amp6, fantastic! - heat sink question

[gychang]

After messing up 2x amp6BASIC, I got lucky with amp6 (not basic). It is playing Earl Klugh and sounds clean, detailed, crisp, with extended bass!! Nothing like a DIY when works.

In my excitement I am playing it little louder than usual, and feel the chip/voltage regular/rectifier is somewhat hot.

1. any recommendation on how to install the heat sink?, is there a ready made that fits? (will get hold of a CPU compound).
2. on my amp6, bag #7, I am left with "isolating pad (TO220), Isolating bushing (TO220)". Anyone know what they are for?

thanks,

gychang

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Irvine, CA
sunny place to be

[krilli]

Congratulations! They ARE pretty good amps, aren't they?

Regarding 2., you use the isolating materials if you want to use one large heat sink for the Tripath chip, the rectifier and the regulator.

The thing is basically that the regulator's metal case is (IIRC) connected to negative voltage, V-, while the rectifier and Tripath chip are ground. Hence you don't want the regulator to actually make electrical contact with the heatsink.

[gychang]

Congratulations! They ARE pretty good amps, aren't they?

Regarding 2., you use the isolating materials if you want to use one large heat sink for the Tripath chip, the rectifier and the regulator.

The thing is basically that the regulator's metal case is (IIRC) connected to negative voltage, V-, while the rectifier and Tripath chip are ground. Hence you don't want the regulator to actually make electrical contact with the heatsink.

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Amp6 is excellent indeed.

I was going to use one large piece of aluminum plate as the heat sink. If I use the isolating pad, wonder if the regulator won't benefit (regulator is hottest) from having the heatsink... I am assuming here the isolating pad won't conduct heat but isolate it electrically.

thanks,

gychang

----
Irvine, CA
sunny place to be

[cfranz]

Yep, the isolating pad is there to isolate the electronic components from each other electrically. While they arn't the best conductors of heat, they do just fine.

As to the other question. Heck, put a heat sink on everything if you want. It can't hurt (unless you make electrical contact with other componants) and may help with longevity a bit (probably a very little bit).

Have fun. Wish I lived closer, I'd help you celebrate.

Carl
Just another beautiful day in paradise.

[audiophool]

gychang,

Is this the photo of the amp that you are listening to?

http://www.41hz.com/Forums/photo_gallery.asp?action=displayimage&photo=450&loc=/gallery/gychang/10102006114920AM.jpg

Looks really nice indeed.

I was wondering if you are hearing any hum or hiss? I ask this because the output wires appear to be bundled with the input cables.

Regards,

Tim

[gychang]

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gychang,

Is this the photo of the amp that you are listening to?

http://www.41hz.com/Forums/photo_gallery.asp?action=displayimage&photo=450&loc=/gallery/gychang/10102006114920AM.jpg

Looks really nice indeed.
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that photo is amp32, works perfectly (put together by Sean T.), initially hum but cut the 3rd prong off and fixed the problem. I will attempt amp32 in future...

gychang

----
Irvine, CA
sunny place to be

[audiophool]

That's interesting because I tried unsuccessfully to make my truepath hum by tangling input and output cables. Apparently the hum is only induced under certain circumstances...

[gychang]

quote:Originally posted by audiophool
[br]That's interesting because I tried unsuccessfully to make my truepath hum by tangling input and output cables. Apparently the hum is only induced under certain circumstances...


anyway nice to avoid getting the input/output wires together, for possible interference.

gychang

----
Irvine, CA
sunny place to be