Douk A5 Budget Stereo Amplifier Review

[BlueGuerrilla]

왜 방열판을 써야 할까요? TPA3255를 금속 케이스에 살짝 닿게 해서 써멀 페이스트를 바르면 됩니다.

어쨌든, 서멀 페이스트가 없어도 큰 히트싱크는 표면적이 넓어 대류를 통해 열이 주변 공기로 효과적으로 방출되어 주변 환경에 대한 열 저항이 낮아지기 때문에 더 시원하게 유지됩니다. 히트싱크와 케이스 사이의 접촉면에 서멀 페이스트가 없으면 케이스로의 열 전달에 큰 병목 현상이 발생하지만, 큰 히트싱크의 넓은 표면적은 작은 히트싱크보다 여전히 뛰어난 냉각 성능을 제공합니다. 그렇기 때문에 48/5 PSU를 사용하는 07 Max는 훨씬 큰 히트싱크보다 온도가 거의 올라가지 않습니다. Fosi도 마찬가지입니다.
하지만 Douk Audio는 알루미늄 부족으로 V2에서 가격을 인하하기로 결정했습니다. 저는 이를 지원하지 않습니다.
처음에 V2 히트싱크를 만들고 그걸로 끝냈다면 실망했을 겁니다. 하지만 V1에서 V2로 히트싱크가 5배로 줄었다는 걸 인정한 것과는 비교도 안 될 만큼 실망스러웠습니다!

3개월 동안 고온 작업 조건에서 앰프가 망가질 것이라고 말하는 것은 아닙니다.
@Bruce Morgen이 말했듯이요.
하지만 사실은 사실이고, Douk Audio가 앰프 냉각 기능에 있어서 경쟁사보다 더 저렴한 가격을 제시한다는 것입니다.

With the cheapest PFFB made in China amplifiers, I'm satisfied with the amplifier's performance, but I think I'll have to buy a support that cools down to a 120MM system fan compared to the summer. In my opinion, it's a downgrade that consumers aren't satisfied with because it's a cost reduction from the manufacturer's point of view. However, since the manufacturer claims it's an improved result, I decided to let go of the stress. ^^

 

[btkli]

Ya, I have the Aiyima A70 Stereo Amp, and it seems to run a little warmer than the Douk A5 too. But it doesn't really bother me much. I agree that there may be some thermal differences between the different devices, but I don't think it is that concerning to me.

 

[BlueGuerrilla]

두크 A5의 볼륨이 분리되어 있는 사람이 없습니까?

좀 바보 같은 생각인데, hpf랑 vol 사이에 약간의 균형을 맞추기 위해 오렌지 fosi v3 손잡이가 잘 맞도록 보고 성능:피. 여러분께 죄를 지을 수 있도록 협조해 주시기 바랍니다. 라도라도 짜증이 나거나 걱정되실까봐 걱정돼요.

I am using the A5's handle after replacing it with FOSIV3's black and orange handle, and it fits well.
(The size is slightly larger than the knob of A5.)

 

[regoc]

Room temp, starting point:

After 45 min at moderate level of loudness of not bass heavy music (probe inside enclosure) :
Hotter than my overclocked i7 12700k

Cooling with 12cm fan @600rpm 5V near enclosure:

Aiyima 07 Max in comparison to A5 climbs up to 42C max without a fan.

Take your own conclusions, but Im not comfy with those temps, and summer is ahead of us too. Im happy with using silent fan near the enclosure.

 

[btkli]

Room temp, starting point:

After 45 min at moderate level of loudness of not bass heavy music (probe inside enclosure) :
Hotter than my overclocked i7 12700k


Take your own conclusions, but Im not comfy with those temps, and summer is ahead of us too. Im happy with using silent fan near the enclosure.

 

[regoc]

View attachment 446295

What's the point of this post?
Why do I need to read about desktop pc CPU general info about temps?

Tjunction of modern cpu's is around 100C.
Tjunction of 3255 is around 150C.
That does not mean running it for a prolonged period of time at higher temps will do any good to it.
I measured 62C after only 45 min, at 22C room temp in enclosure. What about summer temperatures? Don't you think it will go higher?
What temp do you think is at 3255 die at that moment?
Some capacitors in A5 are rated at 85C, not upper grade of 105C.

