Help required on Logitech Z-2300 toroidal transformer

I downloaded the TDA7296 datasheet from STMicro website. As we know TDA7296 is capable of producing 60W of power. Since TDA7296 uses 4 of them we get 4 X 60 = 240W.

The picture of the data sheet is provided below:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


As, you said I found out it can handle a maximum input voltage of 35V, but in the power output section the chart is divided into two parts :

1) RMS Continuous Output Power --> 30W

2) Music Power (RMS) Δt = 1s (*) --> 60W

What are the differences between these two types of power and why one is half of the other? And also since RMS Continuous Output Power is regarded my many as real power does that mean this chips are only capable to deliver 30W of real power?

All, my speakers are rated at 8 ohms rather than 4 ohms which is the general norm. But TDA7296 are perfectly capable to handle 4 ohm loads.

So, is it because the power supply [transformer + capacitors] are incapable to supply the amount of watts required at 4 ohms that the impedance of the system is increased to 8 ohms so that power supply is relieved a bit.

But those 10,000uF, 35V capacitors in the power supply seems really monstrous and can handle a lot of load.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


OK , The Differance between RMS Power and "Music Power" is that RMS is the peak sustained power output and "Music Power" is a bunch of crap to fool consumers into buying something they think is more powerfull than it is , "Music Power" isn"t a defined standard that I know of , but if it is used in a Datasheet it is suppsed to mean the Peak Momentary Power output which is that it can put out this power for a fraction of a second , like on loud Transients in music .....

An amplifier , when capable will deliver twice as much power into a 4 ohm load than in a 8 ohm load , what usually determines if an amp will work on 4 ohm loads is the Supply Voltage , a Lower Voltage is better when running on 4 ohm loads , Most datasheets show a chart of output power based on loads and Supply Voltages .....

Having 2 10,000uF caps for a supposed 200w amp isn"t a Lot , Most of my amps use at least that for each chip pluss another 1000uF -2200uF close to the chips , My DIY Guitar amp has 44,400uF Total for a single TDA7293 chip .....
 
Number of Capacitors

I found no matter what the make or model of any amplifier in these computer audio systems, there are always two capacitors to help the transformers out instead of one.

I mean my Z-2300 uses two 10,000uF, 35V capacitors. Why not one big 20,000uF, 35V? I mean it will save cost for sure.

Among the cheap chinese speaker systems there is a norm of using STMicro TDA2030A power amps in multiples. And always there are two capacitors in the power supply part using 4700uF, 25V capacitors, irrespective of make or model.

Why two caps? why not one?

Is the number of caps is in any way related to the number of power amps in use? Would it have been even better to use 10,000uf caps for each of the four power chips used in Z-2300?
 
I found no matter what the make or model of any amplifier in these computer audio systems, there are always two capacitors to help the transformers out instead of one.

I mean my Z-2300 uses two 10,000uF, 35V capacitors. Why not one big 20,000uF, 35V? I mean it will save cost for sure.

Among the cheap chinese speaker systems there is a norm of using STMicro TDA2030A power amps in multiples. And always there are two capacitors in the power supply part using 4700uF, 25V capacitors, irrespective of make or model.

Why two caps? why not one?

Is the number of caps is in any way related to the number of power amps in use? Would it have been even better to use 10,000uf caps for each of the four power chips used in Z-2300?


The reason why there are two caps instead on one big one is because the amplifier runs on a Dual Supply , in this case probably arround +/-24v , Meaning the power supply provides a Voltage that is Minus 24v relative to ground and +24v relative to ground with a Total voltage of 48v.....

Power supply capacitors don"t necessarily help out the Transformer ....
DC power comes in pulses and the capacitors store a charge so to smooth out the pulses .....
 
The reason why there are two caps instead on one big one is because the amplifier runs on a Dual Supply , in this case probably arround +/-24v , Meaning the power supply provides a Voltage that is Minus 24v relative to ground and +24v relative to ground with a Total voltage of 48v.....

Power supply capacitors don"t necessarily help out the Transformer ....
DC power comes in pulses and the capacitors store a charge so to smooth out the pulses .....

I can find three wires on my Z-2300 toroid --> YELLOW-BLACK-ORANGE.
Manufacturer: Ten Pao International Ltd.
Model No: TOG433028F0
Input: AC 230V/50Hz
Output: AC 20.1V x 2
Diameter: 95 mm
Height: 45 mm

Do you mean that:
YELLOW --> -20.1V
BLACK --> 0V
ORANGE --> +20.1V

Am I right?
 
yellow/orange both +/-20.1v

black center tapped.

Z-2300 toroid
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


cent88, there is no +20.1V or -20.1V written on the toroid but just, 2 X 20.1V.

