Hello everyone. I’ve been a long time audio enthusiast and have finally found time to upgrade it to a hobby. I’ve been a toolmaker for 30+ years now so tinkering with things comes east, but I have a big learning curve ahead of me when it comes to the electric side of things.
The members here will be more than happy to take 'charge' of your electrical education.
Welcome to the forum!
Welcome to the forum!
The FIRST and BEST thing to START with is......BOOKS.
READING and getting to UNDERSTAND the BASICS-fundamentals of electronics.
Things like Ohms Law - Resistor Color Codes - Capacitors and their differences - and yes, the list is long, it has to be.
Active devices like vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes, etc.... how they 'work' and their uses/limitations.
These and much more are in simple to read books, available anywhere - sseriously. buy some, digest them.
Because 'taking shortcuts' and relying on other amateurs for info-suggestions-opinions and tainted by biases will amount to utter confusion.
A lot of people on here and other sites take the 'shortcut' route, and wind up with a mess.
Thank for the advice. I have a few books on my Amazon list. I’ve never been one to take shortcuts so I like to educate myself as much as I can. And I have a friend that is an engineer and whiz at designing all things electronics so I know I can trust him to not stear me wrong. I just need to get familiar with reading the diagrams. I can read the hardest gd&t blueprints for aerospace parts, but am a chimp in space when it comes to those.
That last paragraph can be very true!
To quote Genesis (the group):
There's too many men
Too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Can't you see
This is a land of confusion
😀
To quote Genesis (the group):
There's too many men
Too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Can't you see
This is a land of confusion
😀
Welcome to the forums...remember, there are no stupid questions...just questions. "There is no such thing as the unknown, only things temporarily hidden, temporarily not understood."...welcome.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rick...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rick...
Thanks for the welcomes.
I’m kind of a hands on learn as I go person because I retain so much more that way so I’m wondering…. I need a smaller integrated amp or receiver for a project my son and I are working on so I’m wondering if there is a kit for an amp, or integrated amp preferably, out there that would be a good project to learn on and sound good when it’s done. It would be powering a pair of Revel C360’s as of right now.
Any recommendations?
I’m kind of a hands on learn as I go person because I retain so much more that way so I’m wondering…. I need a smaller integrated amp or receiver for a project my son and I are working on so I’m wondering if there is a kit for an amp, or integrated amp preferably, out there that would be a good project to learn on and sound good when it’s done. It would be powering a pair of Revel C360’s as of right now.
Any recommendations?
You get kits from China, or nearer, ready assembled or sometimes do it yourself.
You have the basic equipment, like a soldering iron, and one each analog and digital meter?
Also tools like pliers and wire strippers / cutters?
A magnifying glass with a light is also useful.
SMD work, I get it done outside...getting old, not enough practice.
Best to buy a ready amp, use it, they are quite easily available used in most places.
Start with a basic chip amp like the 1875, many designs are available.
Output is enough for most uses.
It is a hassle sometimes to source parts, and finally the housing / cabinets. I find it easier to buy assembled sets, or at least assembled boards, less chances of mistakes.
You have the basic equipment, like a soldering iron, and one each analog and digital meter?
Also tools like pliers and wire strippers / cutters?
A magnifying glass with a light is also useful.
SMD work, I get it done outside...getting old, not enough practice.
Best to buy a ready amp, use it, they are quite easily available used in most places.
Start with a basic chip amp like the 1875, many designs are available.
Output is enough for most uses.
It is a hassle sometimes to source parts, and finally the housing / cabinets. I find it easier to buy assembled sets, or at least assembled boards, less chances of mistakes.
I have a soldering iron, multimeter, more than one magnifying apparatus, hand tools like strippers, cutters and small screwdrivers and pliers. I have been a toolmaker most of my adult life so I I don’t have it at home i most likely have it in my box at work and if I don’t have it there I’ll make what I need to get by or buy it. I’ve made medical micro-molds for years so im used to working with small parts under a scope.
