The DIY store doesn't have much left to build one of these. I see the chassis, no transformers, FET's...do you have a parts list of where you got some of these boards, I can caps, resistors
Look up the F5T building guide. There should be a link to it on the DIY home page or the Pass Amp subsection. There is a routine feast or famine cycle of kit parts in the store. It takes significant time to match the parts, but they should be available again.
Oh for sure. I just really like watching someone else do things before I do. Have you thought about a $10 tripod for your phone so your hands would be free? 😉
Robert, thanks for sharing these videos. I'm super-interested in your build, I think I'll be going for pretty much the exact same thing. I'm still in planning, although I have started ordering stuff. I was hoping to get away with a single power supply but I think your dual mono build with two supplies might be the way to go.
I can’t wait to see the finished product. Hopefully you will be continuing to video to the end. I want to build this amp and I am curious to see how this does sharing one case for the dual monoblock operation. One of the reasons I was holding off was because of the added Ed expense for dual cases if needed and the room that would be needed. Great video!
@@NocturneVid66 As I mentioned, I was considering doing a V3 build as well. I’m a half step above a novice lol! The DIY forum highly recommended to use separate cases because of the amount of heat sink needed. I decided to do the 50wpc with a 1000va transformer 2 pairs of 25 0 25 secondaries. Did you buy the 5U case? That is the one they recommended to me.
Can't wait for part 3! Is that the large 4u deluxe diy chassis? I believe folks were trying to get order for a 5u chassis at diy audio but not sold in the diy audio store? That much capacitance you might want to consider the diy audio soft start boards? Thanks!
Brandon, yes, this is the DIY Galaxy 5U case. I hope they still carry it. I suspect that I will need a soft-start circuit, but I didn't see one in the DIY Audio store kits last time I looked.
The thermistors on the AC seem to be doing a marvelous job at reducing inrush current on the F5. I get no thumps, or lights flickering when I switch it on.
Thanks so much for posting. Very much looking forward to the final product. I'm looking to get into DIY audio next year with one, or perhaps both, of my young adult sons. We are noobs to DIY electronics. I'm considering ACA as a first project. Would the F5 be too aggressive as a first project instead? 6L6's build guide looks to be incredibly thorough. But, ACA is perhaps a better launching point.
ACA would certainly be an excellent spot to start for a beginner. I believe they sell it as a full kit, instructions and all parts you'd need. Steve Guttenberg "the audiophiliac" does a good review on ACA and how he really liked two of them as mono blocks.
@@dkerlee Thanks so much for the input, Drew. ACA is indeed sold as a complete kit but it's currently sold out. That is probably where I will start. F5 looks like a more aggressive undertaking. Despite my natural desire to skip as far ahead as possible, I think it makes the most sense to begin with ACA but continue to watch videos such as this one to learn as much as possible. Thanks again.
Also, now that I'm thinking about it, my first amp that I'm still using, is an Akitika GT-102. It was a wonderful kit, and the amp is no slouch either. Really enjoyed the build, excellent instructions. It's what we call a "chip amp" based around lm3886. Doh! Just checked them, out of stock until Feb.
@@dkerlee I'm glad you mentioned that. I ran across the Akitika and was wondering if it was appropriate for a noob. I would like to have a kit with more power than the ACA but yet something that's actually achievable by a complete novice. I'm so glad to hear it was your first and it was a successful build. Many thanks!
Nick, I think I'd go with the new ACA amplifiers. You can bridge them for a single channel that has twice the power, of course you need to get two amplifiers then.
Good question. It depends on the experience and resources of the builder. You should be wary of an amp built by an inexperienced amateur. You should be wary of one built with the cheapest parts available. You should be wary of ones, like mine, built without being tested by a distortion analyzer. Mine sounds good, but there may be hidden issues with them that I don't know about. I would not buy sight-unseen on EBay. You may be lucky if you buy used from a shop with a respected service department.
Hello Robert, nice to watch your video and very easy to understand almost it all nonetheless Ensligh not being my mother tongue; can I ask you some questions with regards to build? I never did such a thing before but very intrigued by these projects and almost sold on an F4 so I am trying to understand how difficult to get to the end and the list of parts needed; I find interesting the dual transformer (what's the advantage vs cost?) and, to mention one, the choice of wiring cables, what would you suggest for such thing which I never thought being not a hard choice? Thanks for your videos
Giovanni, check on DIYAudio.com, Pass Labs page, and see if there is an Illustrated Build Guide for the F4 amplifier. It will have a B.O.M. or parts list at the end. I believe I have seen an Amp Camp video of Mr. Pass talking about the F4. There may also be a technical article on the First Watt website. The dual mono design was because I run 4 ohm Magnepan speakers and I was concerned whether a single power supply would produce enough current. The dual design also helps with the separation of the two channels. The amplifier sounds very powerful so I think it was worth the cost.
@@NocturneVid66 Yep, read that, I got the power boards and MOSFETs and will slowly add the other components to then have my skilled friend start the build, grazie!
Here you go Drew: www.ebay.com/itm/K2-Silver-TEFLON-FTPE-wire-kit-of-various-colors-32-feet-of-AWG-18/223065280067?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
The DIY store doesn't have much left to build one of these. I see the chassis, no transformers, FET's...do you have a parts list of where you got some of these boards, I can caps, resistors
Look up the F5T building guide. There should be a link to it on the DIY home page or the Pass Amp subsection.
There is a routine feast or famine cycle of kit parts in the store. It takes significant time to match the parts, but they should be available again.
Looking forward to the bias adjustment video
Adjusting the bias and doing a video may be a bit too much of a handful for me. I would refer you to 6L6's illustrated build guide at DIYAudio.com.
