Want to build a stereo amplifier for use outdooors with iPod
Posted: 04 Jul 2012, 23:31
Hey forum, I'm doing some research and I thought I'd get some opinions and recommendations here as well. I am looking to build an outdoor (read: needs to be waterproof) rig for audio playback during BBQs and stuff. There's a few things I need..
I need to build an amplifier circuit which will accept the iPod output signal and amplify it to power some passive speakers which I will place around the property at specific locations. I was thinking about doing an all tube design because it seems like fun and I would learn something, but that would likely complicate things and shoot the price of the project up and up. I am looking for a loud and clean functioning amplifier, something that can be pushed really loud if desired. I guess I don't really mind if the design is solid state either, but I've designed something similar during engineering class using a single darlington transistor and a large inductor to bias instead of a more lossy bias resistor, and the result was not in the same echelon of what I wish to accomplish here, though there's probably better solid state designs out there. I have a bunch of TL072 lying around, can you make a decent power amp with a couple of those? I would like to power 4 different speakers from the same amp, and have each set go to a separate volume control, and be switchable on/off for both circuits. I also need advice on what voltages to use for power circuits, and what transformers to buy, if any, because I am clueless about such things so far in my audio pursuit. I am in US and house voltage is 120v
I also need speakers. I, being an audiophile myself, would greatly dislike having to buy a wimpy set of speakers that wouldn't offer much satisfaction when the project is completed. On the other hand, the speakers will be up all year long, so they need to be rain proof too, so that likely puts a glass ceiling on the audio quality that I can have.
Whole budget for the project is maybe a few hundred, $300 tentative.
I need to build an amplifier circuit which will accept the iPod output signal and amplify it to power some passive speakers which I will place around the property at specific locations. I was thinking about doing an all tube design because it seems like fun and I would learn something, but that would likely complicate things and shoot the price of the project up and up. I am looking for a loud and clean functioning amplifier, something that can be pushed really loud if desired. I guess I don't really mind if the design is solid state either, but I've designed something similar during engineering class using a single darlington transistor and a large inductor to bias instead of a more lossy bias resistor, and the result was not in the same echelon of what I wish to accomplish here, though there's probably better solid state designs out there. I have a bunch of TL072 lying around, can you make a decent power amp with a couple of those? I would like to power 4 different speakers from the same amp, and have each set go to a separate volume control, and be switchable on/off for both circuits. I also need advice on what voltages to use for power circuits, and what transformers to buy, if any, because I am clueless about such things so far in my audio pursuit. I am in US and house voltage is 120v
I also need speakers. I, being an audiophile myself, would greatly dislike having to buy a wimpy set of speakers that wouldn't offer much satisfaction when the project is completed. On the other hand, the speakers will be up all year long, so they need to be rain proof too, so that likely puts a glass ceiling on the audio quality that I can have.
Whole budget for the project is maybe a few hundred, $300 tentative.