TPA3122D2 with vintage Simpson panel meter

This battery powered amplifier uses a Philips TPA3122D2 Class D board.  Output filter caps are Nichicon Fine Gold & the power supply capacitors are Nichicon Muse.  The working panel meter indicates the power supply voltage.  A nifty machined aluminum volume knob completes the package.

RCA input connections and speaker wire connections are made right at the circuit board.  The purest signal path possible.

Saba Bookshelf Speakers

These were a Craigslist find from the Detroit area.  I'm now a Saba "junkie", which is bad as Sabas were never imported to the United States.  I couldn't find much information on the Internet regarding these particular speakers.  If you know the model number or date of production, please e-mail me.

The "story" that goes along with these is they belonged to the seller's friend, who was stationed in the US Military base in Germany.  He brought them back with him.  The seller believes they date from approximately 1959.  I crossed my fingers when powering them up that a voice coil hadn't been damaged.  My fears were alleviated when they began singing like angels.  Amazing sonics.

My Wife's Fleawatt Desktop Stereo

My wife Carrie, who supports my diy audio hobby 100%,  has been seeing quite a few desktop stereos leave the factory lately.  "When are you going to build me one?", she inquired.   With her significant input and assistance in the design, this Fleawatt powered desktop stereo was born.  The fabric color was chosen to match her office at work, where it will reside.  This particular stereo is powered with a TPA3110 5 watt per channel Class D amplifier.  The speakers are neodymium magnet equipped Tang Band, audiophile full range speakers.  A 1/8" mini plug and dc connector are mounted on the rear panel.   Thanks for supporting my hobby Carrie & Happy Valentines Day!

Hawthorne Audio "Spud" Amplifier

I built this amplifier and chassis in 2008.  It has the most three dimensional imaging of any amplifier I've ever heard.

Fleawatt Class D TPA3122D2

This 15 watt per channel Philips TPA3122D2 IC is a step forward from a Tripath based chip.  Deeper and tighter bass, better imaging, black background and incredibly accurate musical timbre.

This particular board has direct speaker wire terminals and RCA connections at the printed circuit board!  No binding posts, no signal wiring from the RCA inputs to the volume pot and from the volume pot to the board.  All of that, which is susceptible to EMI and RFI interference, is eliminated!  The most direct signal path possible and the pinnacle of design for those of us who want the purest sound possible.  This amplifier can be powered by and 12 volt or 24 volt DC power supply.  Sealed Lead Acid batteries are the preference among my fellow fleas.   This particular amplifier has upgraded Elna Silmic II capacitors mounted under the board.   There is a hole in the box lid under the circuit board to permit the mounting of the board.  

Kurt's Fleawatt Desktop System

This was a commissioned build for my friend & fellow audiophile, Kurt, who lives in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  The amplifier and speakers will be used with his laptop as a desktop system.  The Class D TPA3110 amplifier is encased in a round wooden "box".  The amplifier is powered by AA batteries under the chassis, on top of the cradle.  Easily accessible.   A DC input connector was placed on the back panel to allow the use of a AC to DC power pack should he decide to forego the battery power.   The amplifier is equipped with a power switch, volume control and mini input to connect to a laptop, phone or iPod/iPhone.  Gold plated, audiophile quality binding posts & solid walnut cradles complete the package.   The speakers are 3" Tang Band, neodymium magnet, audiophile full range speakers.  The speaker cabinets are also veneer thin tube boxes.  They have absolutely gorgeous tone combined with the Tang Band speakers. 

      

Robbie's Amp

After the hardware has been mounted, it's time to string it all together.  I use twisted Cat5e wire for the signals and twisted 18gauge solid core copper for the power supply wiring.

One input means no switches and an ultra pure signal path.

Cigar Box Boozehound Labs Phono Preamp

This phono preamplifier was built using a Boozehound Labs phono preamplifier kit.

The capacitors used in this kit are all Russian paper in oil caps.  The preamp calls for a 24 volt power supply, so it can be run from two 12 volt SLA's in series.  

