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Good amp under $75 ? Advice needed.

post #1 of 13
1/26/10 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I am looking to build a nice, clean amp for under $75. I now there have been multiple posts or people asking how to build, but i haven't seen under $75. I work in IT so i have a basic to good understand of simple circuits and components. I was originally interested in building PA2v2, instead of buying it. The reason is i really love DIY projects. I could not get a hold of a schematic though. Anyway, can anyone point me to an amp less than $75 that has a tutorial of some sort? My Grados were just stepped on by my wife so i am using some in-ear Phillips headphones for now.

I really like the iBasso D2 + BOA, but it is well out of my price range.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

HoFL
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post #2 of 13
1/26/10 at 6:12pm
Maybe do a little bit of research on the Starving Student Hybrid Tube amp. I read that they kits for these are sold out at the moment, but a final lot of 35 or so will be for sale soon.
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post #3 of 13
1/26/10 at 6:19pm
Are you looking for a portable or desktop solution?

Portable, I'd suggest "CmoyBB", pretty cheap and sounds good too.
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post #4 of 13
1/26/10 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, i forgot to mention. I am looking for a portable unit. Thank you for the recommendation though derek800... that amp was pretty nice.
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post #5 of 13
1/26/10 at 7:37pm
Another $20 (if you can swing it) will get you an AMB Mini3 from Glass Jar Audio...

~~~Sara
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post #6 of 13
1/26/10 at 7:44pm
Or maybe a Fiio E5 (usually sells for $20) or a USED NuForce Icon Mobile (sometimes goes around the $75 price range)
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post #7 of 13
1/26/10 at 7:54pm
E5 isnt worth it imo. i would go with the amb mini3. you can get it for cheaper if you dont end up getting the engraved panels.
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post #8 of 13
1/26/10 at 8:01pm
He wants to BUILD the amp, so that would rule out the Fiio amps from the get go.

HoFL , there is a DIY subforum down towards the bottom of the page that you may find very helpful. I would consider building a Mini3. Last time I totalled up a BOM it looked like it would be about 40-50 dollars to build, assuming you just get a plain face plate and not one of the engraved ones that AMB offers on the site. I've never had anything engraved, but apparently it's really expensive to have done for a custom job/small quantity like that.
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post #9 of 13
1/27/10 at 2:43am
make a mini3
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post #10 of 13
1/28/10 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you to all who replied. I REALLY appreciate the advice. Not sure which i will pic as my 2nd portable amp project as of yet. I will post it when i get it going. Just out of curiosity; does anyone know of an inexpensive way to create a PCB? I have used software before, but then when i go to order them they are fairly expensive.


Again your advice is much appreciated.


HoFL
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post #11 of 13
1/28/10 at 7:24pm
Definitely a Mini3.It is cheap,sounds great and quite easy to build.You can find tons of info about it and there are lots helpful people in DIY forum if you have problem while building.
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post #12 of 13
2/1/10 at 3:30am
Thread Starter 
So this weekend i built the standard newamplifier... the cmoy amp. I followed this great tutorial, but i am quite frustrated with the fact that there is a loud hissing in the right ear. The left has a very small hiss also. But the volume and hiss in the right ear stays the same no matter what position the potentiometer is in. Has anyone had this problem?

Thanks for the help.

HoFL
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post #13 of 13
2/1/10 at 4:01am
Try asking here: DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio
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