hmmm...
Bikehorn,
The outstanding bass, and dynamic nature of the amp may make it a great party amp...
Building a ksa50 is not hard, definitely not the easiest amp to make (gainclone or mini-aleph), but not as hard as say a leach double barreled amp, which is more elaborate, more components, more opportunities for mistakes.
That having been said, you cannot make any mistakes or it won't work right, and worse things may burn up, explode or both...
If you are careful about following the component orientations, making sure all parts are identified correctly, then soldered properly into the correct places on the board it will work perfectly...
If you read some of this thread you will rapidly realise the same amp can be built many ways, electronically and physically, from mild to wild as they say. For your first attempt I'd recommend using everything as defined by the Krell factory.
Don't underestimate the hardware needed to support the amp. Even for the default 50w class A into 8 ohms, the heatsinks are big, the transformers are almost as big...you can assemble a gainclone of nominally similar specs for about 1/10 the price, but it's like comparing a suped up honda civic to a cobra 427...
HTH
Stuart
P.S. I think I can find my boards etc, email me and we'll chat.
Bikehorn,
The outstanding bass, and dynamic nature of the amp may make it a great party amp...
Building a ksa50 is not hard, definitely not the easiest amp to make (gainclone or mini-aleph), but not as hard as say a leach double barreled amp, which is more elaborate, more components, more opportunities for mistakes.
That having been said, you cannot make any mistakes or it won't work right, and worse things may burn up, explode or both...
If you are careful about following the component orientations, making sure all parts are identified correctly, then soldered properly into the correct places on the board it will work perfectly...
If you read some of this thread you will rapidly realise the same amp can be built many ways, electronically and physically, from mild to wild as they say. For your first attempt I'd recommend using everything as defined by the Krell factory.
Don't underestimate the hardware needed to support the amp. Even for the default 50w class A into 8 ohms, the heatsinks are big, the transformers are almost as big...you can assemble a gainclone of nominally similar specs for about 1/10 the price, but it's like comparing a suped up honda civic to a cobra 427...
HTH
Stuart
P.S. I think I can find my boards etc, email me and we'll chat.
transformers
oh yeah...there is nothing about the amp the prohibits using a single transformer with multiple windings for the 2 channels and a preamp, you just have to find or make the transformer...most folks here are using either one huge transformer, or, as Krell did, a pair of large (ie twice the needed size) ones...
Stuart
oh yeah...there is nothing about the amp the prohibits using a single transformer with multiple windings for the 2 channels and a preamp, you just have to find or make the transformer...most folks here are using either one huge transformer, or, as Krell did, a pair of large (ie twice the needed size) ones...
Stuart
Upupa Epops said:Outstanding bass from 50 W amp ? Really ?- some magic spell it must be... 😉
ha
you really didn't hear what 5W can do with right spks..........
Upupa Epops said:Outstanding bass from 50 W amp ? Really ?
We will fix that assumption soon. I have parts and boards headed accross the pond next week for you.
Edit:
And as stated before, if your not impressed, you can still use it as a space heater. 😀
Bikhorn,bikehorn said:
The responses to your inquiry have been from some pretty experienced builders so far. I thought I would offer some thoughts from a little more novice perspective.
Although conceptually the KSA50 is a simple design, I would not necessarily recommend it to a complete novice unless you are prepared to invest some serious time. There is a wealth of information contained within the 6000+ posts and the WIKI, but you will not find the kind of step by step illustrated instructions and assembly diagrams that would normally come with a kit build. In fact, as mentioned, the many different approaches to the build that have been used so far can be a little confusing when you don't have a clear understanding of why some decisions are made.
I came to this project as an electronics novice (my training is in structural engineering). Having built several DACs, 7 or more headphone amps, and about a dozen low power regulated PSUs, I had a rudimentary understanding of power supplies, signal circuits, and power circuits, but I have had to do a tremendous amount of research and ask a lot of questions to get to a point where I am feeling comfortable to begin actually assembling my clone (I've had the populated circuit boards and basic components sitting ready for months now).
I have changed my design for the power supply four times as I learned more about how it all goes together. As you read through the posts you will find that even the very experienced builders do not always agree on the details of assembly. The populating of the circuit boards is simple.....but that is a small percentage of what you will need to do to bring together all the elements of the amp, and achieve the functioning beast you desire.
