DIY Vs S/H Vs New?

So, i want to sort a power amp
So i wanted to buy those loverly DPA amps from Robbo, he was very kind and waited for me to sort, but the long and short of it is that i already over spent on audio this year:shame:
Sooo, now im thinking of DIY, cheap and im not scared of a soldering iron.
Well i guess new would be lovely, but not always the best option.
S/H, tempting but often a long wait for the item you want, often still more wonga than DIY and more than often no demo.

DIY, i enjoy it but still sometimes dubious as to what ill end up with, and obviously the fallover of no demo still applies. But i think i may go for it (unless someone points out a serious error in my ways)
Ive been looking at the Avondale amp modules, looks good, seem to be very popular with the naimess, would it be too flat?
I also stumbled on these http://www.lcaudio.dk/com/zp2.htm
all sounds good, apart from being as new as they are i cant find any reviews. The facts and figures look impressive but mean diddly to me. Anyone who knows there stuff care to make a comment?

So opinions on the above really, should i go for it, or should i shut up and put up untill i get more cash together and then hand to nice Mr shop owner?

 

GrahamN has an LC analogue amp and will be along shortly to rave about it (it's bloody good, BTW).

-- Ian

 

seems like a steal if they are good, i reckon on ~500 to build a dual mono 200W

 

What a surprise.....only me! I've raved about the amp enough so no more of that required.

Funnily enough, I was round at Cookiemonster's this evening and, talking about what he may upgrade next, I mentioned this as something he might look at (to replace his NAD C370)!

Obviously I've not heard the ZAPpulse, but Lars Clausen clearly knows what a good sound is, so I would expect it to be good. If my amp should ever decide it's tired of giving its all, this (or maybe its analogue big brother) is where I'd look first.

Email them for any advice. Might be worth asking them for contacts (or if they can act as broker to set up a contact) for any happy customers - see whether there's anyone you could blag a demo off in the UK. You're of course welcome if you want to come and hear mine - but I'd doubt that'd help as it's a completely different technology.

 

I contacted Audio Atmosphere as they are listed as the UK distributer for LC Audio, heres the reply -

I would appreciate any feedback on these hitachi units from anyone who has heard or knows of them.

 

Oh for the good old days of DIY when all you had to do was send a cheque to those nice people at Crimson Elektrik

 

pennance,
you could always try avondale audio les is aparently a nice bloke to deal with and most of his modules can come pre built.
i believe most have push fit connections to link the bits together so you may not even need a soldering iron.
see here:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/avondale/

for details.
cheers


julian

 

Cheers Julian

Avondale is one of the considerations, just want to cover all corners before i make any decision