Also I wonder, if there is a 40.2V (AC) between yellow & orange of this toroid, then how does the TDA7296 with a maximum of 35V (DC) handling capability can deal with 40.2V (AC) of the toroid? Or am I getting it wrong somewhere?
 
Z-2300 toroid
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


cent88, there is no +20.1V or -20.1V written on the toroid but just, 2 X 20.1V.

Also I wonder, if there is a 40.2V (AC) between yellow & orange of this toroid, then how does the TDA7296 with a maximum of 35V (DC) handling capability can deal with 40.2V (AC) of the toroid? Or am I getting it wrong somewhere?

If your torroid has just 3 wires on the output side then it isn"t a 2x20.1v .... 2x20.1v would mean that there are 2 seperate windings which would be 4 wires , what you have is a 40.2v center tapped Transformer , which means that it has one winding of 40.2v with a tap wire at the center which is the ground .....

it doesn"t matter in your case because a Dual winding transformer and a center tapped transformer can both be used to to make a Dual Power supply .....

Like stated above , AC , when converted to DC will be 1.4 times the AC voltage , minus a couple Volts from the diode bridge , so 20v AC will get you about 28V DC ......

One Big Capacitor will filter the +28v DC and one will filter the -28v DC ....


You have much to learn grasshopper !!! 😀
 
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If your torroid has just 3 wires on the output side then it isn"t a 2x20.1v .... 2x20.1v would mean that there are 2 seperate windings which would be 4 wires , what you have is a 40.2v center tapped Transformer , which means that it has one winding of 40.2v with a tap wire at the center which is the ground .....

it doesn"t matter in your case because a Dual winding transformer and a center tapped transformer can both be used to to make a Dual Power supply .....

Like stated above , AC , when converted to DC will be 1.4 times the AC voltage , minus a couple Volts from the diode bridge , so 20v AC will get you about 28V DC ......

One Big Capacitor will filter the +28v DC and one will filter the -28v DC ....


You have much to learn grasshopper !!! 😀

One thing I have realized, that I have much to learn for sure. Though I am an engineer in IT, I want to learn more about how audio amplifiers work and what is the role of the individual components of an audio amplifier.

For example, looking at the picture below I still do not no know what "close up cap" portion of the amplifier with many 25V small capacitors doing in there. Six small caps are surrounding the JRC4565 and another four in square formation below them.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


Can anybody specify some websites where I can learn about them & how they work? I will be glad if anybody can help me out.

Thanks for being with me.
 
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Found the VA rating of the transformer

Guys, I am sorry to reply so late, but right now I am out stationed due to official work and thus cannot post, but hope to be back in home this week.

I have deferred buying the new toroid since I will be out stationed, and have given the Z-2300 toroid to the local winding shop. When I get back I will see it they could get it right, and if not, buy a brand new.

Today I got this GREAT NEWS. I repeatedly made a dozen requests to know the VA rating of this toroid in their "Online Inquiry" & "Contact" section of their website.

My request to Ten Pao -->

Kindly inform me about be the VA rating of this toroidal transformer

Model No: TOG433028F0
Input: AC 230V/50Hz
Output: AC 20.1V x 2

This transformer is used by my Logitech Z-2300 and had gone dead. Since my Z-2300 is outside warranty & thus no support from Logitech, I need to buy one from the market. So, I need the VA rating of this toroidal transformer. I have repeatedly asked for help in the "Online Inquiry" section of you website with no reply.

Kindly please help me.

Thanking You,

RishiGuru
Country : India

Their answer after a dozen request :

Dear RishiGuru,

After confirming with our engineer, the VA rating for this model is 150.9, and our company didn't set any retail place in India, so please contact with your Logitech Z-2300 supplier.

Best Regards
Sam Su
Marketing Department
TEN PAO INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Tel: 86-752-2312309
Fax: 86-752-2312813
Skype: sam_su85
Email: (E-Mail Removed)
MSN: (E-Mail Removed)
website: Ten Pao International Ltd

From: RishiGuru
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 9:39 PM
To: (E-Mail Removed)
Subject: 線上查詢

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The toroid is 150.9VA
So, it seems 150.9 VA --> 2 x 20.1 V, 3.75A

It seems that 200W claimed output is to much for the 150.9 VA transformer after all.

Also what I learned from TechGurus like you, in order to produce Z-2300 clamied 200W RMS one needs a transformer that is capable of to deliver a minimum of 1.27 times the claimed watt.

Since Watt = Volts X Ampere = VA
200W requires = 200 X 1.27 = 254 watt or 254VA = ~ 255VA transformer as a minimum requirement.

Since here we have 150.9VA.
Maximum output of the system = 150.9/ 1.27 = 119W =~ 120W.

Am I right or wrong. Kindly help me.
 
