View Full Version : Class 'D' amps
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 18:22
I've started this here in Digital as most people persume they are Digital amps, even tho they arnt!
Anyone had any experience with these amplifiers at all & are they reliable..I'm always on the look out for miniturising audio equipment!
This is attractive but only 15watt (4 Ohm), 10Watt (8 Ohm), my speakers are 89dB/1w/1Mtr!!
The Vinyl Adventure
12-12-2009, 18:26
I got a bantam tripath, works very well with my 4ohm dynaudios!
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 18:30
I got a bantam tripath, works very well with my 4ohm dynaudios!
I'm worried about the ability to drive my 89db speakers with 10watt, states 25-200w on speaker lit..Everyone knows an underpower amp does more damage than over power!! As i'm not intrested in loudness..I'm tring to cut the stereo to as minute as possible this looks good.. I'm hoping not too far away that i can dump the CD player & amp for a tiny amp, DAC & files from pooter
Don't know these Andre, but 10w into 89dB seems ok to me.
You don't plan having a party in the nearby stadium ? :scratch:
The Vinyl Adventure
12-12-2009, 18:34
My dynaudios are 86db
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 18:55
You don't plan having a party in the nearby stadium ? :scratch:
Na never ever do i listern to loud music through speakers, headphone listerning is a different matter. Ok i'll buy one of these see what happens..;)
They are small only 3" x 2" x 5"..but the thick metal work is impressive..Outboard power suppply aswell (only requires 9-14V)..All this stuff is impressive in the way that it's an idea to get away from mains voltages if need be
The Vinyl Adventure
12-12-2009, 19:02
Where are you buying it from?
Outboard power suppply aswell (only requires 9-14V).
That's why it is small. ;)
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 19:06
Smaller the better..Hamish mi owd cocker it's from the manufacturer Sure Electronics
The Vinyl Adventure
12-12-2009, 19:10
Linky linky linky
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 19:10
Linky linky linky
PM PM PM ;)
Linky linky linky
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=977
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 19:14
That's why it is small. ;)
The PCB looks very tidy, only shit bit is see is the cheap Alps Potentiometer, i'll swap that for a Sfernice PII Cermet jobbie.
aquapiranha
12-12-2009, 19:14
i will let you know how this one sounds when I have it all together (just some more soldering to do now)
sure electronics 4 x 100W
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb256/aquapiranha/Photo0021.jpg
Sorry about the dodgy pic quality, mobile phone.
anthonyTD
12-12-2009, 19:22
class D AMPS CAN BE MADE TO PERFORM VERY GOOD,
i have built a few over the years with very good results.
A...
Class D amps have some problems (THD rising) with some speakers' impedance varying too much.
aquapiranha
12-12-2009, 19:32
Indeed. Used within their capabilities though they are IMO very good.
The Vinyl Adventure
12-12-2009, 19:43
Mine is a sure board I think ... Or so steve says.. Steve? And it cost me £80!
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 19:46
I've just bought one of those Sure's anyway..I notice they have Over/under-voltage shut down , Over-current protection , Over temperature protection..If they are cool i'll get another as spare.
aquapiranha
12-12-2009, 19:47
Yes Hamish it is. But the price is fair considering the cost of a case, connectors etc.
The Vinyl Adventure
12-12-2009, 19:52
I guess! I was happy paying anyway, i prefer to buy stuff from the uk anyway, Its easier if it all goes wrong!
Hypex UCD's are very good if you can do a bit of diy, I've been using a pair of these on and off now for a few years, they perform well too especially if being fed balanced from the Sabre dac
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 20:55
Hypex UCD's are very good if you can do a bit of diy, I've been using a pair of these on and off now for a few years, they perform well too especially if being fed balanced from the Sabre dac
Hi Leo
Have you had a play with that Sure i just bought?
