This thread is wonderful, lots of good stuff here, thanks 6L6 and everyone who contributes! https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/260319-diyaudio-build-guides.html
Few things I am considering:
--Which one has all the parts available (I read plenty here about key parts going EOL - I also see parts kits in the Store here, and 100% about that)
--Which one is going to be less-fickle to build (as in, something that is not as temperamental, something that would hopefully be a little more 'works, or it doesn't' be needing more tuning)
--Which one is more forgiving if you screw up (less likely to totally blow it up)
--Which one people here can help troubleshoot (as in a more common build)
Totally fine with needing to do basic stuff like drilling/tapping the chassis, having to find hardware to install things, having to modify plastic or metal parts to fit, etc. My biggest worry is building something that is temperamental and is fighting me...and would require special skills to troubleshoot and adjust. OK to have setbacks, part of the fun, but would like to start with something a little more forgiving.
Thanks!
Few things I am considering:
--Which one has all the parts available (I read plenty here about key parts going EOL - I also see parts kits in the Store here, and 100% about that)
--Which one is going to be less-fickle to build (as in, something that is not as temperamental, something that would hopefully be a little more 'works, or it doesn't' be needing more tuning)
--Which one is more forgiving if you screw up (less likely to totally blow it up)
--Which one people here can help troubleshoot (as in a more common build)
Totally fine with needing to do basic stuff like drilling/tapping the chassis, having to find hardware to install things, having to modify plastic or metal parts to fit, etc. My biggest worry is building something that is temperamental and is fighting me...and would require special skills to troubleshoot and adjust. OK to have setbacks, part of the fun, but would like to start with something a little more forgiving.
Thanks!
I believe the general consensus is the ACA for the easiest build. It started life as a simple project for those who had little experience. It has grown into a more capable amp where one can experiment with bridging and dual-mono configurations. See this thread: ACA amp with premium parts
Next up would be any of the 25W FirstWatt designs – M2x, F5, F6, Aleph J. All of these need a good linear supply to be built. Dual-mono is preferred for best results, and these amps will make the very most of the rest of the components in your system.
Next up would be any of the 25W FirstWatt designs – M2x, F5, F6, Aleph J. All of these need a good linear supply to be built. Dual-mono is preferred for best results, and these amps will make the very most of the rest of the components in your system.
Have the ACA done, and it was a ton of fun. While I wish there was a turnkey First Watt kit (including ALL the parts, and pre-drilled/tapped holes) that does not appear to be a thing.
The F5 looks to be a little more accessible than some of the others, but not sure.
For the power supply, I see the massive toroidal transformer and then a PCB with larger caps...is what what you are referring to?
The F5 looks to be a little more accessible than some of the others, but not sure.
For the power supply, I see the massive toroidal transformer and then a PCB with larger caps...is what what you are referring to?
The ACA is the closest thing to a turnkey kit as anything offered on the diyAudio store. The full kit includes the chassis with pre-drilled mounting holes and a small SMPS power supply.
Moving up to a linear power supply isn't as difficult as it looks, thanks to an excellent PSU build build by 6L6. Yes, that is the big toroidal transformer plus a PCB with big electrolytic capacitors.
Moving up to a linear power supply isn't as difficult as it looks, thanks to an excellent PSU build build by 6L6. Yes, that is the big toroidal transformer plus a PCB with big electrolytic capacitors.
There will never be a 100% complete kit for a Firstwatt.
But it’s not that hard, so getting all the bits is not that big a deal.
The most beginner friendly are Aleph J and F6.
Once you build one, the rest will seem very easy.
But it’s not that hard, so getting all the bits is not that big a deal.
The most beginner friendly are Aleph J and F6.
Once you build one, the rest will seem very easy.
Never say never 😀 - but understand it might be to not devalue the branded products, so appreciate that.
Between the Aleph J and F6 - what would you use to decide between them? Looking at the two build guides, it seems the Aleph J is a little more simple on the build, and a little more simple to adjust and get running.
My mind is at deciding what amp to buy...then work backwards by getting the hardest to come by parts (I work in product manufacturing and am living the current supply chain pain).
Thanks!
Between the Aleph J and F6 - what would you use to decide between them? Looking at the two build guides, it seems the Aleph J is a little more simple on the build, and a little more simple to adjust and get running.
My mind is at deciding what amp to buy...then work backwards by getting the hardest to come by parts (I work in product manufacturing and am living the current supply chain pain).
Thanks!
Ohhh, thanks for that. That is a good price for a lot of DIY fun. I'd love to see more stuff like that!
EDIT: that said, I am not worried about my soldering or construction skills for a FW clone...more my lack of technical experience with electronic components. Worried I would inadvertently do something dumb and have trouble fixing things.
EDIT: that said, I am not worried about my soldering or construction skills for a FW clone...more my lack of technical experience with electronic components. Worried I would inadvertently do something dumb and have trouble fixing things.
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F6.
If you built a working ACA the only "new" thing to learn is the power supply.
Limitless help here if you need it.
If you built a working ACA the only "new" thing to learn is the power supply.
Limitless help here if you need it.
