Hi all!
I'm new to this world, and just inherited an Linn Akurate DS.
Now i need an amplifier for this unit (not sure if i need a preamp too, lol)
Please let me know if i'm head under heels here.
Anyways, i'm pretty good with soldering and i have basic electronic skills, but what i need now is some guidance as for what amplifier i should pair this player with?
I've read a lot on this forum on different types TK2050, TA2020, TA 3020 etc.
I'm thinking of building my own amp, not sure if i should go for mono channels or stereo, but i guess that's something i have to do some more research on.
This is some of the stuff i've been looking on:
Hifimediy-T4-mcap-TK2050-amplifier-2-x180
TPA3100D2 types of chip.
tpa3116d2
And bunch of others.
All answers are appreciated! 🙂
I'm new to this world, and just inherited an Linn Akurate DS.
Now i need an amplifier for this unit (not sure if i need a preamp too, lol)
Please let me know if i'm head under heels here.
Anyways, i'm pretty good with soldering and i have basic electronic skills, but what i need now is some guidance as for what amplifier i should pair this player with?
I've read a lot on this forum on different types TK2050, TA2020, TA 3020 etc.
I'm thinking of building my own amp, not sure if i should go for mono channels or stereo, but i guess that's something i have to do some more research on.
This is some of the stuff i've been looking on:
Hifimediy-T4-mcap-TK2050-amplifier-2-x180
TPA3100D2 types of chip.
tpa3116d2
And bunch of others.
All answers are appreciated! 🙂
Taken from another thread, will any of these do?
I'm looking for an amp in the 60-180 usd price range. The cheaper the better, but i'm mostly out for best SQ for the bucks 🙂
Jlester TPA3255
THD+N 5W , 1Khz : 0.0016%
5W 8Ω: 0.0007% THD
10W 8Ω: 0.0008% THD
5W 4Ω: 0.0012% THD
10W 4Ω: 0.0014% THD
Sinad 5W / 4R : 95
BOSC Starkrimson Gan :
THD+N 5W , 1Khz : 0.0004%
THD+N 100W 20-20Khz : 0.0092%
THD+N 10W 20-20Khz 0.0025%
Sinad 5W / 4R : 105
SNR : 121DB
ALLO TPA3255 (to be confirmed) :
THD+N 5W , 1Khz 0.00014
THD+N 100W 20-20Khz 0.0097
THD+N 10W 20-20Khz 0.0091
SNR : about 117DB
XRK Audio :
THD : 25W, 1khz : 0.0017%
THD + N : 25W, 1khz : 0.0037%
THD 10W / 8R : 0.0012% THD
I'm looking for an amp in the 60-180 usd price range. The cheaper the better, but i'm mostly out for best SQ for the bucks 🙂
Jlester TPA3255
THD+N 5W , 1Khz : 0.0016%
5W 8Ω: 0.0007% THD
10W 8Ω: 0.0008% THD
5W 4Ω: 0.0012% THD
10W 4Ω: 0.0014% THD
Sinad 5W / 4R : 95
BOSC Starkrimson Gan :
THD+N 5W , 1Khz : 0.0004%
THD+N 100W 20-20Khz : 0.0092%
THD+N 10W 20-20Khz 0.0025%
Sinad 5W / 4R : 105
SNR : 121DB
ALLO TPA3255 (to be confirmed) :
THD+N 5W , 1Khz 0.00014
THD+N 100W 20-20Khz 0.0097
THD+N 10W 20-20Khz 0.0091
SNR : about 117DB
XRK Audio :
THD : 25W, 1khz : 0.0017%
THD + N : 25W, 1khz : 0.0037%
THD 10W / 8R : 0.0012% THD
Hi im new too and looking for basically the same.
I guess this is an option you should check:
Hifimediy T2 (Jantzen caps) Class-T Tripath TK2050 Amplifier
More to look:
Products | jlelectronicsph
TA2020 MKIII :: .
