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Suggestions for my seccond DIY amp

post #1 of 12
1/30/10 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 
I recently stared to do DIY audio and I finally build my first CMOY. Now i need a second project to keep me going. What would you guys recommend? I want to learn how to do small surface mount work but I need something that not too expensive to mess up. Any suggestions?
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post #2 of 12
1/30/10 at 10:10pm
Maybe a Mini^3?
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post #3 of 12
1/30/10 at 10:14pm
My second was a Mini^3, good portable project, uses two SOIC-8 op-amps, which are surface mount.
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post #4 of 12
1/30/10 at 10:21pm
Try Tangent's Pimeta V2. Makes you understand some of the theory to pick parts but still pretty straightforward to assemble.
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post #5 of 12
1/30/10 at 10:37pm
I built a mini3 after a couple of cmoys. Working with the PCB on the mini3 was actually a lot easier than the protoboard for the cmoy. After watching Tangent's tutorials on surface mounts, the opamps weren't that bad.
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post #6 of 12
1/30/10 at 10:45pm
Maybe a PPA. It'd be a nice step up from the CMoy and better than a Mini3
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post #7 of 12
1/30/10 at 10:54pm
A minimax is a good option too. I built a mini3 as my second, but I thought the minimax was easier since I personally, did not have an easy time with the SMD stuff. Also, the fact that the minimax comes with an enclosure helps a ton! It is a bigger build with more parts, but support is great and everything is thru hole. It's a little more money too, but that might not be an issue depending on what you're looking for ultimately. Just things to ponder.
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post #8 of 12
1/31/10 at 3:51am
Why not a millet hybrid or CK2III? No surface mount but great amps for the price.
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post #9 of 12
1/31/10 at 1:47pm
A DIY minimax doesn't require any difficult soldering.
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post #10 of 12
1/31/10 at 3:34pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for you suggestions guys. I think my goal with the next project is to make something that can drive a pair of Senn 650's at work (so it doesn't have to be super small). I did a parts build up an it seems like the MINI^3 is cheaper parts wise then the pimeta. Is that correct?

Anyone have some rough breakdowns on the prices? I think thats probably the hardest thing to figure out when you are building something DIY. Especialy interested in CK²III and millet prices
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post #11 of 12
1/31/10 at 4:13pm
minimax kit is $220 all inclusive. Check out beezar.com for details. Also, don't forget to take into account any tools, materials, etc. that you would need for casework that the minimax does not require. Not sure say that you wouldn't need those things eventually anyway.
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post #12 of 12
1/31/10 at 7:02pm
The MiniMax is a great second build. Full kits are available (but OOS) at Beezar. Best part is the availability of the gorgeous pre-machined case, cutting out the suckiest part of DIY - casework.
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