Hi, first post. New to the DIY audio scene but keen to get stuck in.
I am considering building a D-Class power amp using a pair of Hypex UcD400HG amp modules and a single SMPS1200A400 power module, case from Modushop.....a well trodden route and there's lots of info on-line regarding this type of build.
my question is regarding a pre amp, I have read the Relaixed amp threads and various articles on line regarding using Hypex's DLCP as a pre-amp and have thought I might go the DLCP route........but do I even need one?
I almost exclusively listen to music stored on my PC (currently connected to my Fatman valve amp and a pair of Elac speakers (243.2)....sounds pretty good despite the low power of the amp).
Anyway can I simply plug the PC into the power amp and control the volume from the computer?..I think I probably can but don't want to do any damage through my lack of experience/knowledge.
I am considering building a D-Class power amp using a pair of Hypex UcD400HG amp modules and a single SMPS1200A400 power module, case from Modushop.....a well trodden route and there's lots of info on-line regarding this type of build.
my question is regarding a pre amp, I have read the Relaixed amp threads and various articles on line regarding using Hypex's DLCP as a pre-amp and have thought I might go the DLCP route........but do I even need one?
I almost exclusively listen to music stored on my PC (currently connected to my Fatman valve amp and a pair of Elac speakers (243.2)....sounds pretty good despite the low power of the amp).
Anyway can I simply plug the PC into the power amp and control the volume from the computer?..I think I probably can but don't want to do any damage through my lack of experience/knowledge.
Yes you can do that without a problem. You could add a volume pot after the computer at a later date if you wish.
Thanks Richie00boy, I think I will keep things a simple as possible, but a remote volume control might be nice later on. Next job after the power amp is bigger speakers 🙂 Wilmslow ATC K50 or K100 are on my wish list...but lets see how stress free the amp build is first 🙂, my current speakers can take more power, it will be nice to see what they can do with some real power behind them.
What kind of computer, though? And how do you connect it to your amp's input?
The quality of the result will vary a lot depending on the above. An external DAC would be highly desirable to drive the amp. And which DAC and how you connect the computer to the DAC is also important.
If you use JRiver on your computer as player you can use JRemote on a phone/table and you have a remote with a good volume control.
Computer>DAC>amp also opens the door for DSP, which in itself seems to have a lot of potential. I also have a similar signal chain, a tube amp, and building UcD400 now. For now I have a very good tube preamp, but it looks like I will retire it soon.
The quality of the result will vary a lot depending on the above. An external DAC would be highly desirable to drive the amp. And which DAC and how you connect the computer to the DAC is also important.
If you use JRiver on your computer as player you can use JRemote on a phone/table and you have a remote with a good volume control.
Computer>DAC>amp also opens the door for DSP, which in itself seems to have a lot of potential. I also have a similar signal chain, a tube amp, and building UcD400 now. For now I have a very good tube preamp, but it looks like I will retire it soon.
It's a home built PC based around an AS Rock Z97 Pro4 motherboard the onboard sound is pretty solid but I am just about to upgrade to a ASUS Essence STX sound card with a better SNR of 124dB. I use Itunes for most play back and KMPlayer for my FLAC recordings. simply connected from the speaker out put from the PC to the aux connector on the amp...RCA connectors
After further reading I think I will use a volume control in my power amp (on the input side). Later on I may build the Hypex DLCP pre-amp....depends on how much cash is left in the pot after I get through my list of projects 🙂
Seems cash is scarce. Then I would buy a good DAC. I think it will make a bigger difference than a preamp or volume pot in your situation. The sound from the mob is not very good, really. Just as an example, look at the iFi products. They also have volume pot. I have the micro and the Nano. They are good.
For reference, my PC is purpose built and highly optimized for audio playback, has no moving parts, Paul Pang USB card, into an Audiophilleo with Pure Power, into a Metrum Octave DAC, into a Lamm LL2 preamp, into a McIntosh MC275 amp, b&with 804S and pair or DIY Rythmik subs. As much as I love my preamp, if cash were short that would be the first thing I would do without. Motherboard into amps in my opinion will limit whatever your amps and speakers could ever do.
I hope this helps.
For reference, my PC is purpose built and highly optimized for audio playback, has no moving parts, Paul Pang USB card, into an Audiophilleo with Pure Power, into a Metrum Octave DAC, into a Lamm LL2 preamp, into a McIntosh MC275 amp, b&with 804S and pair or DIY Rythmik subs. As much as I love my preamp, if cash were short that would be the first thing I would do without. Motherboard into amps in my opinion will limit whatever your amps and speakers could ever do.
I hope this helps.
the iphone blows away virtually any computer system for 2 channel audio playback
http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/iphone-6-plus.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/iphone-6-plus.htm
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I agree the Iphone sounds great, but to be honest I can't tell the difference between when my I phone is the source or my PC is....they are playing the same files through the same system. I could be that my set up simply isn't up to the job of highlighting this difference....... More reason to build the Hypex amp 🙂
I think with the ASUS Essence STX sound card the sound will be more than good enough for my ears.
Anyway, for me half the pleasure in this venture is the research, planning and building something for myself that I might not otherwise have been able to afford. 5 kids an ex-wife and two homes to run ensure funds have to be managed carefully 😀
I think with the ASUS Essence STX sound card the sound will be more than good enough for my ears.
Anyway, for me half the pleasure in this venture is the research, planning and building something for myself that I might not otherwise have been able to afford. 5 kids an ex-wife and two homes to run ensure funds have to be managed carefully 😀
Maybe it's the system, or maybe the way you are using the computer. You know my point of view.
The iphone comment is a non-starter, at least in my system. It's definitely worse than my phone+iFi, Squeezebox Touch, PC+Audiophilleo+Metrum. Let alone when the PC is really optimized. But if you want to believe the iphone is great...that's ok with me.
Cheers
Funny how things turn out....after much reading on the DIYAUDIO pages I have gone and ordered the B1 Buffer preamp board from the Nelson Pass website. It struck me as solution to my dilema and a nice straightforward build for a first foray into amp construction. Now I've got to order up all the component, guess I will start the build in the next few weeks and it gives me something to do whilst I buy the components for the power amp. I will post photo's of the build once I get started.
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