Linear vs SMPS

steveww · 15th November 2010, 11:02 AM

I have decided on which class D amp modules to use now the question is linear or SMPS?

My main concern here is audio quality. Both approaches have their own challenges as far as noise is concerned. The smaller size and cost of the SMPS are tempting but will this be at the expense of high frequency noise escaping in to the rest of my system?

ssanmor · 15th November 2010, 01:11 PM

If you are interested in SMPS designed for audio, drop us an e-mail to info@coldamp.com

AP2 · 15th November 2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveww

I have decided on which class D amp modules to use now the question is linear or SMPS?

My main concern here is audio quality. Both approaches have their own challenges as far as noise is concerned. The smaller size and cost of the SMPS are tempting but will this be at the expense of high frequency noise escaping in to the rest of my system?

Hi,
If you are interested in SMPS designed for audio but want performances/noise and current burst as big toroidal/big capacitors, then see audiopower.it DPS-500.

Regards
R.P.

Cristi · 15th November 2010, 02:30 PM

Here you can find a broad range of SMPS for audio, most of them soft-switched, low EMI high efficiency, compact size Connexelectronic

DcibeL · 15th November 2010, 04:13 PM

Hypex makes great SMPS, well designed for audio purpose. I have used SMPS180 with the modulator positioned in very close proximity to the input audio signal line, and no audible noise was detected (compared to audio signal line in different location far from SMPS). I was quite impressed.

My biggest concern with using SMPS for audio is not the EMI, but the failure mode of the supply. How will it's complex circuit hold up to the test of time, capacitor aging and such? The supply must also have safe disconnection from the amplifier in any failure mode, to protect everything downstream (amp, speakers). Another thing to consider is the repair process if the SMPS does fail. You will very likely end up simply replacing the SMPS as a module, while a linear supply is very simple, can be repaired quite easily.

darkfenriz · 15th November 2010, 05:43 PM

buy mine! buy mine!

Workhorse · 15th November 2010, 05:47 PM

AP2 · 15th November 2010, 05:59 PM

Eh,eh,eh!!
Others good smps for audio??

whaleman · 15th November 2010, 06:15 PM

My vote is for linear

sorry to spoil the party...

jaistanley · 15th November 2010, 07:15 PM

Could someone point me to an article about this debate? I've just started looking into using a class-d amp and dont have an extensive electronics knowledge but somehow the linear strikes me as the better design for sound-quality (just a gut feeling, simply because there are less components - maybe a naieve one).

I am looking to build a six channel amp and am trying to get my head around the power supply requirements of it..

Regards,

Jai

15th November 2010, 11:02 AM	#1
steveww diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northamptonshire	Linear vs SMPS I have decided on which class D amp modules to use now the question is linear or SMPS? My main concern here is audio quality. Both approaches have their own challenges as far as noise is concerned. The smaller size and cost of the SMPS are tempting but will this be at the expense of high frequency noise escaping in to the rest of my system?

15th November 2010, 02:30 PM	#4
Cristi diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Shenzhen	Here you can find a broad range of SMPS for audio, most of them soft-switched, low EMI high efficiency, compact size Connexelectronic __________________ www.connexelectronic.com complete assembled amplifier and SMPS

15th November 2010, 04:13 PM	#5
DcibeL diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Saskatchewan	Hypex makes great SMPS, well designed for audio purpose. I have used SMPS180 with the modulator positioned in very close proximity to the input audio signal line, and no audible noise was detected (compared to audio signal line in different location far from SMPS). I was quite impressed. My biggest concern with using SMPS for audio is not the EMI, but the failure mode of the supply. How will it's complex circuit hold up to the test of time, capacitor aging and such? The supply must also have safe disconnection from the amplifier in any failure mode, to protect everything downstream (amp, speakers). Another thing to consider is the repair process if the SMPS does fail. You will very likely end up simply replacing the SMPS as a module, while a linear supply is very simple, can be repaired quite easily. __________________ The power of Science compels you!

15th November 2010, 05:47 PM	#7
Workhorse diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004	I still miss someone with I-I, ME-ME, MY-MY __________________ It's a fruitless endeavor to try and educate a fool that rejoices in ignorance

15th November 2010, 06:15 PM	#9
whaleman diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: DC Area	My vote is for linear sorry to spoil the party... __________________ WHALEMAN The Cathedral Speaker Co.


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

15th November 2010, 01:11 PM	#2
ssanmor diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Madrid	If you are interested in SMPS designed for audio, drop us an e-mail to info@coldamp.com

15th November 2010, 05:43 PM	#6
darkfenriz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warsaw	buy mine! buy mine!

15th November 2010, 05:59 PM	#8
AP2 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Italy	Eh,eh,eh!! Others good smps for audio??

15th November 2010, 07:15 PM	#10
jaistanley diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Coventry	Could someone point me to an article about this debate? I've just started looking into using a class-d amp and dont have an extensive electronics knowledge but somehow the linear strikes me as the better design for sound-quality (just a gut feeling, simply because there are less components - maybe a naieve one). I am looking to build a six channel amp and am trying to get my head around the power supply requirements of it.. Regards, Jai

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