Fleawatt Whimsical Atomic Class D Amplifier

This is part whimsical sculpture and part audiophile amplifier.  Many recycled parts were used in this amplifier, including a tin can, two crossover inductors, used CO2 cartridges, a hard drive part, copper tubing, vintage functioning Triplett panel meter and solid brass needle valves.  The glass "atomic" beads were hand made by my sister-in-law who makes lampwork beads in her home studio.  The amplifier is a battery powered, Class D, TPA3110 that makes 5 watts.

Frugal Horn Sachiko with Fostex 206ESR

I built this pair of Frugal Horn Sachikos around 2006.  This was one of two pair that I built.

This pair was made from Birch ply are equipped with a Fostex Special Edition 206 driver.  The magnet on these drivers is nearly the same dimension as the cone.  Giant.  They are rated at 98db.  

This pair now resides in a friend's home and are still playing sweet music.

Nagaoka Tetsuo D90 with Fostex 126e

Saba Greencone Hinged Open Baffles

Each side is piano hinged and can be moved for control over imaging and bass response.

These are stunning full range drivers.  It's either the Alnico magnets, the super thin paper cones or both, that give them an absolutely beguiling sound.

Fleawatt TPA3122D2 Soft Maple Amplifier

This amplifier uses a Texas Instruments TPA3122D2 IC and circuit board from Jerry's Electronics in Springfield, Ohio.  I installed a LED volt meter, which gives an accurate reading of the power supply voltage.  The IC can operate safely within a range of 8 and 30 volts DC.  I use a 12 volt SLA battery or two 12 volt batteries in series for 24 volts.  Power output rises as the power supply voltage is increased.  From 8 to 15 watts.  The pcb board is mounted on a one inch thick slab of American soft maple.

Fleawatt Wild Burro Betsy "Donkey Kong" Baffles

Finished the Wild Burro Betsy open baffle speakers.  My audio pal, Lucky, affectionately named them the "Donkey Kong" baffles due to their size.  They do fill the room with sound.  Both the Wild Burro Audio Betsy and Betsy K full range drivers are tremendous values and I highly recommend them.   

Fleawatt CAO cigar box stereo

These CAO cigar boxes are hard to find!  They get snapped up quickly as they are very attractive boxes.

I'm selling this and several others this weekend at a craft show in Bowling Green, OH.

It's a blast seeing how each one sounds different.  Most of the smaller boxes, using this particular Tang Band full range driver benefit from some Acousta Stuff brand polyfiber stuffing.  

Acid Cigar Audiophile Amplifier - Exposed Circuit Board

I've been wanting to build an amplifier with an "exposed" circuit board

for awhile.  I finally got around to it.  My favorite sounding chip currently, the TPA

3110 was installed in this handsome Acid cigar box.  I added an analog DC volt meter below the board.  Since I use a SLA battery, it's nice to see what my charge level is.  I found out yesterday that the TPA3110 shuts down at 7.8 volts.  It took me about 3 hours to charge my SLA battery up to 12.5 volts.  I hadn't charged it in over a month!  

Cusano Cigar Box TPA3110 Amplifier

 Another cigar box integrated amplifier is born.  This one is equipped with a  Class D TPA3110 amplifier board, Neutrik RCA connectors, Dayton gold plated five way binding posts, a volume pot and power switch. 

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Saba Greencone speaker discovery!

I recently acquired a Made in Germany, Saba Breisgau 8 console, which contained a Dual 1004

idler drive turntable, a tuner, a mono EL84 amplifier, but most importantly....

four Alinco magnet Saba greencones!  I've been on the hunt for greencones, but they are very

rare in the US.   Another reso cabinet, to house these drivers, is in the works!

Brickhouse Cigar Box Stereo

Class D TPA3110 amplifier with Tang Band neodymium, full range speakers.

Fleawatt Perdomo Cigar Box Stereo

I wasn't expecting this box to sound as good as it does!  I used a liberal amount of acoustuff fiber in this box and the sound is amazing for such a compact enclosure.  It has a very natural, yet peppy sound.   It is equipped with audiophile quality Tang Band neodymium magnet speakers and a Class D amplifier.  It is powered with a DC power pack and uses any phone or portable audio device as a source.