DIY amps |
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antimony
Registered User Joined: 18 October 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 105 |
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Posted: 22 May 2007 at 9:11pm |
Has anyone made any of their own amps?
Are these high power ones we all like a different kettle of fish from the popular diy hi-fi kits/schematcs out there? anyone want to share some schematics please? |
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jethrocker
Old Croc Joined: 07 June 2006 Location: Chiapas, Mexico Status: Offline Points: 1942 |
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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)
Seriously though, isn't something to try out without a fair helping of knowledge on the subject and building experience. It's not just about copying the schematic correctly, more to do with construction technique and set up/troubleshooting procedure.
If you do build one though, I'll have it off you for a bit of unbiased testing.. Edited by jethrocker - 22 May 2007 at 9:58pm |
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odc04r
Old Croc Joined: 12 July 2006 Location: Sarfampton Status: Offline Points: 5482 |
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There isn't much point in building power amps for PA use unless you can get a really good deal on a lot of components and are very confident in your design abilities.
I would happily (and have) built them for home use, and with a bit of care and attention you can get a good spec built with not too much work involved. As the power goes up then apart from the electronic considerations and design you have to really think about mechanical design too. Heatsinks, thermal resistance, fans, cooling in general, impedance allowances etc, short + open circuit protection and soft start. As power goes up allowing sensible component choices really rapes your budget. Even worse is that if you design for PA then you should be thinking a lot about safety, and ensuring that your amps mechanical dersign can take a life on the road. Bottom line is that an amplifier can be as complicated or as not as you want it to be, but cost and time goes up exponentially with power and features. Stick to building amps intended for home use I reckon, or maybe for installation into powered cabs and intended only to power known drivers or you may come rapidly into problems :D Start very small and work bigger. sound.westhost.com is an excellent starter site for all sorts of DIY projects, probably the best on the net. |
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pooju
Registered User Joined: 04 April 2006 Status: Offline Points: 254 |
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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 |
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Verr
Registered User Joined: 27 September 2006 Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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some places sell amp modules, basically the amp made for you, then you just have to wack it in a 19in rack and wire it all to speakons, xlr's and power.
i made one that is only 115w into 8ohms and i use it to run my compression drivers. i'm not sure whether it is because it is mosfet but it sounds better than any other amp i have tried and like everything else, if you made it you get a great sense of achievement. The only quarms i have with building your own is: -It works out either a little cheaper or same price, possibly more if you go wrong. -testing something that has 240v going through can change the colour of your pants -vu meters can be a pain -building high wattage amps can make them unreliable, due to protection, build quality etc. All in all i would advise starting with a small power amp and see how it goes, large scale amps require either the knowledge of god or a degree in quantum mechanics, however definately worth the graft. Verr |
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andyamp
Old Croc Joined: 21 July 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2115 |
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Hi i have made lots of my own amps,what do you want to do?
hi power is not always best for hifi.
what power?
andy
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a wise man changes his mind a fool does not.
http://www.matrixamplification.com/ |
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lovaz
Registered User Joined: 29 October 2005 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 58 |
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and what about this?
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LOVAZ AUDIO
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andyamp
Old Croc Joined: 21 July 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2115 |
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if one is to build hi performance amplifiers firstly do not use MPSA transistors.
thay are rubish!
use toshiba or simular 2sa970/2sc2240 ect.
toys
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a wise man changes his mind a fool does not.
http://www.matrixamplification.com/ |
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palesha
Registered User Joined: 08 April 2006 Location: India Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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Verr : i made one that is only 115w into 8ohms
Can u give the schematics & pcb layout?
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