2. amps-preamps
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How to DIY yourself very nice Class D monoblocks

If you want to know what the hoopla is about Class D and want to put together a very nice sounding kit I have a starter recommendation for you.

Go to Parts Express and search for "ICEPower ASP"
Next, look online for Ghent Audio. They make many sets of cases.

You'll need a high power soldering iron, and screw skills.
Between those two, you can put together a very nice monoblock for around $500 a piece.

I highly recommend both. I have no financial interest in either. 
You may need wiring kits, so make sure to order appropriately.
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,134 posts
 
I seriously doubt there's an SMPS in any audio amplifier that's as life threatening as the big linear supplies resting in the heart of any class A amp


What's life threatening is high voltages. It only takes a few milliamps to stop your heart. I believe that switching power supplies have much higher peak voltages than linear amps of the same power. In the 200-300V range. The amplifier portion itself runs lower. This is all quite fuzzy and old knowledge so I can be wrong.


That thing takes nothing more than screwing boards into a box and running wires to a power switch and signal posts. I can't imagine it being more simple than that.

And this is also true. Assembly is dead simple. Keep your fingers and tools out of the way when it's on, and be aware the caps can maintain a very high voltage even after they are off.

Best,
E

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atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
Well, that certainly IS what is claimed. Interestingly, and sadly, none of the reviews I’ve found explain it. I know of no class B circuit which allows an amplifier to operate without significant distortion through the zero V crossing point, which is why I said earlier it couldn’t be. If I was reviewing such an amp I would have made it a point to explain this.
FWIW Electro Voice sold a class B with low distortion back in the 1950s. To avoid spikes due to collapse of the magnetic field in the output transformer that transformer was not exposed to DC- just audio. So the amp didn’t have any crossover artifacts. But its tricky and expensive to do, so the idea didn’t catch on.


Nice thread BTW.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Do you want to stay away from Chinese or Euro stuff?

Here’s quality USA made Class-D audio kits, these look to be great value with some big wattage’s and they use linear power supplies!!!, "said" to sound as good as APL’s Alex Peychev’s $150k tube amp.
http://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits.html

It also looks like they maybe be producing GaN fet technology kits soon, as they are linked to the GaN site along with Purely Emotional Audio
http://gan-fet.com/2014/02/13/desert-rocks/

Cheers George
rotarius
431 posts
 
My TI tpa3255 evaluation board is the best solid state amp I have ever had.  My references for ss amps are mid-level pieces I have owned such as Belles 150a, Bryston 4BST, B&K, Aragon 8002, NAD units and such.
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