5 : Excellent 4 : Good 3 : Average 2 : Bad 1 : Terrible

First Watt F5 Amp build

Posted 27th January 2012 at 02:53 PM by dvb projekt
Updated 13th November 2015 at 10:32 AM by dvb projekt (New photo source)

---

After reading so much over this amp, i will start a new project for my Hornspeaker

Let´s see if the F5 can play in the same league as my 300B mono´s



The parts




Schaffner FN 2070 - 3A multistage EMI Filter




Antek AS-4218 - 400VA transformer





SST03 Softstart module from Sjostrom Audio
Design without extra transformer




RFB03 rectifier bridge from Sjostrom Audio



with IXYS DPG 60 C 200 HB HiPerFRED diodes





PSU with Mundorf 22.000µF/40V M-Lytic AG caps
and Mills MRA05 resistors







diyaudio amp pcb with
PRP PR9372 & Mills MRA05 resistors
For R9, R13 & R14 witch are in the signal line, i choose Texas Components TX2575 resistors.
For P1 & P2 i choose Vishay 1240 bulk metal foil pots, ordered also at Texas Components.



Here is the design for the 3U front and back








The mechanical work



The transformer, rectifier bridges, soft start module and EMI Filter are on their places




Just a quick look with the psu in the 2nd floor





Starting internal cabling with Kimber TCX cable for the PSU.




Fitting test on the heatsink





The back panel with WBT & Furutech looks cool...





Cabling completed !

Audio Cable: Kimber PBJ
Speaker Cable: Kimber 4TC
Mains cable: Supra LoRad







Bias setting for the 1st channel




Finished internal overview




Now it´s time to burn in...

Attached Files

Front- & Backpanel .fpd files.zip (4.2 KB, 185 views)

Posted in Project builds, First Watt F5

Views 15350 Comments 15

Comments

1. 	And once again you beat me to it.... I am planning (already for some months) to build an F5 as well. Actually I have decided to wait for F5Turbo as I don't have such sensitive speakers.... What made you decide to go F5 instead of F4 (I remember you have a B1 as preamp?) ?
   	Posted 30th January 2012 at 09:59 AM by studiostevus

2. 	That´s correct. I have a DCB1 hot rodded in my rig. If the F5 doesn´t beat my 300B mono´s, i will use him for my next project, the Auridux. It´s a direct coupled Tube Amp for my Stax SR-404 Ltd. headphone and here i need some voltage gain The pcb is ready for month on my Harddisk:
   	Posted 30th January 2012 at 10:35 AM by dvb projekt Updated 30th January 2012 at 10:42 AM by dvb projekt

3. 	Awesome Fantastic buiding quality !! Congrats... Where do you get the round illuminated switch ?? Thanks.
   	Posted 25th May 2012 at 09:17 PM by ct1agi

4. 	Awesome Quote: Originally Posted by ct1agi Fantastic buiding quality !! Congrats... Where do you get the round illuminated switch ?? Thanks. Sorry for the late reply! I´ve ordered the switch at Conrad Electronics. Best regards, Oliver
   	Posted 6th July 2012 at 11:08 AM by dvb projekt

5. 	You are an artisan! How does it sound relative to the 300b. I expect it is excellent, but hard to compete with the 300?
   	Posted 14th October 2012 at 03:39 PM by wlowes

6. 	You are an artisan! Quote: Originally Posted by wlowes How does it sound relative to the 300b. I expect it is excellent, but hard to compete with the 300? That´s correct. It is also a personal taste and depends on your rig. The F5 is a absolute wonderful sounding amp. Fast, extreme clear and natural in every way. In my rig the 300B´s points with their miracle mellow midrange presentation.
   	Posted 20th October 2012 at 09:19 AM by dvb projekt

7. 	Beautiful looking amp ! What size are your heatsinks ?
   	Posted 22nd January 2013 at 06:29 AM by thor61

8. 	Quote: Originally Posted by thor61 Beautiful looking amp ! What size are your heatsinks ? Hi thor61, thanks for your comment! The two heatsinks per side are 20x12mm, so 40x12mm complete. You could find the case in the modushop online store Part No: 1NPDA03400B.
   	Posted 22nd January 2013 at 08:10 AM by dvb projekt

9. 	Hi there - I notice you are using the Sjostrom rectifiers. What is the PSU PCB you are using? I would like to achieve a similar layout in the F5 I am building with the 2-level design Thanks, lhalha
   	Posted 2nd June 2013 at 06:51 AM by lhalha

10. 	Quote: Originally Posted by lhalha Hi there - I notice you are using the Sjostrom rectifiers. What is the PSU PCB you are using? I would like to achieve a similar layout in the F5 I am building with the 2-level design Thanks, lhalha The PSU PCB is from Jims Audio Store. Please look if it has still the same GND layout failure! Cheers, Oliver
    	Posted 11th June 2013 at 05:47 PM by dvb projekt

11. 	Wow, this F5 looks really good ! Also very well chosen components. I have the same 3U enclosure like you and would like to pimp up the looks, cause I now have a 'blind' frontpanel. Would you be so kind to share the backside and frontpanel .dwg or .fpd files?
    	Posted 8th January 2014 at 09:15 AM by WalterW

12. 	Quote: Originally Posted by WalterW Wow, this F5 looks really good ! Also very well chosen components. I have the same 3U enclosure like you and would like to pimp up the looks, cause I now have a 'blind' frontpanel. Would you be so kind to share the backside and frontpanel .dwg or .fpd files? Hi Walter, that´s no problem. I have attached the files for downloading!
    	Posted 8th January 2014 at 08:18 PM by dvb projekt

13. 	Thanks !!!!!! Schaeffer-AG will soon have some work to do
    	Posted 14th January 2014 at 06:16 PM by WalterW

14. 	im looking into buiding one, getting the right parts is such a hassle, is there a reputable shop online that sells a kit?
    	Posted 23rd June 2015 at 06:21 PM by Dadbeh

15. 	Nice build! I like your pedantic approach. German craftsmanship. But, however you didn't note what grade JFETs you used. Also is it really necessary to use TX2575 resistors and Vishay 1240 foil pots? How much difference makes it?
    	Posted 24th November 2015 at 06:06 PM by Insanoff

dvb projekt

• Join Date Feb 2009
• Location Willich, Germany
• Posts 1,481
• Blog Entries 36

• Blog Categories

  Local Categories

  • Offer
  • Discontinued Modules
  • Project builds
    • First Watt F5
    • Stax Headphone Amplifier
    • Reference TDA1541A DAC
    • Ceasar II 300B SE mono block
• Recent Entries

  • For Sale - Reference DAC PSU for Red Baron / Tube-I-zator
  • The new Tube-I-zator V3.1
  • Digital input section completed!
  • High resolution pictures of my projects
  • The new Red Baron DAC Module V5.0
• Recent Visitors

  • Ayot
  • chris71
  • ivigueras
  • lapis05
  • museguy
  • PixelPlay
  • ramanips1
  • unclekanus
  • weiss
  • zeroalbedo