Greetings, I want to build a decent amplifier to drive my front main speakers. I have a multi channel 7.2 AVR that's adequate for the home theater speakers but I don't think it pushes my newest pair of speakers to anywhere near their potential and even then, it's an AVR! I was looking around online for an integrated amp for them but the cost for even mediocre quality, vintage or modern/new is just out of proportion so I have decided that I would like to take a shot at building one. All I need is a 2 channel analog stereo amplifier that I can feed with the pre-outs from the AVR and will drive a pair of speakers with the following specs; Frequency Response = 34hz to 21khz, Sensitivity = 98db, up to 150 watts RMS, 8ohms, dual 8" thermoformed crystalline polymer woofers and 1" linear travel suspension titanium diaphragm tweeter. R-800F
I have some things to possibly work with but I would greatly appreciate a list of the most basic components necessary to build a suitable amplifier for these speakers. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or even good looking, I only need it to provide decent amplification from the AVR pre-outs to the 2 speakers. I have some parts already such as a large transformer from an old Harman Kardon receiver and the base to the case it was in. I have some parts taken from different receivers and car audio mono amps and various other things around but I am not sure what will work with what or what else I will need or won't need out of what I have. So a basic list will be a good starting point for me I think and then I can go from there once I can gather what I need.
I have some things to possibly work with but I would greatly appreciate a list of the most basic components necessary to build a suitable amplifier for these speakers. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or even good looking, I only need it to provide decent amplification from the AVR pre-outs to the 2 speakers. I have some parts already such as a large transformer from an old Harman Kardon receiver and the base to the case it was in. I have some parts taken from different receivers and car audio mono amps and various other things around but I am not sure what will work with what or what else I will need or won't need out of what I have. So a basic list will be a good starting point for me I think and then I can go from there once I can gather what I need.
150 watts the diyaudio answer was always the honeybadger. Boards for sale at https://diyaudiostore.com/ specifically https://diyaudiostore.com/products/honey-badger?_pos=1&_sid=0e2c057cf&_ss=r
with a bill of materials https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1...y_Badger_2.4_BOM_by_mbrennwa.pdf?v=1619657882
Build guide is http://www.diyaudio.com/media/build-guides/diyaudio-diyab-build-guide-v1.0.pdf
Realize a diyaudiostore.com chassis is $344 today and two suitable heatsinks are about $40 each. A 500 VA or higher dual winding transformer is about $80, two bridge rectifiers about $8 ea and four ~6800 uf capacitors about $20 each. A fan is about $20. You want a grounded metal case to prevent interference from AM/CB/ham/fire/police radio transmitters, lightning & EMI. Also prevent shock to children/pets/bystanders & limit damage from fires.
Your receiver transformers will be too low power to produce 2 * 150 watts. Receivers are usually are 60-80 watts total for both channels.
You can get all the fifth sentence above parts used on ebay or other resale site for $150 as a 400 watt amp for parts or repair. For example Peavey PV-4c PV8.5C CS400 CS800 or crown MA600 MA1200 XLS600 or DC300. I don't recommend reusing electrolytic capacitors, you want fresh unless you have a $120 ESR meter to test the old ones. Personally I buy rebuild & donate old Peaveys, the parts are US spec and the schematics are readily available. Crowns have some dual transistors in the front end that are no longer available. I bought a QSC once, the heat sink was tiny and the fan was annoyingly loud, as is fan on the QSC at my church.
with a bill of materials https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1...y_Badger_2.4_BOM_by_mbrennwa.pdf?v=1619657882
Build guide is http://www.diyaudio.com/media/build-guides/diyaudio-diyab-build-guide-v1.0.pdf
Realize a diyaudiostore.com chassis is $344 today and two suitable heatsinks are about $40 each. A 500 VA or higher dual winding transformer is about $80, two bridge rectifiers about $8 ea and four ~6800 uf capacitors about $20 each. A fan is about $20. You want a grounded metal case to prevent interference from AM/CB/ham/fire/police radio transmitters, lightning & EMI. Also prevent shock to children/pets/bystanders & limit damage from fires.
Your receiver transformers will be too low power to produce 2 * 150 watts. Receivers are usually are 60-80 watts total for both channels.