Im not sure what you mean by ready amp, I searched and didn’t find anything. Im looking to educate myself about electronics and how they work and for me the best way to do that would be to build something. When something new comes up I’ll study it until I understand it and then assemble it. Then I know fit, form and function and that’s how I retain knowledge. My 16yo son and I are refinishing, updating and automating a 1968 Zenith console stereo and I have a Marantz integrated amp I got to go in the console along side a Yamaha turntable. They just fit until I plug rca cables into the Marantz and try to raise the cover on the Yamaha. Then they will hit when the shelf goes up or down. So I figured if there are kits out there that have everything I need to make a good sounding integrated amp with a smaller than normal footprint my son and I could build it as a learning tool and then use it in the console.
Im not sure what you mean by ready amp, I searched and didn’t find anything. Im looking to educate myself about electronics and how they work and for me the best way to do that would be to build something. When something new comes up I’ll study it until I understand it and then assemble it. Then I know fit, form and function and that’s how I retain knowledge. My 16yo son and I are refinishing, updating and automating a 1968 Zenith console stereo and I have a Marantz integrated amp I got to go in the console along side a Yamaha turntable. They just fit until I plug rca cables into the Marantz and try to raise the cover on the Yamaha. Then they will hit when the shelf goes up or down. So I figured if there are kits out there that have everything I need to make a good sounding integrated amp with a smaller than normal footprint my son and I could build it as a learning tool and then use it in the console.
By ready amp I meant a complete amplifier, ready to use, new or second hand.
As in you buy it, take it home, connect and use it.
Sorry, sometimes I talk shorthand...
Plastic molder, tightest job yet was 36 microns tolerance..
As in you buy it, take it home, connect and use it.
Sorry, sometimes I talk shorthand...
Plastic molder, tightest job yet was 36 microns tolerance..
Search for audio amplifier kits on places like Alibaba, see feedback from buyers before making a purchase.
Chinese sites are blocked in India, so I cannot help there.
Chinese sites are blocked in India, so I cannot help there.
I mainly run wire e.d.m. machines, but I’ve held +/- 1micron before.
JOYlife, you obviously intend to assemble an amplifier from individual components such as resistors, capacitors and transistors.
The best thing to do is to make a new thread in the "Amplifiers - Solid State" section of the forum, asking what amplifier component kits are available that would be suitable for your particular application.
The best thing to do is to make a new thread in the "Amplifiers - Solid State" section of the forum, asking what amplifier component kits are available that would be suitable for your particular application.
As a long-time (45+) years professional tech, and particularly a specialist in doing vintage restorations, I would have kept that Zenith console in original shape.
First off, they made quality great-sounding consoles, and believe it or not, their record changers were not bad either.
Those original components can be restored, and last another 50+ years.
As for the original speakers in the console, they were made to match the power of the original amp, and by "upgrading" to the Marantz they can possibly be damaged by too much power from it.
By going the "upgrade route" that you've chosen, you're taking the harder road first.
That's basically the same as putting a child behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler.
But since you've already butchered-up the console, it's a moot point now.
Wiseoldtwch,
I understand and respect your point of view, but I paid $2.50 for the console at a going out of business auction for a picker’s store. The auction was full of other store owners and not a single bid against my initial bid. I looked around on some FB groups and the same console was mentioned 3 times in one week either stating they rescued them from the curb or offering one up for free with no takers. I even went to the owner of the local vinyl store to see if he wanted it since it was in such a great condition and maybe trade for one that was not in as good of shape. He offered $20.00 and didn’t want to trade.
This all told me there was no demand for these particular units and there are plenty of them out there so I decided that we would add some automation and make the inner shelf raise up to be flush with the top to reveal the equipment inside. We would also have to come up with a way to lift the lid and then close it when the shelf lowered back down. I made the decision because my son had taken an industrial class at school and liked it so I hoped this would give him some hands on experience and thought processing skills to expose him to a possible career path other than a video game tester or cleaning cell phones with his nose since that is all he is experienced in. He wanted and tried to find a summer job, but there was nothing available. I figured this would help to not make his summer a total waste if he picked up a little knowledge. He now knows a little about how to strip and refinish furniture, how linear actuators work, what it takes to guid and fit moving parts, what a block and tackle is and how to calculate the advantage it gives, how to work within a budget and a few new cuss words to add to his vocabulary among, how to deal with unforeseen problems correctly and hopefully a few other skills he didn’t have before. That in itself made it worth “butchering up” a perfectly good console that I couldn’t give away if I wanted to. The badass console with Marantz integrated amp, Yamaha turntable and blue-ray player with Revel drivers o right up front is just a bonus. My son thinks we are going to sell it when it’s finished. But he loves the same music I do so I’m going to tell him he can keep it. Giving my son a system I could have only dreamed of when I was his age that he will hopefully keep and cherish after I’m long gone…. we’ll that’s priceless to me and I’d “butcher” a ‘67 Shelby GT500 with a resto mod for him if I could.
