Very nice to hear, good luck with finishing the software and sending the first aio438's!
Just sent out this email to everyone that pre-ordered, but reposting here for those who are interested:
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Some challenges along the way, but good news:
The first packages have just been picked up!
Hardware is stable and production is going well.
Firmware is now also stable and installed on the modules that are shipped.
The configuration tool is still work in progress but will be released this week.
If you happen to receive one before the configtool is released,
you can already hook it up to your speakers to test it without any DSP applied.
The updated shipping schedule is as follows:
We are working hard on getting the documentation finished.
The product is very intuitive, so using it mostly speaks for itself.
But still, it's good to have some proper documentation:
The following documents are being prepared/improved:
You can always reach out to info@zoudio.com
------------------------------------------------
Slight delays....
Some challenges along the way, but good news:
The first packages have just been picked up!
Hardware is stable and production is going well.
Firmware is now also stable and installed on the modules that are shipped.
The configuration tool is still work in progress but will be released this week.
If you happen to receive one before the configtool is released,
you can already hook it up to your speakers to test it without any DSP applied.
The updated shipping schedule is as follows:
- Orders up to 14 november: most are shipped, else: this weekend
- Orders up to 14 december: end of next week
- Orders up to 14 januari: in 2 weeks
Documentation
We are working hard on getting the documentation finished.
The product is very intuitive, so using it mostly speaks for itself.
But still, it's good to have some proper documentation:
The following documents are being prepared/improved:
- Datasheet
- Getting started guide
- Troubleshooting guide
- Developer guide
Questions?
You can always reach out to info@zoudio.com
I'd be willing to help with the docs. Just let me know what I can do; proof, detail additions, whatever.
I got my amp into a "state" last night where it wouldnt pley. Turn-on, flashing blue light asking for a BT connection, no beep. Figured I killed it - with the accompanying long face. Turns out a power cycle of the input DC Vcc is significantly different than via the push on-off part of the volume control. She came back after cycling the input Vcc voltage. Happily listening right now!
I got my amp into a "state" last night where it wouldnt pley. Turn-on, flashing blue light asking for a BT connection, no beep. Figured I killed it - with the accompanying long face. Turns out a power cycle of the input DC Vcc is significantly different than via the push on-off part of the volume control. She came back after cycling the input Vcc voltage. Happily listening right now!
@lutkeveld Would it be possible to connect two channels like this:
or are the outputs bridged (common is connected to both (-) poles, i.e. to ground with non-bridged AB class amps)? If this connection would be possible, I could use the 2.1 stereo mode (to include a sub). Would it help to use e.g. 1 ohm resistors to
Would it be possible to do this in the DSP? Using 3 channels for the three speakers with 160 Hz highpass and the fourth channel for bass with a 160 Hz lowpass. I think the DSP would be capable of doing it, but it would require special firmware...
Edit: I am writing about the original amp. Would the new one be able to do this?
or are the outputs bridged (common is connected to both (-) poles, i.e. to ground with non-bridged AB class amps)? If this connection would be possible, I could use the 2.1 stereo mode (to include a sub). Would it help to use e.g. 1 ohm resistors to
Would it be possible to do this in the DSP? Using 3 channels for the three speakers with 160 Hz highpass and the fourth channel for bass with a 160 Hz lowpass. I think the DSP would be capable of doing it, but it would require special firmware...
Edit: I am writing about the original amp. Would the new one be able to do this?
@jjasniew I might take you up on that offer. The content is not the problem, it's just that it needs to be put into a readable format that is understandable for someone without any background on this project. An extra pair of eyes is always nice. I will reply to your mail one of these days.
@pelanj
The amp is indeed bridged internally. I don't really think that configuration is possible, and besides that: what benefit does it have over normal 2.1 mode (channel AB in dual, CD in single)?
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Shipping update: a batch of new amplifier have been dropped off at the post office today. Currently all orders up until 14 december are shipped or in the queue for pickup this week. All orders up until 9 januari will be processed next week and everyone that ordered should get their tracking by mail.
