Hello,
I have a standard Ghent Audio EVAL-1 amplifier on the tweeters of my active system, but want to do some upgrades. I have absolutely no knowledge of electronics. I understand my questions have long been discussed but I'm having a hard time finding my answers so feel free to link to some threads/posts.
I want to add standby/softstart functionality. I always just leave it on but whenever I have to disconnect the amp because I'm switching stuff around I miss the standby. Luckily my speakers have some beefy tweeters but man is that POP scary loud sometimes.
I've been reading a little bit and what I have found out so far is that there are different types of standby. What is the difference between amp standby and power standby? And which should I use, or both? And how to achieve it. I found out that in order to put the SMPS1200A400 in standby one must apply 3,3 to12 V to two certain pins on the side of the SMPS. So right now I'm thinking of just taking the smallest BRZhifi 5 V LPS, putting its internals inside the amp and then its on/off switch would become the amps inverted on/off switch. Which I would then mount on the front bottom. But I'm not sure if that's all I have to do.
I read about something called ampon and something else to that have to be connected in order for standby to work. What are they? Or are the connected as standard of the EVAL-1 / SMPS1200 combo?
And I'm torn on whether I need a softstart module or not. Some people use one while others say it's already in the SMPS functionality. Do I need one or no? Are there advantages to using one? And if so how do I implement it.
I actually came to this because I was comparing whether I like the amps better on or of my power conditioner. I have the Purifi for my tweeter and two Hypex FusionAmp 502s for the mids and woofers. I always used to have them on my NuPrime PURE AC-4 power conditioner. But lately found out that class D amps are not always the best match for PCs. So I tried it with the amps off the PC since a long time and feel like the sound has ever so slightly more warmth, dynamics and "flow". Especially the mids and highs seem ever so slightly compressed on the PC in comparison. But man the silence with that PC is so good. And it gives everything better clarity and longer decay to instruments, slightly airier soundstage. As per right now even though it doesn't sound as pleasent or lively with the amps on the PC. The advantages are still kinda worth the tradeoff. But would like to have the best of both worlds obviously.
So as I tried to do some research into the standby thing. I fell down the rabbithole of possible upgrades. But again, I am no electrician.
I read alot about buffers. it seems to me the Neurochrome is the best, but that the EVAL-1 is not far off and is still one of the better options? Anyway, I'm not gonna be switching nuffers because those modules with shipping to NL would be a whole ~€500 project and I'm not looking to spend that kind of money now. But what are some of the less expensive possible upgrades that could have some of the benefits of the PC? Like could I upgrade the transformer on the SMPS to a better one? Do you direct solder better quality wire as an upgrade? Twisting the wires, making the cable management more neat? Maybe something to do with shielding?
One thing that I read about is putting the opamps on a LPS. Seems interesting to me. What would I have to look out for when selecting a LPS and how to connect it? Which voltage?
And after all. Could I do similar upgrades to the FusionAmps?
Thanks in advance
I have a standard Ghent Audio EVAL-1 amplifier on the tweeters of my active system, but want to do some upgrades. I have absolutely no knowledge of electronics. I understand my questions have long been discussed but I'm having a hard time finding my answers so feel free to link to some threads/posts.
I want to add standby/softstart functionality. I always just leave it on but whenever I have to disconnect the amp because I'm switching stuff around I miss the standby. Luckily my speakers have some beefy tweeters but man is that POP scary loud sometimes.
I've been reading a little bit and what I have found out so far is that there are different types of standby. What is the difference between amp standby and power standby? And which should I use, or both? And how to achieve it. I found out that in order to put the SMPS1200A400 in standby one must apply 3,3 to12 V to two certain pins on the side of the SMPS. So right now I'm thinking of just taking the smallest BRZhifi 5 V LPS, putting its internals inside the amp and then its on/off switch would become the amps inverted on/off switch. Which I would then mount on the front bottom. But I'm not sure if that's all I have to do.
I read about something called ampon and something else to that have to be connected in order for standby to work. What are they? Or are the connected as standard of the EVAL-1 / SMPS1200 combo?
And I'm torn on whether I need a softstart module or not. Some people use one while others say it's already in the SMPS functionality. Do I need one or no? Are there advantages to using one? And if so how do I implement it.
I actually came to this because I was comparing whether I like the amps better on or of my power conditioner. I have the Purifi for my tweeter and two Hypex FusionAmp 502s for the mids and woofers. I always used to have them on my NuPrime PURE AC-4 power conditioner. But lately found out that class D amps are not always the best match for PCs. So I tried it with the amps off the PC since a long time and feel like the sound has ever so slightly more warmth, dynamics and "flow". Especially the mids and highs seem ever so slightly compressed on the PC in comparison. But man the silence with that PC is so good. And it gives everything better clarity and longer decay to instruments, slightly airier soundstage. As per right now even though it doesn't sound as pleasent or lively with the amps on the PC. The advantages are still kinda worth the tradeoff. But would like to have the best of both worlds obviously.
So as I tried to do some research into the standby thing. I fell down the rabbithole of possible upgrades. But again, I am no electrician.
I read alot about buffers. it seems to me the Neurochrome is the best, but that the EVAL-1 is not far off and is still one of the better options? Anyway, I'm not gonna be switching nuffers because those modules with shipping to NL would be a whole ~€500 project and I'm not looking to spend that kind of money now. But what are some of the less expensive possible upgrades that could have some of the benefits of the PC? Like could I upgrade the transformer on the SMPS to a better one? Do you direct solder better quality wire as an upgrade? Twisting the wires, making the cable management more neat? Maybe something to do with shielding?
One thing that I read about is putting the opamps on a LPS. Seems interesting to me. What would I have to look out for when selecting a LPS and how to connect it? Which voltage?
And after all. Could I do similar upgrades to the FusionAmps?
Thanks in advance
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Would something like the internals of this be good for powering the opamps? It uses TL431 regulators. It's capable of 50W at an adjustable 5 to 24 V. Would something like this with an R-core transformer be best or would some smaller module do just as good for the application?
And still trying to figure out how to get a good functioning standby with no pops during powerup.
And still trying to figure out how to get a good functioning standby with no pops during powerup.