Guys, I am sorry to reply so late, but right now I am out stationed due to official work and thus cannot post, but hope to be back in home this week.

I have deferred buying the new toroid since I will be out stationed, and have given the Z-2300 toroid to the local winding shop. When I get back I will see it they could get it right, and if not, buy a brand new.

Today I got this GREAT NEWS. I repeatedly made a dozen requests to know the VA rating of this toroid in their "Online Inquiry" & "Contact" section of their website.

My request to Ten Pao -->

Kindly inform me about be the VA rating of this toroidal transformer

Model No: TOG433028F0
Input: AC 230V/50Hz
Output: AC 20.1V x 2

This transformer is used by my Logitech Z-2300 and had gone dead. Since my Z-2300 is outside warranty & thus no support from Logitech, I need to buy one from the market. So, I need the VA rating of this toroidal transformer. I have repeatedly asked for help in the "Online Inquiry" section of you website with no reply.

Kindly please help me.

Thanking You,

RishiGuru
Country : India

Their answer after a dozen request :

Dear RishiGuru,

After confirming with our engineer, the VA rating for this model is 150.9, and our company didn't set any retail place in India, so please contact with your Logitech Z-2300 supplier.

Best Regards
Sam Su
Marketing Department
TEN PAO INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Tel: 86-752-2312309
Fax: 86-752-2312813
Skype: sam_su85
Email: (E-Mail Removed)
MSN: (E-Mail Removed)
website: Ten Pao International Ltd

From: RishiGuru
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 9:39 PM
To: (E-Mail Removed)
Subject: 線上查詢

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The toroid is 150.9VA
So, it seems 150.9 VA --> 2 x 20.1 V, 3.75A

It seems that 200W claimed output is to much for the 150.9 VA transformer after all.

Also what I learned from TechGurus like you, in order to produce Z-2300 clamied 200W RMS one needs a transformer that is capable of to deliver a minimum of 1.27 times the claimed watt.

Since Watt = Volts X Ampere = VA
200W requires = 200 X 1.27 = 254 watt or 254VA = ~ 255VA transformer as a minimum requirement.

Since here we have 150.9VA.
Maximum output of the system = 150.9/ 1.27 = 119W =~ 120W.

Am I right or wrong. Kindly help me.

Also since Z-2300 uses Class-AB amplifiers generally having an efficiency of at around 50%, that real power that is sent to the speakers is = 120/2 = 60W only.

Man I cannot believe what I am writing.
 
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Hi , 119w is the power what the transformer supplies but that isn"t the output power of the amp .....

Class A/B Amplifiers aren"t very effecient , they are maybe 50% effecient at best which would mean that an amplifier useing a 120w Transformer might be able to do 60w total ......(I use 120Va transformers for a single LM3886 at 50w)

So it is possible that this isn"t the right transformer , it is also possible that they grossly over state their specs or they use PMPO to overstate their specs ......
 
Hi , 119w is the power what the transformer supplies but that isn"t the output power of the amp .....

Class A/B Amplifiers aren"t very effecient , they are maybe 50% effecient at best which would mean that an amplifier useing a 120w Transformer might be able to do 60w total ......(I use 120Va transformers for a single LM3886 at 50w)

So it is possible that this isn"t the right transformer , it is also possible that they grossly over state their specs or they use PMPO to overstate their specs ......

I gave a call to the local repair shop where I send my toroid, they replied me that the internal fuse was blown. I never new their is a fuse plug in there. They also told me that the primary & secondary winding are perfectly OK. I have told them to repair that and make it ready by Thursday. I will be home by Thursday and try to fit in my Z-2300. You guys be with me. I still need all your help. But, I am so happy that I do not need to buy a new one.

And since now I know that the transformer is severely underpowered do you think from now on I should never go beyond 50% of the volume so that the internal fuse do not blow again?

I love a lot of bass heavy songs. And I know this bass requires a lot of power from the transformer in order to push the 8 inch subwoofer. Am I right?
 
Some transformers have an internal fuse , it shouldn"t blow unless there is a lot of current being pulled , for instance if there was a short in a winding or on the amp board , though there should be seperate fuses on the amp board .....

I don"t think that logitech would make an amp that blew when used at max volume so there is a chance that it will blow again , maybe because of a fault in the design or just a fault in a component ......
 
Some transformers have an internal fuse , it shouldn"t blow unless there is a lot of current being pulled , for instance if there was a short in a winding or on the amp board , though there should be seperate fuses on the amp board .....

I don"t think that logitech would make an amp that blew when used at max volume so there is a chance that it will blow again , maybe because of a fault in the design or just a fault in a component ......

Minion, I do have a question. I downloaded the TDA7295 (80W) & TDA7296 (60W) spec sheets from the web.

