As I can see there are all sorts of modifications of stock TPA3116 and similar amps you can get on eBay – replacing cheap parts and listening how this improves sound.
If I understand correctly power supply also has some influence on sound quality. When I was doing some listening tests years back with my TDA1543 NON OS DAC I discovered that different PS gives me somehow different sound. I have tried linear PS (trafo + bridge + caps) regulated with LM317, LM7805 and then regulated with MOSFET and Zener diode. There was a difference in sound. There was also difference in sound between different bridge diodes. I tried a few ordinary bridges, then MUR860 and some shotky diodes (SB something, if I remember correctly). Different PS caps also gave me different sound. I have also tried a few switching power supplies and this also changed sound.
Now I somehow lowered my standards and I play FLAC files from my phone through cheap PCM2704 USB-to-SPDIF converter and my TDA1543 DAC on unmodified TPA3116 (and TDA7297) amp all powered by cheap SMPS supplies.
Why I’m writing all this?
Well; I was wondering if someone of you made some listening tests if those TPA3116 amps sound different powered with classic linear power supplies and with cheap brick SMPS supplies.
If I understand correctly power supply also has some influence on sound quality. When I was doing some listening tests years back with my TDA1543 NON OS DAC I discovered that different PS gives me somehow different sound. I have tried linear PS (trafo + bridge + caps) regulated with LM317, LM7805 and then regulated with MOSFET and Zener diode. There was a difference in sound. There was also difference in sound between different bridge diodes. I tried a few ordinary bridges, then MUR860 and some shotky diodes (SB something, if I remember correctly). Different PS caps also gave me different sound. I have also tried a few switching power supplies and this also changed sound.
Now I somehow lowered my standards and I play FLAC files from my phone through cheap PCM2704 USB-to-SPDIF converter and my TDA1543 DAC on unmodified TPA3116 (and TDA7297) amp all powered by cheap SMPS supplies.
Why I’m writing all this?
Well; I was wondering if someone of you made some listening tests if those TPA3116 amps sound different powered with classic linear power supplies and with cheap brick SMPS supplies.
Yes, I have. I am running a 3116 with an old 19v SMPS from an old laptop and it sounds very good. I am also running other versions of ClassD amps with DIY linear PS's with different rectification and they too sound very good. IMO you need a supply with at least a 3A capability, 5A is better IMO of course.
Thanks for the answer Puffin.
Years ago when I was listening different gainclones (LM3875, LM1875, OPA549 and similar) every change in power supply affected sound. I can’t say what was better but there was differences and at the end I preferred toroidal trafo with dual bridge made of MUR860 and small 1000uF caps on IC pins.
I have no doubt all your amps sound very good.
Regarding power supply and output power; for my listening and my full range loudspeakers my TPA3116 gives me more than enough power with any kind of power supply in my parts bin from 12V/1A to 19.5V/4.7A laptop brick.
So; what is the difference between linear PS and SMPS in your case? More details with linear PS? Better bass or more defined bass? What’s the difference in midtones?
I was more interested if anyone made some listening tests in the manner of: ‘’linear power supply gives me more details over cheap SMPS’’ or ‘’SMPS gives me better bass but less details’’ and similar observations - something like when you swap input caps (BG, Wima, Jensen, Mundorf) and you listening to differences in sound or you switch from cheap interconnects to something better and you can immediately hear a difference.
Sometimes I miss conversation with those old boys like Peter Daniel and other guys swapping parts and doing listening tests for hours then back to forum to report the results.
Years ago when I was listening different gainclones (LM3875, LM1875, OPA549 and similar) every change in power supply affected sound. I can’t say what was better but there was differences and at the end I preferred toroidal trafo with dual bridge made of MUR860 and small 1000uF caps on IC pins.
I have no doubt all your amps sound very good.
Regarding power supply and output power; for my listening and my full range loudspeakers my TPA3116 gives me more than enough power with any kind of power supply in my parts bin from 12V/1A to 19.5V/4.7A laptop brick.
So; what is the difference between linear PS and SMPS in your case? More details with linear PS? Better bass or more defined bass? What’s the difference in midtones?