I never tried the SURE modules but it seems they can be had for cheap, very cheap! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-100w-4-TK2050-Class-D-Audio-Amplifier-Board-improved_W0QQitemZ380185720593QQihZ025QQcategoryZ1 4973QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3911.m7QQ_trkparmsZal go%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26ps%3D6
Tempted, must resist:lol:
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 21:05
I couldnt resist that's the trouble :lolsign:
:lolsign: its all part of the fun;)
Look at this "fabulous" Tripath amp with real speaker charge : :scratch:
Rare Bird
12-12-2009, 21:15
:lolsign: its all part of the fun;)
Mines desperation to get out of the hi-fi mould
:rofl:
Hypex UCD's are very good if you can do a bit of diy, I've been using a pair of these on and off now for a few years, they perform well too especially if being fed balanced from the Sabre dac
http://www.hypex.nl/technology.htm
Rare Bird
13-12-2009, 01:32
Leo:
Do you have any nice 9V & 12V power supply circuits with plenty juice on tap +Ve ? Preferably Adjustable Regs..
Peter Galbavy
13-12-2009, 09:51
At the more mundane, mainstream end of the world I am so far generally very happy with my Rotel RB-1572. Since I bought it as the same time as the speakers and the Caiman it's not easy to do a straight forward comparison, but I would describe the whole thing as nice and clean. I do crank it up a bit, like yesterday when the neighbors were out, and the amp delivers everything it's asked to so far.
hifinutt
13-12-2009, 21:44
i have had class d bel canto refs for some years, most recently coherant modded ones. they are superbly reliable , sound fantastic and really suit my passive pre. the bass is awesome, floorshaking [if it wasn`t for some very good ceramic ball stands!!]
i love em!!
Leo:
Do you have any nice 9V & 12V power supply circuits with plenty juice on tap +Ve ? Preferably Adjustable Regs..
As a guess it comes with a supplied SMPS ? you could even try something like a 12v Yuasa battery if you have one kicking about.
A linear would be good but it needs to be stiff, theres a few things to try, it depends what your willing to spend and if you want diy or ready built stuff
I'll be trying a few things out with a TA2020 Tripath based amp soon which will be used in the bedroom
Rare Bird
14-12-2009, 17:07
As a guess it comes with a supplied SMPS ? you could even try something like a 12v Yuasa battery if you have one kicking about.
A linear would be good but it needs to be stiff, theres a few things to try, it depends what your willing to spend and if you want diy or ready built stuff
I'll be trying a few things out with a TA2020 Tripath based amp soon which will be used in the bedroom
Hi Leo, yes the battery route is one of the main attractions but unsure how much it will drag out..What size Ah would you recommend?
I have noticed this, you can get those cheaper but i've only ever seen em with the telefunken 2 pins, this RATA has IEC & chunky power out lead!
http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1®ion=UK¤cy=GBP&pf_id=1800&customer_id=PAA1465126909983PTCWSFNPUMRIGRTQ
Hi Leo, yes the battery route is one of the main attractions but unsure how much it will drag out..What size Ah would you recommend?
I have noticed this, you can get those cheaper but i've only ever seen em with the telefunken 2 pins, this RATA has IEC & chunky power out lead!
http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1®ion=UK¤cy=GBP&pf_id=1800&customer_id=PAA1465126909983PTCWSFNPUMRIGRTQ
About 7Ah should be ok , just remember this amp will not shake the walls, its only a tiddler:)
That from Russ Andrews just looks like a vastly overpriced switch mode power supply, what type exactly you got supplied with the amp? any pics of it
Rare Bird
14-12-2009, 17:46
Hi Leo
Amps not arrived yet, be nearer crimbo or just after..As mentioned it's only a trial into the world of Class 'D'..I did try the world of Gainclone but they seem too fiddly..I hear a lot of report of Class 'D' not being too ace at the top end, i hope this is untrue.
Hi Leo
Amps not arrived yet, be nearer crimbo or just after..As mentioned it's only a trial into the world of Class 'D'..I did try the world of Gainclone but they seem too fiddly..I hear a lot of report of Class 'D' not being too ace at the top end, i hope this is untrue.
Yep, at least its cheap
ClassD is like everything else, the quality range can vary a lot and should never be fully judged after trying just a few designs, I've tried a few commercial designs which in all honesty was pretty dire imo (note IMO), I didn't care for the Nuforce amps at all although I know they do have their followers.
