I have dealt with Cristi in the past and found him very helpful tho his responses can vary between near instant to many days. Yes shipping can take a while too and no tracking. Have also dealt with Hifimediy quite a bit - efficient for sure. But they seem to stock only PSU voltages that are specific to the amp modules they sell, no 24v ones.
For what it's worth: I used a Connex SMPS800R with great result with a Class D Audio SDS-470 build I did a couple years ago. It was better than the stock Class D Audio linear power supply. That was two or three years ago, and literally my first foray into DIY amp building. I'm not sure how good the stock linear PSU is, it looks quite simple.
My goal was actually to reduce power consumption, not improve performance. Power consumption actually went up ever-so-slightly, but the sound quality improved, and the amp became much lighter (not that I moved it often, but the massive torroid in the linear PSU was a bear).
I'm pretty sure my SMPS800R was a custom voltage from Cristi. A few months ago, I was interested in an SMPS300RS for these tpa3116 amps, but I wanted a 12V version. The main page says he can customize down to 18V, but the PDF says it can be customized down to 12V. I tried contacting him a few different times to get clarification, to see what's actually available, but never got a reply, so I gave up on it.
Now, however, I am re-considering a stock 24V model if my DUG boards actually work (first time working with SMT, so not too confident in my work).
My goal was actually to reduce power consumption, not improve performance. Power consumption actually went up ever-so-slightly, but the sound quality improved, and the amp became much lighter (not that I moved it often, but the massive torroid in the linear PSU was a bear).
I'm pretty sure my SMPS800R was a custom voltage from Cristi. A few months ago, I was interested in an SMPS300RS for these tpa3116 amps, but I wanted a 12V version. The main page says he can customize down to 18V, but the PDF says it can be customized down to 12V. I tried contacting him a few different times to get clarification, to see what's actually available, but never got a reply, so I gave up on it.
Now, however, I am re-considering a stock 24V model if my DUG boards actually work (first time working with SMT, so not too confident in my work).
Matt,
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Connex SMPS.
I am considering a high watt SMPS for a 5.1 channel project, where 5 channels will be run from one PSU, while the sub(s) will have a separate amp altogether. For the amp, I have a 6 channel YJ red board.
Attached is a copy specs from the SMPS500R pdf - this one should have enough capacity for 5 channels of TPA3116D2? 24V looks borderline... a 20v version would have been great.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Connex SMPS.
I am considering a high watt SMPS for a 5.1 channel project, where 5 channels will be run from one PSU, while the sub(s) will have a separate amp altogether. For the amp, I have a 6 channel YJ red board.
Attached is a copy specs from the SMPS500R pdf - this one should have enough capacity for 5 channels of TPA3116D2? 24V looks borderline... a 20v version would have been great.
Attachments
The SMPS500R-Single with 600watts peak power is plenty for 5 channels of TPA3116. Realistically each channel is not going to be sitting any where near 50watts. As I mentioned before thise supplies can be adjusted by +/- 5-10% (as per spec can go down to 22V) and you can get a custom voltage if you so desire.
By the way the specs you attached are for the +/- voltage model so for the single rail one double the amps stated.
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Hi Sergey,
There may be a special SMPS made for Audio which sounds good. So far I only have tried a laptop brick which is offcourse not designed for audio use. It sounds harsh in my system. It maybe caused by bad electricity in my living area. Fortunately, I have Sigma 11 linear regulated ps pcbs and components ready, so I decided to make one for my SMSL 36a Pro and it sounds really good 🙂
Here is the photo of the back side you requested, sorry been busy with my work lately.
Attachments
I also meant "sound" better used for audio poweramp. Hypex makes "unregulated" SMPS, dual rail higher voltages, AudioPower after listening test revealed Hypex sounded better made "unregulated" version of their SMPS and also upgraded an already "unregulated" SMPS they had. For poweramp audio use. Most SMPS are regulated. Doing business with the Italians might need manual too however 😀
Just received this 2.1 board from ebay, which looks similar to the one used by Breeze Audio..
Compared to a sure 3116 the build quality is rather low but it features some nice parts like a
Nichicon cap and a single screwed on heatsink.
Unfortunately the advertised Sub frequency regulation (80-500Hz) actually turns out to be a Sub Volume.
The sub plays frequencies up to 5600kHz which makes the whole amp imo kind of useless as 2.1 device.
The breeze 2.1 has sub freq. regulation, doesn't it?!
Am I doing something wrong or should I leave that board and go for the enclosured breeze instead?
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Compared to a sure 3116 the build quality is rather low but it features some nice parts like a
Nichicon cap and a single screwed on heatsink.
Unfortunately the advertised Sub frequency regulation (80-500Hz) actually turns out to be a Sub Volume.
The sub plays frequencies up to 5600kHz which makes the whole amp imo kind of useless as 2.1 device.
The breeze 2.1 has sub freq. regulation, doesn't it?!
Am I doing something wrong or should I leave that board and go for the enclosured breeze instead?
Why so? Surely with adequate capacitance at the output there would be sufficient stored energy to handle transients?
I don't know why it sounds better, maybe highlights impulses a little?? But can't remember seeing many poweramps with regulated linear supplies either, Quad303 maybe only one I know, but not sure, maybe many have regulated PSU but never spoken about.
A linear, series regulated supply would be extremely inefficient and would always have a higher resistance/lower current capability than an unregulated one.
Yes, I would agree there, see no point in a linear regulated supply over a well built unregulated one.
Connexelectronic do have a SMPS that is unregulated, unfortunately not suitable for the 3116. Otherwise I haven't seen SMPS built for audio that are unregulated.
Just received this 2.1 board from ebay, which looks similar to the one used by Breeze Audio..
Compared to a sure 3116 the build quality is rather low but it features some nice parts like a
Nichicon cap and a single screwed on heatsink.
Unfortunately the advertised Sub frequency regulation (80-500Hz) actually turns out to be a Sub Volume.
The sub plays frequencies up to 5600kHz which makes the whole amp imo kind of useless as 2.1 device.
The breeze 2.1 has sub freq. regulation, doesn't it?!
Am I doing something wrong or should I leave that board and go for the enclosured breeze instead?
On the Breeze 2.1 I found that the middle pot changes the slope of the low pass filter for the sub - with a corner freq of around 350Hz. Good for FAST but not for a regular sub. The freq doesn't shift, just how steep the fall off is. The Breeze 2.1 is $35 fully boxed so is a good value, but build quality is spotty as parts can break during transport. I had to replace snapped off bootstraps.
I think this board is also produced by the same place. I bought mine from them too.
2.0 HIFI TPA3116
2.1 TPA3116D2
