List of PWM Amplifiers. - Page 6

Awesome news, Yves...will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Question to you and the group here and I apologize in advance for possible off-topic: does this look like an accurate parts list "per channel" for building a UcD-400 system?

Hypex UcD-400 Shopping List "Per Channel"
Hypex UCD-400 Module
Hypex UCD ST Power Supply
Hypex UCD400 1KVA Torroidal Transformer
Hypex SoftStart Module
Hypex UCD Input Cable
Exodus Binding Post
Exodus EX-FRCA RCA Connectors
(Cardas Shielded Cable for internal connections other than Hypex cable?)
(Some sort of output cable to the binding posts, and power cable from the AC outlet connector?)
(Chassis with AC power inputs?)

I suppose that if I manage to build one of these, I could slap a shiny anodized label on it, brand it and add it to the list of PWM amps above. :-)

BTW, as far as I can tell this parts list comes in under ~$450 at DIYCable.com, while CIAudio.com is selling their extremely highly-reviewed UcD400-based monoblocks for like $1400 apiece and I think they use identical components. Go figure.

Best,
Adam

Good luck to you! Whatever you do, take the 400AD modules - the opamp is so much cleaner.

1 KVA toroid is a lot, in that case I'd use the advanced power supply as well. I've got 2 400AD's running off a single 500VA but with the better PS - 40.000uF instead of 20.000uF. Never heard it running out of steam (should be rock solid for 8 ohm loads)!

2 times 1KVA is overkill for sure. You'd need 2 softstarts for this as well I believe...

You'll be amazed how big a 500VA toroid is already... it's larger than most amps out there are using. Most receivers run less VA's in smaller caps, and that's for 7 channels...

If you're new to electronics... *watch out* - You're playing with dangerous things, worse than mains - DC power at voltages used in these amps are lethal without a doubt. 40.000uF of loaded caps will do the same if they release their energy to your body. Lastly, caps like this could explode violently if polarity is connected wrong. Check, check and check again... if you're not sure, let someone build it for you!

CIaudio is expensive indeed, but they don't use stock UcD's - they are tweaked on some crucial points, like the coupling caps for example.

Tweaks like that are on the verge of audiophile/audiophool though - sounds better? Yes probably. Sounds better enough to multiply the price by 3? Not really.

the "linear" comes from the regulation part of the power supply where the active device works in its linear regeion - between fully on and fully off to maintain the desired output levels.

it doesn't refer to the rectification part of the supply.

Thanks much for the tips! I'll go 400AD for sure. What parts do you think would make sense for a 3-channel configuration in terms of toroids, power supplies, and other parts? I think the HG power supply sounds like a must.

I've also read about some RFI interference; would I need something to reduce that or does that depend on proper chassis/case selection?



I'm definitely not sure...so perhaps I will ask someone to build. I have soldered before (not with much skill) and am certainly not new to electronic component wiring, but never amps...

Best,
Adam

What he mentioned were "conventional linear supplies," which is an oxymoron because any supply that uses peak rectification, as a conventional supply or even a switch-mode supply that has a rectifier feeding a capacitive reservoir, is not at all linear. Instead, it is quite non-linear, with little or no conduction except at the AC voltage waveform peaks. No one made any mention of regulation.

you don't have to mention any and everything in a conversation. Or we will not be able to have one at all.

case in point: you don't hear people say that they have a non-linear switching mode power supply, or a non-linear conventional power supply.

FWIW, I have Ascends, and have been using the NuForce Ref8b class D amps...and have been very happy.

That said, I just bought a "Beast" from Bertram. A two channel 500wpc amp using two ICEpower 1000ASP modules.

I heard the Bel Canto e.One Ref1000, which uses the same module and was very impressed before I even knew what it was.

cschang,

Do you notice a difference in your new amp compared to the NuForce ?

Regards,
Jose

I won't have it for a couple of weeks.....it is currently in route to me.

No, but many people mistakenly believe that conventional power supplies are linear, whether or not they are regulated. Typically, when someone says "linear supply," he or she is not referring to regulation but is using a misnomer.

I don't know about that. I would say that most people (I run into) use "power supplies" to mean unregulated power supplies, and linear supplies to mean "regulated power supplies".

and think about it, there is a "linear" element in a switching mode power supply as well. so it is hard, if not outright impossible, to be 100% precise.

IME, regulated supplies are referred to as "regulated supplies."

you are absolutely correct, in your opinion.

Unfortunately, the world doesn't revolve around either one of us. Just as nobody calls rectified power supplies as "non-linear power supplies"

Don't worry, I'm fully aware of that. I've seen plenty of conventional, unregulated supplies incorrectly referred to as "linear."

Yet another forum to keep track of........

I noticed several hits coming from this site, so I decided to register in order to answer any questions that you may have.

You can ask on the the forum, or send an e-mail.

(Can't say I care for the color scheme, but I like some of the ways it operates. Especially the "no links in the sig" part. One of my pet peeves. Plus a spell check. I'm impressed.)

Pat
Analog Research-Technology

ar-T, this is (by far) one of the largest forums out there... welcome

So, are you saying your product will replace both my soundcard and receiver/amplifier?

Neat! I hope the soundcard can playback 16-bit 44khz without altering the stream, like most soundcards do...

Yes, that's right. Our product basically has a high quality external soundcard built in. The balanced outputs from the analog stage connect directly to the Class-D amp modules. However, the performance specs are much higher than most consumer soundcards.

That shouldn't be a problem since we have ASIO drivers. With our current prototype we can play 16-bit 44.1kHz audio unaltered with applications that recognize the ASIO drivers.

Interesting post by Bruno Putzeys over at Audioholics this morning:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums...5&postcount=26

MY ICEpower 1000asp based amp arrived yesterday!

it is just silly to see people fight this much over nothing.

Keep us posted on how it sounds Curtis. I'll keep you all posted on my UcD adventures should you care to read about them, probably in another thread once I take the plunge and buy the parts. Thanks to Yves and all for guidance.

Poor Bruno...he should never have put his personal e-mail address at the bottom of that audioholics article!

-Adam

Sure thing Adam.

Would love to compare a UcD400 and 1000asp based amps.

Fighting???? I don't see how you came to that conclusion.


BTW.........don't hook your ASP1000 up to anything lower than 4 ohms. Yes, it will drive a lower impedance, but I don't think you will like the results. Especially true if you are comparing directly to a UcD 400.

Trust me.......I know these things.

Pat

Thanks for the tip.....and I don't plan on hooking them up to anything under 4 ohms.

How do you feel about them above 4ohms? Right now, it sounds great!

Did you compare the Ice to the UcD? I asked someone who tested the Ice module and then looked at the Hypex information. He told me he preferred the Hypex design concept to the Ice.

There are a lot of opinions out there. I asked a couple of people the same question and got different reactions.