Over the last 10 years or so I've gone from 100wpc Valve, through 50wpc solid state, then 15 watt class A, now <2wpc headphone amp.
I'd like to try UCD or similar, but they are just too powerful - my speakers are rated 98db for 1 watt, maximum power 100 watts, and I don't fancy either an accident or some clever sod attempting to see just how loud they go resulting in damage to hearing or voice coils.
Besides which, price/watt for the amps might be good, but now the psu cost (and weight) is considerable.
So I start considering in-line attenuators, or running at the bottom end of the supply voltage range - even adjusting gain factors - none of which I consider desirable.
Seems there is a big gap between 20wpc and 100wpc (just look at the Tripath range of products) that could do with servicing - how about a UCD090, or 070EX, or better still a UCD045?
I've got this thing about minimising components in the audio signal path
I'd like to try UCD or similar, but they are just too powerful - my speakers are rated 98db for 1 watt, maximum power 100 watts, and I don't fancy either an accident or some clever sod attempting to see just how loud they go resulting in damage to hearing or voice coils.
Besides which, price/watt for the amps might be good, but now the psu cost (and weight) is considerable.
So I start considering in-line attenuators, or running at the bottom end of the supply voltage range - even adjusting gain factors - none of which I consider desirable.
Seems there is a big gap between 20wpc and 100wpc (just look at the Tripath range of products) that could do with servicing - how about a UCD090, or 070EX, or better still a UCD045?
I've got this thing about minimising components in the audio signal path
Why don't you run UCD180's with the minimal voltage of 30V instead of the recommended 45V?
That should bring them down quite a bit?
That should bring them down quite a bit?
peranders said:98 dB = Horns?
Lowther EX3's with silver voice coils in Icon Audio rear horn cabinets.
You could insert fuses
Now why didn't I think of that?
First computer I ever worked on - virtually every resistor was 100 ohms - all sizes, some wirewounds > 1 foot long & 3 inch diameter. Wish I'd kept some.
I wonder when we will see an amp with direct mains input?
KeithC said:
That thread got locked. It's kind of unsafe. ICEpower has patents or at least pending ones that tried to to go from mains direct to voice coil btw.
An ampliverter seems like the next best option.
Yves Smolders said:
Yeah - what I'll probably do is get a bench psu, strap my scope across the UCD180 output, and look at the effect of voltage and current limiting. Unless I'm duplicating work done by other people?
It would also perhaps be simplistic to assume that as these devices have digital aspects, the effect of under-voltage would just be output cut-off?
Actually, I've just realised I amy be huffing and puffing over nothing here - I can jumper up to 30 db of attenuation on the balanced outputs of my DAC1.
All these things combined will be your solution.
Lower secondary voltage will make your PSU smaller also, and you can use lower voltage caps - and in the same time the UCD's life will be extended a lot.
However, 30V minimal is mentioned on the specs, I'm sure it's important or it wouldn't be there.
I'm sure Jan-Peter or Bruno could help you if you would like to run the modules on even lower power?
Lower secondary voltage will make your PSU smaller also, and you can use lower voltage caps - and in the same time the UCD's life will be extended a lot.
However, 30V minimal is mentioned on the specs, I'm sure it's important or it wouldn't be there.
I'm sure Jan-Peter or Bruno could help you if you would like to run the modules on even lower power?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.