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inexpensive headphone amp kit for a beginner?

post #1 of 9
Thread Starter 
I'm interested in building a headphone amp as a first DIY project. Is it possible to find inexpensive complete kits for less than $100? I've looked around a fair bit, but the only amp kits I can find are $300+. I wouldn't mind building something like a cmoy... but I can't find anywhere to get a circuit board. Are group buys the only way for cheap DIY? Are there any currently going on?

-Will
post #2 of 9
post #3 of 9
You don't need a kit to build the cmoy. Tangent's and Cmoy's guides are both very good; Tangent even shows a nice component layout. Scrub the radioshack board well before soldering, though!

If you are comfortable with a more complex build, you can build a baseline Pimeta for that amount, too. No buffer stacking, basic op-amps, typical digikey parts, and the wallwart. If it works well, and sounds promising in your setup, you can swap in some nicer op-amps, or build a nicer power supply.

It seems to me that a lot of folks try to 'max out' their DIY project right from the start. That's okay, but it does increase the initial outlay. It will likely cost more if you go incrementally, but you can wash this out over time. Plus, it gives you an upgrade path without starting over.

A turnkey kit, with everything you need, would most likely run more than that budget. But if you have basic small tools on hand, you can buy a simple meter, plain-jane $10 soldering iron, a box of altoids, and the components for a Cmoy... all for about $60-$70. There is only about $25 in parts, but you always needs a few extra items if it's your first project.

There are a LOT of old threads regarding various 'first DIY amp' projects, usually accompanied by the subsequent debugging, but not always. It's very enlightening, and you can go through it vicariously through another's posts before setting out on your own. Look at the pics posted, etc. If there is a stumbling block, it's often common to many DIYers. Good luck.
post #4 of 9
Quote:
Scrub the radioshack board well before soldering, though!
huh:? why.. does it corrode easily or something?

kits are definitely easier if you're not exactly sure of what you are doing.. if you don't have much experience w/ electronics, you might want to try with a breadboard or something first-- might make things easier for you and create a non-permanent visual
post #5 of 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by elmer_dudd
huh:? why.. does it corrode easily or something?
The ratshack protoboard is not tinned... ie, it is plain copper. It tarnishes within a few hours of being cleaned, even if it's slight, making it hard to solder to properly.

A few scrubs with fine steel wool or wet-or-dry sandpaper will clean it up. Follow that with some alcohol, or wash with soap and water, to remove any fine residue form the steel wool or sandpaper. Works great, then.
post #6 of 9
I've got Cmoy parts, so if you want to give it a try and don't feel comfortable getting all the parts then drop me a PM. I upgraded the caps and some other parts as well.
post #7 of 9
Ramsey electronics sells a couple of complete kits.
Dunno that I would ever call them high quality though.

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi...tion&key=SHA1C

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi...ction&key=SHA2
post #8 of 9
Several Amazon customers of the Ramsey unit (assembled, not the kit) complain of hiss and scratching. Doesn't sound like something you'd buy to drive your HD800s.

Amazon.com: Ramsey SHA1WT Stereo Headphone Amplifier - Assembled: Electronics
post #9 of 9
Uhm... very confused - the thread is almost 4 years old and you resurrected it to say THAT?!
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