Chinese assembled amplifier recommendation

[eman1]

Hello to all,

I'm new here and in HiFi audio. I have some good deal to buy Thiel CS 2.3 speakers and I need all other elements in the system.

In past I bulid one Amplifier by Instructions, PCB and list of components so I know some basics.

My plan is to buy an assembled amplifier from China - Ebay/Aliexpress. Price range around 300 EUR/USD, power around 100W A class, 300 A/B. I see some different models here: KSA100 MKII, Accuphase E505, E550 FET, T820, Swiss FM 711, Refer to Bryston 4B models, but there are few variants available. I don't know the differences between models so I will be happy if you can suggest a model, or if anybody has some knowledge or maybe anybody has already bought and tried some model of these amplifiers or do you have some suggestions which model to avoid/buy.

I know that this amp is only one part and I also need good capacitors, a toroid transformer, Aluminium heatsinks...

 

[NE WAY]

There are more than a few variants, even for the same clone, there are different suppliers each having different quality, and probably sound differently too. Life can be even more complicated if you start throwing in the choices of PASS clones…

The low cost of the circuit board may seem tempting, and as you rightly mentioned that you need transformer, caps, heatsink, casing. The cost of these may be 3~5 times higher than the circuit board itself.

So, I have warned you, so take the plunge as you please. I just ordered a PASS A5 clone, the fun just begins…. 🤝

 

[mrjayviper]

if it's assembled (that is ready to use) already, what's the "DIY audio" part of the question.

 

[Terry2000]

From my buying experience, I've been supplied with transistors that failed and resistors of very poor quality.
Buy knowing that you might have to shop to replace those junk parts. You only get what you pay for, there is no bargain buy.
Buying the PCB only then getting all the parts in one go from Digikey would be a safer bet for just small extra cost.

 

[Boydk]

Supporting the chinese ....................... ??
Anyway.
Maybe save up a little more, and by the finished Dartzeel-clone called D5-PRO.
Must be the very best bargain right now.

D5 Pro on Ali

D5 Pro on Youtube

 

[Lojzek]

If I were OP, I'd get in touch with Douglas Self and get me ready made boards for an amplifier capable of
driving CS2.3. I am sure he could give you further advice on whereabouts to get the correct quality parts.
It's no fun either have a large buzzing toroid transformer.

 

[Praudio]

Get pcb only ! it's the way to go.... most parts are cheap ,magnetic all the way.

 

[Praudio]

Sometime you can't get pcb alone; take the kit and scap the parts .

 

[madis64]

As usual - buy Chinese, then build your own one.

 

[NE WAY]

if it's assembled (that is ready to use) already, what's the "DIY audio" part of the question.

Putting together power supply, heatsinks, casings, connectors, wiring, etc? 😉

 

[eman1]

Thank you all for your reply! I started in another direction: bought Wolverine PCBs and I plan to complete Wolverine amplifier from forum here.

 

[Nelson Pass]

Good decision, not that the alternatives aren't good product.