2. amps-preamps
  3. 143557-20253

How to DIY yourself very nice Class D monoblocks

If you want to know what the hoopla is about Class D and want to put together a very nice sounding kit I have a starter recommendation for you.

Go to Parts Express and search for "ICEPower ASP"
Next, look online for Ghent Audio. They make many sets of cases.

You'll need a high power soldering iron, and screw skills.
Between those two, you can put together a very nice monoblock for around $500 a piece.

I highly recommend both. I have no financial interest in either. 
You may need wiring kits, so make sure to order appropriately.
erik_squires

Showing 4 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

I’d be more inclined to have a go at these, USA made sold and backed.
https://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits.html

Proper linear power supplies with Toroidal transformers, not noisy switch mode ones.
And these are far less costly than the Euro alternatives, also come in kit or assembled.

And these guys are soon to release a GaN technology Class-D, they know where the progression of Class-D sound quality is coming from

Cheers George

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I think it’s around 7-8K ohms. My preamp’s output impedance is 200 ohms. That’s not good, right?
Your good with that, but these amp manufacturers that insist on inputs that low need to be beaten around the head, as no passives or most tube actives will drive these silly low input impedance’s.
There was a sort of unspoken standard for a while which was 47kohm or higher. I think 100kohm should be made the standard.
Hell Rogue Audio on most of their poweramps are 1megohm!!!

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

George,

Your link to Gan-fet is from 2014 and Purely Emotional Audio is an offshoot of classdaudio. They have yet to produce anything using that name.



Here is a an email back to me from the US company "ClassDAudio" regarding the use of the new GaN Fet technology in any of their completed amps or very well priced Class-D kits they make, that use linear power supplies!!  I've sent one to PureAudio also.
https://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits.html

"Hi George,

These will not be available in kits. These amps are complex and expensive to manufacture. We’re hoping to have complete amps ready maybe in about a month. We’re still finishing case design. Tom"


Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Do you want to stay away from Chinese or Euro stuff?

Here’s quality USA made Class-D audio kits, these look to be great value with some big wattage’s and they use linear power supplies!!!, "said" to sound as good as APL’s Alex Peychev’s $150k tube amp.
http://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits.html

It also looks like they maybe be producing GaN fet technology kits soon, as they are linked to the GaN site along with Purely Emotional Audio
http://gan-fet.com/2014/02/13/desert-rocks/

Cheers George
More to discover