Oh for sure. I just really like watching someone else do things before I do. Have you thought about a $10 tripod for your phone so your hands would be free? 😉
Robert, thanks for sharing these videos. I'm super-interested in your build, I think I'll be going for pretty much the exact same thing. I'm still in planning, although I have started ordering stuff. I was hoping to get away with a single power supply but I think your dual mono build with two supplies might be the way to go.
I can’t wait to see the finished product. Hopefully you will be continuing to video to the end. I want to build this amp and I am curious to see how this does sharing one case for the dual monoblock operation. One of the reasons I was holding off was because of the added Ed expense for dual cases if needed and the room that would be needed. Great video!
Thanks Joe. I am sorely tempted to buy another case and go true monoblock just for the added heatsink area on the enclosures.
@@NocturneVid66 As I mentioned, I was considering doing a V3 build as well. I’m a half step above a novice lol! The DIY forum highly recommended to use separate cases because of the amount of heat sink needed. I decided to do the 50wpc with a 1000va transformer 2 pairs of 25 0 25 secondaries. Did you buy the 5U case? That is the one they recommended to me.
Joes, Yes, that's a Galaxy 5U case. It's the biggest one they offer and the heatsinks are just barely big enough.
larger wires. Use a drill to enlarge the PCB holes
Part 3 is in the works now the holidaze are over.
Can't wait for part 3! Is that the large 4u deluxe diy chassis? I believe folks were trying to get order for a 5u chassis at diy audio but not sold in the diy audio store? That much capacitance you might want to consider the diy audio soft start boards? Thanks!
Brandon, yes, this is the DIY Galaxy 5U case. I hope they still carry it. I suspect that I will need a soft-start circuit, but I didn't see one in the DIY Audio store kits last time I looked.
The thermistors on the AC seem to be doing a marvelous job at reducing inrush current on the F5. I get no thumps, or lights flickering when I switch it on.
Thanks so much for posting. Very much looking forward to the final product. I'm looking to get into DIY audio next year with one, or perhaps both, of my young adult sons. We are noobs to DIY electronics. I'm considering ACA as a first project. Would the F5 be too aggressive as a first project instead? 6L6's build guide looks to be incredibly thorough. But, ACA is perhaps a better launching point.
ACA would certainly be an excellent spot to start for a beginner. I believe they sell it as a full kit, instructions and all parts you'd need. Steve Guttenberg "the audiophiliac" does a good review on ACA and how he really liked two of them as mono blocks.
@@dkerlee Thanks so much for the input, Drew. ACA is indeed sold as a complete kit but it's currently sold out. That is probably where I will start. F5 looks like a more aggressive undertaking. Despite my natural desire to skip as far ahead as possible, I think it makes the most sense to begin with ACA but continue to watch videos such as this one to learn as much as possible. Thanks again.
Also, now that I'm thinking about it, my first amp that I'm still using, is an Akitika GT-102. It was a wonderful kit, and the amp is no slouch either. Really enjoyed the build, excellent instructions. It's what we call a "chip amp" based around lm3886. Doh! Just checked them, out of stock until Feb.
@@dkerlee I'm glad you mentioned that. I ran across the Akitika and was wondering if it was appropriate for a noob. I would like to have a kit with more power than the ACA but yet something that's actually achievable by a complete novice. I'm so glad to hear it was your first and it was a successful build. Many thanks!
Nick, I think I'd go with the new ACA amplifiers. You can bridge them for a single channel that has twice the power, of course you need to get two amplifiers then.
This video replaces my previous video which suffered from some buffering issues and other problems.
are they any difference between the clones and the first watt originals that costs 4000$ ? can i trust a used clone of first watt ?
Good question. It depends on the experience and resources of the builder. You should be wary of an amp built by an inexperienced amateur. You should be wary of one built with the cheapest parts available. You should be wary of ones, like mine, built without being tested by a distortion analyzer. Mine sounds good, but there may be hidden issues with them that I don't know about.
I would not buy sight-unseen on EBay. You may be lucky if you buy used from a shop with a respected service department.
@@NocturneVid66 so there is definitely difference in the original first watt. I thank you for your answer . I wish you the best
Hello Robert, nice to watch your video and very easy to understand almost it all nonetheless Ensligh not being my mother tongue; can I ask you some questions with regards to build? I never did such a thing before but very intrigued by these projects and almost sold on an F4 so I am trying to understand how difficult to get to the end and the list of parts needed; I find interesting the dual transformer (what's the advantage vs cost?) and, to mention one, the choice of wiring cables, what would you suggest for such thing which I never thought being not a hard choice? Thanks for your videos
Giovanni, check on DIYAudio.com, Pass Labs page, and see if there is an Illustrated Build Guide for the F4 amplifier. It will have a B.O.M. or parts list at the end. I believe I have seen an Amp Camp video of Mr. Pass talking about the F4. There may also be a technical article on the First Watt website. The dual mono design was because I run 4 ohm Magnepan speakers and I was concerned whether a single power supply would produce enough current. The dual design also helps with the separation of the two channels. The amplifier sounds very powerful so I think it was worth the cost.
@@NocturneVid66 thank you for the reply
www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/234355-guide-building-pass-f4-amplifier.html
@@NocturneVid66 Yep, read that, I got the power boards and MOSFETs and will slowly add the other components to then have my skilled friend start the build, grazie!
I hope it goes well.
How about a link to the wires you're using?
Here you go Drew:
www.ebay.com/itm/K2-Silver-TEFLON-FTPE-wire-kit-of-various-colors-32-feet-of-AWG-18/223065280067?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649