Howdy.
I am looking to build a complete beginner stereo. A full range woofer speaker, an amp, pre-amp, etc... I have seen some youtube videos (speakers, amplifier modules) but am having a tough time piecing it all together. I need an overview so I can more fully understand what I need to learn!
Theoretically, I would love to put a SURE electronics powered amp module into a nice case, along with any pre-amp parts necessary, build some speaker boxes and have some fun. I would love to hear any ideas, plans, or a rough trajectory for my adventure 😉
Want to hear a funny story? I have completely lost my NAIM preaamp, Rega turntable and Acoustic Energy speakers. Life can be a turd sometimes. So, I'm a bit bent and would like to build a nice system myself this time- starting with something simple.
Thanks for reading!
I am looking to build a complete beginner stereo. A full range woofer speaker, an amp, pre-amp, etc... I have seen some youtube videos (speakers, amplifier modules) but am having a tough time piecing it all together. I need an overview so I can more fully understand what I need to learn!
Theoretically, I would love to put a SURE electronics powered amp module into a nice case, along with any pre-amp parts necessary, build some speaker boxes and have some fun. I would love to hear any ideas, plans, or a rough trajectory for my adventure 😉
Want to hear a funny story? I have completely lost my NAIM preaamp, Rega turntable and Acoustic Energy speakers. Life can be a turd sometimes. So, I'm a bit bent and would like to build a nice system myself this time- starting with something simple.
Thanks for reading!
Sorry for your loss. How did that happen?
Which sources will you have: phono, CD, tape, streaming, FM, etc?
Which sources will you have: phono, CD, tape, streaming, FM, etc?
A lot of what can happen depends on your experience, tools, budget, goals and ideas. Sometimes it is a good idea to run thoughts past people that can help you out, saving money in the end.
Ok, I will be bold and start with a recommendation for speakers. Simple and relatively cheap to build and they sound incredible for their size. A very good option as a combo for TV and music. See this thread:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/tabaq-tl-for-tang-band.88787/
They beat my 2 way Tannoy monitors.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/tabaq-tl-for-tang-band.88787/
They beat my 2 way Tannoy monitors.
In the TV room I'm using 6.5" TV projection speakers in a 200 mm x 200 mm x 400 mm box, which works very well. A production substitute is the visaton bg17-8 which covers 100-14000 hz according to their chart. I have the driver bolted on the end (#6 screws & washers) and a 25 mm square hole cut in the back. Box is cardboard from a smile warehouse.
With TV & streaming, you can use a RCA jack switch instead of a preamp. the 4 to 1 switches are about $20 on ebay. You can ignore the video connectors, you're not switching video.
TV produce TOSLINK optical instead of line level outputs these days. I use a $14 TOSLINK to line level (RCA jacks) converter from ebay. Sounds fine.
Power amp, the 50 w retro Apex 6 has 6 transistors, and sounds great IMHO. Has an output capacitor which prevents speaker burn if a solder joint pops loose and DC on speaker occurs. https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/retro-amp-50w-single-supply.236256/page-11
Newbies make a lot of bad solder joints and I still make a bad one occasionally.
You can also build a IC amp like atikita 3886 amp or various TDA#### kits on ebay. Note ebay ali etc kits usually leave out the heatsink and their wattage ratings are rediculous.
However upgrading an old PV-4c or M-2600 gets you a case, heat sinks, transformer, a fan, controls, input/output connectors all those expensive parts that cost $$$ when they are new. No drilling and panel etching. Old Crowns are also well documented 280a is cheap. Don't buy a switcher supply amp, you are too new to fix one of those supplies. No transformer in a switcher supply amp and lots of dangerous mains voltage.
With TV & streaming, you can use a RCA jack switch instead of a preamp. the 4 to 1 switches are about $20 on ebay. You can ignore the video connectors, you're not switching video.
TV produce TOSLINK optical instead of line level outputs these days. I use a $14 TOSLINK to line level (RCA jacks) converter from ebay. Sounds fine.
Power amp, the 50 w retro Apex 6 has 6 transistors, and sounds great IMHO. Has an output capacitor which prevents speaker burn if a solder joint pops loose and DC on speaker occurs. https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/retro-amp-50w-single-supply.236256/page-11
Newbies make a lot of bad solder joints and I still make a bad one occasionally.
You can also build a IC amp like atikita 3886 amp or various TDA#### kits on ebay. Note ebay ali etc kits usually leave out the heatsink and their wattage ratings are rediculous.
However upgrading an old PV-4c or M-2600 gets you a case, heat sinks, transformer, a fan, controls, input/output connectors all those expensive parts that cost $$$ when they are new. No drilling and panel etching. Old Crowns are also well documented 280a is cheap. Don't buy a switcher supply amp, you are too new to fix one of those supplies. No transformer in a switcher supply amp and lots of dangerous mains voltage.
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Then you just need a two position stereo input selector switch, a 10k stereo volume control,
and a power amplifier that is suitable for the speaker. This could all be in one enclosure.
I certainly support the idea of a simple 1-way for first build, there are many, including the popular Tabaq.
dave
Really pretty benign in the grand scheme of things. After 2 moves the equipment disappeared. My wife and I cannot figure it out; it shouldn't have happened. Yet here I am. Pretty frustrating- probably entry level equipment for a lot of people, but NAIM, REGA and AE still aren't cheap 😉
Just a quick note to all who replied:
As a beginner (or less) it's sometimes hard to get the conversation going. I appreciate the time you took, and it has already helped. I'm an expert in my field, and I help not only beginners, but pros who should know better. Sometimes the questions themselves just don't make sense!
Anyway, I'm developing a plan and I'll post when things are more concrete.
TTFN!
As a beginner (or less) it's sometimes hard to get the conversation going. I appreciate the time you took, and it has already helped. I'm an expert in my field, and I help not only beginners, but pros who should know better. Sometimes the questions themselves just don't make sense!
Anyway, I'm developing a plan and I'll post when things are more concrete.
TTFN!
