DIY amps

You can check out http://sound.westhost.com/project117.htm schemo on esp diy pages, for a 1.5Kw (into 8 ohms) power amp, with plentiful warnings on the dangers of approaching such a project and numerous statements to the effect that such power from any amplifier is completely uneccesary under any circumstances (lol)

Edited by jethrocker - 22 May 2007 at 9:58pm

odc04r's got it bang on, unless you want a hobby and are sh8t hot on the electronics, it might not be worth your time, but obviously great for improving you understanding etc.

i've looked into it once, I'm have minimal knowledge, but from a cost point of view even if you're going to make a run the cost of the components isn't worth it - on a 500w a side amp for a run of 10 it worked out about 180 mark ex. knobs cases etc.
[a decent size transformer alone's going to be 50 unless you go switchmode route, even more complex ]
- then these the wonky components and few fkups in the making process to factor in.


But its the reliability that kills it, all manufacturers battle with quality control of individual components, thats what costs in the end, that how and why cheaper rip-offs come about: once the research is done mass buy components and scrap quality control, if it doesn't work have a new one,

basically you're not going to using the components enough to understand their true mechanical constraints/capabilities.  [not that you're not up to it just that takes a long time right] - yeah ok your not that bothered but when its been run for 10hrs flat out,  have you got that sort of time to test it?

and like odc04r says, aside from the greater power levels, its also the protection that complicates things, there all that time testings even when you've got a proven design right? even time you add a component you multiplied the margin for error.

also unless its suicide kit, it won't do you any favors in attracting hire-outs, or in the pat test department either.

Even with a mess about setup you'll still want reliability otherwise you're cash is up the wall again.

edit: esp might still be doing pcb's though which will make it easy for sure , maybe worth a look, 

good luck.


Edited by pooju - 27 May 2007 at 11:45am

Hi i have made lots of my own amps,what do you want to do?

if one is to build hi performance amplifiers firstly do not use MPSA transistors.