A question for power supply, I am currently using the Aiyima 32V 5A. Will it be a substantional SQ improvement worth getting a better PS?
And as my amp setup is in open view, I am looking for something less "industrial" than the LRS-200-24. How about the GST220A24 or the ELG-200-24?
And as my amp setup is in open view, I am looking for something less "industrial" than the LRS-200-24. How about the GST220A24 or the ELG-200-24?
Maybe consider adding filter to your current power supply.
PO89ZB , an inline DC filter for SMPS wall warts . Preamps, HPA, Korg NuTube, etc
PO89ZB , an inline DC filter for SMPS wall warts . Preamps, HPA, Korg NuTube, etc
Happy with the amp-unmodded so far. Waiting for 2 diff opamps to come for a try. I am now looking at source improvements? I currently listen to my cd's from a desktop computer with a upgraded soundcard I think 1050HD or something. I was thinking maybe a preamp or DAC if it is better? Would be nice to be in the same vein as this inexpensive but great sounding amp. Has anyone have recommendations? Does the other stuff from Ayima compare likewise? How about the 6J tube pre's? Anyone?
The lower ripple and better quality components alone will (or should) make a difference. Im definitely looking at getting a Meanwell LRS-200-24 myself but I havent figured out how I would protect it. I dont want open AC power leads sitting around.
The stock opamps in this amp are crap....some say theyre real but I doubt it. I changed them out with genuine NE5532AP's and the change in sound was very noticeable. Depending on what type of sound signature you like there is definitely an opamp that will do it. Ive tried roughly a dozen so far and have liked most of them and they all sound a little different.
A DAC (even a cheap one) will improve sound coming from a PC. I dont like "tube" sound so I cant speak to what a tube pre would do but the cheap ones available likely arent worth it and it would be hard to justify an expensive one for a low cost amp, for me anyway. If you like tube-y sound definitely check out OPA1632's, OP275's, or really any OP/OPA opamp that fits in here.
no real?
thanks for the input CTman. I thought previous in this thread someone had the opamp checked out and it is to spec? Real? I purchase 2 pair of your previously recommended opamps. Just awaiting delivery. I have meanwell PS recommended in shopping cart at Amazon as well. I have pretty detail revealing speakers-Mark audio drivers/planet10 cabs. the sound is great but I get a ringing sounding high treble with female voices-high ones not Diana Krall, and trumpets/clarinets and the like. My hearing is not the best but it is bothersome to hear it. Just hoping to take the edge off of it without loosing soundstage, or detail/clarity. I am familiar with the Burr Brown sound from a little diy cmoy headphone amp I built and swaped opamps from 5532. In that I liked 5532 better as it was cleaner with more detail. I mostly listen to Jazz, Classical, Blues, Classic rock. When you get the combination right its like ethereal magic and forces a smile on my face! Got some of that just with this amp stock vs Lepai 2020A+ but I am some how wanting more of the good stuff. Like drug addiction! Better separation is what I am missing. With this amp stock I got my "drums" back! I just have to have that "snap", of the snare drum, and Tssst of the high hat, and the feel of the bass drum. Just want more for that high trebble to not be so cutting. thanks
thanks for the input CTman. I thought previous in this thread someone had the opamp checked out and it is to spec? Real? I purchase 2 pair of your previously recommended opamps. Just awaiting delivery. I have meanwell PS recommended in shopping cart at Amazon as well. I have pretty detail revealing speakers-Mark audio drivers/planet10 cabs. the sound is great but I get a ringing sounding high treble with female voices-high ones not Diana Krall, and trumpets/clarinets and the like. My hearing is not the best but it is bothersome to hear it. Just hoping to take the edge off of it without loosing soundstage, or detail/clarity. I am familiar with the Burr Brown sound from a little diy cmoy headphone amp I built and swaped opamps from 5532. In that I liked 5532 better as it was cleaner with more detail. I mostly listen to Jazz, Classical, Blues, Classic rock. When you get the combination right its like ethereal magic and forces a smile on my face! Got some of that just with this amp stock vs Lepai 2020A+ but I am some how wanting more of the good stuff. Like drug addiction! Better separation is what I am missing. With this amp stock I got my "drums" back! I just have to have that "snap", of the snare drum, and Tssst of the high hat, and the feel of the bass drum. Just want more for that high trebble to not be so cutting. thanks
For separation the 2 best by far Ive tried are the LM4562's and the RC4560IP and both are dirt cheap. The NE5532AP's are good (super neutral) but have less expansive soundstage vs the other 2. If youre looking for a more "reference class" one check out the NJM4556AD. Its very neutral, almost as much as the NE5532's but its not as "sterile" sounding and the soundstage is huge. A very slight sparkly top end but in a really good way.
And yes, this is becoming my new addiction....lol
And I would get the Meanwell from Digikey vs Amazon. I never fully trust stuff on Amazon being genuine. Meanwell doesnt sell them there (that Ive seen) so its all 3rd party. Plus, the 200-24 is only $28 on Digikey. You will need to either buy or pirate the barrel adapter and AC plug as well.
