I am needing some advice. After reading novembers hi-fi world i have become more interested in the diy scene. as this will give me the opp to get more for less as it were.
So to the point.
I would like to build a pre/mono block assembly usin t amps. I hav looked on 41hz and autocostruire, but would like some extra advice. have any of you out there constructed said combo?
I would be very gratefull for your advice
cheers
So to the point.
I would like to build a pre/mono block assembly usin t amps. I hav looked on 41hz and autocostruire, but would like some extra advice. have any of you out there constructed said combo?
I would be very gratefull for your advice
cheers
First stop for all things kit Class-D is Nuuk's incomparable (and as far as I know unique) review on TNT: http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/tripath_amps_e.html
My sense is that if you want to just get your feet wet the 41 Hz amps are great because of their low-cost and high performance. (Note that we are still waiting for a review of the Amp 6 which uses the same chip as the much pricer Charlize and Autocosturi). Only problem with them is that they all use SMD components (though as I understand it the Amp 6 uses very few) which can be hard to solder if you are a newbie.
My sense is that if you want to just get your feet wet the 41 Hz amps are great because of their low-cost and high performance. (Note that we are still waiting for a review of the Amp 6 which uses the same chip as the much pricer Charlize and Autocosturi). Only problem with them is that they all use SMD components (though as I understand it the Amp 6 uses very few) which can be hard to solder if you are a newbie.
Yes, you say that you are new to DIY hi-fi so taking on a 41Hz kit may not be suitable as blip says.
You could go for an assembled Autocostruire 2020 or the Charlize. I describe how to make a pre-amp to go with the Gainclones here on Decibel Dungeon and as I am listening to it right now with a class-T amp (guess which one 😉 ), I can confirm that it works well with the amps I suggest above!
While you are over at DD, do as much homework as you can. The site was set up to help newbies get into to this fascinating and rewarding hobby.
End of ad! 😀
Oh, and BTW, expect to see valve pre-amps to go with the class-T amps appearing quite soon!
You could go for an assembled Autocostruire 2020 or the Charlize. I describe how to make a pre-amp to go with the Gainclones here on Decibel Dungeon and as I am listening to it right now with a class-T amp (guess which one 😉 ), I can confirm that it works well with the amps I suggest above!
While you are over at DD, do as much homework as you can. The site was set up to help newbies get into to this fascinating and rewarding hobby.
End of ad! 😀
Oh, and BTW, expect to see valve pre-amps to go with the class-T amps appearing quite soon!
I disagree, I completed three AMP1-B's without a single problem and I had never soldered any SMD's before. All three amps worked perfectly the first time I flipped the switch using no precautions at all.
You don't need any fancy tools either, all I used was a normal 30w iron with a normal tip, some extra flux, and a pair of self clamping tweezers.
I will admit, I was VERY anxious about starting the kits do to everyones "OMG ITS SO HARD" nay saying, but now that the're all completed and working I don't see what all the fuss was about.
I'm not being patronising but well done you! But we don't even know if Carlos has ever soldered before and the fact is, a number of us (yes me included) didn't manage to complete one of the 41Hz kits.
Now, Carlos states his reason for coming to DIY, ie to get more for his money. What I know from my own experience, and others who I talk to about this hobby, is that when we look at our bills, it's never quite so cheap as we would like to think.
All I am trying to do is get Carlos started on the right track so he is neither discouraged at the begining, nor finds that he has spent a fortune at the end!
thanks guys
what you have all said is very helpful. I have soldered before as i used to make rc boats planes and cars. I am probs most tempted by the 41hz as these mention bridging for mono on there website, and buyimg two is less of a burden. here is some more info about my setup.
rega p3 turntable
meridian 206 cd player
my current amp is a cyrus 1
rotel rl850 speakers ( i hav jus ordered new caps for the xovers, as i am moding them a bit and bringing them outboard.)
my wires are from russ andrews
I will also need advice on a phono stage.
although money is an issue another reason i am gettin into this is i love to tinker and experiment. gaining improved sound this way is more satisfying too as appose to jus shellin out £££ for off the shelf stuff
cheers
what you have all said is very helpful. I have soldered before as i used to make rc boats planes and cars. I am probs most tempted by the 41hz as these mention bridging for mono on there website, and buyimg two is less of a burden. here is some more info about my setup.
rega p3 turntable
meridian 206 cd player
my current amp is a cyrus 1
rotel rl850 speakers ( i hav jus ordered new caps for the xovers, as i am moding them a bit and bringing them outboard.)
my wires are from russ andrews
I will also need advice on a phono stage.
although money is an issue another reason i am gettin into this is i love to tinker and experiment. gaining improved sound this way is more satisfying too as appose to jus shellin out £££ for off the shelf stuff
cheers
I can certainly recommend the 41Hz Amp1...i've had one running for about 6 months now and it's a great little amp...the surface mount components are tricky but if you are careful and take your time it's well worth it...although i think i need glasses after all the work!!
I've just partnered my Amp1 with a valve pre-amp so i'm intrigued by Nuuk's remake...more details please.
From my experiences a valve pre with a class D amp works a treat and i've been amazed at the sound they produce certainly for the money which was my reasons for trying one although as Nuuk says the cost is always more than you anticipate.
Now if i could just get over the fear of the large voltages in valve amps i might try building a valve pre for myself.
Also thinking of two Amp6's and bi-amping....maybe!!!
Tim.
I've just partnered my Amp1 with a valve pre-amp so i'm intrigued by Nuuk's remake...more details please.
