Gainclone chip amp


This post is geared toward owners or previous owners of this diy amp. I probably should have inqired with the diy site but wanted to hear what A-goners may have to say. This is my first chip amp and after seeing many auctions and ads here and on ebay I decided to take the plunge. On the technical side of things the layout looks very simple. No huge caps or numerous parts. I do know that this design is from the 47labs camp but not all that familiar with the product. As for sonics this an amazing piece of gear. My amp is supposed to be 60w into 4 ohms and I suspect there may be more power to boot. I can't figure out where all this sound is coming from with the small caps and all Must be in the chips. Like I said amazing. For the rest of my system I'm using a nad 304 as the pre, nad tuner, philips sacd player, and epos ELS3 spkrs. I plan on upgrading my pre(used sugden)and possibly selling the 304. Well just wanted to share my thoughts and look for any advise or info on possible tweeks for this jewel of a amp. Enjoy the music!
south43

Showing 7 responses by south43

Thanks for the response Gmood1. My spkrs don't go very low but I can hear the difference in the bottom end. Can't wait to upgrade to a better pre. Stay tuned :)
Gmood1,
Did a search on the Brian Bell site just to see what others have done. My loss is I don't have the proper tools for constuction as far as a chassis is concerned. I would like to take a stab at building my own. Perhaps I could find one that has pre-drilled holes for jacks,iec,etc. Maybe another site would provide some answers.
Wow looks like I started something here. Gmood1 thanks for the site info. I'll give him a look see. And a big thanks to all the other gain clone owners that responded. I really want to get one assembled soon so I'll be watching this post and diy for all the help and advice that may follow.
Hello all, Just wanted to update everyone on my amp. I should have took the plunge long before this. This amp really sings. I do however hear a faint buzzing coming from my tweeters but only if I'm close. Don't know if that's normal or maybe some grounding issuses. Gmood1 I did look at the site you gave me for the gainclone chassis. A little expensive for me and the chassis he specifies is for a intergrated unit. I emailed the builder of my amp to see if he could rig me a chassis so I could take a stab a building a kit myself. Lots of different chips from what I see and wondered what you would suggest in terms of 4ohm spkrs. Still waiting on my Sugden pre to arrive from Canada. Can't wait to see how this combo will sound. Stay tuned : )
Hi Gmood1,
Thanks for the info once again. I did email the builder of my amp and he has various chassis that may fit the bill. (He also has a amp for sale here) The buzzing I mentioned seems to have vanished. Ahh the magic of the chip. JT I'll look at the 3876 you mentioned.
Hello all, It's been awhile since I looked at the thread and wanted to know what differences there are between the gainclone chips. I have seen numbers like 3886,3875 etc. I thank you in advance and good listening.