TPA 3116 vs the tripaths
- Thread starter Poultrygeist
- Start date
FlaCharlie
Super Member
Measurements like this don't really mean anything in the real world, of course.
When equipment is used to measure distortion, it's generally done at a single, steady, fixed frequency. It turns out that people are also more sensitive to distortion when a single frequency is used. But distortion, when listening to music, has to be quite high in order for a person to hear it.
Here's a summary, from an article I read recently, of people's audible perception of distortion:
" . . . our tests indicated that very small amounts of distortion (0.15 per cent) are perceptible if the program material is sufficiently simple—for example, a single pure, steady tone. Mixing two tones dramatically raised the threshold of perception to over 2 per cent. Three simultaneous tones, representing increasingly complex program material, resulted in a perception level of a surprising 4 per cent. With normally complex music, it was necessary to increase distortion to a full 6 per cent before it became just [barely] perceptible. . . . at 6 per cent we just began to detect a "strained" quality in the singer's voice. However, even at 6 per cent, distortion was not evident on the percussive instruments. It was only at 12 per cent that distortion began to affect the sound of the guitar and cymbals. Higher [than 12%] distortion levels caused an obvious "fuzziness" in the sound. To test the relationship of volume level to the ear's ability to detect distortion, we played the music at a very loud level with peaks exceeding 100 dB. There was no difference: distortion was again just barely audible at 12 per cent."
BTW, and FWIW, the listeners in that test were well known professional audio writers and equipment reviewers from some elite high end audio magazines. So they're likely used to listening more critically than most folks. Since I don't read those magazines I wasn't familiar with most of them. The only name I recognized was Julian Hirsch.
I also have one of those Nobsound NS-04G Pro Class D amps. I think you'll be pleased, it's a very nice sounding amp! Since Class D produces more power into a 4 ohm load than a typical 8 ohm I'm running a stack of 8 ohm speakers with it. One pair of Pioneer HPM-100s and one pair of JBL 4312 Control Monitors.
There does seem to be a steady parade of interesting chip amps coming out all the time.
I still prefer tube amps but I've picked up a few Class D amps to play with including an Aiyima A-07. Most recently I bought a Loxjie A30, somewhat on a whim, because I have a Loxjie D30 DAC that I really like. In addition to being an amp, the A30 It has its own internal DAC with numerous digital inputs, Bluetooth, analog inputs, headphone output, sub out, digital EQ and remote control. Amazon has them for $170 shipped.
David_NC
Super Member
Amazon has the AIYIMA A07 for $65 with a $15 off coupon at the moment. I just bought a Fosi Audio TB10D for $60 and received it on Friday. I have about 20 hours listening time on it so far, and am quite impressed. I have a Tube01 in front of it, which seems to smooth it a bit. I wonder which of the two is better. I've read of heat issues with the A07, but the TB10D runs very cool to the touch. I had it at over 93dB at about 6 feet between both ADS L880's for a few hours, and it was barely warm in a 65 degree garage.
FlaCharlie
Super Member
These little Class D wonders are certainly great bargains!
My Aiyima A07 barely gets warm much less hot. I can't say that I've spent much time reading about other's experiences with it, though. Perhaps they're running it with a non-stock higher voltage power supply in order to get maximum power output from the chip.
My other two Class D amps, a Nobsound NS-04G Pro and a Loxjie A30, also run very cool using the stock power supplies.
Data sheets for chips used in Class D amps will list a maximum voltage for the PS that produces maximum output. But the amps seem to always be sold with a PS that's somewhat lower voltage. That's just one of the reasons why their advertised wattage is nowhere close to what most users will get.
It's not technically false advertising, but if you read the fine print the operating conditions that produce the prominently advertised wattage are much different from how most people use them.
Not complaining. They sound great and have more power than I need.
David_NC
Super Member
They def. are quite impressive! I'm using mine temporarily in place of a Sherwood S-5000II tube integrated amp, which is clearly better than the chip amp. However, putting the Tube01 in front improved it. I'm not sure exactly how, but it seemed the Fosi was a bit harsh in the highs at first. Perhaps it was just the change from the Sherwood. I should try the Fosi again without the tube preamp to see how I feel about it now, but reports are that the TPA3255 (and other chip amps) sound better with tubes. Perhaps I'll bring this combo to an upcoming AK get-together for other input.
