Hi all,
I want to build my first amp and need your advice 🙂
WHAT
Power around 2x40W at 8Ω is more than enough (could do with less since main room is 20 sq m). I want simple design, Glaincone (LM3875-LM3886) is probably a good match but doesn't need to be if other amps can also be easy to build.
I could also be OK buying an assembled kit (DIY left for the chassis in that case), but Audiophonics/ebay seem to be selling chinese kits only (exception made to Hypex of course).
I could also be OK buying un-assembled kit (I can solder), but I'd like to buy components from same store or trusty places.
COST
Max around 120 euros? (trans and rectifier aside)
WHERE TO BUY
I live in Barcelona, and I dont know trusty online/physical stores here in case I need to buy components separately from PCB.
OPTIONS
So, after reading a lot on the forums, I found some implementations I might be interested in. Beware the list is quite variate, but as I said I'm not after a specific design, only an easy to build amp (or even an assembled kit).
Please let me try to express the pros and cons I see on each of these:
Audiophonics LJ GC LM3886TF:
+ cheap, assembled kit
- chinese, quality / support?
Audiophonics LM3886TF version audiophile:
+ cheap, assembled kit
- chinese, quality / support?
ChipAmp LM3886 Kits:
- apparently horrible service lately?
Peter Daniel (Audiosector) LM3875 kit:
+ unassembled kit
- apparently not good for novices?
- are they same owners as Chipamp site above?
Twisted Pear Audio, Sympatico Amp (LM4780):
+ unassembled kit
- fully symmetric, balanced?
ESP Rod Elliott Project 3A (not GC), Project 115 (GC):
Design considerations?
- Only PCB, components from Mouser
JLM Audio AMP Kit:
- Only PCB, components from Mouser
ClaveFremen (Dario) My_Ref Fremen Edition GB (10th run)
Neurochrome LM3886 Done Right or Modulus86:
- Only PCB, components from Mouser
Mick Feurbacher Three Resistor Amp:
- point to point, not even PCB.
ICEPower 50ASX2:
+ good quality, assembled kit
- where to buy?
Coldamp Sonora s250:
- is it good?
- support?
Circuit Basics LM3886 design:
+ great explaination and formulae
- only PCB, components from Mouser
- BUT illegal ground loop circuit.
Audiophonics HYPEX UcD34MP
+ good quality, assembled kit
- COST
- only 4Ω
Thank you so much for any advice!
I want to build my first amp and need your advice 🙂
WHAT
Power around 2x40W at 8Ω is more than enough (could do with less since main room is 20 sq m). I want simple design, Glaincone (LM3875-LM3886) is probably a good match but doesn't need to be if other amps can also be easy to build.
I could also be OK buying an assembled kit (DIY left for the chassis in that case), but Audiophonics/ebay seem to be selling chinese kits only (exception made to Hypex of course).
I could also be OK buying un-assembled kit (I can solder), but I'd like to buy components from same store or trusty places.
COST
Max around 120 euros? (trans and rectifier aside)
WHERE TO BUY
I live in Barcelona, and I dont know trusty online/physical stores here in case I need to buy components separately from PCB.
OPTIONS
So, after reading a lot on the forums, I found some implementations I might be interested in. Beware the list is quite variate, but as I said I'm not after a specific design, only an easy to build amp (or even an assembled kit).
Please let me try to express the pros and cons I see on each of these:
Audiophonics LJ GC LM3886TF:
+ cheap, assembled kit
- chinese, quality / support?
Audiophonics LM3886TF version audiophile:
+ cheap, assembled kit
- chinese, quality / support?
ChipAmp LM3886 Kits:
- apparently horrible service lately?
Peter Daniel (Audiosector) LM3875 kit:
+ unassembled kit
- apparently not good for novices?
- are they same owners as Chipamp site above?
Twisted Pear Audio, Sympatico Amp (LM4780):
+ unassembled kit
- fully symmetric, balanced?
ESP Rod Elliott Project 3A (not GC), Project 115 (GC):
Design considerations?
- Only PCB, components from Mouser
JLM Audio AMP Kit:
- Only PCB, components from Mouser
ClaveFremen (Dario) My_Ref Fremen Edition GB (10th run)
Neurochrome LM3886 Done Right or Modulus86:
- Only PCB, components from Mouser
Mick Feurbacher Three Resistor Amp:
- point to point, not even PCB.
