The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

[Silver1omo]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

I have an old Lenovo PSU that use to power a sure amp. Had to cut the factory connector and solder a generic one. Same problem with the Sony PSP PSU that I'm using for the Raspberry PI.
Damn proprietary connectors!!!!

[Pete Basel]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Pete - given that the board was designed to fit into the SURE case specifically, I was forced to work with only one power connector. I've tried my best to make the design capable of handling as much current as possible, but the DC jack and the front panel switch are two limitation points.

Now, actually seeing 6-7 amps of real, sustained current seems very unlikely. The amps will likely start to go into thermal shutdown before they get to that point (and your ears will be bleeding).

The DC jack was designed for the CUI PJ-082BH, which is a 2.5mm x 5.5mm standard jack capable of handling 10A.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PJ-082BH/CP-082BHCT-ND/3102547

The switch was much tougher to source. It was designed for a funky vertical toggle type, which very few suppliers carry. I ordered this 6A version off eBay (and I hope they'll hold up):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390432567752?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

For the power supply, I believe I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but I recommend a 150W Asus adapter, like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Original-19-5V-7-7A-150W-AC-Power-Cord-Adapter-Charger-ASUS-Adp-150nb-D-/120801411615?pt=Laptop_Adapters_Chargers&hash=item1c2053421f

That lenovo one you linked is nice, but I don't know where to source the mating connector from, and I'm not sure the board would be designed for that mating connector.

Did you consider automotive switches since you are switching low voltage,
but doubt they'd be PC mount.

That ASUS looks better but Lenovo's are often cheap, probably not for
this one because it is so large and less common.

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Just FYI - the boards and most of the parts arrived today. I already see a few small (not insurmountable) issues:

1. For whatever reason, they didn't use my most up to date silkscreen. Not a huge deal - my name just didn't get onto the board ;).

2. The mounting holes didn't get drilled out. Not sure why. Not a big deal, I just have to take a drill to the board unexpectedly.

3. I think I laid out the potentiometers backwards (as in volume up = volume down). I can fix this by cutting the traces on the board and re-wiring it. Pain in the rear end, but do-able.

On the plus side, it mechanically fits into the chassis! Yeah!







Obviously, I still need to cut out for the subwoofer volume pot and the extra speaker jacks, but it's well under way.

[djg]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Awesome.

[Silver1omo]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Nice!

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

The board just soldered up really quickly. About an hour and a half and I'm done. There were several things I noted as assembling it - I'll post my thoughts on it later. Some components are a bit too close to the edge, but some tape should fix that issue. I'm a bit annoyed that DigiKey advertised the banana jacks I bought as "standard". They're not - they're mini or maybe proprietary. Oh well - that's something to tackle later. For now, I've got to go back to my paying job so I can spend some time bringing these up tomorrow.

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

It's alive!!!!! (Said with an evil Frankenstein laugh.)

Performing quite well. The 100hz crossover point I aimed for (different than the 80hz point in the schematics) is spot on. I had to make a few changes, but nothing major. I'll post a build thread once the pots I ordered a month ago from China actually arrive.

[ani_101]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

It's alive!!!!! (Said with an evil Frankenstein laugh.)

Performing quite well. The 100hz crossover point I aimed for (different than the 80hz point in the schematics) is spot on. I had to make a few changes, but nothing major. I'll post a build thread once the pots I ordered a month ago from China actually arrive.

[ATTACH]52435[/ATTACH]

That is NICE!

[Silver1omo]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Now the amps are out of stock in PE and the one I ordered from flea-bay did not arrive :(

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Now the amps are out of stock in PE and the one I ordered from flea-bay did not arrive :(

No worries. PE now stocks the YJ TPA3116 board I also designed the board for. The TPA3116 is (at least numbers wise) a better performer.

http://www.parts-express.com/yuan-jing-tpa3116-class-d-amplifier-board-50w-50w--320-6554

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Oh - it IS possible to use one TDA7492 and one TPA3116, if you so desired. You don't have to match both amplifiers.

[Silver1omo]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

No worries. PE now stocks the YJ TPA3116 board I also designed the board for. The TPA3116 is (at least numbers wise) a better performer.

http://www.parts-express.com/yuan-ji...-50w--320-6554

Thanks! Good to know, although more expensive.
Changing subject, do you have T/S parameters of the AC130F1? If I remember correctly you built a pair of Continuum.

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Thanks! Good to know, although more expensive.
Changing subject, do you have T/S parameters of the AC130F1? If I remember correctly you built a pair of Continuum.

That board is slightly cheaper from the YJ website, although you need to also purchase the cable to go with it (I learned the hard way). Not sure how shipping affects things, though.

http://www.yuan-jing.com/tpa3116-class-d-2-0-stereo-amplifier-board-50w-50w

http://www.yuan-jing.com/shielded-audio-cable-jst-xh-2-54-3p-awg28

I never took T/S parameters on the AC130. Since I was just building the Continuum kit, I never worried about it. I'm sure those are posted somewhere on this forum, or Jeff may be able to provide them to you.

[Wolf]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

Oh - it IS possible to use one TDA7492 and one TPA3116, if you so desired. You don't have to match both amplifiers.

You can't parallel-mono drive the 3116 though can you?

Oh- now that I see what you meant to make the 2.1 kit, I understand and like it quite a bit! Is the amp case an available item?
Later,
Wolf

[tyger23]

Re: The DIY 2.1 amplifier. Should I build it? Would you buy it?

You can't parallel-mono drive the 3116 though can you?

Oh- now that I see what you meant to make the 2.1 kit, I understand and like it quite a bit! Is the amp case an available item?
Later,
Wolf

Wolf,

The TPA3116 was specifically designed to support parallel mode. Just a small, easy rework to the board is required.

The case is here and will require some holes drilled in the back panel to accommodate the sub volume and extra speaker posts:

http://www.parts-express.com/aluminum-amplifier-case-177-h-x-472-w-x-689-d--320-326