Mm that is interesting, I think my ICE 1200 is less sounding then my previous Electrocompaniet AW3x120.
In which area does the nc500 smoke the Abrahamsen?
Better staging (more precise), more detail, clearer treble, and also punchier bass. The mids are close, they are more euphonic on the Abrahamsen, which can be pleasant, but not necessarily correct. Returning to the staging, the Abrahamsen's was perhaps a bit deeper, but the NC500 is wider, taller, more precise (as I wrote above).
Also, the Apollon is a much quieter amplifier. I can put ears close to tweeters and hear only the faintest hiss originating with the DAC (it is a discrete sign magnitude R2R DAC, so there are about 400+ resistors there), and NO hum at all from the woofer. Since my woofer has a sensitivity of 97.8Db (Daytonaudio PA460-8) and the filling midwoofer (BC 8NDL51) 94, with the Abrahamsen it has some audible hum in close range. I understand that EC amps were designed for less sensitive designs, but the NC500 based Apollons are dead quiet.
What do you exactly mean by "less sounding"?
Also, what are your speakers? And if you have some nostalgia for the EC sound, my Abrahamsens (I also have the pre) are for sale.
Crestron ?? or is Cresnet a member ?
I was thinking using the available TI material, schematic etc. and just build - with the needed Vout modification 🙂
I was thinking using the available TI material, schematic etc. and just build - with the needed Vout modification 🙂
A member, and an acknowledged designer of switching PSUs and Class D designs.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/members/cresnet.html
For fiddlestick's sake, 65 x 40 x 40 mm and 1600W! This version outputs 390V, with a 25V ripple (WHAT) but is definitely an interesting design. If one could make a regulated version, this would be an absolute killer.
That is why it needs the DC/DC section which regulate the Vout and ripple rejection - I guess that is the accompanying card do which is shown in the video.
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Well, yes and no. True, regulation means you throw away part of the energy in order to guarantee a stable voltage. But you are more efficient in the previous stage anyway.
Julf, part of the reason GaN is interesting is the switching speed, reducing the transformer size as well as increasing the efficiency to 97.8% for the TI unit.
The rest of the circuit, say from the DC/DC side, will be more traditional.
The rest of the circuit, say from the DC/DC side, will be more traditional.
I get that - my point is that it is a bit futile to chase the last few % of efficiency on the switching side if you then waste a large part of it on a linear regulator.
TI shows their DC/DC as being 98.1% efficient - the low side. I would not call that waste.
Is it futile if the size is reduced x3 compared to its Si sibling.. ?
Is it futile if the size is reduced x3 compared to its Si sibling.. ?
Lets compare Hypex SMPS1200 which is the typical go to PSU. What is the difference between TI's GaN unit IF fully designed and bear in mind, the DC-DC section can be anything as long as it delivers the lower voltage high amp, say 2x63Vdc like the SMPS1200.
No, you waste some energy anyway through regulation, but at least you are "wasting" less than before. Also, if the DC-DC converter is (1) switching itself and (2) GaN based, you probably waste < 2% of the energy w.r.t. to linear regulator. TO remove residual noise, put a CLC filter after that, and you have stable, regulated, and clean, green power.
GaN SMPS Round 2.
I'm back, perhaps with an update or just to check the interest.
I did some further investigations and found that Infineon has an interesting GaN SPMS.
EVAL_2500W_PFC_GAN_A
Sources:
https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/evaluation-boards/eval_2500w_pfc_gan_a/
EVAL_1EDF_G1_HB_GAN - Infineon Technologies
I'm back, perhaps with an update or just to check the interest.
I did some further investigations and found that Infineon has an interesting GaN SPMS.
EVAL_2500W_PFC_GAN_A
EVAL_1EDF_G1_HB_GAN - Halfbridge (DC-DC)
Hypex SMPS1200A400 is 92% efficient in comparison.
Sources:
https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/evaluation-boards/eval_2500w_pfc_gan_a/
EVAL_1EDF_G1_HB_GAN - Infineon Technologies
