I think most could agree that a good starting point would be something that has been listed on the DIY audio store - these are extremely popular, proven, faultless amplifiers.
For most common hi-fi box speakers in a living room - Honey badger would be a good place to start.
But the statements said above holds true the best amp you've heard (and speaker) is the one you built yourself 🙂
For most common hi-fi box speakers in a living room - Honey badger would be a good place to start.
But the statements said above holds true the best amp you've heard (and speaker) is the one you built yourself 🙂
My best DIY class-AB power amplifier is this one:
"Audio power with a new loop", Electronics World February 1996, pages 140...143, https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Wireless-World/90s/Electronics-World-1996-02-S-OCR.pdf
I made only two DIY class-AB amplifiers, and the one I made before this one was conceptually less elegant and had its emitter resistors go up in flames.
"Audio power with a new loop", Electronics World February 1996, pages 140...143, https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Wireless-World/90s/Electronics-World-1996-02-S-OCR.pdf
I made only two DIY class-AB amplifiers, and the one I made before this one was conceptually less elegant and had its emitter resistors go up in flames.
As silly as this exercise is... I'll play
For smooth sound: Elliott Sound P3A
For a clearer, more powerful sound: Elliott Sound P101
For lower power, just sit and listen to the music, because it sounds so dang good: Pass M2
The first two have excellent instructions and BOM that come with the PCBs. The 3rd has a very long thread on here. That isn't quite as handy as full on instructions as there are a lot of posts to wade through but still helpful.
For kits with all the components included AmpsLab. The LM60MK2 is smooth and warm sounding (even more so than the P3A) and version 1 of the TDA7293MOD sounded surprisingly good but had turn on and off noises that required speaker protection. He's on version 5 so no idea how much better it has gotten in that many generations.
For a kit with chassis and everything needed to make a fully functional amplifier: Akitika
I want to try the AEM6000 and the NP AB-100 mentioned above, but I need to research the parts for them a bit more. It seems every time I pick a design off here there are a couple components that are hard to find or have to be matched.
For smooth sound: Elliott Sound P3A
For a clearer, more powerful sound: Elliott Sound P101
For lower power, just sit and listen to the music, because it sounds so dang good: Pass M2
The first two have excellent instructions and BOM that come with the PCBs. The 3rd has a very long thread on here. That isn't quite as handy as full on instructions as there are a lot of posts to wade through but still helpful.
For kits with all the components included AmpsLab. The LM60MK2 is smooth and warm sounding (even more so than the P3A) and version 1 of the TDA7293MOD sounded surprisingly good but had turn on and off noises that required speaker protection. He's on version 5 so no idea how much better it has gotten in that many generations.
For a kit with chassis and everything needed to make a fully functional amplifier: Akitika
I want to try the AEM6000 and the NP AB-100 mentioned above, but I need to research the parts for them a bit more. It seems every time I pick a design off here there are a couple components that are hard to find or have to be matched.
@invaderzim thanks for sharing all the info. Thats a good brief to have a idea about the briefs available in the thread.
First i selected SR200 of apexaudio and parts are on the way. Once i solder the things out definitely will share it.
At the same time if you can tell your experience with sr200 also.
I started this thread to get a summarized idea of the builds available while I'm working on sr200.
Hi @Dirttracker73 i chose the alexmm's 2.2 sanken board. After receiving the components may try the latest the 3.2 sanken. Later plan to do full diy.
Please tell me your experience with favorite builds
Please tell me your experience with favorite builds
My favorite DIY amp build, by very small margin, is Apex AX14. Quoted from previous post, "The amp is super stable, responds just as intended to adjustment of bias and has very low DC offset, single digit mv. The sound is clear and crisp at all frequencies with no drop-off of the low end. Dead silent with no music playing. Just a simple, easy to build amp with great performance. There are other amps with pretty much imperceivable sound differences, but I just like knowing that I can set the bias adjustments and put the cover back on, not worrying about anything."
Other amps that are excellent include, in order of my preference:
These are just a few of the really good amps in this forum. There are countless others that are great designs.
Other amps that are excellent include, in order of my preference:
- PeeCeeBee v4. (newer versions have been created). Excellent sound quality, similar to AX14. Strong low end (bass). A little sensitive to adjustment during setup to get bias and DC offset set. Nothing troublesome, just not as stable as AX14. This amp is near equal with AX14 in my opinion.
- VSQC (Very Simple Quasi Complementary) and the high output version. VSQC is an unusual design with deliberate even order distortion to give it a tube amp warm sound. A very good and clear sounding amp to me. Very close to PeeCeeBee and AX14. Fun build and satisfying to listen to.
- Honey Badger. Popular build with lots of support and boards available from the DIY Audio Store. Sound is crisp and clear with plenty of power. This design is very tolerant to different transistors and components. Bias and DC offset are stable and easy to set. This was my first build of a discrete hi-fi amp. I found the flexibility of parts and many different build options to be somewhat difficult to navigate, but it turned out good and I learned a lot about amps in the process.
These are just a few of the really good amps in this forum. There are countless others that are great designs.
Have a look here for diy high end amplifiers developed with the help of many diyaudio member experts.
Multiple class AB amplifiers from 140W up to 600W (4R) using bipolar power stage, vertical or lateral mosfets. Even a high power class H design is available.
Have fun,
Toni
Multiple class AB amplifiers from 140W up to 600W (4R) using bipolar power stage, vertical or lateral mosfets. Even a high power class H design is available.
Have fun,
Toni
Hi dirttracker73,
Interested by your opinion on AX14. Which schematic (and components) and PCB did you used?
Alain
Interested by your opinion on AX14. Which schematic (and components) and PCB did you used?
Alain
Apex Schematic and PCB by prasi are what used:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/100w-ultimate-fidelity-amplifier.164093/post-5846902
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/100w-ultimate-fidelity-amplifier.164093/post-5846902
I'm having a difficult time finding the info, as my webpage bookmarks are no longer directing to the correct post.
@Dirttracker73 after reading your post i'm very much interested to build a ax14. I saw it has been developed to several versions later including a class h.
Thanks a lot for sharing nice info and just after my sr200 definitely i will try that
The wolverine is Fantastic i built honey badger as first project but i can tell you the wolverine is so good you will be amazed that you can build an Amplifier of this quality go talk to Stuart or Fireanimal they are both very knowledgeable and will help you to build it fireanimal has top shelf kits if you want to skip sourcing parts he has them pre measured matched ect.....the ef3 will give you 100 at 8 ohms easily the ef4 will do 200 with listed transistors this amp is a Winner in every aspect its top shelf