|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
49.224.122.140
Stereo Integrated Amp build suggestions?
Im looking to build a stereo tube amp, this will be my first, but im not new to working with electrical components or building projects in the shed.
If im going to go to the effort of building a stereo amplifier i feel i would like to build something substantial- not just a little headphone amp.
Ive been researching valve technology for months now and im ready to fork out some money for some parts! I just want some experienced advice on what would be a good set of plans to follow, single ended, or push/pull.
At the moment i listen to music through a battery powered cambridge audio bluetooth speaker- its brilliant for taking with me into the shed. Id probably include a bluetooth input or add it on to the build in the future. The amp would only really need one set of inputs for a CD player, and eventually a turntable (which i guess i will need a pre-amp for)
Im not sure if i should be looking for plans which include a certain type of tube for all round inputs, it seems the normal setup is to have a pre-amp and a power amp seperately but id like to build a good all in one unit with some cool looking tubes. Any advice would be really appreciated. I am new to tubes but want to get into building as soon as possible!
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the suggestions.
The main reason i would like to build an amp is to entirely understand the reason for each component and one day know how to design my own circuits using weird and wonderful tubes. Ive almost finished reading a book about tube amp basics by ej jurich and im taking it all in, but lacking the practical experience to back it up.
The kit suggestion is not a bad one, i have been looking at the Dynaco st35 kit. this is the kind of thing i should be able to manage to take on. I wouldnt gain much from just following the instructions and soldering their pcb together so i think id like to try point to point and just order the essentials from them and see how it turns out.
Has anyone had any good/bad experience with the st35 amps?
If you are wanting to experiment the ST-70 is the poster child of experimentation. Every person in tubes has modified or rebuilt one of these amps at some time. It is the easiest to understand and also happens to be to most forgiving to mess up on. As well as being plentiful in parts, kits, mod boards, EVERYTHING!!!! it also happens to be more on the economical side to play with.
If you start getting into exotic designs and hard to come by parts then $$$ becomes unsustainable. The 35 is a nice amp but very!!!!! limited in what you can do with it. The 70 does offer MANY more paths of experimentation.
Go with the ST-70 from VTA tubes4hifi. It's your best bet on success and fulfilling your needs to experiment.
Why not consider a kit?
Building one from scratch is a hobby project. One that you will most likely not be listening too for very long.
If you want an amp get one. but don't build one as your main listening amp.
Just my two cents.
Phono preamps are a VERY poor choice for a beginning builder of tubed electronics. I suggest you use Jim Hagerman's opamp based, but passive EQ, Bugle2 phono preamp, at least for now.
OTOH, you can, at modest expense, build a tubed "integrated amp". "El Cheapo" can be executed with only a decent multi-meter for test equipment.
Since you seem to be willing to spend some money, buy "Dynaclone" Z565 O/P transformers from Triode Electronics and use ultra-linear/triode mode switches. Correct speakers are important . Mid 90s sensitivity and a reasonably flat impedance curve are in order.
Eli D.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: