The little brother: Infineon MA12040 modifications

Hi,

I bought the MA12040 version sold in an enclosure and connector in addition to bluetooth. This one comes from ebay and the seller Douk.

I have already discussed this here on the MA12070 .

Infineon MA12070 Class D

The link on ebay:

Mini Bluetooth 5.0 Digital Amplifier Stereo Receiver 2.0 Channel Car Speaker Amp | eBay


My first message on Infineon MA12070 thread:

I was interested in the MA12070 PCB, but wanted to try before the MA12040 which is already in a box and with a Qualcomm QCC3003 bluetooth chip (not the best but handy in my workshop). So I bought from Douk and the delivery was quick. The amplifier is very quiet and no pop when opening.

Mini Bluetooth 5.0 Digital Amplifier Stereo Receiver 2.0 Channel Car Speaker Amp | eBay

From the power on I liked the sound. I prefer it to my stock 3eaudio TPA3251 (not modified), more dynamic and lively, more definition. Currently I have a SMPS of 12vdc 2.7A, not great but I have several transformers and PSUs, I will put 17-18vdc max. With 12vdc, in 4ohms it is 13w / c and in my living room at normal listening power, it does not lack power. I am very amazed and even shocked at the sound quality and the tonal balance versus the price it costs. I will surely buy the MA12070 PCB and try it too
 

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Hi,

The plug is of 2.1 format and not 2.5mm.

I compared with DC sockets of the 2 models that I have in stock. The problem is the diameter of the case at the ground which is too small, so the DC sockets do not fit properly.

It's not the positive bar that's too big.

So I soldered the DC wire directly to the PCB, and installed in a new recycled plastic box. This is temporary for the time of testing.

Then I will connect in bi-amplification, if the sound is good, I will order the MA12070 PCB and put it in a real box.
 

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to start by changing the coils of the output filters to bigger ones. The ones I have have a resistance of 1.4ohms, while the ones on the pcb are smaller and make 2ohms. It is a 6db filter and not 12db as usual. But before changing them I decided to do a test and bypass them with a filter. So there was no EMI filter, on my system it seems ok and so far does not seem to interfere with other devices ..

I was shocked by the improvement made at all sound levels. My setup is simple, I did not use my DCB1 preamp, so the AK4497 DAC is plugged directly into the amplifier via the RCA outputs, the XLR outputs are plugged directly into my sub studio, I left unplugged for listening tests. Also I usually have a class AB amp on the woofers in a TL cut at 900hz and the MA12040 above 900hz. But for the comparison tests, there is no sub and no bi-amplification, so in fullrange.

The image has gained in depth, the dynamics are greater. There is more definition, the percussions slam like whips, the midrange and low midrange have gained in volume.

The soundstage is truly 3D, the musicality is warmer with several types of music.

Next test, I will change the coils for the air coils. I'll get back to you later.

Ps: I ordered an 18vdc 5A SMPS for led from Amazon, very sufficient for the MA12040 which will not exceed this consumption, even at the maximum and this is not my goal, in bi-amplification I put 12vdc (2.7A) and therefore 7w / c 8hns and it is sufficient for the moment so at 18vdc, for 8ohms it is 15w / c 1% dist and 30w / c 4ohms, with maximum efficiency of 92%.
 

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Hi,

Thanks for the update.

So if I understand it correctly, the amp sounds better without the original filter?

I guess it is possible that when you place your own optimize more high grade components filter outside the board, it could improve on it.

BTW, I am also a big fan of the Faitalpro 3FEXX series except for those damn rabbit ears...

Oon
 
Hi Oon,

Yes without the output filter the sound has improved a lot. More transparence and more deep soundstage..and dynamics...etc

I will test with air coils.

The well-adjusted Faital 3FEXX are super transparent. In this 3-way, it is a Wavecor WF15 woofer up to 800hz (in a TL), the Faital takes over up to 8khz and the AMT for extreme highs.

About the input OPs, there are 2, 1 for aux input and another for Bluetooth. The current dual OPs are TL072x in DIP8 format. I will install a support to switch from DIP to SOIC8, so I can put other OPs that I have in stock, I have several LME, OPA, MUSE ... etc.