From my experiences a valve pre with a class D amp works a treat and i've been amazed at the sound they produce certainly for the money which was my reasons for trying one although as Nuuk says the cost is always more than you anticipate.
Now if i could just get over the fear of the large voltages in valve amps i might try building a valve pre for myself.
Also thinking of two Amp6's and bi-amping....maybe!!!
Tim.
OK, so Carlos is no stranger to a soldering iron and the AMP-6 looks much easier to build successfully than the AMP-3 that I tried! So I would go along with the recommendadtion(s) for that!
Carlos, I haven't used monoblocks but I do use a separate preamp (that feeds a 2020 stereo amp and a Gaicnlone for the woofers on the open baffles).
There is no reason why you should not run monoblocks from a pre-amp, valve or otherwise!
magpietim - (watch out for that bird flu!) I'm not sure what you mean! If you want more details on the valve pre-amps that I referred to, I can only tell you that a couple of the class-T amp suppliers are developing them. I have no more details at present.
What about the famous Foreplay if you want to build one for yourself? I know what you mean about the higher voltages - my valve pre-amp runs off 380 volts but without being cocky, it's really no different to any electrical other circuit except that you just make doubly sure that you adhere to all the safety rules!
Carlos, I haven't used monoblocks but I do use a separate preamp (that feeds a 2020 stereo amp and a Gaicnlone for the woofers on the open baffles).
There is no reason why you should not run monoblocks from a pre-amp, valve or otherwise!
magpietim - (watch out for that bird flu!) I'm not sure what you mean! If you want more details on the valve pre-amps that I referred to, I can only tell you that a couple of the class-T amp suppliers are developing them. I have no more details at present.
What about the famous Foreplay if you want to build one for yourself? I know what you mean about the higher voltages - my valve pre-amp runs off 380 volts but without being cocky, it's really no different to any electrical other circuit except that you just make doubly sure that you adhere to all the safety rules!
I have been into model planes, trains, boats, cars, etc. since I was very young, so thats probably why working with all those small parts wasn't a big deal for me even though it was the first time I ever soldered SMD's. Each amp took about 5 hours and I never picked up a magnifying glass once
.If you do go with an AMP1 make sure you get the AMP1-B, it cost a little bit more but the extra protection and auto dc offset adjustment is well worth it.
BTW: I'm still trying to decide on a pre to feed my Rane AC-23 that in turn feeds my 6-channels of AMP1-B bliss. I don't need anything too fancy, but I don't want it to compromise the sound of the AMP1-B's either.
Got a bit of a sniffle at the moment....now you have me worried...lol.
Nuuk...might give the foreplay some thought....my missus as been saying i should give some thought to foreplay for years....didn't know she mean't that though.
Tim.
Nuuk...might give the foreplay some thought....my missus as been saying i should give some thought to foreplay for years....didn't know she mean't that though.
Tim.
Carlos,
Put that soldering down and run!
ELSE when you finish building your first working amp, you will be in paradise... but not for long.
Soon after you will get an urge to build another thing.
Sometimes you will want to change input caps, tweak and twist, or trying SMPS. Build a pre amp before a T-amp, what do I know.
Maybe even build a gainclone, or a foreplay?
I tell you, it's still time to quit.
As for the thought that you are going to save some buck by doing DIY, FORGET about it.
Your bills, especially credit card bills, will be forever increasing.
I wished someone warned me.
Put that soldering down and run!
ELSE when you finish building your first working amp, you will be in paradise... but not for long.
Soon after you will get an urge to build another thing.
Sometimes you will want to change input caps, tweak and twist, or trying SMPS. Build a pre amp before a T-amp, what do I know.
Maybe even build a gainclone, or a foreplay?
I tell you, it's still time to quit.
As for the thought that you are going to save some buck by doing DIY, FORGET about it.
Your bills, especially credit card bills, will be forever increasing.
I wished someone warned me.
My 6-channel AMP-1B project ended up with a total cost of close to $600, a lot more than I had planned. Its all the little stuff that adds up, like hardware, wire, connectors, and any special tools you need and don't have.
For $400 I could have bought Tripaths 6-channel eval board and saved 15 hours of SMD work
. Oh well, it was a good learning experience, and we all know those are priceless.
For $400 I could have bought Tripaths 6-channel eval board and saved 15 hours of SMD work
. Oh well, it was a good learning experience, and we all know those are priceless.It certainly does add up...the actual kit isn't the half of it, but your right it's the fun and experience of knowing you've cocked it up yourself.
The offical cost of mine to her indoors is 'not too much'.
Tim.
The offical cost of mine to her indoors is 'not too much'.
Tim.
cost
i understand the cost will never be as cheap as first thought. But i will be learning a lot more than jus buyin a cyrus 6 upgradin to a cyrus 8 addin a psx then gettin cyrus monoblocks. or any other make. and in that context i will probs be spending less too. And gettin something that i've had more influence over. i understand i will probs make my first in a basic case and wanting to try new things and the like, make snazzier cases. but i think this way will be more fun than jus goin out and buyin stuff
i understand the cost will never be as cheap as first thought. But i will be learning a lot more than jus buyin a cyrus 6 upgradin to a cyrus 8 addin a psx then gettin cyrus monoblocks. or any other make. and in that context i will probs be spending less too. And gettin something that i've had more influence over. i understand i will probs make my first in a basic case and wanting to try new things and the like, make snazzier cases. but i think this way will be more fun than jus goin out and buyin stuff
That's right! With the right attitude, this is a fun hobby and the costs should be offset not only against what we build, but the hours of entertainment that we get building it! (Of course when something goes wrong we wonder why the hell we do it!) 😉
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