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Building an M3, bulging eyes at options

post #1 of 11
3/4/06 at 3:34am
Thread Starter 
Well, I'm looking to build an M3 as soon as the new computer is together and working properly. I read through the AMB labs M3 website and looked at the parts list. There are so many options for caps, resistors, OPs, diodes, transistors, pots, etc. I don't have the money or time to try all of these parts to find what I like best, so I need some recomendations.

I want an amp that is warm and musical, with tight, punchy bass. I'd take these qualities over a dry, analytical and highly accurate amp. This will be my first amp build (although, not my first time with curcuits and electroncs) and I don't want to spend more than 200-250 on the whole amp (that encludes the case). I know that such an amp project is not recomended for a DIY noob, but I want to take teh chance. So, those of you that have the aformentioned amp sound, what parts are you using/do you recomend?

Thank you.
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post #2 of 11
3/4/06 at 5:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitebread

I want an amp that is warm and musical, with tight, punchy bass. I'd take these qualities over a dry, analytical and highly accurate amp.
...
So, those of you that have the aformentioned amp sound, what parts are you using/do you recomend?
The amp design in general will yield this sound you seek. Just follow the bill of materials found on the main M3 page. It's an excel file created by n_maher.
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post #3 of 11
3/4/06 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, I'll do that then.
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post #4 of 11
3/4/06 at 1:27pm
My M³ is made straight from the BOM, nothing fancy parts wise. It sounds considerably cleaner and has a lower noise floor than the Pimeta I built with Cerafine/Wima caps, stacked buffers, and class-A biasing.
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post #5 of 11
3/4/06 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, so I think I'll go with the basic parts now and upgrade later, or build something new when I have more experience.
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post #6 of 11
3/4/06 at 2:07pm
Whitebread,

It's possible that you're going to have to pinch some pennies to get the amp built for $250. If you take the parts from my excel sheet which totals $150 not inlcuding shipping that only leaves you with $100 for everything else. Let's say you chose to go the route of a regulated wallwart for the power supply. You'll probably want to get an Elpac WM080 which will run in the neighborhood of $30 so now you're down to $70. Now you're looking at needing a case ($20 minimum for the Hammond T22) power supply jack, RCAs, knobs, headphone jack, switch, and other misc. things like board standoffs, wiring, etc. Can it be done, sure, it'll just take some careful planning and organization. Also, you could peruse the For Sale forums here, you might find things like barely used opamps (hint, hint ) and be able to shave some money off right there.

Best of luck and happy building,

Nate
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post #7 of 11
3/4/06 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 
One other thing I forgot to ask. Which brands are good adn which are bad? The AMB site has a list, I know, but makes no mention of what is good and what is bad. I could look at .pdfs all day but I'm not the most well versed in dtermind quality from complicated parameters. I'd go off price, but DIY has tought me that determind value straight from price is foolish.

Anyone know of any mid quality brands I should look at?
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post #8 of 11
3/4/06 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by n_maher
Whitebread,

It's possible that you're going to have to pinch some pennies to get the amp built for $250. If you take the parts from my excel sheet which totals $150 not inlcuding shipping that only leaves you with $100 for everything else. Let's say you chose to go the route of a regulated wallwart for the power supply. You'll probably want to get an Elpac WM080 which will run in the neighborhood of $30 so now you're down to $70. Now you're looking at needing a case ($20 minimum for the Hammond T22) power supply jack, RCAs, knobs, headphone jack, switch, and other misc. things like board standoffs, wiring, etc. Can it be done, sure, it'll just take some careful planning and organization. Also, you could peruse the For Sale forums here, you might find things like barely used opamps (hint, hint ) and be able to shave some money off right there.

Best of luck and happy building,

Nate
Well, I planned on making my own wood case. So that will save me some money right there. As far as teh budget goes, 250 was just a figure I pulled out of the air. I have no shortage of cash and pushing the budget up to 300 is fine. I guess I will have to do it too. Its fine.

THanks for your site, too, it makes building this thing a lot less of a challenge.
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post #9 of 11
3/4/06 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitebread
THanks for your site, too, it makes building this thing a lot less of a challenge.
Just for clarification that's amb's site, I just put together the BOM for the M³.

And making your own case will certainly help save $$.

Nate
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post #10 of 11
3/4/06 at 6:15pm
Most of the options in the parts list section are alternatives in case you have difficulty getting the default recommended parts, with a few "boutique" grade choices (for capacitors, stepped attenuator and connectors) if you get into such things. There are no "bad" parts in the list.
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post #11 of 11
3/5/06 at 2:29am
Thread Starter 
O great, thanks AMB, that makes parts selection easier.

Thanks n_maher, I wasn;t sure.
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