Differences in Sound Quality between Various Amplifier Modules

[spaceman5]

Hi


If you goto eBay and search for the words amplifier module, you will find various options.

Some are based on a TDA chip,
some on a TPA chip,
and some also on a PAM chip.


Let's say for example that you take 2 good Full Range speakers,
and connect various amplifier modules to them (with all these modules being the same Watt, so the comparison will be fair).

Have you noticed differences in sound quality between some?
Some that have been better, over other that have been not so good?

If yes and you can share some experience, it will be really helpful.


Thank you

 

[den_hr]

Have you noticed differences in sound quality between some?
Some that have been better, over other that have been not so good?

If yes and you can share some experience, it will be really helpful.

This whole forum section ("Class D") is a trove of exactly the information you are looking for. However, finding the "executive summary" of findings may be rather difficult (the information is scattered over hundreds, if not thousands of pages, so it's difficult to find exactly the information you are looking for).

In short, it's difficult to say: the thread "TPA3116D2 Amp" is almost 1000 pages long - and it discusses just ONE of the available chips (TPA3116D2), and the numerous available ebay modules using the same TPA3116D2 chip. And then there's blue "sanwu" TPA3118 mono board, and TDA7498, and other TDA and TPA chips....

You need to know which speakers you will use (impedance, characteristics, etc.), to be able to narrow the choice at least somewhat.

There are several favourites: "dual chip" TPA3116D2 amp among the TPA3116 variants, "blue Sanwu" TPA3118 mono amp, and Sanwu TDA7498 variant, I think....
There may be others, but these are generally recommended (usually with at least some tweaking, like in the case of the "dual chip" TPA3116).

That said, if you are looking at using full range speakers, I think any of these amp boards will do. I am currently listening to a DIY full range speaker (see "Martello enclosure" under "Full range" speaker section of this forum) with rather insensitive Visaton 8 Ohm drivers (barely above 80dB, I think), and they sound quite good (and loud) with my TPA3116 board. I've hooked them also to the TDA7498 "blue" board, and it also sounds nice. No significant differences (except that TDA7498 has more power).

So, these (Class D) boards will happily drive even "power-hungry" and rather insensitive speakers, which may be difficult to use with the usual solid-state or tube amps... At least that's my experience.
BTW, my personal preference is the yellow "Breeze" stereo TPA3116D2 board, with some tweaking.... (replacing caps, connectors, etc.)
You will probably have to buy several boards (among the recommended) and see which one fits your requirements best.

HTH,
Denis

 

[spaceman5]

Thank you Denis, really useful answer.

I will do it then, buy several modules, and experiment.

When you buy the Amplifier modules, do you buy them from eBay or from another place?

 

[nenad88]

ebay and aliexpress

 

[spaceman5]

Denis,
The last 3 amplifiers are quite high watt ones.
do you also have some recommended ones for cases where low watt is needed, like 10-20W?

Ones that give good sound quality..

 

[den_hr]

do you also have some recommended ones for cases where low watt is needed, like 10-20W?

TPA3110 boards should be OK for lower power requirements - can't really say, I don't have experience with those. However, judging from what people write here about them, they should be OK - but, again, everything depends on the implementation of the particular board.
This one is made by Sure Electronics, they generally have solid boards:
2 X 8Watt Class D Audio Amplifier Board - TPA3110 2W Stereo Power Mini Hifi New | eBay
Perhaps others who have more experience with low-powered boards will provide more suggestions...

 

[spaceman5]

Thank you very much.

Parts Express sell many boards by sure Electronics, so I assume there is a good reason..
They wouldn't want to mess with bad stuff.


Quite interesting, most Sure Electronics amplifier boards don't include a volume potentiometer.
I wonder why they design them like that - without it..

 

[radiosmuck]

Following posts here can be very confusing since everyone has a favourite amp board and none has ever been trashed as sounding bad. Fortunately, they are so inexpensive you could buy several and test them out using your own ears, or purchase a recommended board and a tone control board and twiddle the knobs to match your speakers. But that is not as much fun as collecting boards.

 

[abraxalito]

do you also have some recommended ones for cases where low watt is needed, like 10-20W?

Ones that give good sound quality..

TDA8932 is one which is capable of exceptionally good sound quality when fully tricked out. It does need meticulous attention to power supply details and input and output transformers to really shine. The output transformer allows you to decide precisely what wattage your amp is rated at - I'm running mine at 7W currently but they might be capable of going higher without compromising the SQ...

There's a thread about various implementations of this chip here : http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/277130-fasten-seat-belts-tda8932-pessimistic-review.html

 

[spaceman5]

Following posts here can be very confusing since everyone has a favourite amp board and none has ever been trashed as sounding bad.

Really?
There aren't any that can be regarded as "not to use"?

Are there any opinions about the quality of the PAM series amplifier?

They are usually small, and many of them can work on 5v even,
which means not alot of power, but the ability to work on power coming from USB (or power bank) easily.
I wonder if the sound quality they give is good.
I ordered 3 different kinds of them, to try:
PAM8403 2x3W,
PAM8406 2x5W, and
PAM8302 1x2.5W (Mono)

I also want to order some TDA/TPA ones (still, of power upto 15W since I don't need more than that - I intend to use it for nearfield speakers)

Fortunately, they are so inexpensive you could buy several and test them out using your own ears

You are right.
For such prices, that even include shipping, there's no reason not to simply try some.

TDA8932 is one which is capable of exceptionally good sound quality when fully tricked out. It does need meticulous attention to power supply details and input and output transformers to really shine. The output transformer allows you to decide precisely what wattage your amp is rated at - I'm running mine at 7W currently but they might be capable of going higher without compromising the SQ...

