TPA325x amps: the next step in Class D?

turnitup said:
I think it’s beyond that, the fact than (in my very unscientific and completely random) research that NONE of the vendors offer a balance control with their stereo offerings, that also include 3 EQ pots and Bluetooth says ‘something’. There are at least 4 or 5 vendors that build these almost exactly identical PFFB units now. A very simple 2 pot controller on the volume knob (for volume/balance) wouldn’t really take up any additional real estate, and might add a few $’s to the unit cost.

Either this is the known holdout to force a preamp purchase (which really wouldn’t make much sense), or maybe the likely younger generation that probably predominantly purchases these does not position speakers in such a way that a balance controller is demanded? Maybe instead of adjusting balance, they just adjust speaker positioning (or they don’t listen intensively enough to care)?!? OR, most users use these with either their PC, or their big flatscreens - perhaps the speaker positioning is generally equal distant from the user’s ear, and are much smaller in footprint (the speakers) so they can be easily moved/repositioned with little spatial impact? Headphone only use?

Is balance control just becoming less important with generational use??? To go to the 90% of building in a preamp into these little 3255 stereo units (with 3 position EQ built in!) and not include a balance control seems so weird! Heck, lose the mid pot and give me a balance control if it’s all about real estate. A balance pot couldn’t be a cost driver could it??? And if it IS, the additional few bucks would drive my purchase over a same but lacking “same offering” vendor choice. Maybe I’m alone in seeking such a capability…but am I??? Baffled…
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Wouldn't running a preamp into one of the 3255 amps give you the balance control?
 
59volvo said:
Wouldn't running a preamp into one of the 3255 amps give you the balance control?
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Yes it would, but my argument is that a lot of the manufacturers have already built a virtual preamp into their new units - with 3 tone controls, Bluetooth, and a volume control. Everything but balance control. If I want to spend twice as much to get an amp AND a preamp I can do that for sure, but I really don’t want to do that just to get balance functionality - a 2X expenditure for this purpose seems a bit crazy, but that’s where we stand. Loose the mid tone control and give it a balance pot. This is still a fairly entry level box. Do you really need mid control? Use that faceplate real estate for a balance controller instead.

Dead horse argument at this point…
 
Well yo could get a crown xls class d amps and has gain control for each channel
www.crownaudio.com

Crown XLS 2002

Meet the new XLS DriveCore™ 2 Series The next generation of XLS got a makeover with a sleek n...
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turnitup said:
Yes it would, but my argument is that a lot of the manufacturers have already built a virtual preamp into their new units - with 3 tone controls, Bluetooth, and a volume control. Everything but balance control. If I want to spend twice as much to get an amp AND a preamp I can do that for sure, but I really don’t want to do that just to get balance functionality - a 2X expenditure for this purpose seems a bit crazy, but that’s where we stand. Loose the mid tone control and give it a balance pot. This is still a fairly entry level box. Do you really need mid control? Use that faceplate real estate for a balance controller instead.

Dead horse argument at this point…
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DIY? I built a “passive preamp”, which is just a volume control, in a small wooden box. Total cost was maybe $20 using a nice stepped attenuator. The only difference would be to use an “MN” pot, which is less expensive, instead of a stepped attenuator. One "MN" pot, which is probably a few bucks, and some RCA connectors. Do a search for details. I’m sure you’ll find instructions on numerous forums and websites.

No need to buy new gear.

Doing it internally on a commercial product might be difficult because of space constraints and the difficulty in modding something that uses circuit boards. But not necessarily impossible.
 
This case is also designed to take an XRK board. Unfortunately they don't have any preassembled. Would love to hear one for comparison.
What model Sylph would be comparable to the 3E board?
 
xschop said:
This case is also designed to take an XRK board. Unfortunately they don't have any preassembled. Would love to hear one for comparison.
What model Sylph would be comparable to the 3E board?
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Hm, Sylph used to have a stereo 3255 but I don't see it now. Only the mono. Maybe he's updating, which he does often. The FB100 using TPA3251 is excellent. It has less watts than the 3255, but from my experience the lower wattage TPAs can sound a little better. Ironically, also better at driving low impedances. I used them to drive 3 ohm MTMs for a good while.
 
Still like my TI Eval board build. Can't really believe any of the lower cost 3255 units out there now sound that much better (maybe a little :) ha) but who knows. In any case the 3255 was quite an achievement for audio... the 3255 pretty much dominates all class D amps now I think in terms of sales. Well done TI.
 
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