I want six channels of amplification for an active three-way speaker system. All my amplifier builds have, so far, been big, classA, space heaters. I need something smaller and cheaper for this application. I am quite ignorant about class d but it seems like just the ticket. Reading thread after thread is getting a bit tiresome, there is just so much here.
I want to get this done quick so I would like to use modules not full diy. I don't need much power, 100W/ch should suffice. I was eyeing a couple options on the Sure electronics web store, one is a 100W 3116 module and the other a 2x125W irs2092 module. I looked at connex also but the prices at sure are more agreeable with my budget. A power supply recommendation would be a big help too.
TIA.
P.S. I hate typing on the iPad, my wife is using my laptop for something lame(I'm sure), And I'm being accosted by my four year old with a case of ants-in-the-pants, so my post is probably missing some pertinent info but I hope it's enough to get the ball rolling.
I want to get this done quick so I would like to use modules not full diy. I don't need much power, 100W/ch should suffice. I was eyeing a couple options on the Sure electronics web store, one is a 100W 3116 module and the other a 2x125W irs2092 module. I looked at connex also but the prices at sure are more agreeable with my budget. A power supply recommendation would be a big help too.
TIA.
P.S. I hate typing on the iPad, my wife is using my laptop for something lame(I'm sure), And I'm being accosted by my four year old with a case of ants-in-the-pants, so my post is probably missing some pertinent info but I hope it's enough to get the ball rolling.
You cant go wrong with the Sure boards for a cheap simple solution out of the box.
I have a couple of the "blue" TPA3116 boards from ebay (like $15 shipped each) that work great too. Both run from a spare laptop power supply I had kicking around ~19V.
I built a 2 channel amp using the DIY boards from "DUG" and they sound amazing in PBTL mode - one chip driving one channel.
I gotta say the TPA3116 is a really sweet sounding chip.
I have a couple of the "blue" TPA3116 boards from ebay (like $15 shipped each) that work great too. Both run from a spare laptop power supply I had kicking around ~19V.
I built a 2 channel amp using the DIY boards from "DUG" and they sound amazing in PBTL mode - one chip driving one channel.
I gotta say the TPA3116 is a really sweet sounding chip.
I understand that Class D places special demands on power supplies. Comment?
Despite trying to escape elderly person stereotyping, I remain cautious about Class D*. Any measurements... besides those from the manufacturer?
Ben
*OK, I have a bunch of Kenwood "Basic" Class G amps driving ESLs. Great stuff.
What you don't mention is critical . . . the drivers you will be using, their sensitivity, and the maximum SPL you are seeking from the system. In an active speaker the amps should be chosen to suit the drivers . . .
TPA3116 should be adequate (and will sound fine) with most tweeters (which will never produce the system maximum SPL. Put them on their own power supply.
For the mids and woofers use any of the several "reference design" IRS2092 boards. They will give the power you need where you need it, and will sound fine. Either a single big supply for all four channels (with proper attention to load isolation) or separate supplies for each board will work (PSRR is good enough to not matter) but I'd favor separate . . . it makes the load ground returns easier to manage.
Class A sound (no zero-crossing distortion) without the thermal waste. It's amazing what scarcely $100 (not counting power supplies) will buy these days . . .
TPA3116 should be adequate (and will sound fine) with most tweeters (which will never produce the system maximum SPL. Put them on their own power supply.
For the mids and woofers use any of the several "reference design" IRS2092 boards. They will give the power you need where you need it, and will sound fine. Either a single big supply for all four channels (with proper attention to load isolation) or separate supplies for each board will work (PSRR is good enough to not matter) but I'd favor separate . . . it makes the load ground returns easier to manage.
Class A sound (no zero-crossing distortion) without the thermal waste. It's amazing what scarcely $100 (not counting power supplies) will buy these days . . .
Not correct.
Regarding the IRS2092 board anyway they pretty much all deliver exactly what the manufacturer data sheet says, and sound like the best Class A. For woofers and mids in an active system there is nothing better at any price.
all tpa and 2092 (not chocoholic) amps have heavy load/speaker dependant frequency respons/ behavior, Hypex ea will be far more predictable
I am sorry my honest question did not merit a respectful reply.
(And besides, Rod Elliott says otherwise*.)
Ben
*http://sound.westhost.com/articles/pwm.htm
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Makes no difference at all for the woofer and mids in a multi-way active system, and is so easily compensated for the tweeter (if it needs to be) that it's a trivial "issue" there as well. What Hypex brings to the table is the ability to drive poorly designed crossovers . . . but that's not an issue here . . .
Class A was supposed to sound same as class d on tweeter, irs 2092 tpa3116, I don't see that, tell me how you compensate
And I'm sorry that the correct answer is not the answer that you wanted. But that's not disrespectful . . .
The article you link was not written by Rod Elliott, does not describe any "special demands" on the power supply and was written more than ten years ago without reference to any of the Class D amps discussed so far in this thread (none of which require power supplies any more complex than Class A or Class AB amps).
Thanks for all the replies. Just responding to touch base. I don't have time for a proper reply, I'm running from one kid's Christmas party to another.
