Power Supply for multichannel Chip Amp

[audionut]

Gentlemen...

I am going to build a 6 channel chip amp ampliphier. This will be for a Bi-amped system.

I have a rather good sized Signal transformer that I would like to power all 6 channels from. I would think that regulating the power supply to all 6 six channels would be a good thing so I don't get crosstalk between the channels through the power supply. I have read that descrete regulators sound better in the chip amp than the pre packaged chip regulators.

The BOSOZ pre-amp uses a simple descrete mosfet follower type of regulator...Would this be sufficient for a Chip Amp??

[AndrewT]

the problems that multi-channel amplifiers have mostly stem from the shared Audio Ground and the need to connect that Audio Ground to Safety Earth.

Regulated PSUs do not solve that problem.

Bi-amping, one pair of stereo speakers or three sets of two way?
Put an amplifier at each speaker not a multi-channel in a central remote location.

[audionut]

Andrew...thanx for your response...Each speaker will be woofer tweeter woofer. I like it when each driver has its own channel. I use a passive filter before the ampliphier.

I was thinking of a regulated supply because chip amps are supposed to sound better with a discrete regulated supply. I was hoping to get away with one big transformer, which I already have.

Now...you mentioned Audio ground sharing the Safety Earth. For better or worse, I have not been using a safety earth.

[pacificblue]

Originally Posted by audionut

I was thinking of a regulated supply because chip amps are supposed to sound better with a discrete regulated supply.

That is a question of taste. There are more people who prefer unregulated supplies, then regulated. The tendency is that regulated supplies make the sound more controlled, while unregulated supplies make it more dynamic. In audiophile slang that is clinical vs. lively.

Originally Posted by audionut

I was hoping to get away with one big transformer, which I already have.

Not the best, but a possible solution. Andrew's proposal is better, but requires at least two transformers (one per speaker) or more (up to one per driver).

Originally Posted by audionut

Now...you mentioned Audio ground sharing the Safety Earth. For better or worse, I have not been using a safety earth.

You basically have two options. Safety earth or double insulation. Safety earth is easier to get right.

[audionut]

thanks for your reply...

I have already gone the "no part left behind" route with a bi-amped system using 3 Aleph 30's, where each driver/channel does get its own transformer/power supply. The results are really good and thoroughly worthwhile.

I was thinking of a system that doesn't have to be "over the top" but decent....for a vacation house...

[Sebastiaan]

Originally Posted by audionut

Now...you mentioned Audio ground sharing the Safety Earth. For better or worse, I have not been using a safety earth.

That is not a good idea and can be harmful for yourself or your environment!

Please refer to this diagram from Rod Elliot. This way you avoid a ground-loop and still have a safe safety earth. This is how Bryston does it as well, and they are silent amps without hum/buzz or hiss.

With kind regards,
Bas