PC chip amp

[Jennice]

I'm looking for a chip amp (maybe a stereo device?) which runs on 12V.

I'm sick of poor sound in PC speakers (except the ones that cost a fortune, which I don't intend to spend).
This made me think of using the PC's 12V/GND supply to drive a chip amp. I know it won't create many watts, but as long as it will create a few, CLEAN watts, that would be a great improvement.

I thought of mounting it (on a plate/heat sink), on one of the brackets that cover the empty PCI slots on the back of the PC case. I don't plan on using the PCI bus for power, I just want it to be mounted somewhere, and it would obviously switch on/off with the PC.

Any ideas on which chip to use?

Also, I've thought if noise on the 12V power will be a problem, or if a chip will have enough PSRR.


Now... your turn to say something ;-)

Thanks -
Jennice

[b<ben>n]

have a look at this.

http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30614/article.html

[Jennice]

Thanks for the reply.

Even though it's well designed to get that much power from the low (external) component count, I was actually hoping for something even simpler.

One of my thoughts - even though it's a no-no in high end (which isn't my aim) - was to take a simple op-amp an let it drive a complementary pair of driver transistors like the BD140/139 set.

There will be a little switching noise (have made this before), but it's much less audible than I expected.

[b<ben>n]

have a look around here
http://www.commlinx.com.au/Amplifiers.htm
u might find something

[b<ben>n]

What are you using for LM384's?

[Jennice]

Thanks again for posting.

I wonder why I didn't find this thread

Anyway... it seems my genious -cough cough* idea is in the "re-inventing the wheel" category... but nevertheless a useful link.
Thanks

Jennice

[Herman]

Hi there,
I can suggest another nice device, the TDA7374 (2ch, originally intended for car audio, but quite nice for PC as well).
Have a look at
http://www.st.com/stonline/books/pdf/docs/1549.pdf

The ciruit is VERY simple yet offers enough quality for a lot of applcations.

Good luck
Herman

[ir]

i was gonna post my 5Wp/ch amp but then someone beat me to it

What are you using for LM384's?

as you can see it was designed to plug into a 3.5in device power connector and run off 12V. also not shown is the card bolted onto a PCI slot cover so that it just slots into a spare space

it's very easy. my layout is hardly ideal as the heatsink mounting means a large keep out area but even so

they are very handy little amps. and 5W is enough for most applications. infact i'm plannign on building anothe rone for my other PC