Fact is, that you can prolonge life of electronics with proper cooling and fact is temperature is its enemy.
Deal with it how you think it should be done with it.
At least avoid non argumented posts, using non related answers from AI and comparing this or related amplifiers with your phone (post you deleted).

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Fact is, that you can prolonge life of electronics with proper cooling and fact is temperature is its enemy.

True enough, but if a TPA3255-based amp costing less than $100 USD with grossly inadequate cooling can last 4+ years running pretty much 24/7, why even worry about it? It's not that there aren't theoretical/hypothetical engineering issues that are relevant to real world usage -- but there are many such issues that don't affect the vast majority of typical use cases in any significant way. TI designed thermal protection into the chip, so it stands to reason that if said protection has never been triggered then the device is being operated well within its design limits -- which IMO means "stand down to red alert" applies, but of course YMMV and clearly does.

 

[btkli]

What's the point of this post?
Why do I need to read about desktop pc CPU general info about temps?

Tjunction of modern cpu's is around 100C.
Tjunction of 3255 is around 150C.
That does not mean running it for a prolonged period of time at higher temps will do any good to it.
I measured 62C after only 45 min, at 22C room temp in enclosure. What about summer temperatures? Don't you think it will go higher?
What temp do you think is at 3255 die at that moment?
Some capacitors in A5 are rated at 85C, not upper grade of 105C.

Fact is, that you can prolonge life of electronics with proper cooling and fact is temperature is its enemy.
Deal with it how you think it should be done with it.
At least avoid non argumented posts, using non related answers from AI and comparing this or related amplifiers with your phone (post you deleted).

The point of my post was to put into context of your temperature readings. If my posts have no point, then your readings will have no purpose or point either.

If you need me to go deeper into the post, then these are the main points:

1) You mentioned you were uncomfortable with 62 degrees reading. The point to show that most electronics components function regularly at that range (with the exception of cell phones and battery operated equipment, which tends to stay below 40 degrees C because temperatures have a significant negative effects on batteries). Your statement about your overclocked CPU being under 62 degrees is simply a very inaccurate statement (or that your usage of your computer is far less than its full capabilities - especially for an overclocked computer).

2) Your "comfortable temperature" has very little to do with science, but a general preference. I am just putting this into prospective

Other comments and thoughts:

1) Your comments re Tjunction - now that's pointless

2) Re temperature going even higher after longer periods, or during summer, sure it can go up possibly more... or maybe it has reached its peak operating temperature. Feel free to check. We would be interested in knowing.

3) Heat affecting Prolong life.... I agree, sure it can. But as @Bruce Morgen has nicely put it, it's a $100 machine, and you are worried about the longevity of it? If the A5 was $150 and comes with a fan, I don't think I would be interested in it, but could be different for others. You get what you paid for. If you something that will last very long, I would avoid buying these "cheaper" machines all together.

Anyways, I am not interested in arguing about this temperature issue further. I appreciate you taking your time with the temperature readings. I am just putting a little perspective in those readings. That's fine if you are not comfortable with those readings.

 

[regoc]

From the first post you replied at my findings, which are not mentioned here before - that Douk Audio "silently" shrinked heatsink by 5x (times), you @btkli and @Bruce Morgen strayed almost every post from the topic away. Both of you are missing the main point (3d point down in a post).
Yes, I get it, we get it, you are comfortable with temperature radiation from A5, but guess what:

1) Many people are not and will not be comfortable with cooling capabilities of A5. And knowing more information of how it behaves in regard of cooling is good to know for them before they spend their money and fortunately there is a bucket load of 3255 amps to choose from. Secondly, that finding is a remark for a company like Douk Audio who can improve in that field in the future, for better of all us who are consumer of their products.

2) Some people will use these amps in harsh conditions or/and with heavy loads and demands in which inferior cooling will be a bottleneck. If YOU and people like you are comfortable and not using your eqiupment (in this case A5) to the max abillities, that does not mean someone won't and that does not mean there is no need for improvement in that field (in this case cooling).

3) And most important point; silently downgrading (x5) cooling after first wave of V1, after only a weeks of V1, without any mention and not offering upgrade kit for extra money for people who bought A5 because of good cooling in the first place - is not a half serious company in my opinion.
If Douk Audio (Nobsound) is working with correlation of consumers and people with knowledge like on ASR, this is not transparent way of work, neither transparent way of "upgrading".