ICEPower 50ASX2:
+ good quality, assembled kit
- where to buy?
Coldamp Sonora s250:
- is it good?
- support?
Circuit Basics LM3886 design:
+ great explaination and formulae
- only PCB, components from Mouser
- BUT illegal ground loop circuit.
Audiophonics HYPEX UcD34MP
+ good quality, assembled kit
- COST
- only 4Ω
Thank you so much for any advice!
Last edited:
sta540 , no pcb.just solder the componenets directly. run it from a set of 2x12 volt SLA battery. connet 2 didoes to the battery to drop the voltage a bit. you will learn a lot more from that in my opinion. the 2x bridged mode will be happy to serve you.
With your budget I would suggest to look at "LM3886 Done Right" from www.neurochrome.com.
The parts for any of the projects you can get from www.mouser.es
Regarding "LM3886 Done Right", as far as I've heard Tomchr provides the link to mouser BOM for his PCBs so you just click "add to cart" and you are done with the parts shopping. His customers seems also very happy with the documentation which comes with the PCBs.
The parts for any of the projects you can get from www.mouser.es
Regarding "LM3886 Done Right", as far as I've heard Tomchr provides the link to mouser BOM for his PCBs so you just click "add to cart" and you are done with the parts shopping. His customers seems also very happy with the documentation which comes with the PCBs.
Thank you! That amp was on my list above so i guess i had good eye for at least one of those xD
With my PCB you get a .pdf file with design documentation. The documentation includes a link to a project set up with Mouser Electronics. Click the link, order your parts, and a few days later a box of goodies show up on your doorstep. It's almost as easy as ordering a kit but saves me the work of stuffing little parts into little bags.
It does happen on occasion that a part is out of stock at Mouser. If you can't find a replacement, just toss me an email and I'll help out.
Mouser ships internationally with free shipping on orders over $100.
Tom
Hi, good! Could you please send me a link to the specs and shop so I can evaluate?
Hi, thank you Tom, great info.
Hi,
From what I read on mouser site, free shipping for $100+ or €50+, with some (undisclosed) exceptions.
Thank you
The amplifier part of a completed Power amp is usually only 10% of the total cost.
expect
case + heatsink ~ 30%
PSU ~30%
hardware ~20%
two amplifiers ~20%
Yes Andrew, that's why I was setting a max on around 120 euros for the amp/s only. The idea is to get help only about the amps kit decision on this thread.
Thank you
The easiest thing is to look at last Group Buy (closed) opening post:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/group-buys/300644-my_ref-fremen-edition-gb-10th-run.html
You will find there all relevant links and infos.
If you're interested PM me.
OK people, can I ask for another approach? Would you discard any of the amps on my list (1st post)? Maybe this makes the decision easier 🙂
If you want a plain Gainclone don't look further and buy from Tomchr his LM3886 Done Right.
It's well designed, from a competent engineer and you can't find a better one of its genre, IMHO.
Maybe I would change some parts, though 😉
If you want more, AKA a wonderful sounding amp with vanishing low distortion you will need a nested feedback amp with a carefully designed PCB and power supply, so IMHO you have only 3 choices (in alphabetical order):
It's well designed, from a competent engineer and you can't find a better one of its genre, IMHO.
Maybe I would change some parts, though 😉
If you want more, AKA a wonderful sounding amp with vanishing low distortion you will need a nested feedback amp with a carefully designed PCB and power supply, so IMHO you have only 3 choices (in alphabetical order):
- Modulus 86 (balanced input)
- My_Ref Fremen Edition (single ended)
- Sympatico (full balanced)
Thank you Dario, that sounds like an honest advice.
What about Peter Daniel's Audiosector? It looks quite simple design, excellent quality PCB as well, right? I read somewhere that it was not suitable to novices but I can't find where.
You're welcome
As I've already said, if you want a gainclone go for the LM3886 Done Right, no other Gainclone comes close.
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Thank you again,
If it's not much trouble-abuse, could you elaborate a bit? I'm also trying to learn while in the process 🙂
What makes "LM3886 Done Right" the best Design? What makes "Audiosector LM3875 kit" out of your 3 or 4 candidates list?
Simply read Tom's description of his product:
https://www.neurochrome.com/lm3886-done-right/
No other Gainclone takes in account signal integrity or has been evaluated by measurements, for instance...
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