Hi, nice project! Do you have any further measurements or documentation, especially on the i2s layout ?
I think it would be perfect for active 2 way bookshelves speakers, just need to add an AK4118 receiver https://ebay.us/PPTYD6
Thanks
I think it would be perfect for active 2 way bookshelves speakers, just need to add an AK4118 receiver https://ebay.us/PPTYD6
Thanks
Nice little amp - this is the future!
I got my Zoudio a couple days ago. Had prepped my phone with a few album selections in flac and bought a player from the Apple app store. I'm ready to go.
I had a 28V power supply with 12A capability from a previous employ, which I dialed down to 22.5. I simply mounted the amp to the power supply case using the 4 stick-on posts provided. See photo -
A driver was needed for the programmer to connect to my PC based HT. I also needed to download Java runtime; after doing so I was up and running. You can program filter parameters with the amp powered off.
Jesse stated in a PM "You can build an LR4 from biquad filters by stacking two biquads with Q=0.71". So this is what I set out to do first - just to get 100Hz LP and HP outputs going; OB compensation for the assist woofer would come later.
Setting up the filter stacks is easy, using the GUI interface. Connect, upload and save the setting to a file on the PC. Disconnect, unplug the programmer cable. Firing it up for the first time, made a small chime sound which is quite convenient. Connected straight away to the iphone 6.
Figuring out the player I bought took a couple minutes, but soon music was in the air. The sound is crystal clear with all the imaging artifacts that I love so much are in place and vivid! I could live with this easily and just get rid of all the other tube amps, DACs and the miniDSP.
But of course the bass is off. I need a response that rises upward from 60 to 30, so I setup three "peak" filters, one +10 db @ 25, one +5 db @ 50 and one +2.5 db @ 75Hz. This got the bass back where it should be and made the system much more listenable than w/o this compensation.
The only thing missing is my FR speaker voicing convolution filter I'm running in Daphille. It looks like I'll be loading that into EqualizerAPO under Windows, once I get a hold of a Bluetooth adapter for the PC. Need to follow up with some measurements.
Bravo on this amp's sound - and versatility! Clearly the way of the future - Look Ma, no capacitors - flac file to speaker VC!
I'd like to connect the amp as a USB DAC instead of via Bluetooth - is there any valid reason for pursuing this?
A few responses back, lutkeveld said the main switching frequency can be lowered for a bit better sound at the expense of idle current. What's the command string to do this and go back - or, is it in the GUI?
Thanks
I got my Zoudio a couple days ago. Had prepped my phone with a few album selections in flac and bought a player from the Apple app store. I'm ready to go.
I had a 28V power supply with 12A capability from a previous employ, which I dialed down to 22.5. I simply mounted the amp to the power supply case using the 4 stick-on posts provided. See photo -
A driver was needed for the programmer to connect to my PC based HT. I also needed to download Java runtime; after doing so I was up and running. You can program filter parameters with the amp powered off.
Jesse stated in a PM "You can build an LR4 from biquad filters by stacking two biquads with Q=0.71". So this is what I set out to do first - just to get 100Hz LP and HP outputs going; OB compensation for the assist woofer would come later.
Setting up the filter stacks is easy, using the GUI interface. Connect, upload and save the setting to a file on the PC. Disconnect, unplug the programmer cable. Firing it up for the first time, made a small chime sound which is quite convenient. Connected straight away to the iphone 6.
Figuring out the player I bought took a couple minutes, but soon music was in the air. The sound is crystal clear with all the imaging artifacts that I love so much are in place and vivid! I could live with this easily and just get rid of all the other tube amps, DACs and the miniDSP.
But of course the bass is off. I need a response that rises upward from 60 to 30, so I setup three "peak" filters, one +10 db @ 25, one +5 db @ 50 and one +2.5 db @ 75Hz. This got the bass back where it should be and made the system much more listenable than w/o this compensation.
The only thing missing is my FR speaker voicing convolution filter I'm running in Daphille. It looks like I'll be loading that into EqualizerAPO under Windows, once I get a hold of a Bluetooth adapter for the PC. Need to follow up with some measurements.
Bravo on this amp's sound - and versatility! Clearly the way of the future - Look Ma, no capacitors - flac file to speaker VC!
I'd like to connect the amp as a USB DAC instead of via Bluetooth - is there any valid reason for pursuing this?
A few responses back, lutkeveld said the main switching frequency can be lowered for a bit better sound at the expense of idle current. What's the command string to do this and go back - or, is it in the GUI?
Thanks
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Just a note - the green color is not anything to complain about. It is as good as any other color. And your statement that it cannot power more than 3 inch speakers is just plain nonsense - the amplifier power need has no relation to speaker size.
It sounds more like you have a defect board.
The board has its limitation (for me it is the low delay time), but I think it is worth the money and will maybe buy one to try out for another project.
It sounds more like you have a defect board.
The board has its limitation (for me it is the low delay time), but I think it is worth the money and will maybe buy one to try out for another project.
@Manudrz
The I2S input is 44.1/48k 24 bit.