You can get all the fifth sentence above parts used on ebay or other resale site for $150 as a 400 watt amp for parts or repair. For example Peavey PV-4c PV8.5C CS400 CS800 or crown MA600 MA1200 XLS600 or DC300. I don't recommend reusing electrolytic capacitors, you want fresh unless you have a $120 ESR meter to test the old ones. Personally I buy rebuild & donate old Peaveys, the parts are US spec and the schematics are readily available. Crowns have some dual transistors in the front end that are no longer available. I bought a QSC once, the heat sink was tiny and the fan was annoyingly loud, as is fan on the QSC at my church.
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Sweet, thanks for sharing. I realize there are costs for everything I'll need but at this point I would rather spend the money and get the learning experience and know what is in there and that it is whatever quality I put into it. I was looking at Emotiva Amps as the possible choice if I were to buy but the more I look into building the more I want to. Their least expensive amp is $349 and it's only 50 watts.per channel. The 160 watt per channel stereo amp is $499. Not bad for the quality they claim and have backed up by customer reviews but I still think I'd rather build my own for several reasons.
Hi Ray,
You might wish to pick a different forum into which we can move this thread and use a more specific title. Just post here and I will try and keep an eye on it. Conversely you can start a conversation with me as to how you would like to proceed.
OK, if you have a specific forum that is recommended, you are more than welcome to move it, or let me know how and I will give it a shot. Also if you would rather I have a conversation with you, or in addition to moving this thread, that is also fine with me. I'm only trying to get information at the moment, buying parts and actually doing the build may be a few weeks away as I have had a couple of financial set backs recently. I'm mainly just researching and looking for good sources of information and other things such as parts and such but you seem to have all I will need right here in one convenient spot so I'm happy to have found this place and am more than willing to be of any help I can. Thanks,
Ray.
Ray.
Hi Ray,
Solid state forum, change the title to something like “considerations on building a power amp”
There are a number of good amplifiers to build, honey badger, Wolverine, BC-1 is one of Bob Cordell’s designs in his power amp design book. I worked with Bob to construct a reference design. Buying a used amp can be cheaper than a new build but a new build will usually be more serviceable because it would use current production parts, higher performance due the newer design methods as well
Solid state forum, change the title to something like “considerations on building a power amp”
There are a number of good amplifiers to build, honey badger, Wolverine, BC-1 is one of Bob Cordell’s designs in his power amp design book. I worked with Bob to construct a reference design. Buying a used amp can be cheaper than a new build but a new build will usually be more serviceable because it would use current production parts, higher performance due the newer design methods as well
OK, I'm willing to do that no sweat but I don't know how to move a thread. If someone can give me instructions on how to do so, I will asap. I looked around for awhile at all the settings and such I could find but I didn't see anything like that. I have never done such a thing. Sorry for my lack of knowledge on this. I frequent and participate in several forums for various interests but have never moved a thread.
Or are you suggesting I just start a new one over there?
Or are you suggesting I just start a new one over there?
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Wow, I just saw that they have dropped the price of the BasX A2M to $279. I still have the desire to build an amplifier for my own personal experience but that's a really good price on the Emotiva! If my tax return hits my bank while it's still that price I might just have to grab one. The tranny in my car is singing to a tune of $4500 installed for a remanufactured CVT. The other option of replacing the car will require a significant amount for a down payment on anything decent so either way I'm going to have to get a loan from my boss so a $300 amp I can manage out of the return because $700 isn't going to be of much use toward my car issues. My boss don't charge me interest on loans, he just deducts it from my pay in small amounts until the balance is paid off. Then when I do build an amp I can either sell the Emotiva or more than likely get another pair of speakers 😀
Oh, OK, it just seemed like it was being suggested that I do it, that's the only reason I was looking for a way to. Thanks.
You have a nice boss lucky you
I’ll have to check out that basx I am not familiar with it
I checked out that amp you referenced, good value for sure , definitely can not build your own for the $ that they list them for. Spec wise not what I consider totl but still probably just fine listening wise. Knowone really considers life span or serviceability when they buy something new or even used, like the trany in your car, ouch
I’ll have to check out that basx I am not familiar with it
I checked out that amp you referenced, good value for sure , definitely can not build your own for the $ that they list them for. Spec wise not what I consider totl but still probably just fine listening wise. Knowone really considers life span or serviceability when they buy something new or even used, like the trany in your car, ouch
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I just bought a new Toyota RAV4, took Toyota Finance (first time in my life with a car-loan), put down $2000 plus a $100 tradein, and 3.99%APR.
OTOH my bank was quoting me over 8%. A huge difference from the last 9 years when they paid 0.01% on savings and IRA.