Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 8 of 14 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 13 14
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
Ken.C #335231 01/21/11 10:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
SRoode Offline OP
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
Originally Posted By: kcarlile
Almost? If the dude sold predrilled cabs, it would be a no brainer.


This dude does!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=album;id=4288


LFR1100 Actives,QS10HPx2,QS8x2,EP800,M3x4,M3x2 (Wood),M5HPx2 (Wood),AxiomAir,ADA1500-8,ADA1500-7
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
SRoode #335232 01/21/11 10:23 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Does he still?


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
Ken.C #335237 01/21/11 11:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
I like this thread!


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
SirQuack #335250 01/22/11 01:18 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
SRoode Offline OP
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
Okay, I've tested the system out and listened for several hours. I also hooked up the VP180 once I unbridged the amps. Here are my opinions.

Sound Quality - At least as good as the AVR-3806, and I think a good bit better. My wife thinks it's much, much better. Sound seems tighter and less muffled. I don't know if it's a characteristic of the Class D type amplification, having separate amplification, or a little of both. We switched back and forth between the AVR-3806 and the ClassD amp several times, and every time it felt like cotton came out of our ears.

Power - Here's the rub. I cannot test the unit to full power, even in unbridged mode, because the amps will cut due to high temperature. The best I was able to sustain without any cutouts was a constant 102db in my listening position. When I looked at the wattmeter, I was pulling about 90W. That's with 3 channels going too. Interestingly, the VP180 always cuts before the M80s. Maybe something changed with the new crossovers and drivers. The website (and the people on the board) have said that higher power demands require an active cooling system. When I shot the heatsink, it was at 73C constant. So, I think adding fins on the heatsink and the addition of a fan would allow me to bump the power up.

Fun Factor and Ease of Build - It's REALLY easy to build and a lot of fun. I'm really proud of it even in it's unfinished state. Knowing I can go in and tweak things (like thinking of a way to provide a more robust cooling solution) is a lot of fun for me.

Recommendation - I would recommend these kits for people who normally listen to music below 100db. If you listen in the 85-90db range, there is no problem whatsoever, and you can go with a much smaller toroid and amp size (driving the cost down even more). The sound quality, at least to our ears, easily rivals or beats that of high end professional equipment. I would also recommend this kit for someone looking to amplify surround speakers on the cheap, or someone who likes to tinker around (especially coming up with a nice cooling solution).

I'm going to keep the amp hooked into my system. I like the change in sound that much. Plus, I usually listen in the 90-95db range, so I'm good with the volume. I just want to be able to figure out a good way to get the most I can out of the amp modules... But hey, that's part of the fun right?


LFR1100 Actives,QS10HPx2,QS8x2,EP800,M3x4,M3x2 (Wood),M5HPx2 (Wood),AxiomAir,ADA1500-8,ADA1500-7
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
SRoode #335251 01/22/11 01:39 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
Good for a Denon 9.2 that has pre-outs for 11.2 (or 9.3 to 11.3)

Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
CatBrat #335253 01/22/11 02:15 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
It's hard to judge from the pics. Is the heat sink taller than everything on the board? Can't tell if it clears the inductors or not.

I was thinking you could get a finely finned heat sink and use a thermally conductive epoxy to attach it to the existing sink. Something like: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_thermal_adhesive.htm


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
ClubNeon #335256 01/22/11 02:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
SRoode Offline OP
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
Funny you say that Chris. I'm going to Fry's tomorrow to pick these up:

http://www.frys.com/product/5591560?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Turns out the are the exact width of the heatskink, and a set of 8 will cover the entire top. They are self adhering as well.

I also just ordered two 48VDC fans for $1.75 each. The output of the DC power supply is 50VDC.


LFR1100 Actives,QS10HPx2,QS8x2,EP800,M3x4,M3x2 (Wood),M5HPx2 (Wood),AxiomAir,ADA1500-8,ADA1500-7
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
SRoode #335274 01/22/11 04:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
Keep us posted Steve. Curious, if you plan to call the seller and discuss the shutting down issue, if they claim 4ohm compatible, and shutting down when it is not within a case, plenty of ventilation?

My Odyssey mono's I had got fairly hot to the touch and were a A A/B design, which is not as efficient as Class D. I'm just trying grasp the concept of having all that power if you can only listen to levels the Denon will easily put out. I know the sound appears to be better/tighter overall, but as John always says, why have all that extra umph if you don't use it. smile

I suppose for the small price you payed, it still was a good venture.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
SirQuack #335276 01/22/11 04:25 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Well, given that he was bridging and pushing >105dB on 4 ohm speakers, I'm not surprised it shut down with those teeeeeny heatsinks.

So, so tempted to try this out. Don't need it... don't need it...


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
Ken.C #335280 01/22/11 04:29 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
J
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
J
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
Keep telling yourself that Ken, let me know how it goes. wink


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Page 8 of 14 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 13 14

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 136 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4