Things you will need to consider, without the benefit of a specific set of instructions to guide you, include the amp case size and physical layout and mounting of the components; heatsink type (passive or forced); heatsink size and configuration in relation to the output devices and/or boards; power supply design, components, configuration and space requirements....literally dozens of alternatives to consider (I see you've already begun thinking about that); soft start circuiting; powering scheme for the signal, driver and output boards; powering scheme for supplemental circuits like fans and soft starts; grounding scheme (you will find a lot of differing approaches here too); and output bus configuration. There are surely other considerations I have missed here, but the point is, it is not just a simple soldering project that can be slapped together over a weekend....or even several weekends!
Having said all that, I would recommend you give it a try if you have the time to spend....you will learn a lot, and the help from the experienced builders on this thread has been great! (some are more patient than others....just be prepared for some constructive criticism once in a while). 🙂
By the way, I am working on some chip amp projects also, and they are indeed a lot simpler!
Robert
rabstg said:
what?
now I have cunning' plan........
spreading all over the forum,posting like major PITA ,then bags of free goodies will start coming in my way............
Hi Bikehorn,
try using a single transformer of about 750VA to 1000VA for a 2channel Klone.
If you can source one, then go for four secondaries so that each low voltage side is completely independant.
Next best is a one pair of secondaries feeding two bridge rectifiers. Each rectifier dedicated to a dual polarity supply for one channel.
Worst of all is one bridge feeding one set of smoothing caps feeding both channels. I do not recommend this cheap option.
This rectifier advice will apply to any 2channel amp that you finally decide to build.
try using a single transformer of about 750VA to 1000VA for a 2channel Klone.
If you can source one, then go for four secondaries so that each low voltage side is completely independant.
Next best is a one pair of secondaries feeding two bridge rectifiers. Each rectifier dedicated to a dual polarity supply for one channel.
Worst of all is one bridge feeding one set of smoothing caps feeding both channels. I do not recommend this cheap option.
This rectifier advice will apply to any 2channel amp that you finally decide to build.
I have heard bass from 100 dB speaker, with 1600 W amp ( both by KV2Audio ) - it was like kicking to stomach... 😀 - not like 5 W worm...😀
To Troy : BTW - some kit from Halcro isn't by you ? 😉
To Troy : BTW - some kit from Halcro isn't by you ? 😉
Upupa Epops said:
that explains everything
if you ever need more than 5 good watts with ,say,KHorns ,ya need some medicine......at least few bottles of local beer
moral of the story- to each his own........
it will be polite to stop p*i*#*#*ing in other's plate-don't you think-upupa?
Basic thesis of hifi listening is : " With each drink out noggin, falls down ear's sensitivity by step - 3 dB, but by the same step rise uncritical passion ... " 😀
Upupa Epops said:
KV2Audio will not even fit in my flat
bit overkill comparison to home audio
allan
Why not, Allan ? This apparatus is really high fidelity and isn't much more bigger than normal home one... 😎
I can't do here promotion, but as I know, in Australia you can find it... listen and you will be very surprised... 😎
Choky, you obviously haven't read this thread or you would know how helpful Pavel has been. He's getting free bits because he contributed, both here and privately to this project.
There is an easy reply for this one. The KSA-50 will put out way too much heat for your party type atmosphere and will have everyone leaving in short order because the room will rise at least 25 degC in temperature and the beer will get too warm too quickly.
I reccomend that you just switch over to handing out Sony Walkmans to each party goer instead 😀
Mark
P.S. Yes..... boards are still available.:
Handing out iPods, or minimum, DiscMans, Mark. Signs of the times.
I don't know if Sony even makes Walkman cassette players anymore.
If one truly is stuck in a miniature dorm room, and with a roommate, the stereo has to be pretty small.
And yes, I would suggest something small, digital, with most investment in good speakers for the dorm scene.
That said, best dorm system during my college days was:
BSR mini-tt>Dynaco Quad? Integrated>Dynaco A-25's.
At a nearby university, some guy had the biggest speakers I have ever seen, allowing possibly 4 party people in the room, to be deafened by Deep Purple Machine Head! Highway Star??? You could hear that stereo out in the Commons playing frisbee. I wonder if that dude has any hearing left.
Hmmmm....Keg Season is just around the corner...
I don't know if Sony even makes Walkman cassette players anymore.
If one truly is stuck in a miniature dorm room, and with a roommate, the stereo has to be pretty small.
And yes, I would suggest something small, digital, with most investment in good speakers for the dorm scene.
That said, best dorm system during my college days was:
BSR mini-tt>Dynaco Quad? Integrated>Dynaco A-25's.
At a nearby university, some guy had the biggest speakers I have ever seen, allowing possibly 4 party people in the room, to be deafened by Deep Purple Machine Head! Highway Star??? You could hear that stereo out in the Commons playing frisbee. I wonder if that dude has any hearing left.
Hmmmm....Keg Season is just around the corner...