Heres a spreadsheet I made with all the op-amps Ive tried and my impression of them.
Op-Amps - Google Sheets
And yes, this is becoming my new addiction....lol
And I would get the Meanwell from Digikey vs Amazon. I never fully trust stuff on Amazon being genuine. Meanwell doesnt sell them there (that Ive seen) so its all 3rd party. Plus, the 200-24 is only $28 on Digikey. You will need to either buy or pirate the barrel adapter and AC plug as well.
Heres a spreadsheet I made with all the op-amps Ive tried and my impression of them.
Op-Amps - Google Sheets
Last edited:
Hi I take a look on your OP Amps google Sheets.
I have tested tons of OP Amps with all my TPA325X.
OPA1642 / OPA1622 / OPA1612 / MC33272 / Burson V5i / Genuine Muse 02 / OPA1656 / Genuine NE5532 and others
I definitely think that you have to consider the opinions of Op amps a bit like those of the tubes. I would almost say that OP amps are for Class D what tubes are for class A/B, they provide more or less color etc
As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a fan of Muse02 and 1656 in all for the TPA325X I tested (Jlester / Drmordor / 3E Audio etc)
I wonder if the Bi-polar OP Amps are better suited to DACs than to Amps, while J-FET OPA are more suited to Amps ? No idea...
The most "colorful" (Tube like) OP amps I've heard are the 1642 and the MC33272.
I have tested tons of OP Amps with all my TPA325X.
OPA1642 / OPA1622 / OPA1612 / MC33272 / Burson V5i / Genuine Muse 02 / OPA1656 / Genuine NE5532 and others
I definitely think that you have to consider the opinions of Op amps a bit like those of the tubes. I would almost say that OP amps are for Class D what tubes are for class A/B, they provide more or less color etc
As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a fan of Muse02 and 1656 in all for the TPA325X I tested (Jlester / Drmordor / 3E Audio etc)
I wonder if the Bi-polar OP Amps are better suited to DACs than to Amps, while J-FET OPA are more suited to Amps ? No idea...
The most "colorful" (Tube like) OP amps I've heard are the 1642 and the MC33272.
Yep, op amps are definitely the tubes of class D amps. I have almost zero interest in trying ones that cost almost what I paid for this amp though. Especially after trying such low cost ones and being so happy with most of them. The MUSE02 = NJM4580D effectively. Same company, virtually identical specs. Now, are the MUSE a higher binned part, not sure but Im not willing to pay $50+ to find out. The 1656 are good, I like them but I dont like that they require a fussy adapter just to use them. I also find them pretty "colored" for my personal tastes but I do like them better than the OPA1632 and their too sparkly highs.
Im not sure how many more Ill mess with as I think Ive mostly run the gamut of low-reasonable cost ones already.
Im not sure how many more Ill mess with as I think Ive mostly run the gamut of low-reasonable cost ones already.
The OPA1632 is a fully differential OP Amps can't be used with TPA325X without some tweaks, just like the brand new OPA1637.
You should read this before rolling new Op Amps :
Why CMRR and PSRR Matter When Choosing Op-Amps
https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/why-cmrr-and-psrr-matter-when-choosing-op-amps
You will find OP amps measurements in ASR here :
Review and Measurements of Burson Fun | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
Last edited:
Checkout for example :
Meanwell LRS-350-36 vs SMPS300RS
the Meanwell has a higher switching noise (65kHz) (192mV-pp).
same ripple for both
Last edited:
The SMPS300RS is more than double the cost + it needs some sort of case. Also, the LRS-200-24 only has 150mv ripple vs the 200mv for all the 36v versions. For ~$30 I dare say youre hard pressed to find a better power supply value.
I get low cost isnt really a consideration on this forum and I respect that but in the case of a $50 amplifier I would guess thats in a lot of peoples consideration. It is in mine for sure.
I didn't like the BB sound for decades... but fell in love with OPA1656. Very very different from the cliché BB sound of the past... In the past my favourites were all ADs, no exceptions, AD825 biased in Class A first in the row for most equivalent applications we need here...
Mark's PO89ZB SMPS filter is absolutely great, I have 10 of these. BUT I suggested in my previous posts to wait for Mark's next filter... the one for power amps.
Indeed, PO89ZB is only rated up to 3A. OK, it could probably take some abuses in form of bursts and most here aren't going to work the amp that hard and require anyway that much amperes... but then why upgrading PS first hand?
TBH, this filter was not designed for over 3A (board, tracks, isolation more than components alone) so I wouldn't use it unless absolute confident you aren't going to have dynamicks picks quite over 3A.
Although Gilles is having 2 amps (bi-amping) and very efficient Klipsch LS, I went the trouble to design my own SMPS filters, 1 per amp, rated at 6A, especialy because of that. To be on the safe side: this is power at the end. Note I had many of Mark's filters handy that I could have used if I wanted... I even thought about using 4 (2 in parallel per amp), but well...
Just my 2p's
Claude
Mark's PO89ZB SMPS filter is absolutely great, I have 10 of these. BUT I suggested in my previous posts to wait for Mark's next filter... the one for power amps.