The speakers will change from time to time, but this project is mainly for a ScanSpeak three way (same dirvers as Troels "Discovery 3 way" ScanSpeak-3W-Discovery) about 88db average efficiency. I also like to move my Econowaves (JBL 2226, Altec 802) into the living room now and then, I want to experiment with active xo and dsp for these too.
THe Hypex modules seem very nice but not anywhere near cheap. I am after a good bang for the buck in this case.
The speakers will change from time to time, but this project is mainly for a ScanSpeak three way (same dirvers as Troels "Discovery 3 way" ScanSpeak-3W-Discovery) about 88db average efficiency. I also like to move my Econowaves (JBL 2226, Altec 802) into the living room now and then, I want to experiment with active xo and dsp for these too.
THe Hypex modules seem very nice but not anywhere near cheap. I am after a good bang for the buck in this case.
On the anonymous web, cooperative productive behaviour matters less to some people than scoring ego-points.
"Class D Audio Amplifiers - Theory and Design
© June 2005, Sergio Sánchez Moreno (ColdAmp)
Edited & Additional Text by Rod Elliott (ESP)
Page Created 04 June 2005"
"... half-bridge ... if it is not correctly designed and driven, can suffer from "bus pumping" phenomena (transfer current to the power supply that can make it increase its voltage producing situations dangerous to the amplifier, supply and speaker)"
Ben
Sounds auto-biographical. But this is an audio site, Ben, and your introspective musings don't change that . . . or the fact that none of the Class D amps discussed here have the "power supply problem" that you seem to imagine them to have. I use IRS2092 "reference" boards for sub-woofers (worst case) and dipole woofers with no problems using either linear (toroid and bridge) or switching supplies.
If you have experienced "buss pumping" with 2092, hypex or 3116 amplifier modules describe the circumstance (supply type, board and driver) and measured result . . . otherwise enough with the unsubstantiated FUD mongering. This is simply not something that the OP has ANY reason to worry about in the proposed application with any of the amplifier boards under consideration or recommended here.
Well, I see my comment influenced dewardh for the better. Thanks for providing a reply with useful content.
Do you know enough about these circuits to tell us in useful detail what do the boards discussed here feature or what should we look for in Class D amp circuits that will indicate they won't have the power supply problem Rod Elliott's website cautioned about? Also, can you please explain in respectful detail if the problem is the same with half-bridge as with full-bridge topologies? Have you done measurements or can post scope traces to support your view that you've not stressed your different power supplies or is it more a matter of your listening experience?
If dewardh lacks the technical depth to answer, I hope others will contribute, of course.
Appreciated. Thanks. I'm sure many readers are curious.
Ben
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About what? Your imaginary "worries" about a non-issue? There are thousands of DIY Class D amplifiers using the IRS2092 reference design in service out there in the real world, and thousands of hypex amps as well. Not to mention (must I rattle off a list of?) Class D "pro" amps banging out the sound in churches and clubs around the country.
Apart from you there's not much mindless chatter going on about "buss pumping" . . .
There are (very) inexpensive Class D amplifiers (and amp boards) available NOW at PE or on e-bay that offer as good as or better performance than ANY amp available 10-20 (or more) years ago at any price (the only "linear" amp worth considering now for a DIY build would be (maybe) a Pass Class A or a 3886 family chip amp). And they don't have "power supply problems". It's called "progress", and in the world of large signal amplification we've seen plenty of it. Enough with the stupid anti-Class D FUD already . . .
For a SS Discovery 3 way you don't need that much more power than what the 3116 can deliver as you will hit xmax on the woofer with probably circa 40 watts. To start with, get qnty 3 of the TPA3116's. Connect them to your DSP and listen - if you feel like you lack power in the bass department get a bigger amp for the woofers. The mids and tweeter have enough from a 3116.
If you want good components out of the box, get the SMSL boxed amp TPA3116D2. If you want to budget but great sound, get the Ybdz 3116 from Aliexpress for $15 ea.
http://m.aliexpress.com/item/1586764360.html
I use those with my minidsp setup and there is very little they can't drive for domestic use. I ran out of steam trying to power a dual 12in open baffle woofer. But that was it. Most of the time I have enough power.
For more power the IRS2092 is good but requires dual rail supply.
If you want good components out of the box, get the SMSL boxed amp TPA3116D2. If you want to budget but great sound, get the Ybdz 3116 from Aliexpress for $15 ea.
http://m.aliexpress.com/item/1586764360.html
I use those with my minidsp setup and there is very little they can't drive for domestic use. I ran out of steam trying to power a dual 12in open baffle woofer. But that was it. Most of the time I have enough power.
For more power the IRS2092 is good but requires dual rail supply.
Class D amps actually can use pretty noisy supplies and sound decent. I use 19v 4.6 amp laptop bricks ($6ea) and they sound great and the speakers measure well. Big linear supplies (Astron) and lead acid batteries are said to sound better. I have not had a problem with poor sound quality from laptop smps bricks so have not bothered to try.
The nature is class D is that it switches on and off so a switching supply, as long as switch noise is of order 400kHz same as amp - is not going to be audible.
The things that bad power supplies have can be ground loops. Look for laptop supplies with two prong wall plugs and avoid 3 prong grounded ones. They tend to hum at line frequency.
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