Pins are labeled on the board (data, wordselect, clock)
Documentation (datasheet) can be found on the product page.
Im working on THD measurements, are there any specifically that you are interested in?
@jjasniew
Good to hear!
It is indeed possible to lower the switching frequency.
I will look up the steps and commands today and send you a PM.
The BT module has some USB-DAC functionallity, but the software and hardware is not meant for it to be used.
@Sjeuwhald
Sorry to hear that. A small amount of hissing could be possible, depending on the audio source, dsp settings and/or PSU. But if the hissing is very clear it could be defective. Send me an email at info@zoudio.com and we can sort it out.
A green PCB has the same quality as a black one and the price difference is neglible. I will maybe switch to black later, but that is purely for looks.
As Solve pointed out, it has 15 equalizers and 5 crossovers per channel, which is plenty for most applications. But if for some reason you have a lot more filters, you indeed need a SigmaDSP
The I2S input is 44.1/48k 24 bit.
Pins are labeled on the board (data, wordselect, clock)
Documentation (datasheet) can be found on the product page.
Im working on THD measurements, are there any specifically that you are interested in?
@jjasniew
Good to hear!
It is indeed possible to lower the switching frequency.
I will look up the steps and commands today and send you a PM.
The BT module has some USB-DAC functionallity, but the software and hardware is not meant for it to be used.
@Sjeuwhald
Sorry to hear that. A small amount of hissing could be possible, depending on the audio source, dsp settings and/or PSU. But if the hissing is very clear it could be defective. Send me an email at info@zoudio.com and we can sort it out.
A green PCB has the same quality as a black one and the price difference is neglible. I will maybe switch to black later, but that is purely for looks.
As Solve pointed out, it has 15 equalizers and 5 crossovers per channel, which is plenty for most applications. But if for some reason you have a lot more filters, you indeed need a SigmaDSP
This thread has been moved to the VENDOR section as it is a commercial product.
I agree. I'm driving two 8 ohm, 15" speakers plus two 4 ohm, 18" speakers. They're a lot bigger than "3". I can easily drive them loud enough that I get complaints.
Speaking of which, regarding the programmable filters, I'd only complain if no matter what I did, I couldnt get the necessary compensation for OB woofer assist. I may have achieved it - only measurements will tell. Beyond that, for my case more elaborate filtering isnt needed -
My amp sounds quite good, compared to other modern digital converters and filter hardware which I fully expected to "all sound the same to my ears by now". They do not, so I assume I'm taking a chance on anything I purchase w/o audition. Pleasantly surprised by the result of this "gamble".
The 15"s I have connected are 97db efficiency. I'll check for the hiss. The iPhone apps connect / disconnect and power on / off thumps are barely noticeable.
Thank-you for the tip on that other amplifier design - I didnt know it even existed. I do have reliability concerns, particularly if / when I start shedding my other equipment. Of course I'd like a backup, but if the MTBF of these things is something like 100K hours, at 63 I probably need not worry.
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So, I had a look at the DB450 and it uses the ADAU1701 for DSP - the same as my miniDSP.
I didnt like the sound of the 2X4 miniDSP. I tried to fix it by upgrading the I/O decoupling caps, external power supply; it remained unsatisfactory compared to a wire. Now, this could be the A/D => D/A process I was stuck with and I might find it better if I could ...simply connect to it via USB like any DAC. Read it's possible, not so simple to actually accomplish.
The ADAU1701 gives me pause on that product, even though it's probably used quite differently than in the 2X4 miniDSP. I'd never think in a million years that there would be differences I could hear across DSP engines and their associated DACs, but, well, suffice to say I cant believe (in this day and age) it's still something to sort through.
I didnt like the sound of the 2X4 miniDSP. I tried to fix it by upgrading the I/O decoupling caps, external power supply; it remained unsatisfactory compared to a wire. Now, this could be the A/D => D/A process I was stuck with and I might find it better if I could ...simply connect to it via USB like any DAC. Read it's possible, not so simple to actually accomplish.
The ADAU1701 gives me pause on that product, even though it's probably used quite differently than in the 2X4 miniDSP. I'd never think in a million years that there would be differences I could hear across DSP engines and their associated DACs, but, well, suffice to say I cant believe (in this day and age) it's still something to sort through.
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@ lutkeveld,
Is there a convenient place on the PCB where I can tap off 5V? I need to power another module I'm using with the Zoudio. I've tested some of the DIP sockets on the board, but can't find 5V yet - except for a pin on the programmer connector. Any other places?
BTW, it's a cool little gadget/DSP/amp. I'm using it primarily for a little amp fed by a little network streamer. I think it sounds very nice too.
Is there a convenient place on the PCB where I can tap off 5V? I need to power another module I'm using with the Zoudio. I've tested some of the DIP sockets on the board, but can't find 5V yet - except for a pin on the programmer connector. Any other places?
BTW, it's a cool little gadget/DSP/amp. I'm using it primarily for a little amp fed by a little network streamer. I think it sounds very nice too.