I often do measurements, but my listening impressions are done with my ears.
My favorite linear class a/b amp sounds better to me too, but it also cost much, much more. I am really enjoying the task of trying to get as much out of these little amps though. I think it's a blast and their sound to cost ratio is refreshing.
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A Rotel RB06 is not really one of the most expensive amps. I am comparing right now and I feel I am wasting time on the TPA3116. It is good for what it costs but that's not the most important for me, it is what sounds best. If a simple affordable AB amp sounds better then I categorise this chip as suitable for boomboxes 😉 But it still is changing in sound character, I must give it some time.
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Hm, well from remarkable to boombox. That was quick!😛
With no mods done though I wouldn't expect too much.
Hi xrk971
I'm looking to do a similar setup and have some questions if you don't mind?
You said you were running 2 boards vertical. Are you using active crossovers with this set up or still utilizing the XO in the speakers? In regards to the 2x4 dsp. Are using this as your HT setup or just music? I ask because I thought the dsp was more forTV?
I'm looking to process the signal for better sound out of my iphone into 2 of these amps. It will never see TV duty.
Assuming this is also used for TV duty. Is it also connected to an iphone type device? If so what kind of cable are you using to connect.
It also does not appear that you have a PS going to the dsp. Is it just fed power from the line in or something? Or do I need to figure out a PS for the dsp as well?
I started a thread trying to learn what kind of DAC I should be using and it was stated that I needed to be using an ipod docking statin with integrated dac. At least that's how I took it.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/254099-do-i-need-dac-how-much-should-i-spend.html
I'm looking to do a similar setup and have some questions if you don't mind?
You said you were running 2 boards vertical. Are you using active crossovers with this set up or still utilizing the XO in the speakers? In regards to the 2x4 dsp. Are using this as your HT setup or just music? I ask because I thought the dsp was more forTV?
I'm looking to process the signal for better sound out of my iphone into 2 of these amps. It will never see TV duty.
Assuming this is also used for TV duty. Is it also connected to an iphone type device? If so what kind of cable are you using to connect.
It also does not appear that you have a PS going to the dsp. Is it just fed power from the line in or something? Or do I need to figure out a PS for the dsp as well?
I started a thread trying to learn what kind of DAC I should be using and it was stated that I needed to be using an ipod docking statin with integrated dac. At least that's how I took it.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/254099-do-i-need-dac-how-much-should-i-spend.html
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I LOVE this idea. This thread is freaking massive and for a lot of folks the info is nearly impossible to find as we don't even know what we are looking for.
jean paul: is your 3116 connected to source ,switched on but without playing music, is your 3116 more silent than your Rotel then?
What kind of speakers do you use? Do you regard them as a difficult or easy load?
What kind of speakers do you use? Do you regard them as a difficult or easy load?
The blue board has Wima MKP 1 µF input caps and Panasonic FC 1000/25 for the filter caps, cold joints have been resoldered. Speakers are ELAC BS243. I will compare the amps regarding noise later.
Hey, I like to try new stuff but quality is the most important factor. I do prefer good linear amps though (again) after having heard this one. I am not exactly a noob with amps. No matter if they're only 20 Euro a piece, it is wiser to invest your money in real good stuff. Class D is nice but the main reason it exists is low cost, high efficiency, no need for heavy and expensive heatsinks and low weight so lower shipping costs from China. To me sound quality is a thing I don't like to compromise on even if they can build "green" class D amps the size of a matchbox with 92 % efficiency and no heatsinks for a low price. It has to sound better than existing techniques otherwise it has no use to bother with it (for me).
Still I will continue to give it a chance. I would wish my first impressions would be positive. It seems the blue TPA3116 boards are not the best thing since sliced bread 😀
Out of context + assumptions = prejudice ....
Hey, I like to try new stuff but quality is the most important factor. I do prefer good linear amps though (again) after having heard this one. I am not exactly a noob with amps. No matter if they're only 20 Euro a piece, it is wiser to invest your money in real good stuff. Class D is nice but the main reason it exists is low cost, high efficiency, no need for heavy and expensive heatsinks and low weight so lower shipping costs from China. To me sound quality is a thing I don't like to compromise on even if they can build "green" class D amps the size of a matchbox with 92 % efficiency and no heatsinks for a low price. It has to sound better than existing techniques otherwise it has no use to bother with it (for me).
Still I will continue to give it a chance. I would wish my first impressions would be positive. It seems the blue TPA3116 boards are not the best thing since sliced bread 😀
Out of context + assumptions = prejudice ....
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Good idea. This thread is just getting too massive. Since I follow it almost from day one, I know if a topic has been brought up before but I cannot remember where about in the thread it is.
Regards,
No arguments here. Our perception to sound is a totally subjective matter. I agree with you that sound quality is very important and what kind of price that one should pay for good sound is again totally subjective. I always want to have a Porche 911 since I read that it is a very fine car and I agree after I rode in it once. However, I cannot afford it and the little Honda Civic is a fine little car too.
As you have mentioned that you are not a noob to amps, I think most people on this thread are not noobs with amps either. I bet that if this 3116 does not sound "good" to them, they would not bother either. Yes the 3116 amp boards are cheap but there are other cheap boards too.
I guess we all agree that class D amps have come a long way. I heard one (which was supposed to be one of the best in those days) a few years back and I decided to stay away. Class AB amps are my regular amps (both tube and soild state). Then last year I heard this 3116 amp in a get together and I was pleasantly surprised. Who knows, give it another few years, class D might be the amp to own.
Regards,
would this work as a PS,Cables Unlimited Variable Voltage Laptop or LCD Monitor Power Supply PWR LAPSP11 | eBay
I finally did the experiment that I wanted to do today. I dug out a small portable FM radio, put in fresh battery. Turned it on and tuned it to my favourite Classical station 96.3 FM. Then placed the radio next to the YJ red amp board sitting inside a small wooden box. I have a pair of 8 feet speaker cable sticking out from the amp like a antenna. The amp was fed by my CD player. May be my red board is "special", I heard no interference on the FM reception at all. I moved the radio around the amp, even put in on top of the amp and touching the speaker cable with the antenna of the radio. Nothing 😱.
Can someone clarify whether it is only AM reception that will be interfered by the radiation from the amp or both AM and FM
? Regards,
Welcome Jean-Paul,
Do you have any half decent test equipment to test for RFI?
Cheers,
Jeff
Can someone clarify whether it is only AM reception that will be interfered by the radiation from the amp or both AM and FM
Regards,
OK. I think it is AM reception that is most affected. Hmm, I do not think I have an AM radio.
For what it is worth, I tried the Panasonic FCs in my blue board (in part from having read your recommendation of them in another thread) and I did not think them a good match with the amp.
I played them for several days before yanking them out. The sound was hard, with a pronounced tilt toward the treble.
I like the Elna Silmic II best in this role so far.
I played them for several days before yanking them out. The sound was hard, with a pronounced tilt toward the treble.
I like the Elna Silmic II best in this role so far.
That was what I thought and the reason for my "experiment". However, in the data sheet, interference on AM is mentioned.
Regards,
RFI is much better rejected by a FM radio than a AM radio. It is the very nature of the transmission and demodulation methods. Even a DSP based radio can not reject AM band RFI. That is why TI added the AM avoidance circuitry to the TPA3116 series of parts, as a means to minimize AM band RFI.
Shielding, supply filtering, remote antenna placement are means to deal with RFI in a AM radio. This is a problem for my radio, as I have more than one clock sources interfering with the AM receiver.