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mission:tech:odyssey:audio [2014/10/29 13:06] – [TriPath TA2024 PCB MKII] chronomission:tech:odyssey:audio [2015/04/12 17:07] (current) – [High-End Audio vs. Low-Power budget] chrono
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 ====== High-End Audio vs. Low-Power budget ====== ====== High-End Audio vs. Low-Power budget ======
  
-Considering all the voodoo and insane prices so called "High-End" audio systems introduced to the simple art of listening to sounds/music with the best possible signal reproduction result, it was quite a surprise to find solutions, that would only cost a fraction of "High-End" system, have a virtually linear power-consumption to usage ratio and sound equally well, maybe even subjectively better.+<WRAP round alert> 
 +There seem to be a couple of ebay auctions, selling TA2020 amps and the sellers seem to have put https://apollo.open-resource.org/mission:tech:odyssey:audio into the description. Those auctions are in no way affiliated with Apollo-NG. Please be aware of that, someone just put the URL to our wiki in there, it has nothing to do with this project. 
 +</WRAP> 
 + 
 +Considering all the voodoo and insane prices so called "High-End" audio systems introduced to the simple art of listening to sounds/music with the best possible signal reproduction result, it was quite a surprise to find solutions, that would only cost a fraction of "High-End" systems, have a virtually linear power-consumption to usage ratio and sound equally well, maybe subjectively actually  even better. Over the course of 3 years a lot of Audio-Enthusiasts have been sitting here and were always mesmerized by the clarity, dynamic and stage perception, these two setups produce.
  
 Traditional Class A,B,A/B amplifiers simply are no option, since they burn too much power by design and need more than 12V, to produce the necessary amount of power to properly control the drivers.  Traditional Class A,B,A/B amplifiers simply are no option, since they burn too much power by design and need more than 12V, to produce the necessary amount of power to properly control the drivers. 
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 The best performance can be achieved by using these devices in a low-power/mobile environment, running for hours of a small 13.8V lead battery or even a 4S LiPo Pack. The best performance can be achieved by using these devices in a low-power/mobile environment, running for hours of a small 13.8V lead battery or even a 4S LiPo Pack.
  
- 
- 
- 
- 
-===== Helder-HiFi Class T-Amps ===== 
- 
-Arjen Helder came up with a solid Tripath Class-T design for the TA2020 and the TA2024. Both can be used with a single 12V power supply and draw a maximum of 2A,     to cover peaks in the power usage (more bass needs more power), idle current is 60mA and normal power consumption at medium volume is between 300mA - 600mA. 
- 
-When looking at the datasheets it was obvious that audible distortion would kick in as soon as the level reached more than 50% of the rated output of the amp, which really makes the TA2020 a 2x12.5W and the TA2024 a 2x7.5W amplifier. However, continuous tests over the last 10 month of daily usage showed that even these levels were never reached since it would have been just too loud. 
- 
-http://helderhifi.webnode.com/ 
- 
-If you want to get these modules, a search for "helder hifi" will direct you to the appropriate ebay shop. 
 ===== Test Setup 1 ===== ===== Test Setup 1 =====
  
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 </columns> </columns>
  
-=== Source ===+=== Sources === 
 + 
 +** Helder-HiFi Class T-Amps ** 
 + 
 +Arjen Helder came up with a solid Tripath Class-T design for the TA2020 and the TA2024. Both can be used with a single 12V power supply and draw a maximum of 2A,     to cover peaks in the power usage (more bass needs more power), idle current is 60mA and normal power consumption at medium volume is between 300mA - 600mA. 
 + 
 +When looking at the datasheets it was obvious that audible distortion would kick in as soon as the level reached more than 50% of the rated output of the amp, which really makes the TA2020 a 2x12.5W and the TA2024 a 2x7.5W amplifier. However, continuous tests over the last 10 month of daily usage showed that even these levels were never reached since it would have been just too loud. 
 + 
 +http://helderhifi.webnode.com/ 
 + 
 +If you want to get these modules, a search for "helder hifi" will direct you to the appropriate ebay shop. 
 + 
 +**Deal Extreme (JTRON)**
  
 There is also an alternative source from Deal Extreme: [[http://www.dx.com/p/jtron-ta2024-dc-12v-double-track-15w-15w-car-pc-hi-fi-mini-digital-amplifier-board-green-266128|Jtron TA2024]]. The layout seems to be a copy of the helder-hifi (or the other way around) and although a lot of GND vias are missing, a direct comparison played rather equal so you can get it really cheap now :) There is also an alternative source from Deal Extreme: [[http://www.dx.com/p/jtron-ta2024-dc-12v-double-track-15w-15w-car-pc-hi-fi-mini-digital-amplifier-board-green-266128|Jtron TA2024]]. The layout seems to be a copy of the helder-hifi (or the other way around) and although a lot of GND vias are missing, a direct comparison played rather equal so you can get it really cheap now :)
 +
 +
 +
 +
 ==== Acoustic Research Chronos B17 ==== ==== Acoustic Research Chronos B17 ====
  
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 [{{:mission:tech:odyssey:tripath-mk3ta2020.jpg?150|}}] [{{:mission:tech:odyssey:tripath-mk3ta2020.jpg?150|}}]
  
-<columns 100% 50% ->+=== Specifications ===
  
-<typo fs:22px;>Specifications</typo>+<columns 100% 50% ->
  
   * Class-T architecture   * Class-T architecture
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 === Modifications === === Modifications ===
  
-== Input Filters ==+** Input Filters **
  
 Low-Pass chebychev on dc power input + ferrite choke to reduce EMI may help in noisy env's like this setup had to suffer from.  Low-Pass chebychev on dc power input + ferrite choke to reduce EMI may help in noisy env's like this setup had to suffer from. 
  
-== Mundorf Caps ==+** Mundorf Caps **
  
 The original red caps were replaced by very expensive Mundorf silver/oil caps, the price of each cap greatly surpasses the price of the whole amp. Unfortunately, this seems like a complete waste of resources, since no audible increase in sound performance could be perceived, so you can just comfortably stick to the original red ones, without the need to test/optimize there. The original red caps were replaced by very expensive Mundorf silver/oil caps, the price of each cap greatly surpasses the price of the whole amp. Unfortunately, this seems like a complete waste of resources, since no audible increase in sound performance could be perceived, so you can just comfortably stick to the original red ones, without the need to test/optimize there.
- 
  
 ==== Acoustic Research Helios B15 Executive ==== ==== Acoustic Research Helios B15 Executive ====
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   * When looking for suitable speakers/drivers it was very hard to find the sound pressure spec for single drivers instead of a boxed speaker. Why is that? Has the box itself so much influence on the efficiency of the speaker?     * When looking for suitable speakers/drivers it was very hard to find the sound pressure spec for single drivers instead of a boxed speaker. Why is that? Has the box itself so much influence on the efficiency of the speaker?  
 +
 +{{tag>audio hifi high-end tripath amplifier helder ta2020 ta2024 class-d}}
 +
 +{{keywords>Apollo-NG hackerspace hacker space development makerspace fablab lab community open-resource open resource mobile hackbus hackbase audio hifi high-end tripath amplifier helder ta2020 ta2024 class-d}}
 +
 +~~DISCUSSION~~
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