Which chipamp for car audio

[Robzy]

Hey guys, I have a 60 year old car (Morris Minor Convertible) that currently has an ancient tuner hooked up to an old crappy speaker sitting on a parcel shelf. (Both added by a previous owner)

I'm wanting to upgrade this on the cheap, and realising I have a couple of spare computer satellite speakers here thought they might do well. They are ideal since they're already mounted in enclosures, albeit cheap crappy plastic, and that means I won't have to actually modify the car at all.

One thing I'll be needing though is an amplifier, and I was thinking a nice simple chip amp. To keep things simple, too, I'm hoping to be able to use the 12v car battery without stepping it up at all - in order to get the most out of such small voltage I will certainly be bridging.

But that's left me wondering if there's a single chip amplifier out there that will do the job. I've researched the LM3886 but the minimum voltage is much greater than 12V, and can't go anywhere near rail-to-rail.

Are there any chips out there that will handle a 12V power supply and be able to run close to rail-to-rail?

Thanks,
Rob.

[AndrewT]

you need an amp chip that is designed to work on 12V to 14V single polarity supply.

[Robzy]

Originally Posted by AndrewT

you need an amp chip that is designed to work on 12V to 14V single polarity supply.

Heh, yes, I know that - I was hoping for some suggestions.

Rob.

[cjkpkg]

I have ordered two of Arjen Helders TA2024 tripath amps for this very purpose. I plan to build a 4ch amp.

These boards run from a +12V and ground power schema.

LINKY

[Robzy]

Oh wow, that looks pretty good. The problem is that since I will be using 8ohm speakers, I will only really have 6W per channel available.

Is 6W/channel enough for car audio?

Rob.

[blueskynis]

Have a look at:

Philips
TDA1562Q 70W
TDA155xQ from 4x6W to 2x22W
TDA8560Q 2x40 @2 ohm
TDA8568Q 4x25W

from ST
TDA7374b 2x22W
TDA7375 2x22W
TDA7454 4x35W
TDA7560 4x45W

That's what I can think on for now. THD is approx 10% at mentioned output power.

Cheers

[Robzy]

Thanks blueskynis.

Out of curiosity, though, what's an acceptable level of THD? I would've thought that <1% would be where it's at...

Rob.

[cjkpkg]

The beauty of Arjen's boards is that they are generally considered VERY good in sound and quality and very inexpensive - just add power and a couple RCA jacks and you are ready to go...

Sure the TA2024 might me a little anemic for some but I'm pushing 40 and I just want a nice sounding system in my car...I refuse to pay hundreds of $$$ for an amp and all that...

I have a set of Blaupunkt separates in the front and a pair of Infinity kappas in the rear doors.

I just want nice crystal clear sound from my HU...I dont need to rattle any windows...

[Robzy]

Oh, don't get me wrong, window rattling is not what I'm going for - but I'm wondering if 6W is enough power to simply hear it properly considering...

- I'm using small inefficient sealed computer speakers
- They will be sitting on a parcel shelf, with quite a few obstructions and roundabouts to my ear
- This is in a 60yo car with more engine noise than usual (although not a whole lot more)
- It's a convertible, and there can be a bit of noise from the wind and surrounding traffic

Although, I guess for AUD$18 it can't hurt to buy and try.

Rob.

[blueskynis]

Pick a single chip mentioned above and you will have around 2x10 watts of decent power at 8 ohms. I would go for TDA7374 or 7375. I had 2xTDA1553 in my old car and they did their job nicely, pretty good sounding too.