Ill be arround waiting for more responses. 😉
I guess this is an option you should check:
Hifimediy T2 (Jantzen caps) Class-T Tripath TK2050 Amplifier
More to look:
Products | jlelectronicsph
TA2020 MKIII :: .
Ill be arround waiting for more responses. 😉
I would recommend you look at the Aiyima 04 mod thread.
Easy, non expensive, and excellent VFM while in absolute terms very good sounding.
All the mods, their effects and the builds are explained, numerous pix aswell.
Have fun
Claude
Easy, non expensive, and excellent VFM while in absolute terms very good sounding.
All the mods, their effects and the builds are explained, numerous pix aswell.
Have fun
Claude
Thanks for the replies!
I will check out the Aiyima 04 thread as well!
There is just so much info, it's making my head spin, lol.
But thanks, i will check them out 🙂 Does any of ou have any experience with dr mordors amps?
I will check out the Aiyima 04 thread as well!
There is just so much info, it's making my head spin, lol.
But thanks, i will check them out 🙂 Does any of ou have any experience with dr mordors amps?
I use the Aiyima A04 myself for bass duties so it´s not that bad
but a 8000€ player next to a 40€ amplifier is quite the combination!
No, money isn´t proportional to sound quality in the audio world, just saying.
I´d look into high-quality chipamps if I were you.
Something like a modulus-286 or similar if you don´t want to solder yourself.
In class-D maybe a Icepower 125ASX2 or so.
All depends on how much you´re willing/want to DIY really, like soldering, mechanics/case/working with 120/240V and of course how much you´d want to spend.
You are able to get some decent quality at almost "any" price.
but a 8000€ player next to a 40€ amplifier is quite the combination!
No, money isn´t proportional to sound quality in the audio world, just saying.
I´d look into high-quality chipamps if I were you.
Something like a modulus-286 or similar if you don´t want to solder yourself.
In class-D maybe a Icepower 125ASX2 or so.
All depends on how much you´re willing/want to DIY really, like soldering, mechanics/case/working with 120/240V and of course how much you´d want to spend.
You are able to get some decent quality at almost "any" price.
We tested the Aiyima as sold vs a modern class champ Onkyo for 600$ and despite people claiming the Aiyima to be a giant killer vs several thousand $ units it was a tad under the Onkyo untweaked. This was our finding and it reiterate again vs a slightly tweaked old 500$ H-K and another public (admittely all musicians).
Once tweaked mildly (easily and for just 20$), it probably plays somewhere up to the 1500$ amp class. Once tweaked heavily and in biamping mode, as we did aswell, probably higher... we have to test it. We don't own devices and lack experience in these price brackets, we are more used to the next classes.
Most people will be satisfied with amps that are champs in the 1500$ class, regardless the price of their source and LS, and are likely not to make many difference with $$$$ amps as long as the amp matches the LS.
Having said that, in absolute terms money no object, I find usualy Class D lacking in sounstage depth and also in some other departments. They aren't yet to my ears the last word, at least not for my main system.
All IMHO and won't debate all this
I hope this helps
Claude
Once tweaked mildly (easily and for just 20$), it probably plays somewhere up to the 1500$ amp class. Once tweaked heavily and in biamping mode, as we did aswell, probably higher... we have to test it. We don't own devices and lack experience in these price brackets, we are more used to the next classes.
Most people will be satisfied with amps that are champs in the 1500$ class, regardless the price of their source and LS, and are likely not to make many difference with $$$$ amps as long as the amp matches the LS.
Having said that, in absolute terms money no object, I find usualy Class D lacking in sounstage depth and also in some other departments. They aren't yet to my ears the last word, at least not for my main system.
All IMHO and won't debate all this
I hope this helps
Claude
Thanks ClaudeG and joensd 🙂
Some of the reason i'm here is that i want to DIY some, i'm going to build a nise case for this amplifier as well.
I'm looking for something that plays like something in the 1500$ class for the least amount of money, haha.
And haha, yes the Akurate DS needs a good amplifier, if not it's potential would be wasted.
Thanks for the tips about the IcePower! I will def check them out as well 🙂
Else i was wondering about the shui yuan Audio TPA3255, but this doesn't have balanced inputs.
