TI's new TPA3116D classD chip

[soundnovice]

there are no much reviews about this not-so-famous chip, but seems pretty much promising. The TBIsound's Millenia MG3 amp uses a chip from same TPAxxx series. couple of members on diyaudio.com who have tried this have good impressions.

being low power and highly efficient (90% :clapping: ), this is most suitable for high efficient fullrangers in horns like from fostex or mids/tweeters in case of active speakers.

reviews:
TBI Millenia MG3 Class BD Integrated Audio Amplifier..A Modern Day Giant Killer!
tbi sound millenia

datasheet:
Speaker Amplifier and Modulator - Mid/High-Power Amplifier - TPA3116D2 - TI.com

cutting and pasting from above review,
" TBI has the quickness of the best OTL's and Class A's, it has the transparency and detail of the best SET and Class A amps, is has the speed and quickness of the best OTL's and Class A's, it has the smoothness and aliveness of the best Set and OTL amps, it plays vocals like the best SET and OTL's, and it images like the best OTL and SET amps. That is why I call this the JCOTLSETCLASSAPASS amp. If John Curl or Nelson Pass came out with a tube amp, this is what it would sound like. I would love to be Nelson Pass's neighbor and take this wee tiny TBI amp and put it on his monster horns. Even Pass would be surprised. "

some technical-review from below link,
Class-D amps offer highest programmable switching rate - Electronic Products

" Suited for use in soundbars, after-market automotive solutions, portable audio docks, and LCD televisions, the TPA3116D2, TPA3118D2 and TPA3130D2 analog-input Class-D stereo amplifiers feature the industrys highest programmable switching rate and widest power supply range.Its highest programmable switching rates of 400 kHz to 1.2 MHz allow inductor filter-free operation and interference avoidance for clear audio with no distortions while its widest supply range of 4.5 to 26 V enables simultaneous operation of line power and battery power on the same board for longer battery life. The parts are also claimed to offer the best-in-class RDS(on) of 120 ? at 30-W x 2 20% lower than the leading competitor (improves efficiency by decreasing resistance during operation). In addition, thermally efficient FETs allow 30-W x 2 operation without the need for a heat sink, or 50-W x 2 with a heat sink (TPA3116D2 only). "

the 2.0 board on ebay costs around 25 USD shipped :yahoo:
TPA3116D LM1036 Amplifier Board with Tone 50W 50W | eBay

 

[trittya]

For the benefit of other noobs like me

What is Class-D amplification?

 

[keith_correa]

These have got some very good reviews and considering the cost seems to be a great bargain. And if at all someone intends buying it - please buy from here. May not find it cheaper anywhere else. There's other good "stuff" at that website.

 

[soundnovice]

These have got some very good reviews and considering the cost seems to be a great bargain. And if at all someone intends buying it - please buy from here. May not find it cheaper anywhere else. There's other good "stuff" at that website.

few days before i have purchased from ebay for 18USD shipped!
i checked with yuanjing, they are the original and only manufacturers right now.

 

[linuxguru]

Among the low-cost Chinese vendors on EBay and elsewhere, Yuanjing doesn't have a great reputation for quality products. Maybe they have improved over the last few years, but their dual LM3886 + NE5532 chipamp board was awful. In general, for completed Class-D products, I have found SMSL to be very good - no major corner-cutting, and also upgrade-friendly.

 

[marX]

Among the low-cost Chinese vendors on EBay and elsewhere, Yuanjing doesn't have a great reputation for quality products. Maybe they have improved over the last few years, but their dual LM3886 + NE5532 chipamp board was awful. In general, for completed Class-D products, I have found SMSL to be very good - no major corner-cutting, and also upgrade-friendly.

But SMSL doesn't ship to India :sad:

BTW, is there any other trusted sellers (tripath amps) in ebay.com or anywhere in the world willing to ship to India ?

 

[palka]

But SMSL doesn't ship to India :sad:

BTW, is there any other trusted sellers (tripath amps) in ebay.com or anywhere in the world willing to ship to India ?

You can look here:

Audio Amps & DAC - Electronics

 

[soundnovice]

But SMSL doesn't ship to India :sad:

BTW, is there any other trusted sellers (tripath amps) in ebay.com or anywhere in the world willing to ship to India ?

i have ordered from a hongkong seller ( pollychen0306 )who ships SMSL products to India.

 

[marX]

i have ordered from a hongkong seller ( pollychen0306 )who ships SMSL products to India.

Do let me me know how it sounds !

 

[soundnovice]

Do let me me know how it sounds !

it sounds good. highly recommended

 

[keith_correa]

it sounds good. highly recommended

Which one did you get? What are you pairing it with?

 

[soundnovice]

Which one did you get? What are you pairing it with?

the one that uses TA2021B version.
it is driving alpair 10.2

 

[greenhorn]

Just curious about these amplifier topologies - question to the experts.
There is a lot of Class AB hate going around. But T, D and all these other topologies suffer from their own inherent issues. I mean, these are supposed to be used for low power and cost effective (Cheap ) implementations.

But then they end up ending up getting better reviews than their Class AB brethren - I liked Class T and D amps for subs because of their lower output impedance, but for fullrange use - I'm not sure what exactly about them makes them sound better ?

There has gotta be a theoretical explanation somewhere.... right?

 

[soundnovice]

Just curious about these amplifier topologies - question to the experts.
There is a lot of Class AB hate going around. But T, D and all these other topologies suffer from their own inherent issues. I mean, these are supposed to be used for low power and cost effective (Cheap ) implementations.

But then they end up ending up getting better reviews than their Class AB brethren - I liked Class T and D amps for subs because of their lower output impedance, but for fullrange use - I'm not sure what exactly about them makes them sound better ?

There has gotta be a theoretical explanation somewhere.... right?

"T, D and all these other topologies suffer from their own inherent issues."
what are those issues!!?

a well designed class A sounds good and bad design sound bad
it applies to class AB or B or C or D....or Z :lol:

costly doesnt mean good quality
and
cheap doesnt mean bad quality

 

[marX]

the one that uses TA2021B version.
it is driving alpair 10.2

But, 25W is too low right ?

I'm thinking about getting their 120W version (60W usable ?) to power my floor standers.

 

[marX]

BTW, what about other websites ?

I saw a Dayton and Lepai amp in Amazon.com using the same chip !
Also, what about other sites like Deal Extreme, Aliexpress etc ?

 

[soundnovice]

too bad this thread is hijacked to discuss class T amps!

 

[marX]

too bad this thread is hijacked to discuss class T amps!

oops !
sorry