Looking to build a power amp. I have lovely DIY setup now that I am very happy with but I am getting the itch to build something new this winter.
I have Anthony Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.1 speakers which are rated at a sensitivity level of 88db/m. I also I have the Anthony Gallo Sub Amplifier powering the 10" bass drivers.
My source chain before the power amp is caple of delivering signal levels up to ~3V (MC cartridge, DIY Pass Pearl 2 phono, DIY Pass B1K "nutube").
What are some good established designs that lean more towards higher power that would be a good fit with my speakers?
***Bonus points if its a design with readible aviable documentation, chassis, PCB, etc.
I have Anthony Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.1 speakers which are rated at a sensitivity level of 88db/m. I also I have the Anthony Gallo Sub Amplifier powering the 10" bass drivers.
My source chain before the power amp is caple of delivering signal levels up to ~3V (MC cartridge, DIY Pass Pearl 2 phono, DIY Pass B1K "nutube").
What are some good established designs that lean more towards higher power that would be a good fit with my speakers?
***Bonus points if its a design with readible aviable documentation, chassis, PCB, etc.
I have a good friend who uses those with a pair of SE 845 monoblocks I built for him years ago. The amps are maybe 15 wpc, he has enjoyed them for years in a fairly large room. I don't believe they need a huge amount of power. I would look at a nice PP EL34 amplifier in the 25-35 wpc range.
OTOH, I am deeply prejudiced in favor of a classic ultralinear Williamson amplifier. ;-) At 25 wpc it should drive the Gallos with no problem. I have built my "forever" version using a pair of Heyboer copies of the great Peerless S-265-Q output transformer. They are wonderful amps.
I have now four friends who have built copies of the same and they are all profoundly satisfied with them. Here's one version, currently driving a pair of Nesterovich floor-standing speakers:
A fellow member here, TH&D, has built a similar Williamson with Hammond transformers, I'm sure he would share the schematic. That is my suggestion! ;-)
OTOH, I am deeply prejudiced in favor of a classic ultralinear Williamson amplifier. ;-) At 25 wpc it should drive the Gallos with no problem. I have built my "forever" version using a pair of Heyboer copies of the great Peerless S-265-Q output transformer. They are wonderful amps.
I have now four friends who have built copies of the same and they are all profoundly satisfied with them. Here's one version, currently driving a pair of Nesterovich floor-standing speakers:
A fellow member here, TH&D, has built a similar Williamson with Hammond transformers, I'm sure he would share the schematic. That is my suggestion! ;-)
I built an amp losely based on the Eico HF-87/89, paired with Monitor Audio Bronze Bx5 floorstandings, 90db claimed, worked pretty well out of the box. 28W avg before clipping starts.
This one is intriguing as it seems to be a well designed modern amp using tubes/iron that wont cost an arm and a leg!
I would be a little worried that the ~20W may not drive my 88dB/m speakers enough. Thoughts?
Do you like to listen at (literally) ear-damaging levels? If yes, then perhaps a 20W amp may not be enough.
For normal listening in a domestic environment, 20W is more than enough.
Engineer’s amp is wonderful, I never should have sold mine.
For normal listening in a domestic environment, 20W is more than enough.
Engineer’s amp is wonderful, I never should have sold mine.
I have tested a single ended prototype, 10W max, with my 90db speakers, is quite loud in my living room. For a p[arty, yes, probably would like a bit more power, but anything from 20W and above would be very loud in a typical living room. I can't handle 20W with my push pull amp, too loud.
Engineer's amp, Tubelab SPP with something like EL84 output. sounds like 15-20 watts may be enough for you. For the impedance charts like Planet 10 says something with low output resistance would be a good idea, push pull with feedback for lower output impedance sounds like a good solution overall.
Maybe go up to 6L6 or EL34 outputs.
Maybe go up to 6L6 or EL34 outputs.
I've got the Gallo 3.1's. I'm running push-pull EL34 monoblocks (with the latest Van Alstine mod board). Compared to this, the original stereo 70 with the same mod board wasn't quite enough, I could hear the power supply sag/compression at high volumes. The monoblocks preserve the impact of peaks on dynamic recordings much better. So my 2 cents is go at least to push-pull EL34 power class (and don't skip on the power supply iron). I've got a fairly small room, and I don't blast it too often, but I want that impact on recordings that warrant it. I've also got the Gallo sub augmentation amp which helps take the load off the tube amp.
The Engineers amp and Williamson ultralinear are intriguing ideas which I'm considering trying also.
The Engineers amp and Williamson ultralinear are intriguing ideas which I'm considering trying also.
Build Pete's 50w monoblocks. http://www.pmillett.com/DCPP_MB.html
Here's the companion thread: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/50w-monoblock-engineers-amp.302586/
jeff
My modular amplifier design might suit you.
I used to use one of them to drive 83dB/m speakers - the one based on 6P45S could bottom them out.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/modular-amplifier-1.375206/
I used to use one of them to drive 83dB/m speakers - the one based on 6P45S could bottom them out.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/modular-amplifier-1.375206/
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Hi Chris, I bought 2 of Van Alstine's stereo 70 mod boards, and put them in 2 Stereo 70 chassis running one channel each, with a big choke where the other transformer would be. Prior to that I had another of the same board in one of the Stereo 70s.