A few others was even worse, so far I prefer the diy designs like Hypex
Anyway, let us know how you get on with the Sure IF it arrives:)
Hi Leo
Amps not arrived yet, be nearer crimbo or just after..As mentioned it's only a trial into the world of Class 'D'..I did try the world of Gainclone but they seem too fiddly..I hear a lot of report of Class 'D' not being too ace at the top end, i hope this is untrue.
Look at page 49 of http://www.hypex.nl/docs/classeD_394_lores.pdf
It clearly depends on the D technology used and the speaker impedance.
For instance, my SF GPD are ok with these amps, but B&W are a difficult load. ;)
Rotel seem the most stable.
Look at page 49 of http://www.hypex.nl/docs/classeD_394_lores.pdf
It clearly depends on the D technology used and the speaker impedance.
For instance, my SF GPD are ok with these amps, but B&W are a difficult load. ;)
Rotel seem the most stable.
Talk about scrimp on the psu's, look at that used in AVA-1015:doh:
ClassD is efficient but the psu still has a big influence on performance, I'll stick with diy!
Rare Bird
14-12-2009, 18:48
HFX do a Class 'D' looks very nice
http://www.hfx.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168&Itemid=122
btw: it uses Hypex boards
I am confident you're right, Leo. ;)
Btw, the first part of the test is here : http://www.hypex.nl/docs/classeD_393_lores.pdf
Rare Bird
15-12-2009, 17:55
Anyone intending using Sure i would advise against..I'm 99% sure i wont get the item..I've sent two ferfectly normal technical questions, only to get the responce below..Had this bollox many times before.
Thanks a lot for your letter.
Yes.
Surprise!!!!
The activity of “Valuable free gifts are SURE to you especially is held in our eBay right now. As you purchase above lucky $77，$177, …… in Sure, one free Christmas gift to you or your friend. Come to www.sur *********** to get the gift.
SURE sounds like you've been had Andre:hmm:
Rare Bird
15-12-2009, 18:29
SURE sounds like you've been had Andre:hmm:
Don't worry i aint giving em the chance...
Don't worry i aint giving em the chance...
Good man! thats what we like to hear:eyebrows:
Dave Hewitt
16-12-2009, 20:10
Hi all
I have a couple of Hypex class D amps up and running if anyone local wants to try them they are welcome to pick them up and give them a go.I cant say that they impress me that much but someone else may think otherwise.
Regards Dave.
bonneville
18-12-2009, 17:38
good offer Dave ,this is a cracking amp with loads of power if you are local give this a try.His coffee is'nt bad either
Vinnie:):cool:
Covenant
19-12-2009, 09:14
Hi all
I have a couple of Hypex class D amps up and running if anyone local wants to try them they are welcome to pick them up and give them a go.I cant say that they impress me that much but someone else may think otherwise.
Regards Dave.
Dave,
You have a pm.
Primalsea
19-12-2009, 10:07
When all the fuss came out about the T amps my friend bought 3 and I mounted the PCBs in a case I made from a picture frame. Looked pretty good too IMO and his! I used a SMPS that I got for less than £1 from Ebay. The bloody thing was about 3 times larger than the amp as it has something daft like 15 amps continuous rating. I must admit it sounded really good on most speakers.
But all this about SMPS and switching amps in hifi brings up another issue. Many people wax lyrical about mains conditioning and purification, they can infact be a puritan about it :). They insist that they must get rid of all the EMI & RFI that's invading their mains supply and then rave about Class D which is effectively a dirty great RFI generator!
Now it seems mains conditioning does seem to make a difference to some people. My issue with mains filters is that they are passive and should always be bespoke to the load they are filtering anything else will not be optimal and possibly harmful. Also they filter interference out by dumping it on the mains earth and unless its a separate earth of low impedance to ground it can get back into your system.
The point of all this is really to say that I think many people need to re think their thoughts on mains conditioning. Too many people get ripped off paying silly money for it when its performance is a complete unknown even to the people who make it.
The Y Class caps dump the noise to earth. The common mode chokes and X-Class caps cancel the noise between L and N. You can make a nice mains filter for next to nothing and eliminate the Y-class caps if you are worried about pollution of a clean earth. The mains earth is not usually that clean anyway or even true earth potential but can be a few volts above ground depending on phase loads I guess.
Some diy projects here..
http://www.forum.diyhifisupply.com/viewforum.php?f=4
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