Class D, Z, KE, T - help me!!!!!

[Rodo]

Hi. I’m new in DIY.
I apologize for my English but if I spell check all I write....
Since few weeks ago I’m looking for any solution to build high efficiency amplifiers. Reason to that is most because heat.
Experience I have is with Sanyo ICs (STK-xxxx) from Class AB to Class H with good results. Power is not a real problem: 80 - 120 W/ch. Stereo (or 2x mono) @8ohms is enough for me.
Most STK ICs works very well in audio and have other functions. For example you could use them into your oven and to play music cooking. 😱).
Class D could be the answer but options I see are very wide and in most cases some confuse.
Variations of PMW seams to fix noise problems in C topology but PCB design may be the key. I understand (I could be wrong) that with perfect circuits and bad PCB layout amplifier will be worse than songs of mother in law. Also some SMD components (specially capacitors) seams to be the best option.
I need some help not in design issues (yet) but in selection of technology to use.

Here is that I found surfing in the net:
- Bash Technology (ST & Bash Audio): Not really Class D. Is one of the first solution I found about 4 years ago. Specifications are perfect. Problem is that there is poor support and I can’t find chips.
- DDX (ST at present): Older (I think) than Bash, developed by Apogee seams to be great. ICs in market have lo power (Also some one-chip solution from ST). Who sales ICs?
- Class T (Trypath): Where can I buy ICs? 1000 units seams to be easy, but just 1 or 2? I asked 41HZ but they have not answered my mails. Also if I get a kit, how can I buy just ICs?
- Class Z/C (Zetex): Too complex circuits.
- LM4651/52 (National): Info is perfect. They have a xls I downloaded to calculate almost any component to change output load, heatsink size, frequency response, efficiency, power supply, etc. PCB layout is very simple. I think using some SMD components it’s possible to improve PCB. But I have not found any comparison with other amplifiers. Technology seams to be old, isn’t it? In a forum somebody stated than there are better options... which options???
- TDA8920 (Philips, NXP at present). Info is useful. Specifications are good enough. Is it better than National LM4651/52? I can’t get ICs in local market.
- Modules (IcePower, etc.): too expensive. Amplifiers must be under u$s 50 /2 channels / >=80Wx2. STK´s amplifiers I use at present are under u$s 35 each finished board.
- 1000 options I don’t remember.

So, anybody could help me to evaluate these options?
Is there non-PMW technology ICs to build amplifiers with small heatsinks (or none)?
Obviously testing all of this will take more money that I have and more time that left to me 😱)

Thanks in advance, Rodolfo

 

[EdT]

Yes, I was just as confused as you were two months back, but I am slowly catching on.

I would suggest you look into the Tripath Class-T for low power and virtually no heat for efficeint single drivers and UcD for more power.

The NS LM GainClones chips from the original 47Lab Gaincard don't provide as much detail in sonics as the other two, but the chips are cheap and abundant and generates alot of heat.

TriPath Class-T
http://www.tripath.com/

Hypex UcD
http://www.hypex.nl/

National Semiconductor LM
http://www.national.com/appinfo/amps/

 

[v-bro]

Tripath is (was) at the brink of bankruptcy, that's probably why Jan from 41hz.com couldn't find much time lately to answer all his mail.

It's possible he will still answer you, but I'm sure you'll get the chips within a few days if you just place an order.

Here's what's in the shop:
Tripath TK2350 chipset, 2 components € 24
Tripath TA2021B € 9
Tripath TA2020 € 12
Tripath TA2022 € 12
Tripath TAA4100A € 28

Here's the shop:
http://www.41hz.com/shop.asp

 

[v-bro]

I know from the 41hz.com forum that Jan is getting some more assistance, so don't worry about good support. If you ordered something you'll be allowed to the customer support site and be answered swiftly to any questions. 😎

 

[v-bro]

I'm not sure (and perhaps neither is Jan) if the price can remain the same what is currently asked on the shop page....

Perhaps that's why Jan can't answer your mail just yet...

 

[Rodo]

Thanks for your answers.
I will evaluate options you stated here.
Trypath seams to have very good solutions. Also boards are very simple. I have some dubts about future of their components. Bash and Apogee solutions were perfect at begining. At present, because legal issues or just because companies they sold technologies, components are not in the market.
Anyway I´ll evaluate all options.
Thanks again, Rodolfo

 

[Rodo]

The NS LM GainClones chips from the original 47Lab Gaincard don't provide as much detail in sonics as the other two, but the chips are cheap and abundant and generates alot of heat.

Hi EdT.
Please corret me if I´m wrong:
NS LM GainClones are for instance LM3886 and LM4780 (2 x LM3886) used in bridged amplifiers.
Other ICs with SE output configuration may be bridged but NS LMs have a lot of info about this.
Also these amplifiers have a VERY LOW THD+N.
I calculate efficiency (just to have an idea) for instance +/35 V Ps(about 50 W RMS @ 8 ohms) and relation is 30W/50W*100 = 60(%). That´s better than most Class AB amplifiers.
Heat sinks are still to large for me and power disipation too high.

Do you know if is there another kind of ICS with more efficiency than these LMs? Obviously no-class D.

Thanks again, Rodolfo