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best DIY amplifier?

post #1 of 33
9/28/10 at 8:44pm
Thread Starter 

I'm just wondering... is the beta22 the best DIY head amp one can build or are there better? This question does not exclude DIY tube amps in any way.

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post #2 of 33
9/28/10 at 8:49pm

I don't know about other DIY amps, but I thoroughly enjoy the Decware Zen Head. It's battery powered so you take it anywhere too.

 

http://www.decware.com/newsite/zenhead.htm

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post #3 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:00pm

B22 vs Zen Head... man when you put it like that it sure is going to be hard to make a decision...

 

 

LOL

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post #4 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:04pm

I want a Cavelli Liquid Fire.

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post #5 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:08pm
Thread Starter 

cool, good info. definitely worth looking into for on the road  
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by roadcykler View Post

I don't know about other DIY amps, but I thoroughly enjoy the Decware Zen Head. It's battery powered so you take it anywhere too.

 

http://www.decware.com/newsite/zenhead.htm

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post #6 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:11pm
Thread Starter 

And that's something I can build? I thought it was a pre-built amp. Just shows how little I know.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by grokit View Post

I want a Cavelli Liquid Fire.

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post #7 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:20pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by TuLesto View Post

And that's something I can build? I thought it was a pre-built amp. Just shows how little I know.

 

I thought it was a kit amp, but I'm not sure really; it seems to be somewhat of a mystery 


Edited by grokit - 9/28/10 at 9:27pm
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post #8 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:21pm
Thread Starter 

Well, the dude said he didn't know about other DIY head amps... I guess is should make it clear that my main aim here is to find other DIY amps that are as good or perhaps better than the Beta22. I do though think it was worth noting.. for road-worthy sake.  

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post #9 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:25pm

no love for the dynahi? wow. 

 

 

either of these

 

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Above Image credit SiBurning. In 1 photo he captured more awesome than most people get in 3.

 

adsc0022.jpg

 

CCS loaded SP extreme with transformer coupled output.

 

adsc0009.jpg

 

The Silver Ghost.

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post #10 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 

Oh, well I may have been more mistaken than I initially thought. 

@grokit


Edited by TuLesto - 9/28/10 at 9:49pm
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post #11 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:30pm

To answer your question, if DIY defines the availability of a kit or a BOM to go from, then the B22 usually classified as "the King".   For tubes, one can "clone"  a Zana Deaux or Woo Audio, build it themselves and claim it as "the King" of tube amps.   Ask Beefy, FallenAngel, Maher(nate), or MixterX for a true DIY perspective. 


Edited by alphaphoenix - 9/28/10 at 9:31pm
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post #12 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:51pm

Of the three Amps I have made (listed in my signature), my favorite, by far, is the Hagerman Castanet. However, the gain is relatively low, and is barely sufficient for high impedance headphones or the HE-5LE orthodynamic.

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post #13 of 33
9/28/10 at 9:59pm

The Cavalli Audio Liquid Fire is a commercial amp and will come pre-built by Alex Cavalli himslf.

 

As for the best DIY amp I have personally heard that is available to DIY folk to build would be the Cavalli Audio EHHA /EHHA Rev A for me.

Not going to include the stacker here, also am very very curious to hear the Aikido 24V headamp.

 

Different amps for different headphones of course. My suggestesions on the EHHA are based off of Sennheisers and Orthos like the LCD-2.

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post #14 of 33
9/28/10 at 10:01pm

Ooh, Akido 24V, +1 vote. must hear.

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post #15 of 33
9/28/10 at 10:04pm

I don't believe there are schematics available to clone Eddie Current and Woo designs.

 

However, there are a number of terrific designs in the public domain found at HeadWize and other places.

 

I like my upcoming project, the Ciuffoli SESS (http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.edu/projects/showfile.php?file=ciuff4_prj.htm) with 417A tubes interests me.  Very simple design, good Lundahl iron, and a nice power supply.  I think I'll mod it slightly to put DC on the filaments.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaphoenix View Post

For tubes, one can "clone"  a Zana Deaux or Woo Audio, build it themselves and claim it as "the King" of tube amps.

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