Best beginner DYI projects poll

I don't think the Krell Klone is a particularly challenging build. It's a lot of board stuffing, but no crazy voltages (aside from dealing with mains) / fickle components to my knowledge.

Here's some docs on it: http://tee8tee4388.blogspot.com/2013/07/krell-ksa5.html
And BOM for the alternative PSU: http://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/10702-krell-ksa5-klone/?do=findComment&comment=599458

I have a set of boards + the parts on hand, but haven't gotten around to actually putting it together. I could part with them if you're interested in putting a Klone together since I don't know when I'll have the time/space to work on it.

To the original topic, I definitely agree with CMoy/cables as a good way to start. I started with those two things, and building cables 1) built up a handy inventory of cables and wasn't super $$, 2) gave me good practice with a soldering iron and meter. After that, I think kits like the ones from Beezar are great because of their attention to detail and documentation. BOMs, schematics, great instructions, etc make for a fun project.

 

In addition to great documentation and step by step instructions with photos, one of the reasons that I really like the crack as a beginner project is that the point to point wiring literally walks you through the anatomy of the amplifier. Nothing is hidden within a board. It is a great way to wrap your mind around what you are building and how the dc and ac flow within the amp, in addition to doing the soldering. Once it is up and running, you learn through-hole via the speedball.

I say watch a basic youtube vid on how to wet (i.e. touch the solder to) the joint between your iron and lead, and then proceed to actually apply solder from the opposite side of the lead. Building durable cables (that look good) is a good skill, but it can actually be more challenging and exasperating than wiring up the individual components in a simple amp.

 

This is very true and something to keep in mind. I had done a decent amount of soldering on junk electronics as a kid, and thought my first cable build would be a cake walk. Problem was the fcking solder kept not sticking where I wanted it to. Then I watched a video, then I felt dumb, then I got it right.

That said, I think it's much better to learn how to do this on cable, which is plentiful and worthless, than some component that is rare or expensive or took a hundred days to ship to you even if it's cheap.

Oh, if cable is your first project, I recommend you NOT get hung up on how many n's your copper has and whether it was pulled slowly from the anus of a unicorn. You can save money and still get a stupid amount of reliable cable like mogami, and then mess up all you want with little consequence.

 

And the Mogami 2799 is a very nice pure copper cable that is very supple, easy to disassemble, very light, and CHEAP! ~$0.70/ft