I was more interested if anyone made some listening tests in the manner of: ‘’linear power supply gives me more details over cheap SMPS’’ or ‘’SMPS gives me better bass but less details’’ and similar observations - something like when you swap input caps (BG, Wima, Jensen, Mundorf) and you listening to differences in sound or you switch from cheap interconnects to something better and you can immediately hear a difference.
Sometimes I miss conversation with those old boys like Peter Daniel and other guys swapping parts and doing listening tests for hours then back to forum to report the results.
I too made many Gainclones many years ago. The only ones I have now, but haven't used for years are 2 monoblocks based on the LM3875 with regulated PS's (see Link) I would agree that 1,000uf on the pins is about optimum.
Building an LM3886 Gainclone chip amp with a regulated power supply (PSU).
My days of listening intently and endlessly for minor or subtle differences brought about by hours of fiddling are over for me. I know what I like and what I don't like and if I like it I leave it alone, if not I have many other options.
At the end of the say it's all about the music for me and if what I am using is nourishing my soul then that is good enough for me.
Building an LM3886 Gainclone chip amp with a regulated power supply (PSU).
My days of listening intently and endlessly for minor or subtle differences brought about by hours of fiddling are over for me. I know what I like and what I don't like and if I like it I leave it alone, if not I have many other options.
At the end of the say it's all about the music for me and if what I am using is nourishing my soul then that is good enough for me.
I still remember the time when I built my first LM3875 gainclone. It was stripped version without RC filters and without input caps. If I remember correctly I had about 20mV DC offset at the output. After a few days of listening I disassembled my Zen amp.
I also tried regulated power supply and I guess you can say I’m the second builder who didn’t like it. As a matter of fact I don’t like any kind of filters anywhere. To my ears they just make the sound worse.
They also say power supply must be clean and without ripple but whenever I put big caps in there or some sort of snubbers or other filters or small caps or regulators I just don’t like the sound.
Go figure.
I also remember when I got Lepai amp (TA2020) and powered it with cheap 12v/1A power supply. I liked the sound. Then I discovered TPA amps. When I listened to my first TPA3116 (cheap eBay version) my gainclone amps went to the shelf and then in pieces back to my parts box.
I also built my first TDA1543 DAC ‘’by the book’’ with all those caps at power pins and all those small caps which suppose to be filters. When I removed all this junk the sound improved.
Then I got fed up with all this and I just stopped swapping parts so here we go; Huawei phone USB output to cheap eBay PCM2704 USB-to-coaxial S/PDIF converter and this goes to my stripped TDA1543 NOS DAC and from there via I/V resistors directly to cheap eBay TPA3116 amp with no modifications or fancy parts. All this is powered with cheap SMPS power supplies.
By the way; I’m also using equalizer on my smartphone to tune the sound the way I like it.
At the moment I’m enjoying my TDA7297 amp and to my surprise this cheap little fellow sounds very good to my ears. I don’t mind if it has a little hum as long as I don’t hear it from my listening position.
These days I’m bored and I have a little time to spare so I was wondering what difference would make to the sound of my TPA3116 if I would build old fashion linear power supply.
I also tried regulated power supply and I guess you can say I’m the second builder who didn’t like it. As a matter of fact I don’t like any kind of filters anywhere. To my ears they just make the sound worse.
They also say power supply must be clean and without ripple but whenever I put big caps in there or some sort of snubbers or other filters or small caps or regulators I just don’t like the sound.
Go figure.
I also remember when I got Lepai amp (TA2020) and powered it with cheap 12v/1A power supply. I liked the sound. Then I discovered TPA amps. When I listened to my first TPA3116 (cheap eBay version) my gainclone amps went to the shelf and then in pieces back to my parts box.
I also built my first TDA1543 DAC ‘’by the book’’ with all those caps at power pins and all those small caps which suppose to be filters. When I removed all this junk the sound improved.
