[Ynze] has built an audio amplifier that ... directly to the pins of the amplifier chip. This can be some tricky soldering for beginners, but several PCB kits are available.

Both are pictured next to each other, above. When it comes to vintage hi-fi stereo amplifiers, two units had particular meaning for [lens42]: the McIntosh MC275 Power Amp, and the Dynaco ST35.