New board, AMP6

[Jan]

- AMP6. 2x25W 4 ohm. Hole mount components. Stabilized power supply on board
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- Based on the Tripath TA2020. The chip is very similar to the one used in AMP3. The difference is that the TA2020 is hole mounted. According to Tripath the TA2021B and the TA2020 are "extremely similar" internally.
- This amp is good news if you are interested in AMP3 but do not like to solder small surface mount components. All resistor, capacitors etc on AMP6 are hole mounted. There are a few large power diodes that are surface mount but these are larger than the hole mounted components in the kit.
- Stabilized 14.6V, 5A power supply on board, with 18.000 uF and 1800 uF quality capacitors. Just add a 12VAC transformer.
- Output filter with oversized toroid inductors for good linearity and low EMI.

The footprint of the board is 106x42 mm

AMP6 will be available in august/september.

A complete kit will cost at most €40 including VAT, $US40 excluding VAT. (VAT is applicable to deliveries to addresses within the EU). Final price to be announced.

[holyghostfire]

I was wondering if it is possible to bypass the power supply to use a 12v sla battery instead. Could you tell me the price range you have in mind for the AMP6? Thanks for your time, Kevin.

[Jan]

Hi,

You could bypass the voltage regulator with a jumper and omit the rectifier (or use it as a polarity safeguard, while loosing 0.7V). But then the board would funtionally be very similar to AMP3, except you would have a bulk capacitor on the board. And of course it would be hole mounted components. I think a complete kit will cost around €40.

[Jan]

/images/41hz/amp6/amp6001.jpg
Picture of the first prototype board

The first prototype is now playing. Referring to the picture above:

On the left are the input connections, mute switch connection and and two LED diode outputs. There is space for a 8-hole 2.5 mm (100 mil) spacing connector here. A green LED indicates power on / no clipping. The LED blinks if the amp is into clipping at high power. A red LED is normally off and indicates faults like over current, over temperature. The LEDs can be placed on the PCB for testing, but would be best placed on afront panel. On the upper edge is the TA2020 chip, the voltage regulator and the rectifier bridge On the right is the power section, here without the bulk capacitor mounted. There is space for a three-hole 5 mm (200 mil) spacing connector for the transformer here On the bottom are the speaker connections. There will be space for a four-hole 5 mm (200 mil) spacing connector here
The first impressions of the sound are very good. So now it's time to hookup the test equipment to see if all looks OK.

The height of the tallest component, the 18000 uF capacitors, is 35 mm, so the amp could possibly fit in a box with 40 mm inside height. If not, I might settle for a 15000 uF with 30 mm height instead, if this turns out to be enough.

[AudioAmigos]

Hi Jan,

I would like to know how good the AMP6 prototype is when compared to the AMP3 ? What are the main differences (sonicly) ? Also, do you now have a better idea of when you willput the kit up for sale ?

A lot ofquestions :D

Thanks !

Daniel

[Jan]

Hi,

AMP6 will start shipping in the coming week, around the 17-20:t of august.

I find it hard to hear and even more to describe differences between AMP3 and AMP6. I invite buyers who have heard both, to post their opinion on this.

[Anthony]

Great news, I take three :D

[satriany]

Hello.

Is that rev of the amp easy to build ? Is it OK to solder the tripath with a regular soldering iron ?

Do we get the schematics and the instructions ?

Regards, Greg.

[satriany]

PS : to we need a cooler for the voltage regulator ?

[Jan]

Satriany; you get the assembly instructions. The schematics are similar to the Tripath design. There will be a schematic as well.

Heat sink: yes, you need a heat sink for the Tripath chip and the voltage regulator. For low power, screwing them to an alu casing would be enough. For higher power, you may need to remove about 30-40W at worst.

The regulator needs to be eletrically insulated from the heat sink. The tripath chip does not need insulation as the chip heat slug is internally connected to circuit ground. For he voltage regulator a silicone pad and isulating screw bushing is included in the kit.

The kit should be simpler to solder than the surface mount versions. The resistors are the smallest components, of the new compact 0.4W resistor size, with a body diameter of 2 mm and body lenth about 3.2 mm, mounted on 5 mm hole distance.

[satriany]

Thanks for your reply Jan.

By the way are the holes already done on the board ?

I got a 60W Weller W-61, is it too big ?
http://eekit.dk/product.asp?product=1303〈=dk

Also : you can't screw the 2020 chip, there is no hole to do that. what do you think ?

I dismounted a computer power suply and there is two or 3 regulators per heatsink, I think I could use it with a cooling fan (PAPST). I think it would be enough, right?

Still wondering how to bind the 2020 to the heatsink.

[tortor]

My AMP6 just arrived with the post. Looks great.

There are no instructions included. can i find these instructions on the 41Hz website, or can they mail it to me?