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Going to build a DIY amp, need help deciding which to build.

post #1 of 40
10/20/11 at 12:30am
Thread Starter 

System:

I'll be using Foobar -> uDac 2 as source

I own the HD650's and I'm hoping to get a little more detail and extension at both ends of the frequency range.

 

Caveats:

I've never built anything that made use of AC power. 

My ears become fatigued easily so I need an amp that can give just the right amount of zing and slam at low volumes.

I'm prepared to go all out in the pursuit of this project, no amp is too complex... unless it's also too expensive.

 

Requirements:

Obviously, it should drive the HD650's like it was made for them.

AC powered.

Would like it to accept two inputs.

I'm looking to keep costs at a high ratio of price/performance, < $300 for the parts.

Easy access to panels, boards etc. for constructing the amp. A plus for AMB since they seem to stock face plates and other custom parts.

Portability doesn't matter.

 

Notes:

I've looked at amps from AMB and read a few opinions, it seems that the β22 is well thought of but so is the M3. AMB seems to think the β22 is in a class above the M3, is this objectively true in anyone's experience? 

 

One thing that interests me with regard to the β22 is that it can be built as a stereo amp putting out 50 WPC, has anyone done that? Can it be built to both drive headphones and speakers in a single build? If it can't I like the idea of building the M3 then building the β22 later for my bookshelf speakers.

 

 

 

I'm hoping to hear about a wide range of projects, please post all suggestions and experiences with DIY amplifiers + HD650's!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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post #2 of 40
10/20/11 at 6:09pm
Thread Starter 

Looks I'm just going to pull the trigger on the m3.

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post #3 of 40
10/20/11 at 7:22pm

The B22 is a fantastic amp with hd600s, which should have pretty similar requirements as the 650s. That being said you will not be able to build one for under 300. Even if you put it in a cardboard box. I am sure that the M3 is a fantastic amp that will serve the 650s well.

 

One other suggestion I have is to check out the bottlehead crack. It is an OTL tube amp that sounds extremely good with my 600s and is only 220 and includes all chassis components and connectors etc. It does not have two inputs however. It will not be as versatile as the m3 as it will only work well with high impedance headphones. If I were to personally choose one of the two it would probably be the m3

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post #4 of 40
10/20/11 at 7:45pm

Have you looked at the O2 thread?

 

I wouldn't pull the trigger until you have... 

 

w

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post #5 of 40
10/20/11 at 9:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bcg27 View Post

The B22 is a fantastic amp with hd600s, which should have pretty similar requirements as the 650s. That being said you will not be able to build one for under 300. Even if you put it in a cardboard box. I am sure that the M3 is a fantastic amp that will serve the 650s well.

 

One other suggestion I have is to check out the bottlehead crack. It is an OTL tube amp that sounds extremely good with my 600s and is only 220 and includes all chassis components and connectors etc. It does not have two inputs however. It will not be as versatile as the m3 as it will only work well with high impedance headphones. If I were to personally choose one of the two it would probably be the m3



More than $300 just for parts on the ß22, wow. Okay, so any idea how much the ß22 would cost today including all parts, panels, & extrusions?

 

I love tubes but I think that for this amp I'm looking for that reference quality sound, a high level of transparency, control, and endless extension. 

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post #6 of 40
10/20/11 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wakibaki View Post

Have you looked at the O2 thread?

 

I wouldn't pull the trigger until you have... 

 

w

Moreover, given cheapskates requirement for down-low zing,  the O2 designer has given much attention to Lo-Z output needed by many phones for good bass.
 

 

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post #7 of 40
10/20/11 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheapskateaudio View Post

More than $300 just for parts on the ß22, wow. Okay, so any idea how much the ß22 would cost today including all parts, panels, & extrusions?

 

I love tubes but I think that for this amp I'm looking for that reference quality sound, a high level of transparency, control, and endless extension. 



From what I've found, the cheapest Beta 22 ever made costed around $500 USD

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post #8 of 40
10/20/11 at 10:20pm
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by wakibaki View Post

Have you looked at the O2 thread?

 

I wouldn't pull the trigger until you have... 

 

w





Quote:
Originally Posted by Parall3l View Post

From what I've found, the cheapest Beta 22 ever made costed around $500 USD



Now about to pull the trigger on the O2, signed up for O2 group buy, is there a way to get a board faster though?

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post #9 of 40
10/21/11 at 7:36am

If you want something unconventional and "original" try this, works great with HD650. Total price is just 70$ (OAs not included in price - I used LT samples).

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post #10 of 40
10/21/11 at 7:51am


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmarokCZ View Post

If you want something unconventional and "original" try this, works great with HD650. Total price is just 70$ (OAs not included in price - I used LT samples).



Wow I strongly suggest reconsidering your color scheme for that website

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post #11 of 40
10/21/11 at 8:11am

bcg27: You mean like boring eye-piercing black+white (or light blue)? No thanks! angry_face.gif

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post #12 of 40
10/21/11 at 8:47am

OP - seems you may have made up your mind about this, but regarding:

 

>  I've looked at amps from AMB and read a few opinions, it seems that the β22 is well thought of but so is the M3. AMB seems to think the β22 is in a class above the M3, is this objectively true in anyone's experience?

 

Perhaps one of those opinions was mine as I've β22s (sold a 4-ch, my budget 2-ch on the bench) & now an M³.  Likely will come down to likes/dislikes, risk/reward and cost/benefit for you to make your decision.  I certainly "like" both e.g. as one would enjoy red wine at times and white wine at others.  The M³'s a relatively easy build for a desktop amp w/a good track record & support so it has that going for it.  And you can vary its sound a bit through opamp rolling, e.g. I find default AD8610s a more "reference" sound while OPA6X7s a more smooth sound.  Opinions of course:)  Will say I'm enjoying the M³ enough that I feel no big pressure to get the 2-ch b22 off the bench:)

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post #13 of 40
10/21/11 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmarokCZ View Post

bcg27: You mean like boring eye-piercing black+white (or light blue)? No thanks! angry_face.gif



Not necessarily just something with more contrast. There may be good information on that website but I'm not going to strain my eyes trying to read it.

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post #14 of 40
10/21/11 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmarokCZ View Post

If you want something unconventional and "original" try this, works great with HD650. Total price is just 70$ (OAs not included in price - I used LT samples).



Wasn't able to get to your site Amarok, do you have a mirror anywhere?



Quote:
Originally Posted by cfcubed View Post

OP - seems you may have made up your mind about this, but regarding:

 

>  I've looked at amps from AMB and read a few opinions, it seems that the β22 is well thought of but so is the M3. AMB seems to think the β22 is in a class above the M3, is this objectively true in anyone's experience?

 

Perhaps one of those opinions was mine as I've β22s (sold a 4-ch, my budget 2-ch on the bench) & now an M³.  Likely will come down to likes/dislikes, risk/reward and cost/benefit for you to make your decision.  I certainly "like" both e.g. as one would enjoy red wine at times and white wine at others.  The M³'s a relatively easy build for a desktop amp w/a good track record & support so it has that going for it.  And you can vary its sound a bit through opamp rolling, e.g. I find default AD8610s a more "reference" sound while OPA6X7s a more smooth sound.  Opinions of course:)  Will say I'm enjoying the M³ enough that I feel no big pressure to get the 2-ch b22 off the bench:)


cfcubed, thank you for your post and impressions, I have not made a final decision and I may end up building 2 amps over the next few months. The M3 seems to have had enough builds and impressions that I think it's a safe bet.

 

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post #15 of 40
10/21/11 at 10:27am

Nope, no mirror, try some web proxy (may be problem depending on your location) or just download this one page.

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