Just made a release candidate for the configtool which is being tested by some developers. It seems to be stable. If testing goes well the release will be made public this week.
@pelanj
The amp is indeed bridged internally. I don't really think that configuration is possible, and besides that: what benefit does it have over normal 2.1 mode (channel AB in dual, CD in single)?
-----------
Shipping update: a batch of new amplifier have been dropped off at the post office today. Currently all orders up until 14 december are shipped or in the queue for pickup this week. All orders up until 9 januari will be processed next week and everyone that ordered should get their tracking by mail.
Just made a release candidate for the configtool which is being tested by some developers. It seems to be stable. If testing goes well the release will be made public this week.
It is used for the single box stereo speaker matrix. It provides L-0.5R to the left,R-0.5R to the right and 0.5R + 0.5L to the center. All these would be ideally highpassed with a lowpass for a mono subwoofer (L+R). That would require 4 channel amplifier (which the amp is) What is missing is the matrix option together with the crossover, so I will have to use something else.
Class D amps using BD modulation; each of the (+) and (-) outputs sits at 1/2 VCC - so when you connect a speaker across, it sees 0V. When a signal is applied, the (+) terminal increases in voltage, while the (-) terminal decreases in voltage; the speaker voltage is V(+) - V(-), or a classic "bridged" output.
There's no connecting the (-) terminals together. However, in addition to having two speakers connected the normal way, you might get away with connecting an additional speaker across V(+) of channel A, to V(-) of channel B. Or two speakers; one across V(+) of channel A, to V(-) of channel B, a second across V(+) of channel B, to V(-) of channel A. This would make an extra mono channel - or two.
You also may be able to connect speakers from V(+) of channel A to V(+) of channel B, for a L-R ambient channel. Particularly using a driver with a capacitor in series, to remove any additional low frequencies from the amp's speaker loading.
Now the Zoudio amps come up default in a different modulation scheme than BD; 1PSW or something to save battery life. Unsure in either modulation case if the amp's output current sensing monitors would think something's wonky with the connections described above, or if they would just let it go and allow the amp to operate. I've never tried it. Maybe it'd be okay until you cranked it...
If you attempt such connections, definitely only use 8 Ohm speakers. With 3 - or 4 - speakers connected like that, the amps will see virtually two 8 Ohms in parallel, or, from the amp's perepective, it'd be like having two 4 Ohm speakers ordinarily connected.
There's no connecting the (-) terminals together. However, in addition to having two speakers connected the normal way, you might get away with connecting an additional speaker across V(+) of channel A, to V(-) of channel B. Or two speakers; one across V(+) of channel A, to V(-) of channel B, a second across V(+) of channel B, to V(-) of channel A. This would make an extra mono channel - or two.
You also may be able to connect speakers from V(+) of channel A to V(+) of channel B, for a L-R ambient channel. Particularly using a driver with a capacitor in series, to remove any additional low frequencies from the amp's speaker loading.
Now the Zoudio amps come up default in a different modulation scheme than BD; 1PSW or something to save battery life. Unsure in either modulation case if the amp's output current sensing monitors would think something's wonky with the connections described above, or if they would just let it go and allow the amp to operate. I've never tried it. Maybe it'd be okay until you cranked it...
If you attempt such connections, definitely only use 8 Ohm speakers. With 3 - or 4 - speakers connected like that, the amps will see virtually two 8 Ohms in parallel, or, from the amp's perepective, it'd be like having two 4 Ohm speakers ordinarily connected.
Will the Bluetooth chip support TWS and the ability to daisy chain multiple boards together? I know it's not supported from launch but will it be possible to implement it at a later stage?
Will it be possible to install a heatsink on the back side of the board (along with forced air cooling) on the thermal pads to achieve higher output ratings in 2 ohm PBTL configurations?
Looking forward to ordering the new version, I'm really satisfied with the old one, but am missing the TWS feature.
