Check out the new Class D amps at PE

[Poultrygeist]

I picked up a 100 watt into 4ohms Class D board amp and a Meanwell power supply a year or so ago and it's been great. Listened to it tonight driving my bi-amped garage OB's. Sweet!

To get the most out of one you really need a tube preamp up front. I use my Aric but a cheap one off ebay would be fine. Arjen Helder sells a good one..


Video: Class D Amplifier boards (http://www.parts-express.com/videos/video.cfm?Video_ID=589&utm_source=Retail&utm_medium=Email_Newsletter&utm_content=VID+Amp+Boards&utm_campaign=email030812)

[harley .guy07]

I just seen the video for them on PE and they look like they would be pretty cool for someone looking for a space saving amp that is efficient and sounds good with not taking up a lot of space.

[Ajani]

Since we're on the subject of Class D amps, the Hypex NC400 has really got my attention - Early reviews seem to think these new Hypex amps are the holy grail of Class D amplification:

http://www.hypex.nl/products/images/NC400-3.jpg
NC400 (http://www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=102)

Note: they are NOT cheap - approximately $1K USD for two of the NC400 modules + a single SMPS600 power supply - then you need to add chasis, connections and labour.

[Poultrygeist]

The Class D's from Parts Express are cheap. They're probably better than the Sure amp board they formerly carried which is what I have. The new boards have more robust components and the fans are twice the size of mine. I've conversed with folks from other countries who are amazed at PE's low prices. They must have a direct pipeline to Asia and buy in huge quantities.

As for 'taking up space" once you get the board and large power supply in a case it's not that compact. I'll try a post a picture of mine to illustrate how it looks wired up in a simple pine case. I almost used two cigar boxes.

[Poultrygeist]

True power is more like 30 watts per channel and it sounds better than the small t-amps for under $100.

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio/500/medium/PB1600011.JPG

[Poultrygeist]

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio/500/medium/PB160005.JPG

[Poultrygeist]

There's a plexi-glass cover over the top which is hard to see. I've since drilled holes over the fans. I'd recommend a wooden enclosure vs metal as these amp boards have a floating ground and don't require a case ground. Wood is also not a conductor.

Although the PS is fused I used an separate inline fuse at the toggle switch to protect the board. PE sells a separate volume control. I tried it but found it to be unsatisfactory so I stuck with using the amp as a power amp with a tube pre to control the volume.

I'd suggest any of the board amps for even the least experienced beginner. They're plug and play. Once you get the hang of it you can easily transition it into simple case. If soldering is not your bag, crimp on connectors could be used for the inputs and binding posts.

[Poultrygeist]

For all you power brokers imagine 600 watt mono-blocks! Don't know where you could find cheaper power unless you own the utility company. If anyone springs for the 250, 300 or 600 watt mongers please report your findings.

[Poultrygeist]

Ajani,

There's nothing in the Hypex board components to justify that price. The markup is astronomical.

[Ajani]

Ajani,

There's nothing in the Hypex board components to justify that price. The markup is astronomical.

ASFAIK, Hypex created that board (their own design) as opposed to just putting together some parts from someone else's schematic. So I don't think it's fair for someone to eyeball the parts and attempt to determine a price.

This is the link that brought Hypex's new Ncore range to my attention :
6moons industry features: Hypex Ncore® (http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/ncore/1.html)

Then I noticed this 287 page thread about it on the DIYAudio site:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendors-bazaar/190434-hypex-ncore.html

[blackraven]

The 600 watt rating is misleading. It is 600w at 2ohms and 10% THD and 300w at 4 ohm at 10% THD. I would opt for the 250wpc x 2 board but by the time you spend $260 on the 2 power supplies and the $70 on the board you could have bought a Class D Audio Kit for less or close to the same price and with better specs. But the PE kits look a littl easier to put together for a novice.

Class D Audio CDA-254L Kit - Class D Amp Kits - Amplifier Kits (http://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits-1/class-d-kits-2/250w-x2-500w-x1-amp-large-power-supply-transformer.html)

Class D Audio SDS-258 Kit - Class D Amp Kits - Amplifier Kits (http://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits-1/class-d-kits-2/sds-258-kit.html)

[Ajani]

The 600 watt rating is misleading. It is 600w at 2ohms and 10% THD and 300w at 4 ohm at 10% THD. I would opt for the 250wpc x 2 board but by the time you spend $260 on the 2 power supplies and the $70 on the board you could have bought a Class D Audio Kit for less or close to the same price and with better specs. But the PE kits look a littl easier to put together for a novice.

Class D Audio CDA-254L Kit - Class D Amp Kits - Amplifier Kits (http://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits-1/class-d-kits-2/250w-x2-500w-x1-amp-large-power-supply-transformer.html)

Class D Audio SDS-258 Kit - Class D Amp Kits - Amplifier Kits (http://classdaudio.com/amplifier-kits-1/class-d-kits-2/sds-258-kit.html) the advantage of the PE kits is that once you can use a screwdriver, you can get them up and running. But yeah, I've never been impressed with their specs - ratings at 2 ohms with 10% distortion is very misleading.

[Poultrygeist]

Sorry to have wasted your time and mine.

[Ajani]

I wouldn't call it a waste of time. We only questioned the more powerful and expensive amps in the PE line. They have numerous amp kits for around $100 or less, that are basically plug and play; so a great way to test out class d amps on the cheap.

However if I was looking for more powerful and expensive amps, I'd start with the SDS line from class d audio and make my way up to the ncore by hypex.

[Feanor]

Pretty interesting, although like Ajani I'd probably look elsewhere for a really high-quality amp.

Class D Audio is an obvious, and by now well tested, alternative where they can deliver complete amps as well as modules.

For the DIY'er an other supplier is Connexelectonics.com (http://connexelectronic.com/) who purvey quite a wide variety of Class AB, Class D, and Class T amp and power supply modules and accessories. Unlike, say Class D Audio, the provide excellent documentation. I haven't tried them but there are threads at diyAudio.com (http://www.diyaudio.com/) to discuss their stuff at some length.

For example, their one-board, PSU-included, 2x400 wpc Tripath TA3020 v4 amp (http://connexelectronic.com/product_info.php/cPath/39_47/products_id/119) ...

http://connexelectronic.com/images/TA3020v4.JPG

[Poultrygeist]

Of course you can get a better board for more money but can you show me a 250 X 2 for $69? Power supplies for it can be bought for it on ebay.

These amp boards are brand new at PE and I doubt anyone has one or knows at this point how great they sound. The build quality is better than my Sure.

[blackraven]

Sorry PG, I think that the lower powered PE amps are a good buy, especially since the cost of the power supplies are lower.