Amp Camp amps

[djg]

The parts arrived for my two Nelson Pass Class A amp kits. Nicely packaged. I received the budget enclosures a bit ago, two PE 24V 5A bricks on order.

[JazzyG]

Now this has my interest...I was wondering if such a kit existed just recently! I hope you plan on documenting your build, I would love to follow it and see what all is involved in an amp build.

[Wolf]

Unless you have a pair and bridge them, yes, they are higher HD units- but pleasing 2nd order.

[JazzyG]

"They are low power high distortion units."

Is that a typo or am I missing something here? I am more interested in high power low distortion units! I know, I am so gosh darn picky...

[djg]

Try Classdaudiodotcom for high power low distortion amp kits. Or check with forum member SilverD, he has built several amps using modern components.These are maybe 8 watts of class A power with, as Wolf says, pleasing distortion. Audio Science Review kicked them to the curb, others love them. Build two so you have enough power. I will report when done. Reams of info on the internet.

[silverD]

I'm also interested in the build and look forward to your opinion.

[djg]

It's a pretty spacious chassis compared to your projects.

[djg]

Bricks.

[djg]

Assembled one chassis. Very good fit, some of the tapped holes need cleaned out. Everything screws to the heat sink sides. This chassis is available from many sources. Most have stick on feet. This seller includes bolt on feet, no holes or hardware for that. I may just epoxy them.

The DIYaudio sourced chassis mounts a large round on/off switch on the front panel. I will probably move that to the rear, I do not have a good way to make a large clean hole in the 5/16" thick front panel. I will drill two small holes for two LEDs

[Carbon13]

I've been super curious about these. Looking forward to seeing the build and getting your impression of the amps.

[djg]

So I have to drill and tap the heat sinks for the PCB and solid state devices, since I didn't buy the pricey diyaudio chassis. The heat sink material is surprisingly tough. I was expecting dead soft aluminum. A solid state device hangs off both ends of the PCB, so 8 more holes. The heat sink is just wide enough for the PCB. There is another larger chassis available, but it has a hole in the back panel for an IEC AC jack, these are brick powered.

[djg]

[silverD]

Looking good so far.

[Jake]

Nice enclosure. Are you just adding two D/C jacks for those power bricks? I'll be very interested on your listening impressions.

[djg]

I'm making a pair of the amps as numerous comments on the web recommend bridged operation for any meaningful output. The original project was a one day "amp camp" for people to build their own modest amp. That led to the power brick to avoid house current for really rank beginners who never held a soldering iron before.

I have shown a complete lack of critical listening skills, so I'll say something about the sound. Don't expect John Atkinson.

[djg]

For the curious,

https://guides.diyaudio.com/Guide/Amp+Camp+Amp+V1.6+Build+Guide/5

[silverD]

Looks like you sourced the same cases that are used in the kit without the proprietary mounting holes.

[djg]

No Nate, the Italian DIYaudio custom cases look similar, but are not the same. The Chinese WA92 spec case has 6 pieces. The front, back, top and bottom screw directly to the heatsink sides. The Italian case has rails to which the surfaces attach. DIYaudio offers a really nice case, but it's too much for me to spend on a little fleawatt fun project.

[billfitzmaurice]

Don't expect John Atkinson

Good. He's never heard anything he didn't like, so long as they were an advertiser.

[djg]

Tedious. I need a magnifying glass to check the solder joints.

[djg]

Buncha big holes to drill.

[andykriech]

djg, BTW with those stepped drills, how do you now when to stop? Do you have a diameter listed for every step?
ak

[djg]

The hole sizes are marked in the groove. You can't see that while it's spinning, so you can mark the bit with a sharpie or masking tape.