Hello all,
New member here, looking for some words of wisdom / expert advice.
Up until recently, my home stereo system consisted of an Integra DTR 5.3 and a pair of Mordaunt-Short Avant 904 speakers (rated 100 W rms, nominal impedance 4-8 ohms). After about 10 years of service, the Integra died on me and I'm looking to build something to replace it...
...But there is so much information out there that I'm not sure where to start!
I'm good with electronics, but I don't know a whole lot about hi-fi audio specifically. I'd really appreciate if some of you could point me in the right direction, given that:
Thank you kindly for reading my long-winded post!
New member here, looking for some words of wisdom / expert advice.
Up until recently, my home stereo system consisted of an Integra DTR 5.3 and a pair of Mordaunt-Short Avant 904 speakers (rated 100 W rms, nominal impedance 4-8 ohms). After about 10 years of service, the Integra died on me and I'm looking to build something to replace it...
...But there is so much information out there that I'm not sure where to start!
I'm good with electronics, but I don't know a whole lot about hi-fi audio specifically. I'd really appreciate if some of you could point me in the right direction, given that:
- I want something of similar power, (or even a little less, as long as it can drive my speakers);
- I'd like something of similar quality (or better), sound-wise;
- I want something simple: I really need only one input source since all of my media (music, movies, etc.) is on my computer (heresy, I know - but I move around a lot and got tired of moving several boxes of CDs and tapes), or I could have two input sources selectable via a toggle switch on the front panel;
- I can salvage the transformer and the heatsink from the Integra;
- I can draw/etch PCBs, have access to all the necessary tools to build an enclosure for the amp, and have no problem sourcing parts. I can work with just the schematic and component values of an existing / tried and tested design, or order a kit - whichever is most cost/time - efficient;
- I listen to a wide range of genres, but instrumental jazz is my main interest - from old school quieter stuff like Stan Getz or Paul Desmond, to bebop, to modern electro-jazz like Jaga Jazzist, Kneebody and such; and most of all
- I can't spend thousands of dollars on this. Ideally I'd like to keep this project in the 0-300$ ballpark.
Thank you kindly for reading my long-winded post!
You'll hear all this many times.
The cost of a DIY build is in the chassis, heatsinks and PSU.
You can DIY the chassis so no problem there.
If you are salvaging components then you have to either build down to what you have got or wait for a bargain.
If you start with your rescued transformer you will get an idea of what to build.
Most commercial gear is Class A/B so you might like to look at the HoneyBadger.
The cost of a DIY build is in the chassis, heatsinks and PSU.
You can DIY the chassis so no problem there.
If you are salvaging components then you have to either build down to what you have got or wait for a bargain.
If you start with your rescued transformer you will get an idea of what to build.
Most commercial gear is Class A/B so you might like to look at the HoneyBadger.
TBPH FM receivers met their zenith in the late 90's, any decent FM tuner will be excellent from those years.
several alternatives, the first still using integra.
assume we do not know which part is damaged, but if the home theater amplifier, 6.1 then presumably, not all 6 channel amplifier is damaged.
from 6 channel, we use only 2 channel. the route of RCA inputs, volume control for the manual, then go into the amp input.
Alternatively, buy a preamp pga2311 widely available on ebay, with the input and channel selector. 5v dc power supply, and + /-15V for the opamp.
when the amplifier module also damaged, new build amplifiers. description pretty much in diyaudio
simple, Pedja rogic buffer + lm3875.
or more powerful, lme49810, there is a kit, or completed tested around 120 usd , you can contact pansonaudio.
hopefully help
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Thanks to both of you for the replies and suggestions, I'll make sure to check them out.
I'm not sure what's wrong with the Integra: It shuts down automatically after 15 seconds when I turn it on (even without speakers connected). I checked the output transistors and the bridge rectifier and they seem good (no shorts, normal VBE, etc.).
The front panel is connected to the main board via a ribbon cable: when this cable is disconnected, the unit doesn't shut itself off (but no sound comes out of the outputs either). I can't find the schematics for this amp (heck, I can't even find the specs of the transformer using Integra's part no.)...and even if I did, the front panel is all surface-mount and I don't have the proper equipement at home to do rework on SMT circuits...which is why I pretty much gave up on trying to fix it and would rather build something extremely simple to replace it.
I'm not sure what's wrong with the Integra: It shuts down automatically after 15 seconds when I turn it on (even without speakers connected). I checked the output transistors and the bridge rectifier and they seem good (no shorts, normal VBE, etc.).
The front panel is connected to the main board via a ribbon cable: when this cable is disconnected, the unit doesn't shut itself off (but no sound comes out of the outputs either). I can't find the schematics for this amp (heck, I can't even find the specs of the transformer using Integra's part no.)...and even if I did, the front panel is all surface-mount and I don't have the proper equipement at home to do rework on SMT circuits...which is why I pretty much gave up on trying to fix it and would rather build something extremely simple to replace it.
Assuming you don't really need FM anymore, and all you really want is to play music from your computer, then at a minimum, you need just an amp, as suggested above.
I'd suggest pulling the ribbon cable, and measuring the voltages on the power caps, to see what you have to work with, then choose an amp from there.
I'd suggest pulling the ribbon cable, and measuring the voltages on the power caps, to see what you have to work with, then choose an amp from there.
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