How to begin?

For (native) english speakers:

www.diyaudio.com

More answers there than you could ever ask.

SDhawan,

-What're the basic tools required?
Not too many. A set of screw-drivers, cutters, crimping tools, soldering iron....you'll get there as do a few projects.

-Where to get them from?
All of these tools are available in your city electronic market. SP Road in Blore, Lamington Rd in Mumbai....

-What project to begin with?
Speaker cable like Amp_Nut had suggested. Later you could try interconnect and power cord.

Simplest is a power cord with a 6 mm Finolex cable...brings execellent improvement to the system.

-What's the kind of time & cost involved?
Cable's generally do not cost much. Recently I made a copy (don't jump on my SUB_BOSS ) of a XLO interconnect with locally available teflon-insultaed and solid core copper wire. It costed me around Rs.1500/. It took two days to make it....but the performance of this cable was shocking !!!

-How to learn basic techniques like soldering, etc.?
I'm sure every knows to use a screw-driver...the only other thing you need to learn would be soldering...which i think is a not difficult by any measure.

I guess you need to have a determination that you can take on something unknown to you....everything else is a cake-walk.

Regards
Siva.

If any city chapter is meeting, maybe the 1st session(s) could address the following:

1. Physically looking at & recognising Resistors, Capacitors and inductors

2. Learning to read Resistor, Capacitor and Inductor values, based on their markings.

3. Ohms Law

4. Using a multimeter.

5. Basic soldering skills.

sivat schrieb:

SDhawan, -What're the basic tools required? Not too many. A set of screw-drivers, cutters, crimping tools, soldering iron....you'll get there as do a few projects. -Where to get them from? All of these tools are available in your city electronic market. SP Road in Blore, Lamington Rd in Mumbai.... -What project to begin with? Speaker cable like Amp_Nut had suggested. Later you could try interconnect and power cord. Simplest is a power cord with a 6 mm Finolex cable...brings execellent improvement to the system. -What's the kind of time & cost involved? Cable's generally do not cost much. Recently I made a copy (don't jump on my SUB_BOSS ) of a XLO interconnect with locally available teflon-insultaed and solid core copper wire. It costed me around Rs.1500/. It took two days to make it....but the performance of this cable was shocking !!! -How to learn basic techniques like soldering, etc.? I'm sure every knows to use a screw-driver...the only other thing you need to learn would be soldering...which i think is a not difficult by any measure. I guess you need to have a determination that you can take on something unknown to you....everything else is a cake-walk. Regards Siva.

I think a Power Cable is a good project for a noob like me to get started. Siva, how and where do I start?

Hi,

I'd welcome all to join the DIY movement.

This is how a lot of us got started. And when things worked, the satisfaction of creating your own was immense. That spurred more interest, more activity, and then, there was no going back!

Building a speaker system actually, is not that difficult a task. It doesn't require that much technical knowledge, and the components to be handled are few. Best to start first with a kit. And resources are available here now of world standards through Siva's efforts.

Once you hear results, the bug will get you. Then, you go into as much depth as you want - designing your own enclosures, and crossovers. And, into amplifiers, as you prefer.

Viren.

I think Amp Nut has the right ideas...if someone could start with the ABCs...looking at and identifying...perhaps one step back...what do these damn things do?!!!
I wasnever good with my hands and something like this scares the hell out of me.
Sometimes I fantasize that I can understand John Atkinson's measurements in Stereophile more than owning some of those products!
This is a good time to ask....where can I learn the basics?

Hi Jeeves,

Regarding those measurements, etc. a good source is a book by Robert Harley - The Complete Guide to High End Audio.

Regards

Sanjay

Shahrukh,

For a DIY Power cord.

1) Buy 6mm or 8mm Finolex cable used for electrical wiring. It HAS to be finolex...anything else will not be usefl

2) Cut 3 lengths of the finolex cable..for the desired length of your powercord and braid them together. Not very tight..at the same time not loose.

3) Buy one 3 pin socket and a IEC male socket. Not connect the wires to both sockets

4) Testing : First test to make sure that you have connect ground-2-ground, neutral-2-neutral and live-2-live. Second test would be ensure that none of these three wire short with each other. You will need a multimeter to do the same...or you can use the electric-bulb technique used by our innovative electrical guys. This is the step possible you will require the help of a electricitian or someone experienced in electrical/electronic circuits...and all it will take would be 5 minutes to do this test.

Regards
Siva.

Thanks Doc!

