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Old August 16th 04, 07:45 PM posted to uk.rec.audio
Jem Raid
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Posts: 58
Default Cheap and cheerful upgrade


"Ed Whittaker" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I`m tight on cash and no audiophile so don`t laugh...

I`ve had a cheap Samsung mini system for the past 7 years, it claims
2x40Rms and is pretty loud for a smallish room, has been a very good
buy. I`m getting a bit fed up of the lack of decent low and high
frequencies, muddy low frequencies and general lack of warmth/depth.
I`m considering spending the minimum of cash to improve things, either

1.) better second hand speakers (car boot / ebay) to replace cheap
supplied ones. Does cabinet size make much of a difference to sound
quality?
2.) better speakers and a cheap second hand amp fed from line-out of
existing system.
3.) possibly pick up an end of line basic amp/speakers package
4.) Are there any decent kits out there, i`m not too bad with a
soldering iron

This is a cheap `n cheerful solution until i`ve paid off my student
loan and I start earning real money.

Cheers,

Ed.


Why not have a go at making your own speakers, try this link first;
http://diyaudio.8m.com/Solo/solo.html
The timber will cost less than £20, use Visaton FR10 drivers (from CPC) at
about £7.00 each, you can buy the expensive Fostex/ACR ones later, if you
feel you need to.
These speakers are made and sold in Canada for 800 CD.


Then make your own amplifier;
http://gainclone.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2
The Gainclone is a 47 Labs Gaincard which costs anything from £1800 for the
Shigaraki to £4600 for the full Gaincard.

You can make a Shigaraki for about £40 to £50, honestly, no kidding, it's
true :-) And then later make a dual power supply to take it up to Gaincard
standard, if you need to :-) The circuit is so simple it's almost a joke,
consists of 9 components and has the shortest signal path of any amplifier.
It sounds great. Ask the blokes on the forum and they'll help you, they're a
wonderful bunch of people.

Jem