Recommend a high-quality DIY SS Headphone amp kit

You don't list your budget.

Perhaps look into the beta22?

http://www.glassjaraudio.com/product.sc?productId=5&categoryId=2

and also a sigma22

http://www.glassjaraudio.com/product.sc?productId=3&categoryId=2

There are beta22 configuration available from two to four boards.

Most do at least 3

http://www.amb.org/audio/beta22/

I've not heard the b22, but have thought about building one for some time. I will just repeat what I have seen said about it many, many times - that it's simply one of the best headphone amplifiers anywhere.

It's quite expensive, though. Three channels, plus the sigma-22 power supply (and transformer), with enclosure(s)/jacks/knobs and a nice attenuator (it seems to deserve/demand more than an RK27) will easily run you at least US$600. The CK2III, M3 and PPA can be made for half that amount (or less) and will still be quite nice, if not godly like the b22.SUBMIT

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumleguf 

Sounds even more attractive now!

 

CK2III, M3 and PPA - I just can't find any ready-to-go kits with all components like for the AMB projects a Glass Jar Audio.  Am I not looking in the right places?

I think Glass Jar used to offer an M3 kit, but not anymore apparently. I don't think you can find complete kits for those anywhere. But to create your own BOM for any of those will take just minimal research and a few hours' time, plus a few $ more in shipping costs from having to order from multiple vendors.  Making your own "kit" is certainly not so hard to justify spending twice the amount, just to avoid it.  It's part of the fun for a lot of people.

And, be aware, the Glass Jar kits don't include EVERYTHING - you still need an enclosure, as well as connectors (RCA input, headphone output, IEC jack), and hookup wire. Plus the attenuator.  The panels need to be thought about too - if you have the ability you can make them yourself, otherwise be prepared to spend another $100 or so getting them made somewhere like frontpanelexpress.com.

Not trying to scare you away from the b22 or anything, it's just that I've already done the work of researching that particular project and its costs, and all it entails.  The kits from Glass Jar certainly simplify things but it's still not a "one-stop shop" project by any means.  There are other considerable factors to tend to.  Given that reality, the kits are only marginally more convenient than doing it yourself, unless you are a total newbie.  And if that's the case, the b22 should not be your first project. ;)

Just ask Jeff from GlassJarAudio for a kit of the M³ - he'll propable prepare one for you.

I just bought a kit for a CKK III there which is also not available at his onlineshop.

If someone with expertise can build the kit for you (assuming this person does all the initial set up as well), the only real (but significant) hurdle you're going to have is designing and building the enclosure. The M^3 with it's smaller size and placement for onboard attentuator will make this easier. The B22 will have varying levels of difficulties depending on the configuration. A 2-ch B22 I think would be slightly more difficult to build an enclosure for. A 3-ch B22 would be another step more difficult. In this case, you should definitely consider getting an E22 board to make wiring easier, however at this size you would have to start considering separate enclosures depending on desk space. A 4-ch you lose the E22 option, all of the sudden need a 4-ch attenuator, source switches (if you want to use an unbalanced source), XLRs inputs, and for the most part are looking at a dual enclosures.

I think the M3/CKIII is good place to start if you had to build the kit yourself and needed the kit building practice. However, if all you need to do is build the enclosure/wiring, I would strongly consider the 2-ch or 3-ch B22 depending on your enclosure building confidence. This is the most difficult and time consuming part of DIYing and if you are going to put in that kind of effort, I think the B22 will reward you better.

Another option for you might be the Panda amp, discussed here: http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=m&action=display&thread=5700

Currently the kit of parts to populate the board can be had for around $100.00.  Mike(aka Pink Floyd) has a few for 50 pounds UK.  As with the other "kits" you would need to source a case, power transformer, inlet power connector, input and output jacks..  I've got this one mostly populated, and am waiting for a Par-metal case for it. I got it when it was a bit cheaper ($85 including shipping), but I figure it should cost me less than $200 with case and everything, not including a fancy front panel express faceplate(which I may or may not do).  Builders who have AKG K701s(which are notoriously hard to drive well) are raving about how well they perform with the Panda, better than anything else they have heard. 

I've got a CK2III board fully populated, waiting to be cased up, and also have a B22 that I am building for a friend who bought it from someone else partially built, so I'll be able to compare all three of them. 

I'm also on the group buy list for this: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/headphones/179298-wire-ultra-high-performance-headphone-amplifier-pcbs.html

which utilizes LME 49600 buffers, which I have been interested in for a while.

if you're considering building a panda, there's a guy (claus-dk) on hifi4all.dk who has kits available. Last I checked he had four left, see this thread http://www.hifi4all.dk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84726&PN=1&TPN=2

if today I were to build my first amp, I'd probably start with the M^3. (I started with a millett max, and immediately moved up to the beta22)

I simply forgot about the ckk2, of course that would be easier to build than the M³, and now that you mention it, that would probably be my choice if I hadn't been foolhardy enough to build the beta22. However if you work meticulously and follow amb's instructions carefully (he's done a great job documenting the project) I think it is entirely possible to build the beta22 without very much experience. Afterall, I managed (although I may simply have been lucky :-)

I've heard neither the CKK2 or the M³, so I won't comment on how they sound (and besides how something sounds is a very subjective experience), but I can say that the millett max and the beta22 both sound great with grado sr80's. The beta22 is slightly better, but the sr80's aren't exactly reference quality so I expect the difference to be greater with better phones.

anyway, good luck with the panda