I have a question for connoisseurs, for the change of the OP DUAL, are there any compatibility parameters or others that I have to take into account ??

Denis
 
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From what I could see in the picture. It seems the filter is only a coil rather than the more common coil and inductor. Is that correct?

A torodial coil would help with EM reduction.

For my own sets, I have been using 3FE22 all the way to the top. And an additional tweeter to fire at the back.

Is your tweeter dipole?

Oon
 
Yes it's just a coil, without capacitors in parallel on the ground. You can see it in the photo, I solder bypass wires on the coils. It is noted for toroidal.

I ordered an adapter from DIP8 to SOC 8.

The tweeter is not dipole, if I put a board that goes up it is to visually clear the speaker in height. The 3FE25 is installed, I had to make a good rear chamfer because of the larger of the magnet. The 3FE22 is better at this level ... rabbit ears and the space around it is not famous, it is designed to be screwed from the inside ... but not too serious a blow installed.

Denis
 
Hi everyone,

I have assembled the case with a new 18vdc 90w SMPS. I adjusted the voltage to 17.5vdc.

I used a box that was given to me, but without the metal backplate, so I used a plate with connectors from another amplifier (with a board of MDF).

The SMPS entered fair enough. I am waiting for the adapters for the OPs.

I put Velcro underneath the PXB for the modifications
Here are some photos.

Denis
 

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Hi, little update.

I replaced the OP with a stand, but it was not a good fit and my eyesight is not very good, so I am waiting for a new one with slightly wider legs.

I took the opportunity to connect the signal wires directly to the output of the OP via the support.

The sound is even more dynamic and transparent, and the bass is more powerful. The soundstage is even higher and the musicality has gone up a notch.

The lower midrange has more body. Usually I put in bi-amplification, but for now it's perfect
 

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Hi oon,

I don't use a preamp (but I have two, DCB1 and Diamond Buffer), I am using the DAC preamp with a remote control.

With the bypass of the OP, the sound is greatly improved. Better soundstage, more dynamics and definition. The OP which dates from 1979 (according to a rapde research) adds a little harshness on some recordings.

Infineon with their new MA120xx series (40 and 70) hit hard. If we consider the fact that they do not require a lot of parts around and that they are Filterless, Multi-level switching technology with 3-level and 5-level modulation, etc... , they are really a winner.
 
Hi Daniboun,

Very nice job ! I'm also interested in this PCB of 70, I would like to connect it asymmetrically.

The 40 I bought at the beginning because it was in a box and with the Bluetooth, it was intended for my workshop, finally I use it on my main chain so much that I find it amazing.
 
The Infineon MA12070 is an amazing chip ) But I find the TPA3255 is better, especially when the components around are well implemented.

Yes I have no doubt that a well implemented TPA325X is superior. But it costs much more than an Infineon MA120XX.

I have a 3eAudio TPA3251 lying around on a shelf ...

I ordered the new TPA3255 that you recommended on aliExpress, I will change the supply condos to the ones you specified.

To come back to the Infineon MA120xx, it is not very expensive to implement for an incredible sound.

The advantage of the 40 versus the 70, it works with a lower voltage of 4 to 18vdc, perfect for mobile devices.

The power of 40 (at 18vdc) a 4ohms is 30w and 15w for 8ohms. My 3-way speakers are 4 ohms, with an efficiency of 90db, and in fact I use 10w / c maximum and even rarely. It is true that a reserve of power is useful to obtain a lower distortion at high volume.

This ma12040 with the output filters removed and plugged in directly after the OP is very surprising, especially considering the price, and for a fraction of the cost of a well implemented TPA325X.
 
Keep me posted about your feeling concerning this new TPA3255.
I am still waiting for my AC/DC filter in order to finish my new amplifier and make a real listening session.
Out of the box the module is already great )

PS : you will see that under voltage, there are two red LEDs that light up with this new TPA3255, they can be confusing (I would have preferred green LEDs)
 
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