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What makes the F6 easy vs. any of the others? Honest question, just curious why you picked that one.
I say go with the Aleph J next, as it has the most detailed and beginner-friendly build guide IMO.
DIY Aleph J: A Build Guide
(No disrespect to 6L6’s many excellent build guides).
DIY Aleph J: A Build Guide
(No disrespect to 6L6’s many excellent build guides).
My ears are not your ears.
My speakers are not your speakers.
My room is not your room.
Ad Infinitum…
So what I think about how something sounds actually means nothing to what it’s going to sound like to you. (But they all sound really, really good.)
@pinkfloydforever - That is a fantastic guide! I absolutely love it.
The easy part is stuffing the AMP PCB's with components.
What takes time is all the things around the PCB's. Power supply, chassis and mechanical work with connectors etc.
ACA was the most easy and after that the VFET amp.
Maybe the MoFo was even easier.....
M2X a little bit harder but what makes it not that hard is that the mounting holes on PCB fits the DIY Store chassis. But a PSU has to be built for it.
What takes time is all the things around the PCB's. Power supply, chassis and mechanical work with connectors etc.
ACA was the most easy and after that the VFET amp.
Maybe the MoFo was even easier.....
M2X a little bit harder but what makes it not that hard is that the mounting holes on PCB fits the DIY Store chassis. But a PSU has to be built for it.
6L6 - I know, just joking! The more I read about the various FW amps, the more I am intrigued and confused. Never though you could get (in a good way) such a...temperamental collection of solid state amps.
Joking aside, it really feels like the good ol' days of the internet here, before everyone was mean and nasty to each other, and before everything was designed to serve big tech - which is to say small groups of people actually trying to help each other and do something good.
Joking aside, it really feels like the good ol' days of the internet here, before everyone was mean and nasty to each other, and before everything was designed to serve big tech - which is to say small groups of people actually trying to help each other and do something good.
Awesome link, thanks! Between that and 6L6's guide (and of course this forum to bail me out of stupid stuff I do) that should be a great base.
I would suggest that you should build anything but "good" sounding.
reasons for that:
1. improve your skills and knowledge;
2. keep you "not" disappointed, because you know it is not good sounding;
3. keep your curiosity and imagination of a "better" sounding one;
4. keep building but will never get "the best" sounding one;
5. you have a real life long hobby not just few minutes.
reasons for that:
1. improve your skills and knowledge;
2. keep you "not" disappointed, because you know it is not good sounding;
3. keep your curiosity and imagination of a "better" sounding one;
4. keep building but will never get "the best" sounding one;
5. you have a real life long hobby not just few minutes.
I`ve build AlephJ first.
Was also first amp i`ve ever build in my life.
Im not an electronic genius but could solder. I have tripple checked every part i`ve solderd (orientation ,Value, type).
Amp worked flawless.
2nd build was am F5 same procedure, amp plays fine.
Later build an ACA worked too. But was to weak.
So i suggest if you want an fast clean sounding amp -> F5
A little more relaxed -> Aleph J
Also for beginners 😉
If you have high sensitive Speakers maybe an ACA could work too.
But i am not a fan of this Amp because it have not enough power.
Was also first amp i`ve ever build in my life.
Im not an electronic genius but could solder. I have tripple checked every part i`ve solderd (orientation ,Value, type).
Amp worked flawless.
2nd build was am F5 same procedure, amp plays fine.
Later build an ACA worked too. But was to weak.
So i suggest if you want an fast clean sounding amp -> F5
A little more relaxed -> Aleph J
Also for beginners 😉
If you have high sensitive Speakers maybe an ACA could work too.
But i am not a fan of this Amp because it have not enough power.
I think the MoFo is overlooked (one power mosfet).
MoFo equals Mosfet-Follower which provides current gain but no voltage gain.
It sounds great and easy to build.
Great article too.
It's just that the parts seem overwhelming, like large heat sinks and large choke, but if you break it down into pieces, it's not so bad.
Can be built as a 19v or 24v power supply versions and can use inexpensive SMPS from Meanwell.
Only other caveat is it requires a preamp that can swing some voltage with around 20db of gain.
Most tube preamps have high gain and there are several solid state preamps like the BA3-Preamp that are high gain.
I used the BOZ-J (one jfet design) with Followers on 87db speakers and it played fine.
People get freaked out when they have to turn the volume past 3 o'clock position, but if the preamp is silent, it's no problem.
MoFo equals Mosfet-Follower which provides current gain but no voltage gain.
It sounds great and easy to build.
Great article too.
It's just that the parts seem overwhelming, like large heat sinks and large choke, but if you break it down into pieces, it's not so bad.
Can be built as a 19v or 24v power supply versions and can use inexpensive SMPS from Meanwell.
Only other caveat is it requires a preamp that can swing some voltage with around 20db of gain.
Most tube preamps have high gain and there are several solid state preamps like the BA3-Preamp that are high gain.
I used the BOZ-J (one jfet design) with Followers on 87db speakers and it played fine.
People get freaked out when they have to turn the volume past 3 o'clock position, but if the preamp is silent, it's no problem.
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