DIY Class D Multichannel Amplifier

[alto]

No point getting a case with side heatsinks if you are going to mount the 1200AS2 on the base, that one is not tall enough for the 100mm module, If you want that style of case you should get the 3U and mount the 1200AS2 on one of the heatsinks vertically. The Purifi module also needs a power supply pushing the cost of that channel close to 1000 euro. Definitely not worth 3 times the price of the stereo 1200 when you won't hear any difference. Last point, having all those modules in one case is going to lead to heat problems without active cooling.

Yeah that was what I was saying, I would prefer to have the low case if possible, but I might be able to get away with the tall one, I just don't have that much room below the TV and on top of the subwoofers where they will sit.

If the Purifi module is not worth it then yes, might as well go with another 1200AS or 700AS for the front channels. I don't fully know what to make of it when some people put the ICEpower modules in a lower tier than Purifi/Hypex.

If I end up going with the tall case then I will be fitting 3 modules into one caes (1200AS + 700AS + 300A), and if needed it would be able to house a decent sized fan as well to exhaust hot air out the back.

IIRC there is also a limit on how many ICEpower supplies you can put in the same case and stay within touch current limits. If you want 10 channels I'd find a way to distribute that across 2-3 cases - will give some flexibility as well.

I probably wasn't clear enough, my idea was to set up two of the cases I mentioned in my last post above, so indeed two separate boxes with 3 modules each.

 

[101geo]

Yeah that was what I was saying, I would prefer to have the low case if possible, but I might be able to get away with the tall one, I just don't have that much room below the TV and on top of the subwoofers where they will sit.

If the Purifi module is not worth it then yes, might as well go with another 1200AS or 700AS for the front channels. I don't fully know what to make of it when some people put the ICEpower modules in a lower tier than Purifi/Hypex.

If I end up going with the tall case then I will be fitting 3 modules into one caes (1200AS + 700AS + 300A), and if needed it would be able to house a decent sized fan as well to exhaust hot air out the back.

I probably wasn't clear enough, my idea was to set up two of the cases I mentioned in my last post above, so indeed two separate boxes with 3 modules each.

Another option is the Icepower 1500s power supply and 4 300A2 or 400A2 modules in 1 case giving you up to 8 channels, you can go bridged with those modules for the heavier lifting on some channels and get the 1200AS2 in a small separate box, Here's a good one (https://www.tcrastrs.com/product-page/tcr1200s-pro-kit) that's small enough to be hidden away.

 

[Sokel]

About the cases, it's totally doable to use 2U case (that's about 9 cm, so 8 cm useful usually) when 1200as2 module is about 7 cm height) if chassis bottom is decently thick and active cooling is used.
I have done it this way for a friend, without the active cooling and while it gets about 42° C at idle on the case (a thick chassis though) it stays there (tops 45° C) and works like that for 3-4 years now.

 

[101geo]

Nope, that's not me, I don't have a site and I sell nothing, I'm just DIY stuff for myself and ICE modules are pefect and rock solid about it.
(I already mentioned another shop for official modules, so... )

About the cases, it's to totally doable to use 2U case (that's about 9 cm, so 8 cm useful usually) when 1200as2 module is about 7 cm height) if chassis bottom is decently thick and active cooling is used.
I have done it this way for a friend, without the active cooling and while it gets about 42° C at idle on the case (a thick chassis though) it stays there (tops 45° C) and works like that for 3-4 years now.

Sorry, brain fart! Edited.

 

[Sokel]

Sorry, brain fart! Edited.

No problem, edided as well.

 

[Sokel]

IIRC there is also a limit on how many ICEpower supplies you can put in the same case and stay within touch current limits. If you want 10 channels I'd find a way to distribute that across 2-3 cases - will give some flexibility as well.

It's all about cooling and design.
Trinnov uses 8 400a2 (16channels) for Amplitude 16 but it's cooling solution is very robust and it also uses 2 mains receptacles to put current at check (which does really good according to measurements, doubling down to 2 Ohm with ease and with no power losses down low) .

 

[alto]

About the cases, it's totally doable to use 2U case (that's about 9 cm, so 8 cm useful usually) when 1200as2 module is about 7 cm height) if chassis bottom is decently thick and active cooling is used.
I have done it this way for a friend, without the active cooling and while it gets about 42° C at idle on the case (a thick chassis though) it stays there (tops 45° C) and works like that for 3-4 years now.

45°C for that kind of electronics I would assume is perfectly fine. Do the modules idle like this and heat up while in standby from for instance SignalSense, or do they have any kind of smart standby to keep the modules off and cool in general? While it's fine longevity-wise it's still electricity that gets wasted in heating up the boxes needlessly when not in use, is what I'm thinking.

Additonally; would it be possible to run one 1200AS2 to also power 2 additional 400A2 modules for a total of 3, or is it better to have a second power supply module with the 1200AS + 700AS2 + 400A2 so that there is only one hanger module which the 700AS2 powers?

 

[Sokel]

45°C for that kind of electronics I would assume is perfectly fine. Do the modules idle like this and heat up while in standby from for instance SignalSense, or do they have any kind of smart standby to keep the modules off and cool in general? While it's fine longevity-wise it's still electricity that gets wasted in heating up the boxes needlessly when not in use, is what I'm thinking.