Indeed, PO89ZB is only rated up to 3A. OK, it could probably take some abuses in form of bursts and most here aren't going to work the amp that hard and require anyway that much amperes... but then why upgrading PS first hand?
TBH, this filter was not designed for over 3A (board, tracks, isolation more than components alone) so I wouldn't use it unless absolute confident you aren't going to have dynamicks picks quite over 3A.
Although Gilles is having 2 amps (bi-amping) and very efficient Klipsch LS, I went the trouble to design my own SMPS filters, 1 per amp, rated at 6A, especialy because of that. To be on the safe side: this is power at the end. Note I had many of Mark's filters handy that I could have used if I wanted... I even thought about using 4 (2 in parallel per amp), but well...
Just my 2p's
Claude
Quote: the Meanwell has a higher switching noise (65kHz) (192mV-pp).
same ripple for both
Hmm, not sure I get that.
The higher switching frequency is not necessarly noise related and could even be a plus in most applications (efficiency, noise band etc.). Noise would be for example, IMHO, with higher peaks. In short ripple and possibly some isolated peaks could be the things to look for in the trace? Let's give it a try...
Here I believe to see that 1 unit has 192mVp-p ripple, the other one 152mVp-p, so for me the latter is a bit better. There aren't isolated peaks on the latter either, which is probably better, but then the scope is not set at the same frequency so one can't be sure to see the entire picture without more knowledge on what to look for and at what frequency bands. The first has indeed some recurrent picks, could be indeed switching related... or else.
However, this is all IMHO quite academic as:
- the difference in ripple is not massive and a Mean Well LRS-200 would probably have even less ripple than any of those
- The cost of the units is quite different and we have yet to hear how much these peaks and ripple affect the sound - let's not forget the amp has some PS noise rejection ability that also depends on the noise frequency
- whatever the peaks and ripple values seen here, a excellent SMPS filter à la Mark is likely to eradicate them by several factors
It would be nice to have someone comparing the sound of one of these super Audio SMPS vs a good Mean Well such as the one I recommended here.
And then, once Mark's SMPS is released, running the same test again with both units, this time with and without filter, so 4 different configurations
It could well be, but that's just a GUESS, that there would be little differences between the 2 SMPS without filter... and once filtered even less differences. I would expect both to sound better filtered, but who knows? My GUESS would be Mean Well + filter combo equaling or beating nearly every SMPS set up for this amp / application. Bottom line: it could well be that a non expensive Mean Well + Filter could be a giant killer PS.
Just my guess, I haven't performed such a test on power amps. I did only on preamps so far... I was surprised to hear that a (very) well filtered SMPS could perform that well, and I hated to admit it LOL. I would probably still favour a conventional big PS for big old power amps, but for Class D and its PS requirements SMPS has its virtues. Plus the price and efficiency are in relation with this technology...
Just my 2ps
Have fun
Claude
same ripple for both
Hmm, not sure I get that.
The higher switching frequency is not necessarly noise related and could even be a plus in most applications (efficiency, noise band etc.). Noise would be for example, IMHO, with higher peaks. In short ripple and possibly some isolated peaks could be the things to look for in the trace? Let's give it a try...
Here I believe to see that 1 unit has 192mVp-p ripple, the other one 152mVp-p, so for me the latter is a bit better. There aren't isolated peaks on the latter either, which is probably better, but then the scope is not set at the same frequency so one can't be sure to see the entire picture without more knowledge on what to look for and at what frequency bands. The first has indeed some recurrent picks, could be indeed switching related... or else.
However, this is all IMHO quite academic as:
- the difference in ripple is not massive and a Mean Well LRS-200 would probably have even less ripple than any of those
- The cost of the units is quite different and we have yet to hear how much these peaks and ripple affect the sound - let's not forget the amp has some PS noise rejection ability that also depends on the noise frequency
- whatever the peaks and ripple values seen here, a excellent SMPS filter à la Mark is likely to eradicate them by several factors
It would be nice to have someone comparing the sound of one of these super Audio SMPS vs a good Mean Well such as the one I recommended here.
And then, once Mark's SMPS is released, running the same test again with both units, this time with and without filter, so 4 different configurations
It could well be, but that's just a GUESS, that there would be little differences between the 2 SMPS without filter... and once filtered even less differences. I would expect both to sound better filtered, but who knows? My GUESS would be Mean Well + filter combo equaling or beating nearly every SMPS set up for this amp / application. Bottom line: it could well be that a non expensive Mean Well + Filter could be a giant killer PS.
Just my guess, I haven't performed such a test on power amps. I did only on preamps so far... I was surprised to hear that a (very) well filtered SMPS could perform that well, and I hated to admit it LOL. I would probably still favour a conventional big PS for big old power amps, but for Class D and its PS requirements SMPS has its virtues. Plus the price and efficiency are in relation with this technology...
Just my 2ps
Have fun
Claude
I agree, if we consider the Price of the MeanWell PSU. 🙂
Maybe you can answer me about this also : I saw in a French forum that someone is using two SMPS PSU to improve intermodulation like this, I can't find the post anymore but he said that he got excellent results with the TPA3255 :
