[johan851]

Hey all. I just finished building an M3 that I was planning to use both as a headphone amp and as a preamp. I also have a Pioneer A35R that supposedly has a power amp mode (allowing you to plug in a preamp and bypass the internal one) and now that I try it, it's apparent that the internal preamp isn't bypassed. I might as well get a power amp, if that's the case.

I've googled around a little bit, and seems like there are a lot of power amp kits out there. I have no idea where to start. I know that I'd like something that's class AB or class D, and I probably want around 20w or so (more is ok). Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to keep my budget realistic...probably in the $300 range or so. If anyone thinks I would be better off just buying something like a Rotel RB-1050, I could do that too.

 

[FallenAngel]

Check out the tripath amps at 41Hz audio amp kits. Sounds good to me! Tripath based amplifiers for DIY:ers. or you can build yourself a GainClone. Both should fit under your budget if you choose parts wisely. In both cases, you're looking at the case and transformer being the most expensive parts.

 

[johan851]

For some reason, I'm extremely suspicious of these chip-based amplifiers...

 

[FallenAngel]

I'm listening to my LM3886 gainclone ("Speaker" link in signature) and it sounds wonderful.

 

[J.D.N]

Gain Clones are great amps. They sound brilliant, are very easy, and cheap to boot.

DIY Chip Amplifier Kits, PCB's, Components and Information.
(These are in fact different links to different sites)
DIY Chip Amplifier Kits, PCB's, Components and Information.

 

[johan851]

Thanks for the link. The information on those sites is a little odd...I can see where to order one, how to put one together, etc, but they don't talk about how it works or what kind of output power they can produce.

 

[J.D.N]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan851 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the link. The information on those sites is a little odd...I can see where to order one, how to put one together, etc, but they don't talk about how it works or what kind of output power they can produce.

If you download the PDF's on the audiosector website for the LM3875 there is a bit on toroidal voltages which should give you an idea. The secondaries on mine are 35v which i think gives me 50wRMS per channel.