You could give these a try:
[design log] Neat 2x170W I2S in, I2C controlled, integrated DSP amp (TAS3251)
The case is the most ugly amplifier case I've ever seen - but that's just my personal taste. What's not a matter of taste or preference is, it's not shielded and the extremely long slots weaken the plywood, a single point pressure can break them fairly easily. If you leave material in the middle it becomes much stronger or even make it 3 smaller slots, it gets a lot stronger. The slots also are very inviting for things to fall in and these can be quite large.
The case doesn't have any shielding (except the PS), the air intake slots on one side of the PS is blocked, the low voltage wires go over the AC input contacts and the power switch and -cables. Also, the AC cables aren't secured secured, which means they can go out of the case, get caught by something and ripped out, even if the chance to that happening is very slim. All of the plugs are just mounted by small wood or tin screws, which can be pulled out easily, that can easily happen with the locking Speakon plugs, the cables can then make contact with the AC input.
That could easily be avoided by placing the Power input and the switch and its cables to the left side (much better visually too, but that's ofc just my taste) and turning the PS 180°. The can be much safer mounted if you use M screws, washers and the nuts secured with Loctite, superglue etc. The best thing of it is, the improvements are extremely cheap (except for the shielding).
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I'm so close to giving up waiting for a TAS3251 design, I might end up buying a plate amp from aliexpress with inflated specs...
You could but the evm version at 211 €.
You could but the evm version at 211 €.
Where do you find that to buy?
Directly from TI; Mouser&Digikey list it as "not available" anymore.
TAS3251EVM | Buy TI parts | TI.com
TAS3251EVM | Buy TI parts | TI.com
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Directly from TI; Mouser&Digikey list it as "not available" anymore.
TAS3251EVM | Buy TI parts | TI.com
I've just checked it, it says a single one is available but when I add it to the basket, it says not available. I selected Germany/€, I presume the country doesn't matter though, just wanted to note that.
I picked up the TPA3255 EVM a few months ago. When I just now tried to add the TAS3251EVM to my cart, it said it wasn't available. However, once I logged into my account, I was able to proceed to purchase the unit.
I would suggest making an account and giving it another try?
I would suggest making an account and giving it another try?
Hi solve, you could try to improve the sound by checking your speaker position, toe in, listening position and all sorts of stuff before rolling amplifiers. Saw few things on your speaker build that could maybe affect the sound like the port location and tuning the xo only with axial response. You can upgrade your amps, but they are so good nowadays (unless something is wrong, distorting) that I doubt swapping amps will improve sound too much. It never hurts to have better amps though. Just to point out many things affect sound and power amp seem to be one of the least affecting. Anyway, it is all about having fun with the hobby!🙂
Hi solve, you could try to improve the sound by checking your speaker position, toe in, listening position and all sorts of stuff before rolling amplifiers. Saw few things on your speaker build that could maybe affect the sound like the port location and tuning the xo only with axial response. You can upgrade your amps, but they are so good nowadays (unless something is wrong, distorting) that I doubt swapping amps will improve sound too much. It never hurts to have better amps though. Just to point out many things affect sound and power amp seem to be one of the least affecting. Anyway, it is all about having fun with the hobby!🙂
Thanks but I'm pretty aware of all this things you mention. 🙂
I personally like it modular and don´t mind separate DSP- and amp-PCBs,
although something like a Zoudio with 4(+)-channels is very tempting.
Which Aliexpress modules are you talking about?
I have three sets of the Zoudio kits, low power but very good. Excellent if you want a small luggable set of speakers, or to make something for the kids.
I've been thinking about these for a bit...
Leicozic Amplifier Module 1500W + 400W + 400W Professional Power Amplificador Board Subwoofer Speaker Plate Class D Amps Digital|Stage Audio| - AliExpress
My power demandes are much lower than that.I've been thinking about these for a bit...
I personally would get a Hypex FA253 or even FA123 before spending money into the unknown.
Well, I try to filter out the stuff that's completely unrealistic, and also apply a filter for what the spec sheet is bragging about. So if all the numbers are about half as good I'd be happy.
But now it seems Zoudio might (hopefully) come out with a solution to my problem, so I will wait for a while.
I have enough amplifier parts laying about, I've just become tired of all the soldering and troubleshooting since I do a lot of that for work. Nice to have a complete package with DSP + power amp in one.
Edit:
And the Hypex stuff is crazy expensive to import here, with the tax and shipping it adds up to a lot, better to buy a 4ch amp off the shelf.
But now it seems Zoudio might (hopefully) come out with a solution to my problem, so I will wait for a while.
