[Amps] Good amp to buy maybe build..

[Jeff Blaine AC0C]

I second what Bill is saying here.

If you build, consider the cost an education expense.  And then you can 
rationalize a huge amount of money being spent.  You have the pride of 
crafting something youself and it will be in some ways unique.  But unless 
you have been down this path a few times already, and have a very well 
stocked junkbox, then you can almost surely buy for less.  Espeically if you 
explode something expensive at some point in the build.    I believe I have 
the only $2000 SB200 on the planet.  A guy could buy quite a number of very 
nice amps for that kind of money...

73/jeff/ac0c


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Bill, W6WRT" <dezrat1242 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 10:49 PM
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Good amp to buy maybe build..

> There is one primary question a person should ask themselves when
> thinking of getting their first amp:
>
> Do I really want to BUILD an amplifier or do I just want to HAVE an
> amplifier?
>
> Despite what you might think, it is actually cheaper to buy a
> commercial amplifier than to homebrew. I know that sounds like heresy
> to the dedicated homebrewer, but I believe it is true when everything
> is taken into account.
>
> For example, if you purchase all brand new parts, you lose right off
> the bat. Manufacturers can buy parts cheaper than an individual can.
> Just the cost of shipping all those parts one by one will kill you.
>
> Second, you will not believe how many hours you will spend just
> collecting the parts. Third, you will not believe how many hours you
> spend actually building and testing the amplifier. Manufacturers have
> the advantage here,  unless you count your time as free.
>
> And finally, a commercial amp will have considerable resale value if
> it is a quality amp to begin with. If you ever try to sell your
> homebrew, you will be lucky if you get back a fraction of the cost of
> parts, never mind the value of your labor.
>
> But in spite of all that, there is a powerful satisfaction in
> homebrewing and that may outweigh all the other factors. It certainly
> did for me and every time I look at my beautiful homebrew amp sitting
> on my desk, I know it was all worth it.
>
> Your call.
>
> 73, Bill W6WRT
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