I would like to have a go at building a USB powered amplifier with volume and headphone socket on the front, and speaker or audio output that I can build into my PC case rear.
I want it all to fit within a 5.25" cdrom case. Is it possible? Has it been done?
I want it all to fit within a 5.25" cdrom case. Is it possible? Has it been done?
it exists..
but usb powering is not enough, the supply must
be took from a classic connector on the +12v rail..
but usb powering is not enough, the supply must
be took from a classic connector on the +12v rail..
Scythe Kama Bay Amp
PC Hi-Fi: Scythe's Kama Bay Amp | silentpcreview.com
Need to DIY the rear connector though.
PC Hi-Fi: Scythe's Kama Bay Amp | silentpcreview.com
Need to DIY the rear connector though.
yes I have seen the Scythe before.. but i want to do a self built one.
I understand that usb gives off 5v, is it possible to use a dc to dc converter to get it up a bit or would this just kill my PC.
I understand that usb gives off 5v, is it possible to use a dc to dc converter to get it up a bit or would this just kill my PC.
If you're going to build it into your computer, why not take power from +12V instead? The +5VSB rail powering USB ports when the computer is switched off has too little current capacity to drive an amp.
like wwenze said, USB2.0 ports cannot supply enough current for anything more then a headphone amp. USB 3.0 would be able to drive small amplifiers. Take the 12v desktop supply or an external wall-wart, find a suitable chip amp, use a PCM2902 usb d2a and you are one your way.
Not enough amperes of current can flow through a USB port to drive a loudspeaker set. Now a set of headphones, perhaps.
A good idea is to build a good power amplifier with a huge power supply ,and derive it to the pc 🙄
If the pc doens't have an audio interface but just USB ,then an external D/A converter would be justified . Or aren't you happy with what comes out of the HP/line out plug ? I wouldn't rely on the quality of the supply lines that
the pc provides . Compactness and quality is a matter of heavy engineering , and in the end if it's just air you want to push , give air to electronics ...
If the pc doens't have an audio interface but just USB ,then an external D/A converter would be justified . Or aren't you happy with what comes out of the HP/line out plug ? I wouldn't rely on the quality of the supply lines that
the pc provides . Compactness and quality is a matter of heavy engineering , and in the end if it's just air you want to push , give air to electronics ...
How about a usb powered DAC/Headphone amp about the size of a credit card and 3/4 of an inch thick. The Carrie is just the thing based on AMB Labs Mini^3 and either a Bantam or Grub DAC. This little thing sounds great, drive a speaker amp or headphones, costs about $80-100.00 all said and done and is fun to build. I have two and made some for friends.
You can buy little DC-DC converter chips that go from 5V to various voltages, including dual outputs. I'd be tempted to use linear regulators after them to get the cleanest possible supply.
Hi all. I've been lurking over at the D-class forum for a few days trying to figure out how best to add a power amp to a mini-ITX system I just built in a Coolermaster Elite 100 case. The 250 watt flex ATX psu is overkill for the < 20 watt system, but ideally I want to power both a 10 watt touchscreen monitor and the power amp.
My goal is a self-contained, single-plug PC "jukebox", sans speakers. Right now I am considering an SDS-224 from Class D Audio Home page. This would be my first diy amp, so it's going to be more amp than diy. I'll have to use a DC converter to achieve 40+ watt supply to the amp, but I'll have proffesional help for any power supply work. Any thoughts on the amp or psu configuration?
My goal is a self-contained, single-plug PC "jukebox", sans speakers. Right now I am considering an SDS-224 from Class D Audio Home page. This would be my first diy amp, so it's going to be more amp than diy. I'll have to use a DC converter to achieve 40+ watt supply to the amp, but I'll have proffesional help for any power supply work. Any thoughts on the amp or psu configuration?
USB has to be about the worst source of power in a PC, its limited and could have unintended consequences from drawing too much power. +12 OTOH is dandy, like magic all the stuff made for a car might actually work without modification.
There are plenty of USB sound units out there that can work with laptops and PC's alike.
What you need is a little but powerful Class D amp like the TriPath TD2050 and a cute little wall adapter to pump it up and out. Consider the guy with sound machine in a briefcase, or the M&M guy.
What you need is a little but powerful Class D amp like the TriPath TD2050 and a cute little wall adapter to pump it up and out. Consider the guy with sound machine in a briefcase, or the M&M guy.
I think the idea with a dedicated USB amplifier is very bad because the electrical intensity of usual PC sources is not at the same value. This thing will be visible in the quality of received sound.
USB max = 5V @ 1A... so 5W total MAX power draw. with a class d amp, that would equate to a maximum of 2w/channel adding some loss into the system. Not exactly earth shattering, but still a usable amount.
Going the 12V route will up the power available, either way you'll fall foul of the nasty PSU that drives the PC...
Personally I wouldnt bother with either.
I'd get a 2nd case, and build a nice class D or chip amp in it (or build a docking station, including the speakers),and then rock'n'roll...
Just my perspective
Owen
Going the 12V route will up the power available, either way you'll fall foul of the nasty PSU that drives the PC...
Personally I wouldnt bother with either.
I'd get a 2nd case, and build a nice class D or chip amp in it (or build a docking station, including the speakers),and then rock'n'roll...
Just my perspective
Owen
Well, I've jumpied in with both feet on a PC / power amp build. I started with Coolermaster Elite 100 case, Intel BOXD510MO mini ITX board, 130W Winmate DD-24AX power module, eGalax 8" Touchscreen, and Class D Audio SDS-224 amplifier. The PC and amp both work fine, but the case is going to be tight once I phase over to an integrated switching power supply for the amp, so changed over to a Coolermaster GD04 case for now, hoping to shrink later. Right now I am driving the amp with a toroid-based linear external supply unit and it does sound beautiful.
I plan to ditch the amp's external linear PSU for this SMPS (DPS-500) and hopefully it can also provide the DC feed to the Winmate power module for the PC and touchscreen, then I can ditch the Liteon brick and power the whole thing with one cord. The PC idles sub-30W and the touchscreen needs about 10W. The toughest part has been getting the Linux drivers to work satisfactorily on the USB touchscreen as I am learning how to use that Linux command line terminal on-the-fly. 😕
I plan to ditch the amp's external linear PSU for this SMPS (DPS-500) and hopefully it can also provide the DC feed to the Winmate power module for the PC and touchscreen, then I can ditch the Liteon brick and power the whole thing with one cord. The PC idles sub-30W and the touchscreen needs about 10W. The toughest part has been getting the Linux drivers to work satisfactorily on the USB touchscreen as I am learning how to use that Linux command line terminal on-the-fly. 😕
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