For arguments like "this machine costs 100$, what's the fuss about" So what it costs that low? It's performing like 1000$ amp few years back, that's for sure. Somebody somewhere has a low budget and can't afford anything expensive (which does not mean exclusively it will be better or last longer like you present) and will want something that will potentially last longer or perform better in some field, and in the specific field of cooling capabilities A5 is performing worse than competition. Period.

Honorable mentions:

Tjunction, not pointless, but apparently you just don't get it and Im not willing to simplify already something so simple.

My CPU is running very cool with moderate to high loads, thanks to really capable cooling.
Mentioning my CPU in my post was just a fun factor, nothing seriously related, but you hooked up on it like a hungry fish. And calling it a very inaccurate statement without even questioning me "how is that possible" and checking is very unprofessional.

The point of my post was to put into context of your temperature readings. If my posts have no point, then your readings will have no purpose or point either.

If you need me to go deeper into the post, then these are the main points:

1) You mentioned you were uncomfortable with 62 degrees reading. The point to show that most electronics components function regularly at that range (with the exception of cell phones and battery operated equipment, which tends to stay below 40 degrees C because temperatures have a significant negative effects on batteries). Your statement about your overclocked CPU being under 62 degrees is simply a very inaccurate statement (or that your usage of your computer is far less than its full capabilities - especially for an overclocked computer).

2) Your "comfortable temperature" has very little to do with science, but a general preference. I am just putting this into prospective

Other comments and thoughts:

1) Your comments re Tjunction - now that's pointless

2) Re temperature going even higher after longer periods, or during summer, sure it can go up possibly more... or maybe it has reached its peak operating temperature. Feel free to check. We would be interested in knowing.

3) Heat affecting Prolong life.... I agree, sure it can. But as @Bruce Morgen has nicely put it, it's a $100 machine, and you are worried about the longevity of it? If the A5 was $150 and comes with a fan, I don't think I would be interested in it, but could be different for others. You get what you paid for. If you something that will last very long, I would avoid buying these "cheaper" machines all together.

Anyways, I am not interested in arguing about this temperature issue further. I appreciate you taking your time with the temperature readings. I am just putting a little perspective in those readings. That's fine if you are not comfortable with those readings.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Many people are not and will not be comfortable with cooling capabilities of A5.

...and you know this exactly how? This reminds me of a politician who prefaces an entirely unfounded assertion with "People are saying..."

 

[regoc]

...and you know this exactly how? This reminds me of a politician who prefaces an entirely unfounded assertion with "People are saying..."

Oh, I see what you’re doing - comparing me to a politician to deflect from the fact that your argument is just as shaky as one of their promises. If I’m the politician, you’re the person who still thinks “facts” are just whatever fits your narrative. Keep trying, though -it’s almost impressive how you can talk so much without saying anything of value.

 

[RickS]

Please keep the discussion here based on facts and cool the personal attacks.

Thanks!

 

[Audionaut]

in the specific field of cooling capabilities A5 is performing worse than competition. Period.

There are some TPA3255 amplifiers on the market whose owners report high temperatures when voltages of 48V to 52V are applied.
The Fosi V3 mono thread, for example, is full of cooling suggestions.

 

[Jaap]

The Douk A5 drives a pair of Kef Cresta 1's of 8 Ohms and 88 dB/SPL in a 50 cubic meter room at my place. The A5 is powered by an Ikea Sjoss 45 Watt USB-C power supply with a 20 Volt decoy adapter. A USB power meter measures 3 Watts at idle and low volume, and peaks of 18 Watts when playing loud enough for the people in the neighboring apartment to enjoy the music as well. In contradiction to using the 32 Volt power supply, the Douk does neither get hot, nor even luke warm. Combined with a Raspberry Pi running Volumio, and an SMSL SU-1, I really enjoy the music.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

The Douk A5 drives a pair of Kef Cresta 1's of 8 Ohms and 88 dB/SPL in a 50 cubic meter room at my place. The A5 is powered by an Ikea Sjoss 45 Watt USB-C power supply with a 20 Volt decoy adapter. A USB power meter measures 3 Watts at idle and low volume, and peaks of 18 Watts when playing loud enough for the people in the neighboring apartment to enjoy the music as well. In contradiction to using the 32 Volt power supply, the Douk does neither get hot, nor even luke warm. Combined with a Raspberry Pi running Volumio, and an SMSL SU-1, I really enjoy the music.

