Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Mar 2008
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OP
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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
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
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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
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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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)
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
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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
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,378
connoisseur
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OP
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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
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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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. 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
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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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!
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Re: Gonna Try Building a 1kW Class D Amp for Only $396
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Keep telling yourself that Ken, let me know how it goes.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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