Hello all! Im new to the DIY amplifier world.
I'm looking to build my first amp. My priority above all is sound quality.
I've read that T-amps sound approached gainclones, and now the TPA3110/TPA3116 sound better than T-Amps.
Is there anything (Class D) better now than the TPA3116, or are they still king?
I'm looking to build my first amp. My priority above all is sound quality.
I've read that T-amps sound approached gainclones, and now the TPA3110/TPA3116 sound better than T-Amps.
Is there anything (Class D) better now than the TPA3116, or are they still king?
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They pretty much are at the top of the game still with the appropriate modifications. Although I am having lots of success with a TDA7482 (see new thread). New amps will have built in DSP EQ and XO capability for active speakers.
Although I have heard that a well modified 3886 still sounds better than a 3116.
Although I have heard that a well modified 3886 still sounds better than a 3116.
Because nothing is good at a stock setup? Seems like that all those engineers are to stoopit to lay out a circuit properly.. -.- 😉
Well...I like the board made in Holland by Accusafe. It utilizes the MAXIM 9744 chip. 20 watts at 12v (10 good ones). Integrated volume control on chip so using a single gang 10K linear pot you get clear sound without a pot in signal chain...Two stage adjustable gain by a solder gap. 4/8 Ohm compatable. Sounds better to me than any T-amp (2024, 2020, 2050, or the Sure 3110 I have owned/modded. This board needs NO mods as it already uses good quality parts and is not made in China. Nothing like good European engineering and manufacturing ; ). Additional capacitance can be added if need be. What is not to like? It is used by many for the "Boominator" et. al. builds in Euroland. I use it as my only amp in my tiny sailboat from solar power/battery and don't feel the need to look further. Kistradio en Kratradio Specialist - Modules - Versterkers - MaxAmp 12V Class-D versterker met JST-PH connector . Just box it up and be done with it. YMMV...
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Thanks for the suggestion T-Head! Although honestly I do want to try the TPA3116 to see what the hype is about lol.
Although, maybe you could explain to me how you create a battery power supply for these amplifiers? According to Bottlehead's website, a battery powered Class-D amp may sound better than a Class D amp powered by an AC-DC power supply. I'd like to give a battery powered class D amo a try 😀
What is the recommendation for the best TPA3116 based Board? I see that the YJ Blue/black is highly regarded, but if there is anything better available I'd like to know.
Although, maybe you could explain to me how you create a battery power supply for these amplifiers? According to Bottlehead's website, a battery powered Class-D amp may sound better than a Class D amp powered by an AC-DC power supply. I'd like to give a battery powered class D amo a try 😀
What is the recommendation for the best TPA3116 based Board? I see that the YJ Blue/black is highly regarded, but if there is anything better available I'd like to know.
As for a battery supply, the easiest is simply a SLA (Sealed Lead-Acid) battery connected to the board. You will also need a charger to recharge the battery. I used this for months but my MAXAMP 20 is now connected to my house battery on my boat and is recharged with a 100 watt solar panel and PWM controller. I would try the SLA first and if you like it you can get fancier with a case, and battery protection circuit like the one sold by Accusafe:
Kistradio en Kratradio Specialist - Accu Beveiliging - AccuSafe V3,5 Geassembleerd
This board will automate the charging cycle and keep the battery from to deep a discharge. In the end it depends on your choices as with all things DIY.
As for the TPA 3116 boards I will defer to the long thread here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/237086-tpa3116d2-amp.html I have no experience with the boards as I am happy with my MAXAMP 20. If you need more wattage I have been looking at the TPA 3132 based stAMP boards. Tiny and considered goog-sounding. Hand assembled in the UK with quality parts and designed by Sheldon, a DIYaudio member. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/265881-some-more-really-small-amps.html Mostly, I am through trying to upgrade poorly designed and implemented chinese products...you often get what you pay for and I would like to support quality. YMMV
Kistradio en Kratradio Specialist - Accu Beveiliging - AccuSafe V3,5 Geassembleerd
This board will automate the charging cycle and keep the battery from to deep a discharge. In the end it depends on your choices as with all things DIY.
As for the TPA 3116 boards I will defer to the long thread here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/237086-tpa3116d2-amp.html I have no experience with the boards as I am happy with my MAXAMP 20. If you need more wattage I have been looking at the TPA 3132 based stAMP boards. Tiny and considered goog-sounding. Hand assembled in the UK with quality parts and designed by Sheldon, a DIYaudio member. http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/265881-some-more-really-small-amps.html Mostly, I am through trying to upgrade poorly designed and implemented chinese products...you often get what you pay for and I would like to support quality. YMMV
t-head, you stuck a cord in my soul for supporting businesses that are morally correct. Its been a value of mine to buy only quality products from quality businesses (I buy all organic, u.s.a if possible, ect).
I ended up buying a Bottlehead Quicksand after learning that it uses a TPA chip (TPA3122).
