona
I'm with Mrcloc - this will give you a 'start' on your amp build, so probably would not be a bad buy. Cost would be about $120USD with output devices and shipping from that seller, for a stereo pair.
Questions for you:
Is that amp the design/circuit you want to build? Don't choose only because an eBay 'kit' is available, IMO.
Have you chosen an enclosure and heatsinks? As Ketje points out you need to sink the excess heat, so get the right size heatsinks.
What are your plans for power transformer and power supply?
Preamp (?) as mentioned already.
Spend some time (a lot) with reading and going over schematics and BOM lists before deciding. One of the diyaudio 'store' board and enclosure combos may be better for you, since there are detailed 'build guides' here by 6L6 and others. Check out those 6L6 posts (in his signature) to get an idea of what is involved.
The costs mount quickly to get a 'nice looking', safe, and functional amp...
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