TPA 3116 vs the tripaths

if I remember correctly SMD size is 0805, 1206 will fit input pads. Two 1uFs most left, two most right, the 5th in the middle should remain 1uF. Look at ampboard to see if it makes you very uncomfortable (size). Pictures of ampboard look very big
But maybe inroom respons of 604's is a little boomy, and the little loss might help too, you need to listen first and see.
Electrolytics will influence sound too, they will be the powersupply 95% of time playing music, your external PSU is too far away for immediate energy needs. AC1308 has 5mm leadspacing and 12.5mm dia can fits, for ac1308copy I don't know. I would go for Chemicons for high frequency, 2200uF's have nice low esr too, KZN/KZM/KZH/KZE etc. And looking at powersupply decoupling.....but really listen first, twist inputleads if you don't use standard with plug, after 30 minutes on power the electrolytics won't be very lossy (who knows when they were produced) and you can seriously listen.

What do you connect on inputside? What powersupply?

Does anybody mind if I cross pollinate thread a bit. I've built 2 of these (built is probably a reach being how a mounted a built board in a box and added a couple of wires and jacks. While I've run through several things, I think its spent most time with a little bear 3 tube pre. I think I noted before it sounds absurdly good for the price. (I'm getting to the point)

So, thinking there might be a better (as good, nearly as good) flavor out there, I built the super simple preamp. (If anybody needs I'll post link). Early testing gave me too much gain. With the help if that thread I was able to reel it in. While my testing on that set up is incomplete. I seemed to get much better mids with the tube pre. This is not a condemnation of the SSP. Just a very short term observation on my part. I was considering making an integrated out of the 3116, CNC phono board and the SSP. I think I'll hold off for now. (Maybe its a synergy thing, maybe an op amp chip swap. Also to tweak gain some things were switched around . Maybe a different approach might be better.)
Any thoughts? Anyone been down this or a similar path?
Sorry for the sidetrack.

An input roll-off filter network somewhere in the chain to round it off a bit?

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I think that's pretty much where i am now 10k in series with input and 15k to ground. Almost back to stock gain network values

Have a mess of Amazon points, so used a few to order this unit:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KCEHS54

Hooked up to a 19V laptop supply and a pair of Minimus 7s at the moment, streaming Apple Music to it via the Lario.

No pops at turn on or off. If I press my ear right up against the tweeter, I can barely hear a tiny bit of hiss; far less than from the Tripaths I've played with.

This board appears to have a 5V regulated output, at 180ma. Not sure if that's enough for the Lario or a ChromeCast; probably not, will play over the weekend.

It comes with a cable for the audio input Molex, not shown in the Amazon ad; I'm using the 1/8" jack. Volume control also has power switch.


As the big 'lytics are rated for just 25VDC, don't think I'll try a 24V supply.

So I've read alot about using these with a tube pre (here's my audiobah build: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=8967105&postcount=4261) and, no doubt, I really like the pairing.

Anyone ever use their TPA 3116 with an SS pre? I just decided to hook the audiobah up to a Kenwood C2 and it sounds pretty frickin great too! Listening to Tom Petty's Wildflowers and I'm digging it. Thoughts?

Stumbled on this and thought I'd share. No affiliation.

http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/

Powdercoating is silly cheap, and they even do drilling for a small fee.

marqueemoon said:

Stumbled on this and thought I'd share. No affiliation.

http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/

Powdercoating is silly cheap, and they even do drilling for a small fee.

Click to expand...

Great find! Makes me wanna build another one. So many color choices.

btol said:

So I've read alot about using these with a tube pre (here's my audiobah build: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=8967105&postcount=4261) and, no doubt, I really like the pairing.

Anyone ever use their TPA 3116 with an SS pre? I just decided to hook the audiobah up to a Kenwood C2 and it sounds pretty frickin great too! Listening to Tom Petty's Wildflowers and I'm digging it. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

I'm right there with you. I've been controlling my Audiobah with an old Dynaco PAT4 for about a year now - no disppointments. Currently running thru a 40 year old pair of recently recapped Dynaco A25's. Check it out:

https://youtu.be/X2dLk1N5Q1g

Ray Riska said:

I'm right there with you. I've been controlling my Audiobah with an old Dynaco PAT4 for about a year now - no disppointments. Currently running thru a 40 year old pair of recently recapped Dynaco A25's. Check it out:

https://youtu.be/X2dLk1N5Q1g

Click to expand...

