EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Electronics => RF, Microwave, Ham Radio => Topic started by: NoradIV on April 03, 2017, 03:29:25 am

Title: Opinions on ebay DIY kits
Post by: NoradIV on April 03, 2017, 03:29:25 am
Hello Everyone,

I have an old Audio Reflex AR-620 (http://classic-hifi.net/product/audio-reflex-ar620/) head that is dying. (One problem is probably dirty contacts, the rest is likely related to bad caps).

I mostly use this head unit as a headphone amplifier for my AKG k271 MK II (https://www.headphone.com/products/akg-k-271-mk-ii).

These headphones have somewhat a high impedance and low sensitivity, meaning that the built-in sound card in my computer isn't exactly up to the task.

I also like my music pretty loud and bassy, so a decent output is necessary.

I am not a crazy audiophile (most of my music is in MP3), I do not care about the lamp thing, I just want something that will be an improvement to my built-in sound card and preferably DIY (I like assembling kits).

I found this kit (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audiophile-level-HIFI-TPA6120-Headphone-Amplifier-AMP-Board-DIY-Kit-Dual-12V-20V-/222183193911) on ebay. I verified the specs of the TPA6120 (http://www.ti.com/product/TPA6120A2), which has a 1.5W output and otherwise decent specs.

I'd like to know what you guys think.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Opinions on ebay DIY kits
Post by: CatalinaWOW on April 03, 2017, 04:06:26 am
For fifteen bucks it is worth a try.  Not much lost if it doesn't turn out as good as you want.  But if you do like it you will have to spend some money on a nice case power supply to turn it into a daily user.  That piece of the equation might convince me to go for something already packaged up nicely.
Title: Re: Opinions on ebay DIY kits
Post by: NoradIV on April 04, 2017, 12:17:24 am
For fifteen bucks it is worth a try.  Not much lost if it doesn't turn out as good as you want.  But if you do like it you will have to spend some money on a nice case power supply to turn it into a daily user.  That piece of the equation might convince me to go for something already packaged up nicely.

If I like it, a steel case and a proper power supply will be part of it. I like the idea of being able to change the amplifier later if I want, keeping it more "modular".

Oh, and I'd rather assemble it myself than order one all made, DIY is a plus for me, since I like assembling them.
Title: Re: Opinions on ebay DIY kits
Post by: NoradIV on April 04, 2017, 01:46:24 am
Ok, then let me check for another option. I have no knowledge of these designs really. I figured TI was trustworthy, if they publish a HIFI chip, I would have thought it would do what they said it would do.

Although, these are headphones, not speakers.