I understand and respect your point of view, but I paid $2.50 for the console at a going out of business auction for a picker’s store. The auction was full of other store owners and not a single bid against my initial bid. I looked around on some FB groups and the same console was mentioned 3 times in one week either stating they rescued them from the curb or offering one up for free with no takers. I even went to the owner of the local vinyl store to see if he wanted it since it was in such a great condition and maybe trade for one that was not in as good of shape. He offered $20.00 and didn’t want to trade.
This all told me there was no demand for these particular units and there are plenty of them out there so I decided that we would add some automation and make the inner shelf raise up to be flush with the top to reveal the equipment inside. We would also have to come up with a way to lift the lid and then close it when the shelf lowered back down. I made the decision because my son had taken an industrial class at school and liked it so I hoped this would give him some hands on experience and thought processing skills to expose him to a possible career path other than a video game tester or cleaning cell phones with his nose since that is all he is experienced in. He wanted and tried to find a summer job, but there was nothing available. I figured this would help to not make his summer a total waste if he picked up a little knowledge. He now knows a little about how to strip and refinish furniture, how linear actuators work, what it takes to guid and fit moving parts, what a block and tackle is and how to calculate the advantage it gives, how to work within a budget and a few new cuss words to add to his vocabulary among, how to deal with unforeseen problems correctly and hopefully a few other skills he didn’t have before. That in itself made it worth “butchering up” a perfectly good console that I couldn’t give away if I wanted to. The badass console with Marantz integrated amp, Yamaha turntable and blue-ray player with Revel drivers o right up front is just a bonus. My son thinks we are going to sell it when it’s finished. But he loves the same music I do so I’m going to tell him he can keep it. Giving my son a system I could have only dreamed of when I was his age that he will hopefully keep and cherish after I’m long gone…. we’ll that’s priceless to me and I’d “butcher” a ‘67 Shelby GT500 with a resto mod for him if I could.
Great stuff, but the "Introductions" section of the forum is not really the place for lengthy discussions.
I still suggest you start a new thread, keeping your request simple and to the point. Ask for a kit that would allow you to assemble an integrated audio amplifier from discrete components.
I don't know if you can obtain Velleman kits over there, but at least the examples below illustrate the type of kits you may be looking for.
N.B. Download the manuals to reveal the method of construction.
http://www.velleman.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p326.html
http://www.velleman.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p225_k4003.html
I still suggest you start a new thread, keeping your request simple and to the point. Ask for a kit that would allow you to assemble an integrated audio amplifier from discrete components.
I don't know if you can obtain Velleman kits over there, but at least the examples below illustrate the type of kits you may be looking for.
N.B. Download the manuals to reveal the method of construction.
http://www.velleman.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p326.html
http://www.velleman.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p225_k4003.html
Back in the mid-1960's, Admiral Corporation was one of the stereo console manufacturers, among other consumer products.
They devised and featured their unique idea of that elevation system called "Flight Deck" on their higher-end consoles.
The way it worked was that as you opened the top lid, the whole inner platform raised up, exposing the record changer and tuner/amp dials.
I saved the youtube original TV commercial about it, (3mb MP4) featuring this series of Flight Deck consoles, but for some reason I can't seem to track it down on YouTube right now.
I’m assuming they worked like a tackle box. I thought about that option for about 10 minutes before I decided that was too much fabrication and design for my son’s first project. I have a friend who stumbled into a 1950 porthole tv console with cobramatic turntable or arm and a first of its kind Black Magic anti glare screen. The way the ads read it was as big of an improvement as it was when plasmas came out. The turntable slides in and out when you open that side of the cabinet.