1st time DIY Class A

[jab23]

I'm new to the realm of DIY audio, soon I'll be making a pair of speaker cables and interconnects. I've also started to toy with the idea of making my own 2 channel amp. I'm really only looking for something in the 20-50wpc range. Are there any high quality/decntly priced DIY kits out there? I'm realistically looking at around $500, but not sure if that's too low a figure. I have a fairly good understanding of electronics, so anything that has a fairly logical approach too would be no problem, not to mention I have 3 people in my family who are electricians/electrical engineers..thanks for any advice

 

[paulb]

Do you really want Class A? It makes a big difference.

 

[jab23]

well, more so something solid state, I haven't been able to find anything as far as a tube amp design that will put out 20wpc, plus i like metal boxes...

 

[Dustin Haug]

If you want class A check out www.passdiy.com there are tons of people on this forum that have built variations of the different amps here and Nelson is great to support DIYers as much as he does.

 

[paulb]

You did say a kit, didn't you? The Pass stuff is a little ambitious if you haven't built amps before.
Try http://www.printedelectronics.com. These amps are simple and quite inexpensive, and have a large following. You'll need to provide your own box and power supply components.

 

[jab23]

yeah, I saw the AKSA amp the other day, it definitely looks like a possible option...as far as passdiy, the amps I saw on there really were the ones that got me interested and brought me to this site, but they definitely look like a task electronically, I've also looked at the amps at LCaudio, nice but a little more than I can afford, unless I wanted to be a part or two here and there

 

[djk]

This looks interesting http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/hawk_a18_e.html

 

[grataku]

Jab23
build the Hiraga 20W Classe A, 8 transistors, sounds great, tried and true only 50mV DC at the output.
I used a DC blocking cap in the input and regulated PS though!
See Geoff's site.

 

[tvi]

I agree with grataku, I have built a few Hiraga Class A 20/30W amps, fairly simple with good sound.

All the parts are easy to get and cheap, the offset is nice and low without matched transistors and I haven't experienced any turn on/off nasties.

Can post my PCB layout if anyone is interested?

The Full article is available at :<a href="http://www.gmweb.btinternet.co.uk/hiraga.htm">The Class-A Amplifier Site - Jean Hiraga Index</a>
Most of the article been translated to English, for the rest I would recommend <a href="http://trans.voila.fr/?getting_web">voila - traduction</a>, gives much better results than babelfish/InterTran


Regards
James

 

[jab23]

are there kits available for the hiraga? I want something that I don't have to search around for parts on

 

[grataku]

Kits? No. Why don't you read the references tvi and I have pointed at?
It's an 80's design, so you are going to have to find parts. You should be able to do it within your budget.

 

[paulb]

jab23 said he wants a kit. Shall we help him with that instead of pushing our favorite DIY designs down his throat?
(I'm assuming a male, sorry if I'm wrong)

 

[jab23]

yeah, I'm a guy....I unfortunately have a limited knowledge of circuits, so a kit or something that has some type of instructions is realistically the best option for me, plus getting 90% of it in one shot is far better than trying to track down parts, I mean I can solder, identify what is what and a few other assorted abilities( I made a strobe light and microphone/transmitter thingy in high school) , but as far as being able to say I "need" this part to this and things like that I'd be lost

 

[dutch diy]

I've completed a dual-mono JLH amp last year.
Sounds great, but needs some room...

Check out my amp site
for PCB and circuit diagrams.

Most parts are just of-the-shelf stuff (except for the 2N3055's which were hand-matched by myself for equal h_fe).

 

[paulb]

Kits! He's looking for kits!

 

[grataku]

Ok great white knight in shining armor (pblum),
tell Jab23 to buy the LC audio Zapsolute for $1600.
He wants class A for $500. Realistically, you can't even complete an AKSA class B kit for less than $500.
You do the leg work, you save some money.

 

[Geoff]

Paulb

No need to shout. The JLH is available as a kit (excluding case). See my website for a relevant link.

Geoff

 

[paulb]

First time I've tried that Font Size thing. Sure stands out, don't it?

jab23, I suggest the JLH. Good reputation, simple, easy to build, lots of satisfied builders.

 

[jab23]

yeah, the zapsolute looks tempting, it might be an option if I decide that I don't mind building it over a few months time getting parts here and there, the jlh looks good to, are there any places in the USA/ North America that distribute them in some sort of kit form, I'm just unsure of what the currency conversion would be...now as far as kits go, I don't need a case, I can build one, I've worked with thick aluminum before, transformers I'm expecting to by seperately as well, so it doesn't have to come in "complete kit" form just 80-90%...thanks for the replies so far