What's the best DIY amplifier components?

If you want to design a DIY amplifier, what are the best types of compoinets to use and bias if you're not entirely familiar with circuit design?

[johnlebeau]

Pretty good explanation. My first amp was a single ended triode built from a schematic and a parts list. I was so happy it didn't explode when I turned it on. Other than a failed power transformer, and an occasional retubing, it has performed flawlessly for over 20 years.

[EirkenElite]

We studied the stealth in University my Prof was obsessed with it

[AllboroLCD]

Paul has voiced his opinion in the past on offering PS Audio DIY kits, I still think it makes sense to offer a simple enough amp model that can be purchased either assembled or not assembled.
I think I am going to put a kit together sometime later this year myself. Gonna go for pre-populated PCBs, The toshiba 2SC5200/2SA1943 set seems to be a popular "go to" for class ab, a dual mono board set can be gotten surprisingly cheap that are capable of putting out 800 watts! If im happy with it, I may move onto a sweet Nelson Pass kit next.

[juliaset]

The first real amp I built from scratch was from a schematic I found in an audio magazine. Now you can get almost any schematic on line. You will need to dig deeper, as most have missing parts deemed unimportant for the schematic.

[christophschuermann]

Hi Paul thanks for the video! This was a good question and you explained this complex stuff in a practical way. If you use one pair of mosfets, i would say it is not to difficult to build an amp, because you have no issues with different Ugs voltages and thermal stability. It can be a challenge to sync. and stabilyze a multi bjt outputstage in a diy project. I have designed over 40 amps in my career and it is a "big deal" to get everything unconditionally save and stable. Best regards from Berlin!

[charlesferguson]

Paul, refer this guy to Nelson Pass! Although your answer and generosity is very great!

[ThinkingBetter]

You can: Buy a new amp, buy a used amp, buy a module amp (e.g. IcePower), buy a kit amp (e.g. Welleman), do your own amp based on existing schematics (e.g. using parts from DigiKey) or start from scratch. If you start from scratch designing and calculating the circuit doing the first power amp in your life, definitely keep it simple. One way to make a great first DIY amplifier is to rely on an amp IC (either class D or B) rather than completely discrete transistors. Going completely discrete with your own schematics takes some in-depth electronics engineering knowledge and experience to make a good product.

[machintelligence]

Congratulations. You picked the right person to ask.

[cac]

Paul just showed us yet again how much he knows his stuff... doing the pnp and npn diagram with his hands...lol... "drop me a note"...what a nice guy.

[janinapalmer]

My ME1500 power amp uses bipolars in the output stages and they can be operated in either strict class A or AB no gradual crossover . The collectors of these transistors connect to the speaker load instead of the usual emitters too .. this amp will go from DC to 400KHz within 1 dB too !

[janinapalmer]

The ME 1500 amp I have is bipolar transistor and it's the collectors of the output stages that drive the speaker load ..

[airgead]

Use a compound output stage. Use 2SC2922 and it's PNP counterpart as output transistors.

[gtric]

My understanding JFET's have the best sound quality next to tubes of course you can search Nelson Pass from Pass Labs.

[tee-jaythestereo-bargainph]

Thanks Paul Yamaha done a great job with the Mosphetes in me
Yammy AS-1100 52 pound Beast of an Integrated build quality sound quality is outstanding for price point i don't know many amps on this level at $2500.00 U.S.
Theirs nothing but Nichicon gold inside i have a pop the hood video on me Yammy and speaker terminals are insane !
Thats why the Yammy AS-1100 was one of the number 1 top salers on the market for entry level !

[ThunderStruckMTB]

Yesterday, I designed and made my own yardstick.

[イエンスヨハンセン]

Love this video. More of these please!

[larrygaines]

I started with bogan pa amps and military stuff, than Hafler stuff 50 years ago.tried to copy a big yamaha amp and it smoked . Now the various boards satisfy me. Waiting patiently for a Gan fet.. board on Amazon with peripherals. I hope i live long enough to build one.

[johnnytoobad]

For lower power amps (around 50 watts) you can use a MOS-FET based "chip amp". I feel these pre-fab devices have better sound than discrete bi-polars.

[gamerpaddy]

a nema17 stepper motor as a motorized volume knob... interessting, havent seen this one before.

[doowopper]

Ohh, how I wish we still had Heathkits and Dynaco kits, and Old Colony Sound Labs. I’m sure there are still kits to be had if you look hard enough, but the ones I mentioned were easy to come by, well thought out, and top notch products.