Then I got fed up with all this and I just stopped swapping parts so here we go; Huawei phone USB output to cheap eBay PCM2704 USB-to-coaxial S/PDIF converter and this goes to my stripped TDA1543 NOS DAC and from there via I/V resistors directly to cheap eBay TPA3116 amp with no modifications or fancy parts. All this is powered with cheap SMPS power supplies.
By the way; I’m also using equalizer on my smartphone to tune the sound the way I like it.
At the moment I’m enjoying my TDA7297 amp and to my surprise this cheap little fellow sounds very good to my ears. I don’t mind if it has a little hum as long as I don’t hear it from my listening position.
These days I’m bored and I have a little time to spare so I was wondering what difference would make to the sound of my TPA3116 if I would build old fashion linear power supply.
I use solid polymer type capacitors on the board, and one or two Panasonic FC at the power terminals. Low esr seems to be the key factor, however, the common switching power supplies often stall out with too low of an esr.
Not sure a linear power supply would offer much in the way of an improvement with the tpa3116, maybe with a lot more bulk capacitors.
Most say that after 5A, it’s hard to tell of any improvement.
Not sure a linear power supply would offer much in the way of an improvement with the tpa3116, maybe with a lot more bulk capacitors.
Most say that after 5A, it’s hard to tell of any improvement.
One of my TPA3116 amps (1st photo) has electrolytic input caps so it would be easier to modify as my other amps with smd components. Perhaps one day …
I gave this amp to my friend to compare it with his amp (2nd photo). Next day he called me if I have some time to give him a visit to do some listening tests together. At the same day he also ordered a bunch of TPA amps from eBay.
I gave this amp to my friend to compare it with his amp (2nd photo). Next day he called me if I have some time to give him a visit to do some listening tests together. At the same day he also ordered a bunch of TPA amps from eBay.
Attachments
Ideal way to power supply TPA3116. 18650 5S = 21V.
I have been using this method for a long time. 5pcs 18650 lithium batteries - 21V.
I have been using this method for a long time. 5pcs 18650 lithium batteries - 21V.
Hi, I've been using this 6s3p rechargeable pack with a claimed 6ah to power my portable 2.1 3116. It lasts 20+ hours. I understand battery DC is pretty clean.
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￡5.74 23%OFF | VariCore 24V 6s 4A 6A 8A 10A 18650 battery pack 25.2V 12Ah Li-ion battery for bicycle battery 350W E bike 250W motor+Charger
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"I understand battery DC is pretty clean."
Battery, the cleanest possible power source. Some noises can be introduced by the BMS protection nodes, but very low.
Battery, the cleanest possible power source. Some noises can be introduced by the BMS protection nodes, but very low.
Such Chinese assemblies are of very low quality. Better to assemble the battery yourself. I make such batteries myself.
4S. Battery for the screwdriver. BMS without charge balancing. From such a battery, the TPA3116 amplifier is remarkably powered.
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https://aliexpress.ru/item/Liitokal...0.1220207038.1611798324-1218729976.1608136311
The best Chinese batteries 18650. Maximum output current 20A. The ideal price / quality ratio. I have been using these for 2-3 years already.
https://aliexpress.ru/item/20PCS-18...8324-1218729976.1608136311&sku_id=67081917883
Battery holders. Very comfortably.
The best Chinese batteries 18650. Maximum output current 20A. The ideal price / quality ratio. I have been using these for 2-3 years already.
https://aliexpress.ru/item/20PCS-18...8324-1218729976.1608136311&sku_id=67081917883
Battery holders. Very comfortably.
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It is possible to use accumulators / power supplies in an autonomous solar system. Power the TPA3116 power amplifiers. I did so in a break year. Charged batteries from the sun. Powered by them LED light, power amplifiers and gadgets.
I also have 5S 18650 batteries (with charge balancing). 4.2 * 5 = 21V (ideal power supply 3116). There are no photos and diagrams ready for publication. There are ready-made modules.
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Same here. I use 8S1 Li-Ion 18650 salvaged from notebook accus powering my TPA3251 50W amp. Put them into simple 4S1-battery holders. No charge balancing but on-board uC-contolled deep discharge protection. They are charged in a 4slot XTAR charger with single slot control making charge balancing redundant.
