I have been building tube amps/preamps for years and a few solid state phono preamps along the way (I am an ex CET). I am intrigued by the many versions of the gainclone type of chipamp and want to build one. I see no point in having my own PCBs made with the many that are out there.
The prices are all over the place some too cheap to be true (ebay etc.) and others quite pricey. Not keen on spending a couple of hundred dollars on 2 signal and 1 power supply PCB. BTW I make my own enclosures.
Are there any decent PCBs for the LM**** chipamps available? Or does anyone here have any? I am not as concerned about the power supply
PCB as that is pretty standard.
Thanks!
The prices are all over the place some too cheap to be true (ebay etc.) and others quite pricey. Not keen on spending a couple of hundred dollars on 2 signal and 1 power supply PCB. BTW I make my own enclosures.
Are there any decent PCBs for the LM**** chipamps available? Or does anyone here have any? I am not as concerned about the power supply
PCB as that is pretty standard.
Thanks!
https://neurochrome.com/collections/power-amplifiers/products/lm3886-done-right
Perhaps member tomchr will have more boards in stock soon?
So many options and there is the topic of two or three in parallel...
I decided to buy singles, doubles and triple chip arrangements. So far the double chip works great. I am still working on the others and I have enclosures & power supplies ready for two of these three projects. Yes, I decide to build three LM3886 based chip amps.
Perhaps member tomchr will have more boards in stock soon?
So many options and there is the topic of two or three in parallel...
I decided to buy singles, doubles and triple chip arrangements. So far the double chip works great. I am still working on the others and I have enclosures & power supplies ready for two of these three projects. Yes, I decide to build three LM3886 based chip amps.
Thanks STOXX,
I really don't need much power, my speakers are Klipsch La Scalas, so I wasn't thinking of running multiple chips unless there is a potential gain in sound quality (which is the most important thing to me). I have a good tube preamp also and will build this as a power amp with no volume control etc.
Do the Neurochrome boards come with a schematic?
I really don't need much power, my speakers are Klipsch La Scalas, so I wasn't thinking of running multiple chips unless there is a potential gain in sound quality (which is the most important thing to me). I have a good tube preamp also and will build this as a power amp with no volume control etc.
Do the Neurochrome boards come with a schematic?
I don't know if Tom issues the schemtics with purchase or they are possibly here on this site in past comments. He is a relatively active member as I recall.
You may want to look at Rod Elliot’s site at https:\\sound-au.com. He does several chip amps and provides the boards at a reasonable price.
You should check out the "MyRef" design, originally by the late Mauro Penasa and featured extensively here in the chip amp forum. It has since been refined by another member, Dario, user name clavefremen, who is wholly committed to preserving Mauro's legacy. I have built many versions of this amplifier, and they are all excellent in every technical aspect and musically.
Buy the boards with thickest foil and highest fire retardant rating, if possible with tinned pads and screen printed component numbers.
As such, a fairly generic item to obtain, buy the one that is cheapest delivered, some sellers quote low and cover their profits in shipping charges.
As such, a fairly generic item to obtain, buy the one that is cheapest delivered, some sellers quote low and cover their profits in shipping charges.
I would add that I have built all of Rod’s Chipamps and lots of the TDA7293 version as they suit my compact active speakers very well. (They are in fact the most compact of all of them, even the LM1875 board is slightly larger).
A few comments that I have received on those amps,
“I don’t know how many times I played that track, but I never heard those instruments before!”
“I can’t hear the speakers, there is only the music in front of me!”
“That is incredibly clear.”
“Where is all that bass coming from?” (This was from a prototype that used 4 x 4” drivers in a very slim column speaker. )
When I started, I didn’t know about fake chips, so the only failures I have had with Rod’s boards was due to bad components. Otherwise, they all worked first time - his build guides are very good.
I have yet to try any of the other chipamp boards, but Tom’s Neurochrome amps would be next on my list to try.
A few comments that I have received on those amps,
“I don’t know how many times I played that track, but I never heard those instruments before!”
“I can’t hear the speakers, there is only the music in front of me!”
“That is incredibly clear.”
“Where is all that bass coming from?” (This was from a prototype that used 4 x 4” drivers in a very slim column speaker. )
When I started, I didn’t know about fake chips, so the only failures I have had with Rod’s boards was due to bad components. Otherwise, they all worked first time - his build guides are very good.
I have yet to try any of the other chipamp boards, but Tom’s Neurochrome amps would be next on my list to try.
