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First - "Hello and then the question: What Amp would be good for me?

post #1 of 7
3/18/10 at 4:54am
Thread Starter 
First I would just like to say: " Hi"

I'm pretty new at doing DIY audio gear, but I'm very much looking forward to it.

I will hopefully get my master in mechanical engineering this summer, so I'm a bit of a geek. I have been pretty focused on FEM, Structural optimisation, and numerical algorithms. I haven't really worked with electronics before and I've only had a single, short electronics course. Therefore I need good DIY instructions with the projects I build.

I mainly use my computer when I listen to music. I like the convenience of having all my music a the tip of my fingers and to make a quick playlist.

I plan on buying a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro or edition 2005. I think they might be the right cans for me.

I'll therefore be needing a good DAC and a good Amp.

So far this is what I'm thinking:

PC( Flac, Ogg) - AMB y2/gamma2 DAC Full++ - "unknown" amp - Beyer DT 990

What I really liked about the y2 DAC, was the possibilty to use it with a wide range of gear due to the many interfaces. (Also the reviews of it were pretty good.)

I'm really interested in tube amps - for no other reason than: I think tubes look cool! Besides that, I would really like if the amp could drive a small pair of speakers as well as the Beyer 990 - something like DALI IKON 1 or LEKTOR 1.

Does that amp exist? or will I have to build more than one?

(I know DIY is addictive, so I'll probably be building more than one anyway, but lets pretend that I won't)

Kind Regards
Handberg
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post #2 of 7
3/18/10 at 5:00am
if you have never soldered before, then start with a cmoy.... you will mess something more complex up, or get lucky.

then move on to something like a millet max or a sohaII, well documented, loads of support etc.
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post #3 of 7
3/18/10 at 8:18am
Ditto. Starting with something that involves SMD soldering is not the way to go and can lead to frustration and quitting before you really accomplish anything. I would also include a PIMETA in the list of second projects after a CMoy. Although the new one does require soldering some SOIC buffers opamps, those are still much easier than DAC chips or TPS regulator chips.

EDIT: There are some tube hybrids out there that can also feed speakers - at least small desktop ones. I represent one, so I won't go into specifics. However, I wonder about your choice of speakers relative to headphone amplifiers/DIY/etc. It appears that the ones you mention are $1000/pair. That would seem to me to deserve their own amp, period - something like the stuff you might find on Pete Millett's website or AMB's B24 - definitely not beginner stuff, though.
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post #4 of 7
3/18/10 at 11:20am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomb View Post
... It appears that the ones you mention are $1000/pair. That would seem to me to deserve their own amp, period...
I can get a pair of DALI Lektor 1 for $425 at Hifiklubben

Anyways, I think you're both right about finding a more suitable beginners project. I'm not to nervous about the soldering though, as I have done quite a bit of that in the past (strain gauges, TI Measurement gear). It's more my lack of knowledge/understanding of electronics that worry me.

I found a BBcMoy project I think I'll do before doing anything more advanced. Do you know any good parts-dealers in Europe? 'cause digikey/mouser charge some pretty hefty postage fees.
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post #5 of 7
3/18/10 at 11:37am
is there a farnell in denmark?>
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post #6 of 7
3/18/10 at 11:37am
try a mini^3 kit. cost is in the cmoy range, yet it is superior to a cmoy, involves a little through hole and SMD for the opamps. A very nice portable amp for the money IMO. it's a keeper if youre successful.

there are plenty of people who have built one and can help you out.
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post #7 of 7
3/18/10 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
Farnell is a hit - saves me almost $20 in shipping!

I'll look into the mini as well
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