There's a thread about various implementations of this chip here : http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/277130-fasten-seat-belts-tda8932-pessimistic-review.html

Thank you, will read about it now..

 

[spaceman5]

OK regarding this:

TDA8932 is one which is capable of exceptionally good sound quality when fully tricked out.

...

There's a thread about various implementations of this chip here : http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/277130-fasten-seat-belts-tda8932-pessimistic-review.html

It seems that the thread he created talks about a Mono version of it.
eBay has a Stereo version of it too, but I don't know if he had experience with it and warmly recommends it too

(What I build is Stereo, not Mono)

 

[OffGridKindaGuy]

PAM8403 / PAM8406

I've been playing with these amps for a good while and I absolutely love them. They like a 4 ohm load the best. Never had one fail. Most are very basic and can be a pain to connect/solder to but they are well worth the effort, IMO..

This is one of my favorites. The connection announcement sounds like a lady with a tongue stud but they work wonderful..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New...32589932130.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.IcITVW

For a bare bones 5 volt amp board, these are the best. The larger cap does aid in bass extension..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/min...32538618952.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.IcITVW

There are some red board amps out there using the same chip but these are the better choice, believe me..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10P.../1084746279.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.byZGKh


Play and have fun! Just some pics of me messing around..

https://imageshack.com/a/IZw4/1

 

[abraxalito]

It seems that the thread he created talks about a Mono version of it.

The chip contains two amp channels which can be used as L/R or mono'd in anti-phase to give more power into higher impedance loads.

 

[spaceman5]

PAM8403 / PAM8406

I've been playing with these amps for a good while and I absolutely love them. They like a 4 ohm load the best.

Nice to know..
Have you compared their sound quality, in music, to other small amplifiers?

The chip contains two amp channels which can be used as L/R or mono'd in anti-phase to give more power into higher impedance loads.

Oh..
OK, then I will try the Stereo version, hopefully it will be nice..

 

[radiosmuck]

The 3W quoted is at 10% distortion, at 1%, the max generally accepted for hifi, the output is half that using regular 8 ohm speakers.

 

[spaceman5]

The 3W quoted is at 10% distortion, at 1%, the max generally accepted for hifi, the output is half that using regular 8 ohm speakers.

You are referring to the PAM amplifiers right?

On one hand I do not intend to use the amplifier on its full amplification..
On the other hand, I do wish to use a good amplifier.

BTW, the chosen amplifier will be used with the so-recommended Peerless by Tymphany TC9FD18-08 speakers
https://www.parts-express.com/peerl...-3-1-2-full-range-paper-cone-woofer--264-1062

 

[OffGridKindaGuy]

Try It.. You'll Like It!

On one hand I do not intend to use the amplifier on its full amplification..
On the other hand, I do wish to use a good amplifier.

BTW, the chosen amplifier will be used with the so-recommended Peerless by Tymphany TC9FD18-08 speakers
https://www.parts-express.com/peerl...-3-1-2-full-range-paper-cone-woofer--264-1062

2 of the TC9's connected in parallel will give you a 4 ohm load. (Per Channel/Enclosure) 4 drivers all together..

For simplicity and Bluetooth connectivity, consider the above amp/rcvr. combo..

Mount the amp/rcvr in one of the enclosures with a Male USB cable from the amp extending outside of the enclosure to power things. Mount one of these (LINK) on each enclosure..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201..._8&btsid=2f3a464f-ae84-4c6b-81f3-c06e78778f03

Connect one output of the amp to the drivers directly in the enclosure the amp combo is mounted in. Connect the other channel of the amp to the speaker terminal mounted to that enclosure. Install the other terminal to the second enclosure that only houses the 2 drivers. Connect the two together via the terminals and a length of wire.. WALA! A 5 volt Bluetooth Speaker System..

1 watt will produce ~87dB of noise. That's plenty for near field..

 

[spaceman5]

Thank you OffGridKindaGuy


Regarding the electronics and connecting, I have the knowledge..
I do need recommendations regarding choosing the parts..
In this case I chose the speaker drivers, and now will try several amplifiers and choose the nicer one.. (assuming there will be differences in sound quality between the ones I ordered)

 

[OffGridKindaGuy]

Any of the PAM**** amps have been good for me. Full fidelity and low distortion when used within limits. Very balanced and rugged. 4 ohm and high SPL drivers are best. Noticeable volume loss using 8 ohm drivers..

The TDA8932BT is not my favorite. I have a few amps that use this chip and personally, I don't care for them. Varying the operating voltage doesn't help. (12 to 19 volts) Perhaps with some mods they may be a fine amp but off the shelf.. Naaa... Unbalanced fidelity, shrill mids and weak bass..

I enjoy the PAM8403/PAM8406 because of the operating voltage. A 5000mA. bank battery will operate one for many hours and they sound great..

The PAM8403 Bluetooth/Amp combo works very well because it draws just enough current to keep a bank battery alive. Using just an amp with a bank battery at low volume will allow the battery to go into sleep mode. As long as you keep the volume up, you're good to go..

 

[abraxalito]

The TDA8932BT is not my favorite. I have a few amps that use this chip and personally, I don't care for them. Varying the operating voltage doesn't help. (12 to 19 volts) Perhaps with some mods they may be a fine amp but off the shelf.. Naaa... Unbalanced fidelity, shrill mids and weak bass..

Turns out its the implementations that suck, not the chip - the DS doesn't show sufficient decoupling on the VA (analog supply) rail, only 10R with 100nF. Increasing that pays tremendous dividends.