Thanks for that testimony. Now I can retrieve my fancy adjustable 48V 10A SMPS from my girlfriend's office area and replace it with an old laptop/monitor power brick that puts out just short of 20V (sans load), because going by what you're written it will be more than loud enough for the relatively low volumes required for that very compact space.

 

[regoc]

There are some TPA3255 amplifiers on the market whose owners report high temperatures when voltages of 48V to 52V are applied.
The Fosi V3 mono thread, for example, is full of cooling suggestions.

Thread for Fosi V3 mono is full of temperature concerns and suggestions indeed. Users there, are complaining about thermals which reach 50+C
Me and few others here in this thread are complaining about reaching temperature of 62C, even higher than Fosi V3 Mono.
In example:

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

I also get the pop out of the speakers when they power up. How are you connected to them XLR or RCA? I get of a pop with RCA. In my case there's an amp pop with XLR and a faint one in the speakers too when turning off the mains. I use two Monos with SMSL D6s + ELAC DBR62. Is the speaker...

audiosciencereview.com

Last night I was curious what temp would A5 reach (without external cooling) after watching 2h film with little higher room temperature of 24C.
A5 after 2h was on 71C. And no it's not faulty, I have 2 A5's, both are the same in cooling capabilities.
Enclosure/case call it whatever you want, was warped enough from heating that I was unable to remove glass cover, it was stuck.
Tried today with Aiyima 07 Max without external cooling: nothing special, around 45C max (which is still little bit hot, but nothing serious).

But in this thread some people are firstly ignorant and secondly rude/toxic.
I tried numerous times to divert attention mainly about manufacturer of A5 (Douk Audio / Nobsound) about how it is not correct and not transparent about drastic change from V1 to V2, which is the main concern in the first place. But that same people stayed ignorant and blind to this problem, telling in defense statements like:
"oh mine is not hot at all" , "im running my for x years and Im frying eggs on them at same time and it's all good" . I suggest those few people to share same "nothing to worry about advices in Fosi V3 Mono thread. Sorcery.

@Jaap
Ofcourse it it will not overheat with demands like yours. Using PD wall "phone" adapter from Ikea of 45W to PD decoy of rated 20V is a joke compared to 48V 5A GaN PSU.
Kef Cresta 1's are rated at 70W RMS with 10cm woofer, they are small bookshelf speakers. Im using mine to power up Monitor Audio Silver 100's and tried it on my Linton's (rated for 200W RMS)

Aiyima 07 Max heatsink:


Fosi V3 heatsink:


A5 V1 heatsink:


A5 V2 heatsink:

@Douk Audio what the hell?

 

[regoc]

Thanks for that testimony. Now I can retrieve my fancy adjustable 48V 10A SMPS from my girlfriend's office area and replace it with an old laptop/monitor power brick that puts out just short of 20V (sans load), because going by what you're written it will be more than loud enough for the relatively low volumes required for that very compact space.

If you had read the 3255 manual before, you could have tried it already

What you would find is those two informations :

Power Stage Supply (PVDD): 18V to 53.5V
Analog Supply (AVDD): 9.8V to 11.4V

 

[Bruce Morgen]

If you had read the 3255 manual before, you could have tried it already

What you would find is those two informations :

Power Stage Supply (PVDD): 18V to 53.5V
Analog Supply (AVDD): 9.8V to 11.4V

I know -- I've read plenty of the TI datasheet over the years. That post just reminded me of it, which in turn made me realize that a much less bulky PSU -- which I happened to have "in stock" -- would be more than adequate for my girlfriend's tiny office space.

 

[Jaap]

Thanks for confirming the Douk A5 works with 20 Volts and the warnings to watch its temperature when using large loudspeakers. Fortunately I still have my Quad 405.

 

[amirm]

Fact is, that you can prolonge life of electronics with proper cooling and fact is temperature is its enemy.

So stick a fan on it. These amps cost the same as a few fast food meals. You can't expect them to have been designed to industrial specs.

The 3255 has very robust protection circuits in my testing. It will safeguard itself from over temp anyway.