Will it be possible to install a heatsink on the back side of the board (along with forced air cooling) on the thermal pads to achieve higher output ratings in 2 ohm PBTL configurations?
Looking forward to ordering the new version, I'm really satisfied with the old one, but am missing the TWS feature.
@pelanj
If it can be done in a biquad filter (which the amp uses behind the scenes) it will be possible in the future.
Custom biquad filters (besides the normal presets like lowpass/highpass) are high on the priority list for future releases of the config tool.
@zaxder
It's supported in hardware. Although I cannot guarantee the future, TWS or something similar is definitely planned for a future release.
Extra cooling is possible, and the best side to do that is indeed the backside.
@Defo
After talking with some testers it unfortunately seems that there are still some instabilities in the release.
It's mostly stable though, if you already want to play with the new release you can send a mail to info@zoudio.com for a copy.
If it can be done in a biquad filter (which the amp uses behind the scenes) it will be possible in the future.
Custom biquad filters (besides the normal presets like lowpass/highpass) are high on the priority list for future releases of the config tool.
@zaxder
It's supported in hardware. Although I cannot guarantee the future, TWS or something similar is definitely planned for a future release.
Extra cooling is possible, and the best side to do that is indeed the backside.
@Defo
After talking with some testers it unfortunately seems that there are still some instabilities in the release.
It's mostly stable though, if you already want to play with the new release you can send a mail to info@zoudio.com for a copy.
"Dayton Audio KABD-4100 combines a 4 x 100W amp board, Bluetooth 5.0, and an ADAU1701 digital signal processor all in one amp board"
So I would postulate that the "combination" is done in a completely different way, than the Zoudio product. Whatever devils lie within those details, will determine how the products compare.
1st, such board as the Dayton product are designed with analog interfaces in mind, because that's the type of connections the vast majority of customers know how to use. So, if you're not using the BT 5.0, I'd assume it's analog in. I'd guess it may be analog out to analog in also to hook up the BT receiver chip - but they dont say. That guess would be based upon a simple matter of design convenience.
So analog goes into its ADAU1701, gets digitized, DSP'd and then back to analog in order to drive the TDA749x chipsets. Double conversion, possibly triple. You'll have to "like the sound" of how those A->D and D->A conversions are done, by the BT and ADAU1701 chipsets
I believe the Zoudio design is entirely a digital signal path. Digital from your phone into the BT receiver, digital out of the BT receiver (I2S), digital into the TAS amplifier chips, DSP, through the chips internal PCM to PWM converter, then gets converted to a traditional "DMM measurable" AC analog signal by the action of the amplifier output inductor and capacitor.
I like the sound of the Zoudio's arrangement.
So I would postulate that the "combination" is done in a completely different way, than the Zoudio product. Whatever devils lie within those details, will determine how the products compare.
1st, such board as the Dayton product are designed with analog interfaces in mind, because that's the type of connections the vast majority of customers know how to use. So, if you're not using the BT 5.0, I'd assume it's analog in. I'd guess it may be analog out to analog in also to hook up the BT receiver chip - but they dont say. That guess would be based upon a simple matter of design convenience.
So analog goes into its ADAU1701, gets digitized, DSP'd and then back to analog in order to drive the TDA749x chipsets. Double conversion, possibly triple. You'll have to "like the sound" of how those A->D and D->A conversions are done, by the BT and ADAU1701 chipsets
I believe the Zoudio design is entirely a digital signal path. Digital from your phone into the BT receiver, digital out of the BT receiver (I2S), digital into the TAS amplifier chips, DSP, through the chips internal PCM to PWM converter, then gets converted to a traditional "DMM measurable" AC analog signal by the action of the amplifier output inductor and capacitor.
I like the sound of the Zoudio's arrangement.
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The majority of Daytons amps etc are built by Sure/Wondom, and can often be purchased cheaper from their own website:
Sure/Wondom JAB5