Guess i have a long quest in front of me, lol.
Some of the reason i'm here is that i want to DIY some, i'm going to build a nise case for this amplifier as well.
I'm looking for something that plays like something in the 1500$ class for the least amount of money, haha.
And haha, yes the Akurate DS needs a good amplifier, if not it's potential would be wasted.
Thanks for the tips about the IcePower! I will def check them out as well 🙂
Else i was wondering about the shui yuan Audio TPA3255, but this doesn't have balanced inputs.
Guess i have a long quest in front of me, lol.
You didn´t mention balanced input before but quite a few of those amps can be driven balanced.
The 3e-audio modules have a switch similar to the EVM from TI TPA3251/3255
where one can choose between balanced and single-ended.
The TPA325x-modules from Jlester & XRK Audio are balanced too if I remember correctly.
Yeah, have a look around and take your time before you end up with a drawer full of cheap amplifier modules that you don´t use ;-)
The 3e-audio modules have a switch similar to the EVM from TI TPA3251/3255
where one can choose between balanced and single-ended.
The TPA325x-modules from Jlester & XRK Audio are balanced too if I remember correctly.
Yeah, have a look around and take your time before you end up with a drawer full of cheap amplifier modules that you don´t use ;-)
Thanks joensd!
I'm sorry I forgot to mention balanced 😅 seems I should get an amp that supports it when my akurate ds has it 🙂
Hmm, the jlester and XRK audio amps seems nice as well, a bit expensive. But they are maybe worth it? 🙂
Again thanks for not making me fill up my drawers, haha!
I'm sorry I forgot to mention balanced 😅 seems I should get an amp that supports it when my akurate ds has it 🙂
Hmm, the jlester and XRK audio amps seems nice as well, a bit expensive. But they are maybe worth it? 🙂
Again thanks for not making me fill up my drawers, haha!
yeah, do it and use the balanced out´s.
I´d guess both amps have very nice layouts.
Look in the threads about these modules under group buys maybe.
Read the reviews.
Don´t what they cost actually.
Maybe the EVM from Texas instruments is cheaper?
The reviews about the 3e-audio modules ain´t so bad either.
If I´d exchange my bass-amplifier for something with more power I´d get the latter module if I wanted something in class-d.
Don´t buy too cheap or you buy twice (at least).
I´d guess both amps have very nice layouts.
Look in the threads about these modules under group buys maybe.
Read the reviews.
Don´t what they cost actually.
Maybe the EVM from Texas instruments is cheaper?
The reviews about the 3e-audio modules ain´t so bad either.
If I´d exchange my bass-amplifier for something with more power I´d get the latter module if I wanted something in class-d.
Half kidding, half serious. So many people get lost in shopping for "cheap chinese amplifier" boards (some of these are really good of course) and then pile them up. Poor planet!
Don´t buy too cheap or you buy twice (at least).
I've just ordered one. thanks for the advice. Ill modify it as soon as it arrives.
Well done 🙂
If one wants to go DIY, than the Aiyima's PCB can easily been taken out and many tweaks performed without having to deal with tiny casing dimensions etc.
Note it can of course also be driven balanced... in fact, you would just take the existing OPAs out and plug into the sockets to drive it directly balanced. All explained n the various threads, although I do believe these Class D amps benefit from some OPAs to tame their sometimes cold sound - OPA allow you to tune that if required.
Have fun and see you on the main thread for those fancying the adventure
Good luck to all regardless the build choice
Claude
If one wants to go DIY, than the Aiyima's PCB can easily been taken out and many tweaks performed without having to deal with tiny casing dimensions etc.
Note it can of course also be driven balanced... in fact, you would just take the existing OPAs out and plug into the sockets to drive it directly balanced. All explained n the various threads, although I do believe these Class D amps benefit from some OPAs to tame their sometimes cold sound - OPA allow you to tune that if required.
Have fun and see you on the main thread for those fancying the adventure
Good luck to all regardless the build choice
Claude
I'd never thought i'd get so many good answers!