I have enough amplifier parts laying about, I've just become tired of all the soldering and troubleshooting since I do a lot of that for work. Nice to have a complete package with DSP + power amp in one.
Edit:
And the Hypex stuff is crazy expensive to import here, with the tax and shipping it adds up to a lot, better to buy a 4ch amp off the shelf.
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Hi amigos,
I reviewed tons of amps here, Purifi, TPA3255 top end models, Hypex Ncore etc etc
I think I can say that the best amp I have tested in recent months is the Sabaj 20A, with the dual Merus chip checkout, fully balanced.
Dual Merus MA12070 Amplifier Sabaj A20 fully balanced : pictures inside ) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
This is the most musical of the class D amps, the only negative point that I could find is the break-in time. It takes a long time for it to polarize but afterwards it makes perfect sense) If we take into account its performance / price ratio, it crushes all the amps that I have been able to test here.
Video :
Sabaj test 1
I reviewed tons of amps here, Purifi, TPA3255 top end models, Hypex Ncore etc etc
I think I can say that the best amp I have tested in recent months is the Sabaj 20A, with the dual Merus chip checkout, fully balanced.
Dual Merus MA12070 Amplifier Sabaj A20 fully balanced : pictures inside ) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
This is the most musical of the class D amps, the only negative point that I could find is the break-in time. It takes a long time for it to polarize but afterwards it makes perfect sense) If we take into account its performance / price ratio, it crushes all the amps that I have been able to test here.
Video :
Sabaj test 1


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And the Hypex stuff is crazy expensive to import here, with the tax and shipping it adds up to a lot, better to buy a 4ch amp off the shelf.
I don't know what's for others is a reasonable price but for 2x 75W and 1x 100W
(Hypex FusionAmp FA123) to pay 450€ or 580 (FA253 2 x 250 Wrms + 1 x 100 W or just two channels 500W/100W) is a lot too much, at least for me. I mean, for that money I can get a DSP and 2 Crown amps with more power and excellent sound or a 4 ch amp with integrated dsp.
Hi amigos,
I reviewed tons of amps here, Purifi, TPA3255 top end models, Hypex Ncore etc etc
I think I can say that the best amp I have tested in recent months is the Sabaj 20A, with the dual Merus chip checkout, fully balanced.
[...]
This is the most musical of the class D amps, the only negative point that I could find is the break-in time. It takes a long time for it to polarize but afterwards it makes perfect sense) If we take into account its performance / price ratio, it crushes all the amps that I have been able to test here.
Thank you very much for posting the test and reply here. That little amp looks nice and the price seems to be reasonable. I'd prefer a non-fingerprint front 😛 but hey, you can't have everything. I've just seen it for 135$ with Cinch/RCA and with balanced input for 219$.
For the price is just unbeatable )I played it to several people next to my Hypex Ncore and my Poppulse T180MD, and frankly only positive feedbacks
Sabaj A10a - one Infineon power chip... I've just seen it for 135$ with Cinch/RCA and with balanced input for 219$.
Sabaj A20a - two Infineon power chips
Sabaj A10a - one Infineon power chip
Sabaj A20a - two Infineon power chips
Thank you for the information. However, I already assumed that (because of the power) and the missing balanced input is a much bigger difference - which I wanted to point out. And I have another issue on which I need more information about and that is the cooling. Since the case has no air vents or a fan and the boards don't seem to be mounted to the case to use it for heat dissipation, I'm curious about how that is solved.
I don't know what's for others is a reasonable price but for 2x 75W and 1x 100W
(Hypex FusionAmp FA123) to pay 450€ or 580 (FA253 2 x 250 Wrms + 1 x 100 W or just two channels 500W/100W) is a lot too much, at least for me. I mean, for that money I can get a DSP and 2 Crown amps with more power and excellent sound or a 4 ch amp with integrated dsp.
That was part of the motivation for getting into the Pascal power amps and balanced DSP setup fed with a proper soundcard featuring a proper knob to adjust volume. Who needs a remote anyway.
If you're willing to pay the price of two Hypex 502 it is possible to get about the same quality and perhaps better, for less.
In my view I got better (chasing low noise levels) and paid about the same, so it's all good.
I use a different soundcard now than the one in the picture.
Edit:
Kjeldsen, yes, the mini T Amp I will probably order for my kids. Should be enough for most, and very cheap too!
Attachments
T.amp also offer 4 Channel x 250 watt 8 ohm with DSP for little money. Ali and eBay are fine for simple lowcost amps, but for just a little more we can have real stuff from good shops with warranty.
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