The power transformer is rated to have an output of two times 20.1VAC when it has its rated load. So its resistance has already dropped the open circuit voltage and its peak will be 1.414 times higher which is 28.4V peak. The single rectifier drops it to 27.4V and the ripple drops it to 26VDC.

Now looking at the output power vs supply voltage graphs I found out that both this power amps at 26VDC (toroid secondary output) produce 38W @ 0.5% THD. Its only when we increase the supply voltage, that TDA7295 is capable of delivering more power.

But, since we know that Z-2300 toroid can do 26VDC,

1) Applying 2 X TDA7295 for the sub woofer produces 38 X 2 = 76W @ 0.5% THD @ 26VDC
2) Applying 2 X TDA7296 will produce the same power which is 38 X 2 = 76W @ 0.5% THD @ 26VDC

So from a logical point, applying two TDA7295 is a waste of money at 26VDC since both produce same power. Am I right?. Or do TDA7295 have a slight advantage at 26VDC? What do think think about it?
 
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From looking at the Datasheets they seem allmost like the exact same chip accept one has a bit higher voltage rating and a bit higher output , they seem to put out the same output at a given voltage ......

The Data sheet also calls the output wattage at "60W Music Power" which means it can put out that much power for a very short time but has a lower RMS wattage .....
 
From looking at the Datasheets they seem allmost like the exact same chip accept one has a bit higher voltage rating and a bit higher output , they seem to put out the same output at a given voltage ......

The Data sheet also calls the output wattage at "60W Music Power" which means it can put out that much power for a very short time but has a lower RMS wattage .....

Minion, I also learnt from other forums that bridging two amplifiers almost doubles the output voltage swing and almost doubles the current in the speaker.

Now, from the graphs of TDA7296 data sheet I have found that TDA7296 produces 38W @ 0.5% THD @ 26 VDC. [Helped by a AudioGuru]

So the output power is (almost 4 times) a little more than 3 times as much as with a single amplifier (120W instead of 38W).

So, let me clarify
1) Two TDA7296 bridged together will provide a little more than three times the power of a single TDA7296.

Since TDA7296 produces 38W @ 0.5% THD @ 26 VDC,
2 X TDA7296 = 38 X 3 = over 114W =~ 120W.

Will the THD of the bridged TDA7296 amplifier be 0.5% at 120W?

2) Also TDA7296 power dissipation (heating) at 38W @ 0.5% THD @ 26 VDC shows to be 16W so its efficiency is 70% which is pretty good for a class-AB amplifier. The power dissipation increases when the output power is reduced to half.

Again since the 150.9VA transformer can supply only about 180VA when overloaded so the total output power of the four TDA7296 amplifiers will be 70% of that at max volume which is approx (180/100) * 70 = 126W

Since Logitech stated 200W --> 120W(Sub) + 80W (Satellites)
Ratio of power distribution :: 3:2

So, the sub gets (126/5) * 3 =~ 76W while each satellites get 25W

Now, 76W to the bridged TDA7296 which is 76/2 = 38W for each of the two amps. [Note: Here why don't we do 76/3 = 25W ???]

3) What is the max output & efficiency of the TDA7295 at the clipping point @ 8 ohms @ 0.5 THD @ 26 VDC? I cannot find it from the graphs of the spec sheet.

4) Looking at the fact that the amp has 4 X TDA7296 each capable of handling a max of 5 ampere which brings a total of 20A peak.

Now the transformer is rated 150.9 --> 20.1V X 2, 3.75A

Dividing the system current to the four TDA7296 = 3.75/4 = 0.94A for each TDA.

Also voltage applied to each TDA7296 = +/-20.1 = 40.2V

Since Watt = Volts X Ampere = 40.2 X 0.94A = 37.79 = 38W

This exactly matches with what the graph said "TDA7296 produces 38W @ 0.5% THD @ 8 ohms @ 26 VDC".

What is your say on this? Did Logitech calibrated the transformer to reach this goal of 38W?

5) Lastly, if I replace all this 60W TDA7296 chips with 100W TDA7294 chips, will it harm the other components of the amplifier? Or rather will the amplifier be more robust ?

I know I have asked a lot of questions, but at the same time I know you are the one who can help me out? I will love if anybody answers this questions.

Thanking you, RishiGuru
 
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Checked mine, trafo seems to be in ~ 250VA size.

Arne K
 

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Checked mine, trafo seems to be in ~ 250VA size.

Arne K

Cobra2, have you used new capacitors in the Z-2300? The two big capacitors on the left side of your amp photo are ripple filters, I also have those. But the pair of capacitors on the right side of the amp, well I do not have those.

My amp picture is provided below:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


You have a pair of capacitors where my yellow wire passes. What are the use of those? What is the farad value & voltage capacity of those?

It will be very helpfull, if provides any kind of performance advantage