Thanks to you all!
However you say that it'd benefit from OPAs, how do other balanced amplfiers get around this cold sound?
I understand i have many hours of reading in front of me, haha!
Thanks to you all!
However you say that it'd benefit from OPAs, how do other balanced amplfiers get around this cold sound?
I understand i have many hours of reading in front of me, haha!
If you're willing to tweak, you made a good choice.
The informations you need are all in one thread and Claude even distilled it for you so you can make not even a handful of tweaks to get the most out of it.
Class-d seems to be a bit on the cold and analytical side.
Overall sound depends on source and speakers too.
What speakers do you have? 4/8ohms?
The informations you need are all in one thread and Claude even distilled it for you so you can make not even a handful of tweaks to get the most out of it.
Class-d seems to be a bit on the cold and analytical side.
Overall sound depends on source and speakers too.
What speakers do you have? 4/8ohms?
+1 on joensd, very wise comment!
Class D is not perfect, and there is more to sound perception than sayASR measurments etc., but that's a long story and debate.
Short version: being able to fine tune the sound at some stage, be it at the cost of an additional and usualy superflous (and so usualy hated by me liking straight wires!) stage can be benefical.
You to decide...
My advice : built on people's experience to avoid extra costs and lot development hassle, and also to have a baseline with others here. From there on build and experiment as YOU like it best. For that, you need to keep some doors open, nothing being perfect in this world and for sure perfection being meaningless without considering other components, plus room and of course people's preference.
(Usualy dangerous) OPA rolling leaves a door open... there aren't many doors (that you can open wider than small tweaks) on chip amps, be it Class D or Class A/B, per se (all is integrated)
Have fun
Claude
Class D is not perfect, and there is more to sound perception than sayASR measurments etc., but that's a long story and debate.
Short version: being able to fine tune the sound at some stage, be it at the cost of an additional and usualy superflous (and so usualy hated by me liking straight wires!) stage can be benefical.
You to decide...
My advice : built on people's experience to avoid extra costs and lot development hassle, and also to have a baseline with others here. From there on build and experiment as YOU like it best. For that, you need to keep some doors open, nothing being perfect in this world and for sure perfection being meaningless without considering other components, plus room and of course people's preference.
(Usualy dangerous) OPA rolling leaves a door open... there aren't many doors (that you can open wider than small tweaks) on chip amps, be it Class D or Class A/B, per se (all is integrated)
Have fun
Claude
Well as i said, i wasn't prepared to get all these good advices and answers 🙂
Seems like this is a place i can really thrive! I've read through your thread ClaudeG, and it's awesome, the level of skill you guys are showing is incredible!
Thanks joensd, my speakers are Monitor Audio silver 8. 4 ohm 🙂
The Akurate ds is my source, and it isn't known for being warm, more on the cold side, while it is natural in the same time. I really like it though.
Oh, and if i should go for jlester or XRK's amp, which one them would you choose? jlester's seems to be good value 🙂
Seems like this is a place i can really thrive! I've read through your thread ClaudeG, and it's awesome, the level of skill you guys are showing is incredible!
Thanks joensd, my speakers are Monitor Audio silver 8. 4 ohm 🙂
The Akurate ds is my source, and it isn't known for being warm, more on the cold side, while it is natural in the same time. I really like it though.
Oh, and if i should go for jlester or XRK's amp, which one them would you choose? jlester's seems to be good value 🙂
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Why don't you wait for Daniboun to share his findings... he owns many of these and while your tastes may differ, at least you could have a hint on how each amp sounds...
Both amplifiers have high current inductors, with linear Inductance versus current and frequency in the range of interest for the TPA3255. The AGP 2923 Inductor in the Jlester board has a 10% drop Inductance at much higher current & may be more linear.
“Ferrite core for flat L vs. I characteristics”
XRK,SER2915H-103 SER29xx Series High Current Shielded Power Inductors | Coilcraft
Jlester, AGP2923-682 AGP2923 Series TH Shielded High Current Power Inductors | Coilcraft
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