I'm almost tempted to exchange it for the A07, but it really doesn't seem to be worth the trouble. Also, I just ordered a bare TPA3255 amp board this morning from a US seller on eBay for $30, and I really don't need a third amp. I wish I'd seen the A07 for $50 before I ordered the amp board! Still, it might be fun to build this into a custom enclosure or something similar.
Goggle1824
Well-Known Member
So what are the current best options for tube pre’s for these Class D amps (the Aiyima AO7, and it’s brothers, sisters and cousins)?
And does having a Bluetooth module/node onboard have an effect (negative or otherwise) on the sound?
And does having a Bluetooth module/node onboard have an effect (negative or otherwise) on the sound?
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ig88
Well-Known Member
Been using the Douk P2, been great all-round, sockets and Chinese tubes are the weakness, changed the sockets, put some Wimas in ( only because I had some on hand) sounds better than it did, but stock is pretty good. Been trying different tubes, sockets are a bit fragile.
Here's the board, replaced the two blue 1uf caps , been running solid since.
Does anyone know if this blue/black board is still available? I know it has been some time since this board was popular, but I put one in a receiver and really liked it. I decided to add pre out/amp in jacks to the receiver, and evidently these boards don't take well to vibration, after the work was complete, the board no longer worked. I substituted a 120 watt version that I had on hand, and everything is working fine, with oodles of power, and it sounds good, but this little board sounded a little better to my ears. I have looked on Ali Express, and on ebay, and haven't been able to find it. Bill
Gnesen
Super Member
Here you go…
Yuan Jing Audio - TPA3116 Class-D 2.0 Stereo Amplifier Board [50W+50W] - USD $29.99
TPA3116 Class-D 2.0 Stereo Amplifier Board [50W+50W] Product Details: 1. Use the TI TPA3116D Class-D Stereo Amplifier Chip 2. Use MKP, Siemens Coupling Boxed Caps and 3. Output LC Filter, C-RC Snubber are used by all axial
www.yuan-jing.com
Thanks, Gnesen. Didn't know about this place. I guess the scarcity of this board accounts for the price. Last one I bought was less than half this, including shipping. Can anyone recommend a good sounding alternative board? I could probably go back and read this thread again, but that is a lot of reading.Here you go…
Yuan Jing Audio - TPA3116 Class-D 2.0 Stereo Amplifier Board [50W+50W] - USD $29.99
TPA3116 Class-D 2.0 Stereo Amplifier Board [50W+50W] Product Details: 1. Use the TI TPA3116D Class-D Stereo Amplifier Chip 2. Use MKP, Siemens Coupling Boxed Caps and 3. Output LC Filter, C-RC Snubber are used by all axial
Yatsushiro
Active Member
The blue/black Danz Design boards are still available on ebay:
Ebay Blue/Black
I have also used these Sanwu boards in a couple of builds and can recommend them:
Sanwu 3116
A bit more expensive, but this is my favourite and go to 3116 board:
3116 Green Board
Some of the newer boards have been found to have fake 3116 chips. And generally, unless you really need it, avoid boards with pots.
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Thanks, Yatsushiro: Looks like those are on the German ebay. Never thought to look anywhere but the USA ebay.
Yatsushiro
Active Member
I found them on ebay UK, but as they all ship from China, I think you can treat them as international listings.
For example, here's a ebay USA listing for the Sanwu baord I linked above:
Sanwu 3116 USA
Yatsushiro
Active Member
It's a good one. There's a snubber mod you can do for a subtle improvement in the sound:
Could you actually tell a difference in the sound after you did the mod? What are the values of the caps/resistors?
Yatsushiro
Active Member
I did; the mod reduces harshness and sibilance in the higher frequencies.
The resistors are 10R. the caps are 330pF.
The resistors are 10R. the caps are 330pF.