I'm actually extremely excited for this because it takes care of a few of my personal audio biases
1. Battery powered (no cleaner source of power!)
2. Single ended
3. Support a good business/ american companies (TI; Bottlehead)
4. Lets me try out the TPA bandwagon
5. Supplies only 4 watts @ 8Ohms
You're probably puzzled by #5. You see, I've been wanting to try a SET amplifier for a long, long time though. Only thing that has stopped me is if 3-4W would be enough. This is a cheap inexpensive way to see if that much power is enough for my listening style.
Also ordered a Fostex FF85wk. I can't wait to try everything out!
I ended up buying a Bottlehead Quicksand after learning that it uses a TPA chip (TPA3122).
I'm actually extremely excited for this because it takes care of a few of my personal audio biases
1. Battery powered (no cleaner source of power!)
2. Single ended
3. Support a good business/ american companies (TI; Bottlehead)
4. Lets me try out the TPA bandwagon
5. Supplies only 4 watts @ 8Ohms
You're probably puzzled by #5. You see, I've been wanting to try a SET amplifier for a long, long time though. Only thing that has stopped me is if 3-4W would be enough. This is a cheap inexpensive way to see if that much power is enough for my listening style.
Also ordered a Fostex FF85wk. I can't wait to try everything out!
Let us know how the Quicksand works out for you. Bottlehead was located near me when I lived on the left coast and are highly regarded by many. It will be interesting to hear how they do with the 3122. As for point #5, as they say if the first watt sounds like crap, why do you want more?, or something like that. I am not sure if these class D amps can be compared to low-watt SE triode amps, but they sound good to me. Truthfully I owned mono-block 300B amps and a 6SN7 pre-amp built by the late, great George Wright of Wright Sound (Seattle area). The OPTs were custom made by Onetics of Bothell, WA and the combo was as sweet as I have heard. Tripath amps were said to be 'tube-like' and I liked them as well, but thought they sounded like Tripath amps, not tubes. I was using the low power version of the 2050 amp by hifimediy at the time I got my MAXAMP 20 board because I was on the boat and needed a battery-powered amp. Once hooked up and going I was pleasantly surprised by the 9744 chip as implemented by Accusafe. The clarity I heard I believe has a lot to do with the on-chip volume control, not having a pot in the signal path. Whatever the reason, I like the sound and no longer use Tripath amps as they sound too veiled to my ears. I wonder why no one on this forum has commented on the Maxim chips?. Apparently, Maxim Integrated (Cali) products are off the map and cheap chinese boards with TI chips are all the rage.
Battery power can be somewhat free of mains problems, but has its own quirks...
I hope to start a MAXIM bandwagon...especially well implemented designs...
Dave from Planet 10 has designed nice boxes for the Fostex FF85wk and likes the driver. If I ever have room for them, I hope to build the mini design for the Fostex FE103 SOL...
richard
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I have done several implementations of the MAXIM-ICs.
MAX9704 and MAX9708/9, they're nice sounding chips but lack a bit in efficiency compared to a TPA3116/18/32. MAX9708/09 sound a bit different to the TPA, can't describe technically but might be to do with their modulation scheme at low volumes, which gets dynamically switched.
See them here, including measurements. If you need some MAX9708/9 dropin, let me know.
Max9708/MAX9709 25W/50W Class-D ? Version 3 | #360customs
MAX9708/MAX9709 25W/50W class D - measurements | #360customs
Tpa3132d2 vs. MAX9709 Messungen EMI/EMV | #360customs
A big advantage of the MAX9709 modulation scheme is, that they can be run fully filterless. Even a ferrite+c is not needed, while the TPA needs them on longer wires for got EMI suppresion. This can be seen from my measurements above.
Regards,
Christian
Comparsion in one:
Comparsion MAX9709 and TPA3132D2 without filters:
Reference:
MAX9709:
TPA3132D2:
This is for 150cm speaker wires. (More on my website)
MAX9704 and MAX9708/9, they're nice sounding chips but lack a bit in efficiency compared to a TPA3116/18/32. MAX9708/09 sound a bit different to the TPA, can't describe technically but might be to do with their modulation scheme at low volumes, which gets dynamically switched.
See them here, including measurements. If you need some MAX9708/9 dropin, let me know.
Max9708/MAX9709 25W/50W Class-D ? Version 3 | #360customs
MAX9708/MAX9709 25W/50W class D - measurements | #360customs
Tpa3132d2 vs. MAX9709 Messungen EMI/EMV | #360customs
A big advantage of the MAX9709 modulation scheme is, that they can be run fully filterless. Even a ferrite+c is not needed, while the TPA needs them on longer wires for got EMI suppresion. This can be seen from my measurements above.
Regards,
Christian
Comparsion in one:
Comparsion MAX9709 and TPA3132D2 without filters:
Reference:
MAX9709:
TPA3132D2:
This is for 150cm speaker wires. (More on my website)
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Thanks Doc for the reply. I'll look the links over...Have you heard any feedback on the MAXAMP 20 from the 'Boominator crowd? I got into it by a post by Saturnus and saw the efficiency with battery power and thought I would try it. The quality of the board and sound kept me using it...somehow I thought you would be the one to reply 😉
richard
richard
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