As soon as no signal is present and SignalSence is enabled, modules (all modules, main ones and the ones connected to them) will enter this state (stby) after 13 minutes consuming less than 0.5W as the EU rule dictates.
At this state it remains stone-cold, as if it was completely off.
When a signal reappear at its input (but not any signal, ICE got smart to it and made it so only music-like signals can wake-up the amp) it will leave the standby state and start playing again,

The caveat to it is loosing some ms of music at the start but it's not big deal as soon as you know it.

Additonally; would it be possible to run one 1200AS2 to also power 2 additional 400A2 modules for a total of 3, or is it better to have a second power supply module with the 1200AS + 700AS2 + 400A2 so that there is only one hanger module which the 700AS2 powers?

I'm afraid I cannot answer that with confidence, by ICE's documentation I guess that each amp module can only carry one additional one and no more (unlike the dedicated PSU they have which can carry multiple )

 

[101geo]

Here is the breakdown, a total of 8 channels at a minimum:

• Front L/R - ICEpower 700AS2, 2 x 350W @ 8Ω
• Center - ICEpower 200AS2, 2 x ~200W @ 8Ω
• Surround L/R - ICEpower 200AS2, 2 x ~200W @ 8Ω
• Rear Surround L/R - ICEpower 200AS2, 2 x ~200W @ 8Ω
• Subwoofers - ICEpower 1200AS2, 2 x ~1200W @ 3Ω

From your original post you need 10 channels. Simplest way is to follow a similar route to Trinnov, one Icepower 1500s power supply and four 400A2's (8 x 400w) in one case (Passive cooling will be fine and the cables should all be included for a simple wiring job) and a 1200AS2 in a separate smaller case. Even with a fan, having 10 channels in a single case might lead to high temps with a silent fan as they are not powerful enough for heavy duty work and silent running at the same time.

 

[alto]

From your original post you need 10 channels. Simplest way is to follow a similar route to Trinnov, one Icepower 1500s power supply and four 400A2's (8 x 400w) in one case (Passive cooling will be fine and the cables should all be included for a simple wiring job) and a 1200AS2 in a separate smaller case. Even with a fan, having 10 channels in a single case might lead to high temps with a silent fan as they are not powerful enough for heavy duty work and silent running at the same time.

Hmm, yeah your approach doesn't seem bad at all; perhaps I could do two cases, each with a 1500S PSU and 3 or 4 400A2's.
This MiniDissipante case would fit the PSU centered on the case bottom, with up to four 400A2's, all mounted on the heatsink sides, ending up with the 8 x 400W channels for around 1300 euros total. Another nice thing about it is that I don't need to get all the modules at once as I'm still a few subwoofers short from the endgame.

I would think that running the subwoofers all on the 400A2s would be perfectly fine, if I run them in pairs it would be a 4.5Ω load per channel, which should end up at ~400W output per channel, which is still a lot. And for the fronts and surrounds this is also more than plenty.

Does the power supply need any extra consideration in terms of cooling, or would this setup be fine by mounting all the 400A2s to the heatsink sides, that should transfer a lot of the heat out of the case.

Speaking of mounting amp modules to the side heatsinks, is there a preferred way of doing this? Should I be drilling and tapping screw holes and then mount the modules with thermal pads between the case and the module bases?

 

[101geo]

Those hanger modules have heatsinks that can be mounted to the sides in an "Upside down" position (Read the spec sheet carefully) but you will only need that extra if you will be running at high levels for long periods. Also the 400A2 can be run in mono BTL mode giving 800w (600w for the 300A2)

 

[alto]

Are there any options for getting the SignalSense feature or a 12V trigger when using the 1500S + 400AS2 hangers?
If I'm not mistaken neither of those have SignalSense? Not sure about trigger, a quick search in the data sheets didn't turn anything up.

 

[Nisbeth]

SignalSense only with a larger external circuit. There's one described by Rod Elliot/ESP which I built ages ago, but I don't remember exactly what needs to be changed to make it work here. 12V trigger should be a bit easier, probably just a few resistors and a transistor or an optocoupler for good measure.

The key in both cases is that you have to control the PSU_Enable pin to turn off the supply. That will shut down the two high voltage rails and it should shut off the amps as well.

I'm actually planning a similar project (with 3 x 300A2 and a 1500S-57). I've got a breakout-board I made for the 1500S in the mail, but I did not add the 12V trigger option. Might go back and look at that again

 

[alto]

SignalSense only with a larger external circuit. There's one described by Rod Elliot/ESP which I built ages ago, but I don't remember exactly what needs to be changed to make it work here. 12V trigger should be a bit easier, probably just a few resistors and a transistor or an optocoupler for good measure.

The key in both cases is that you have to control the PSU_Enable pin to turn off the supply. That will shut down the two high voltage rails and it should shut off the amps as well.

I'm actually planning a similar project (with 3 x 300A2 and a 1500S-57). I've got a breakout-board I made for the 1500S in the mail, but I did not add the 12V trigger option. Might go back and look at that again

I would be very interested to know how this goes for you, one other option would be for me to get one of those external 12V trigger power cable adapters that Audiophonics sell. I have one of those for another system already, they work well, but it's nicer to have it built into the box.

 

[Nisbeth]

Can post an update here, but it will probably be a week or two before I have the boards in hand and tested

 

[Sokel]

What would be really interesting is an Arduino ninja amongst us , so to take advantage of everything these boards carry.
And with a display too!