Bamavette, tomchr usefully sets out his thoughts on what a decent LM3886 amplifier should feature here: https://neurochrome.com/pages/taming-the-lm3886-chip-amplifier
This is definitely worth a read, even if you don't end up buying his products.
Note that he previously worked for Texas Instruments (formerly National Semiconductor) for some time and really knows these chips.
This is definitely worth a read, even if you don't end up buying his products.
Note that he previously worked for Texas Instruments (formerly National Semiconductor) for some time and really knows these chips.
In looking at the schematics for power supplies I am not seeing regulated supplies being used. The only +- supplies I have built were for opamp based phono preamps and I used regulated designs.
Is regulation not needed or provide a benefit for a chipamp?
Is regulation not needed or provide a benefit for a chipamp?
Regulation generally isn’t needed for many power amp power supplies. Many diyers now use a switched mode psu often with a supplementary filter to reduce or eliminate noise. Switched mode power supplies tend to have a more stable voltage output than unregulated supplies, but that can limit short term transient peak output compared to an unregulated supply.
I currently use unregulated power supplies on my power amplifiers, although I do have a couple of meanwell smps ready to use for a small amp.
I think Tom’s neurochrome site shows the quality that can be obtained without regulated supplies.
If you like the idea, and enjoy building regulated supplies, then why not, but there isn’t a strong technical case for doing so.
Hope that helps!
I currently use unregulated power supplies on my power amplifiers, although I do have a couple of meanwell smps ready to use for a small amp.
I think Tom’s neurochrome site shows the quality that can be obtained without regulated supplies.
If you like the idea, and enjoy building regulated supplies, then why not, but there isn’t a strong technical case for doing so.
Hope that helps!
Jeffh01
Thanks, I will probably just build an unregulated supply, easy peasy. Not a fan of switch mode supplies. If it doesn't need regulating I won't bother.
EDIT: I do see some people using dual power supplies with one shared transformer, I don't see a benefit. Is there a benefit to this?
Thanks, I will probably just build an unregulated supply, easy peasy. Not a fan of switch mode supplies. If it doesn't need regulating I won't bother.
EDIT: I do see some people using dual power supplies with one shared transformer, I don't see a benefit. Is there a benefit to this?
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So why not just use the same power supply for both channels? Instead of 2 sets of rectifiers etc.
That is what I do and is standard in commercial amplifiers. Some like the idea of monoblock construction where left and right amps are isolated back as far as the power input. If the amplifier PSU is built and wired correctly it won’t be an issue. There are some great wiring guides linked from this site.
If you use one of Rod Elliot’s boards he provides information about optimum wiring layout for them. Andrew (bonsai) has also published a guide on his hifisonix site that members have used with great success.
If you use one of Rod Elliot’s boards he provides information about optimum wiring layout for them. Andrew (bonsai) has also published a guide on his hifisonix site that members have used with great success.
Further, a dual mono block has a separate power supply for each channel. How glorious! Yes, it is. They share an enclosure and perhaps a power switch and power cord. DIY lets you decide on what you want your power supplies to be. There are indeed amplifiers with regulated power rails. Very indulgent. Many would say, "diminishing returns'. Meh vs money? IDK.
Why not just go for it and build two mono blocks?
Why not go further and build two mono blocks with separate power supply enclosures? Wow, a two-channel chip amp comprised of four enclosures no less.
The indulgence never ends. There are some very fine results of this on this forum.
You can do 'it' in an endeavor to lower distortion or you can do it for looks.
I think most DIYers do 'it' because of the enjoyment.
If you want results, pick a budget, set a timeline and choose your build.
I have a million projects and most have no timeline. It is an ongoing, never-ending hobby for some but many are focused and project driven.
Good times.
Why not just go for it and build two mono blocks?
Why not go further and build two mono blocks with separate power supply enclosures? Wow, a two-channel chip amp comprised of four enclosures no less.
The indulgence never ends. There are some very fine results of this on this forum.
You can do 'it' in an endeavor to lower distortion or you can do it for looks.
I think most DIYers do 'it' because of the enjoyment.
If you want results, pick a budget, set a timeline and choose your build.
I have a million projects and most have no timeline. It is an ongoing, never-ending hobby for some but many are focused and project driven.
Good times.
I remember Peter Daniels making big splashes here in DIYAUDIO. https://audiosector.com/
If you are looking for inspiration, perhaps his work is your cup of tea. You can search him/his work by name here in the forums.
Cheers.
If you are looking for inspiration, perhaps his work is your cup of tea. You can search him/his work by name here in the forums.
Cheers.