DIY vs. pre-manufacturered chip amp? [message #10286] |
Sun, 30 January 2005 13:09 |
JLM
Messages: 69 Registered: May 2009
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Viscount |
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Seems like this forum is DIY based. I've not assembled electronics since 1980, and had a rather mixed experience with a DIY chip amp I auditioned at home last fall. So I'm hesistant to go that route. So I'm looking at S/N 40 wpc pre-manufacturered integrated, Channel Islands Audio VMB-1 40 watt monoblocks, or Audio Zone AMP-STi 40 wpc integrated. Which leads (finally) into my question: I just found the specialized kit website with their "integrated" that looks very much like the AMP-STi. Is it the same thing (or very close)? How much for the parts? Wonder if any of you guys would like to assemble it for me? thanks
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Re: DIY vs. pre-manufacturered chip amp? [message #10288 is a reply to message #10286] |
Mon, 31 January 2005 08:32 |
GarMan
Messages: 960 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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Can't give you advice, but I can give you some background. The Audio Zone amp offered by Audio Oasis is a gainclone and is built by Peter Daniels, one of the more accomplished gainclone builders in that community. He frequently posts in diyaudio.com and you can see some of his work there. One one hand, his Audio Zone amps have reviewed very well, with SixMoon ranking it higher than the original Gain Card. Peter's a machinist by trade and the metal work on his units are top notch. Brandname audiophile hardware is used throughout. I have not heard his amps but have seen them in a couple of Toronto area stores. On the other hand, it's a gainclone, so it's based on a very simple design that most people with soldering skills can do themselves. Peter typically shares his layout on the discussion board, so you can even copy that if you want. What you're paying for is an expertly assembled chassis, beefy transformer, very expensive hardware, and his labour. Whether you should do it yourself will really depend on what you're looking for. regards, Gar.
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Re: DIY vs. pre-manufacturered chip amp? [message #10289 is a reply to message #10288] |
Mon, 31 January 2005 15:39 |
JLM
Messages: 69 Registered: May 2009
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Thanks Gar. I followed some of the DIYaudio forum stuff just as he was creating Audio Zone a couple of years ago. The machining aspects of his amps seem a bit over the top for me. His original 40 wpc 1 input integrated was too expensive IMO at $2000 USD. he even bragged on forum once that the knobs ($60/pair) where the most expensive part of the build. But now with the recent introduction of the AMP-STi (40 wpc 3 input integrated) for $1300 USD I'm more interested. Just wondered how much the parts would cost for the kit, if it was the same thing as the AMP-STi, and even if the guts and chassis kits were still available.
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