Pre and power amp build
My first build and first attempt at SMD!
I used amp boards from Tom Christiansen (Neurochrome.com)
My first build and first attempt at SMD!
I used amp boards from Tom Christiansen (Neurochrome.com)
I'm sure that sounds fantastic!
Is that a soft start in front of the smps in the amp? (Front circuit wise)
Is that a soft start in front of the smps in the amp? (Front circuit wise)
No, it's one of these
ON-OFF modul
There's one in the preamp too. In the preamp it's used to control the volume pot motor and IR remote control. In the power amp it's just used to receive a trigger signal from the preamp board so that I can power both amps from the switch (or remote) on the preamp.
Thanks. Yes, a SlimLine and a Dissipante. I sent the panels to Schaeffer for processing.
This is my LM3886. I just started with electronics this year. I've made a couple of CMoy headphone amps, the O2 headphone amp and the ACA. I love how you can go from no knowledge whatsover to building an amp you're proud of, and enjoy listening to, in a short period of time by using this site and others.
Nice build as one of your first. You'll never have to worry about heat dissipation with that case.
I would route the output wire around the sides of the transformer. A toroidal transformer is noisiest above and below.
Thanks, I realise the heatsinks are over the top but I like the look and it fitted perfectly in my rack.
I didn't realise transformers had a direction to their noise, thanks for the tip.
I didn't realise transformers had a direction to their noise, thanks for the tip.
My first (and finished) LM3886 build, using 2 x Modulus 86 and power 86 from Neurochrome in a dissipante chassis with 300 VA transformer, Allo stepped attenuator and a Lorlin input selector.
The Ugly Little Chipling
It just goes to show that not everyone is making showroom-ready gear here. This is a stereo LM1875 amp with a front panel made from an old cookie sheet from the thrift store.
It's like the ugly little duckling of amplifiers. There's no PCB and the circuit is built up using what ham radio types call "ugly" construction or sometimes "Manhattan" construction where parts hang off the IC pins and are built over a solid unetched ground plane of copper plated PC board. Circuit nodes if needed are on little snips of PCB super glued onto the ground plane.
It gives very short lead lengths like the RF types prefer
There's a 100VA toroidal transformer in the box and the heat sinks are inside the box.
After a pair of speakers, this is my first ever audio electronics project. I have nothing fancy to compare it to, but my subjective experience is that it sounds very clear and balanced compared to the 1970s receiver that it is intended to replace. Running a computer or tablet straight in without a preamp is adequate.
I'm on my way to build Rod Elliot's preamp next and put up an all homebrew system in the living room.
My apologies for the rugged aesthetic, I like people to know it's home made! And I love that it sounds like a million bucks and looks like 50 cents.
-Neil N0FN
It just goes to show that not everyone is making showroom-ready gear here. This is a stereo LM1875 amp with a front panel made from an old cookie sheet from the thrift store.
It's like the ugly little duckling of amplifiers. There's no PCB and the circuit is built up using what ham radio types call "ugly" construction or sometimes "Manhattan" construction where parts hang off the IC pins and are built over a solid unetched ground plane of copper plated PC board. Circuit nodes if needed are on little snips of PCB super glued onto the ground plane.
It gives very short lead lengths like the RF types prefer
There's a 100VA toroidal transformer in the box and the heat sinks are inside the box.
After a pair of speakers, this is my first ever audio electronics project. I have nothing fancy to compare it to, but my subjective experience is that it sounds very clear and balanced compared to the 1970s receiver that it is intended to replace. Running a computer or tablet straight in without a preamp is adequate.
I'm on my way to build Rod Elliot's preamp next and put up an all homebrew system in the living room.
My apologies for the rugged aesthetic, I like people to know it's home made! And I love that it sounds like a million bucks and looks like 50 cents.
-Neil N0FN
Hello Neil,
Very well done indeed.
In some cases there absolutely no need for a PCB, it's a waste of time and money e.g. DIY Frugel Horn Mk3 and Gain Clone plus Philips CD mod: Gain Clone & CD Mod
Cheeers - Jim
Very well done indeed.
In some cases there absolutely no need for a PCB, it's a waste of time and money e.g. DIY Frugel Horn Mk3 and Gain Clone plus Philips CD mod: Gain Clone & CD Mod
Cheeers - Jim
Given that when I'm really listening to music I mostly listen with my eyes closed or in the dark, 50 cents or $500 shouldn't matter. Most of my projects are just breadboarded or pieced together with basement bin parts, repurposed dead audio gear, etc. My LM3886 was pieced together from a dead surround receiver. I shouldn't care about aesthetics but I'm mostly a tube guy so maybe I do care at least a little...
Mod 86p in bridged mode.
Chassis front for one channel.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
WOW! That looks awesome! Where dod you get the case, or did you scratch build that too?