Dear Viren,

Can you please tell us who are the vendors of electronic components / parts and basic euipment like multimeters, soldering iron / pencil, etc.? - preferranly some one located in South Delhi.

Dear Siva,
My amp & CD player do not have a detachable power cord. So what's the way of fixing a DIY power cord to these?

Regards

Sanjay

Hi Sanjay,

Sorry, you'll have to go the the picturesque Chandni Chowk area of old Delhi to pick up all your electronic components. Specifically, Lajpat Rai and Bhagirath Place markets. Prepare to be a bit overwhelmed.

I can give you addresses of specific shops to help equip yourselves, but it's worth it to just go and explore!

Viren.

Jeeves said :

Sometimes I fantasize that I can understand John Atkinson's measurements in Stereophile more than owning some of those products! This is a good time to ask....where can I learn the basics?

I have a suggestion.....

Lets pick a review of ANY Amp or Pre amp from the Stereophile site.

I can then explain All points / figures one by one in different posts. OFCOURSE would be GREAT to have inputs from all other Group members.

What Say ?

If you like the idea, you pick a product or alternately I can pick a good one.

Let me know.

Cheers

P.S: I will be Very Busy till 15th Oct so wont post more than 1 long post / explanation per day.

Amp nut you have my approval...pl go ahead.

Thanks for your vote of confidence, Jeeves.

For any sucessful thread.... like an audiophile meet, need atleast 3 to 5 enthusiasts ?

Any one else ?

A simple speaker with a single driver (for surround sound purposes) would be a good starting point for DIY. This will eliminate the need for a crossover and the entire focus can be on cabinet rigidity.

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Jeeves said : Sometimes I fantasize that I can understand John Atkinson's measurements in Stereophile more than owning some of those products! This is a good time to ask....where can I learn the basics? I have a suggestion..... Lets pick a review of ANY Amp or Pre amp from the Stereophile site. I can then explain All points / figures one by one in different posts. OFCOURSE would be GREAT to have inputs from all other Group members. What Say ? If you like the idea, you pick a product or alternately I can pick a good one. Let me know. Cheers P.S: I will be Very Busy till 15th Oct so wont post more than 1 long post / explanation per day.

Just wanted to revive this thread and the generous offer Amp_Nut had made...can we still have a go at it?

That is 2 votes for it ...

I need more enthu from forum members.

I dont want to start writing to myself... its a LOT of effort.

Maybe, select a product ( Amp or Pre ) and we can then have a go at it ?

I do hope that others such as screamgigi, Sivat, Bombaywalla and ofcourse Debu and others will also share their knowledge and insights....

Should be fun..... but not worth the effort unless there is a Significant interest.

I'm in. I doubt if I'll be able to add inputs, but I'll certainly play the sponge!

an amp would be a great place to start for me! though if its a solid state i'll be lost since i have a valve. the idea on how to make a power cord was great! simple enough not to scare you into running away.

Looks klike a good start.

Now guys, pick solid state amp, and a website that reviews it with Test Measurements and Graphs.

Post the URL Here. We will all have a look and start cracking.

Steve, sorry to pick SS ( I am a tuby too ! ) but the SS Performance is quite Clean and Text book like... making it easier to explain.

If you guys have the apetite. we could do 1 SS & 1 Valve amp similtanously ....

Thanx Amp_Nut,

Lets do one SS and one valve.

I suggest we do not pick an exotic amp but one which we may be able to check out locally as well (Plinius, Krell, MF etc. rather than the likes of Rogue Audio). That we we would be able to relate what we learn from Amp_Nut with what we hear...what say?

http://stereophile.com/integratedamps/1006nad/

Here's one we're all quite familiar with!

Before we go.... let me explain.... Measurements are VERY DIFFICULT to corelate to the sound of the amplifier.

All I can do is interpret what the measurements mean, and in SOME cases tell you what its sonic consequences are.

U guys still game ?

I'm game...and I'm cool with Shahrukh's choice of amp too...though I was hoping for a pre/power setup

Yus!! I'm still game!!

I chose this integ. amp cos most of us here are familiar with it. That's all!

yay! one valve too! then we could perhaps see side by side how valves vs ss perform on different criteria and which makes more of a difference where

Hi Amp_nut,

I'm watching this space ...you can count me in. I really donno if I can add any value to this thread, but still would love to know how things work and components involved and all that

Cheers!