Niiiice! Great set up as well. Love the AR TT w/ magic eraser stylus cleaner and all. Thanks for sharing.

Has anyone had a chance to compare the audiobah board vs the SMSL tpa3116 board that comes in the SA-60?



I'm currently running Macbook Pro toslink -> SMSL SD 192 pro (es9023 + wm8805 optical receiver) -> SMSL SA-60 (TPA3116) -> Pioneer BS22

I'm pretty happy with this set up... but I've got a bit of the DIY bug and I want to build a big all in one "receiver" with a linear power supply, XMOS USB module, ES9018 dac, chinese tube pre like the "maratz 7" and a class d amp.

I was originally going to look for an upgrade from the tpa3116 to something "bigger and better" like the new TPA3251D2 but it's not out yet and the 3116 still seems to be most people's favourite. Would the audio bah give any noticeable upgrade in sound vs. the SMSL board?

twwc... I can recommend the pairing of a TPA3116 with a "chinese tube pre like the 'marantz 7'" :thmbsp:

Industrial Strength!

A fun build for the workbench!

Pushbuttons? Check.
Knobs? Check.
Meter? Check.
Red and blue LEDs? Check.
Test tone? Check.
Industrial gray paint? Check.

These boards are so small they fit just about anywhere. . I did have to remove the NiCad battery to make room. The holes that originally had BNC jacks were pretty close, so no drilling of the cast aluminum box required, just the sheet aluminum back for the speaker jacks.





Playing cards for scale:

Not a DYI-er

Frank Sol said:

twwc... I can recommend the pairing of a TPA3116 with a "chinese tube pre like the 'marantz 7'" :thmbsp:

Click to expand...

Can you recommend a T Amp and Chinese tube pre-amp for non-DYIers on a budget?

^^ :thmbsp: chicks.

"Industrial Strength!
A fun build for the workbench!

Pushbuttons? Check.
Knobs? Check.
Meter? Check.
Red and blue LEDs? Check.
Test tone? Check.
Industrial gray paint? Check."

I'm chuckling! The perfect enclosure for a workbench!

iramegdal said:

Can you recommend a T Amp and Chinese tube pre-amp for non-DYIers on a budget?

Click to expand...

What is your budget?

Budget

Since this will be very experimental for me, would like to keep it under $300.

iramegdal said:

Since this will be very experimental for me, would like to keep it under $300.

Click to expand...

This amp comes with a power supply so it is plug and play:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-SA-60-...ower-Supply-/151490005565?hash=item2345820a3d

or here, if you prefer Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-TPA3116-...id=1440962752&sr=8-10&keywords=3116+amplifier

This amp does NOT come with a power supply;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Silver-...A3116-50Wx2-/251707193323?hash=item3a9aeaf7eb


but you can add something like this and have a MUCH better power supply:


http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-PS8KX...40963781&sr=8-8&keywords=pyramid+power+supply

in combination with this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NQ8QKJS?psc=1

In my opinion, you want the simplest amp you can find. That means as few switches and potentiometers. These are a way to introduce added problems through cheap components and design.

I have NO experience with either of those amps but that is what I would try if I wanted plug and play.



You may or may not want a pre amp with these amps.



If you want the pre amp, here are some choices:

This amp is frequently on auction for little money:

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-TPA3116-...id=1440962752&sr=8-10&keywords=3116+amplifier

(I have one, it is pretty good... especially if you get it for under $20.00.)

This is considered a better pre but I have no personal experience:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Little-bear...-new-Ver1-2-/291095030072?hash=item43c69da938


And then there is the Nobsound:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nobsound-12...ef-Maratz-7-/271511186006?hash=item3f3753ea56

If I were to go the Nobsound route, I would order some higher end tubes the same day I ordered the pre amp, But as I understand it, the stock tubes are not bad.






FWIW, I use use a home assembled board powered by a Pyramid power supply with a Grant Fidelity TubeDAC 11. I like it because of the nice DAC and switchable input control as well as a headphone amp.


Good luck!

(double post)