DEar AmpNut,

Why cant we discuss Primaluna PL1 test results of stereophile for tube amp.

nullhttp://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/205prima/

I have used this amp so am familiar with its sonics too.

Regards

Anil

Hi Amp Nut,

Thanks for your offer to play 'teacher'. I am always willing to play pupil. You may count me in even if I don't reply as I always read the technical posts. Good audio appreciation is built on sound technical knowledge, not on opinions or prejudices. No sense in blaming a speaker, if a room resonance is boosting a particular frequency. Or an amp if a speaker has a poor impedance curve and low sensitivity. Or a headphone if your DVD player has a poor OP amp. I trust that you will impart such kind of 'wisdom' and lots more to us.

I would suggest that we stick to the Nad C372, as it is a common brand that forum members will relate to, unlike the uncommon Prima Luna (my apologies, Anil). Soulforged, we two are fans of power amps. But, the rest of the junta have integrateds. So, let's get started with the Nad, rather than fossilise this already several-month-old thread!

Lets go , Guys!
I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most useful of all the threads ,ever.
Lets try to keep an open mind & not become too dogmatic;
lets also try & not get stuck/sidetracked by small issues.

Hi Guys,

That is a VERY enthu response !

Also the NAD & PL-1 are excellent examples to do this excersise initially.

However, I have a problem. ...

I am organising a 2 day Workshop on 12th & 13th so I will not even be able to log on...

The dust will probably settle down on Wed or Thursday, after which I can give time to the thread.

Can someone else launch the thread and start the discussions ?

Screamgigi ... you are the best amongst us ( no offense to others ! ), and would be VERY NICE if you could start the discussions on the PL-1 Valve Intergrated....

Have fun guys & excuse me for a couple of days...

Amp_Nut schrieb:

Screamgigi ... you are the best amongst us ( no offense to others ! ), and would be VERY NICE if you could start the discussions on the PL-1 Valve Intergrated....

Hi Scream, You are THE VALVE GURU
Please be an and do the analysis of the Prima Luna.
Amp Nut can handle the SS Nad.

GREAT idea

Hi Guys,

Yah ! I know I promised ... & I am late... but will set up a new thread & post today.

Amp_Nut, that avatar of yours-is it you as a baby?
Choooo Cute-you must have been the darling of all the neighbourhood ladies!

Nah ! That is not me.

I picked ( pirated ? it off the net.

I found the baby ' lending an ear ' particularly relevant to this forum....

Can I revive this thread?
First let me introduce my self i am JJ, and for my presence here you all can blame only Dr.Sanjay!!!

Okay now...I want to make my own amp.. got some schematics now I want to know if anyone know is if those schematics are good, and if there are some better suggestions..

I shall post the pix here with the list of needed parts..( oh yes if someone is in the matter can the parts be altered and what happens if they are?)
This is scheme i found on the net it is for the
Amp with Tone Controls & Soft Switching
Description:
Built around an LM380, this amplifier includes tone controls and electronic "soft switching". The soft switching circuitry ensures power is built up gradually eliminating the dc thump.




Now can anyone tell me if this thing is good.. i can create print board with that layout, and solder all that.. but just wish to know will it do the job, before i start meddling with it.

Regards
JJ

Hi Kalesin,

Welcome to the forum.

Doc, we all owe you one, for bringing 1 more to the fold

I am not familiar with the LM 360, but the rest rest of it is pretty straightforward.

The BC 109 Transistors are freely available.

The 1st stage is a Buffer. It provides no Voltage gain. Its main function is to provide enough current to the Next Stage which provides the "Tone Control" function.

The tone control is the ( almost universally used - Baxandal Tone Control Circuit ).

From the tone control it goes to the LM360 power amp chip.

The 2H inductor may be tough to get. The circuit will work without it. Its for additional Power Supply Filtering. If unavalable, simply Short it out.

In case every thing does not work on switch on, fault finding sould be pretty straightforward...

ENJOY !

The LM360 ... good sound. But you can do even better with transistor. Can i make you a bit more greedy ??

http://delta-audio.com/Power%20amps.htm

Regards
Siva.

@JJ - Welcome aboard ! You will soon realize that you have landed in a lunatic asylum ...... we are all crazy about audio & music.

@Ampnut - Thanks ! You will thank me even more once you get to know more about JJ

But JJ, why do you need tone control. A good amp doesn't really need one. My NAD & Marantz have tone controls but my Cyrus Preamp doesn't have anything to do with tone, etc. And I don't ever miss one.