Wait a second. From the Infineon manual it says: "For providing additional power the MA12070 can be configured for mono operation using a parallel BTL mode (PBTL), as shown in Figure 9-5. In this fashion the two BTL output stages are combined to be able to deliver twice the current. This makes high output power sub-woofer application possible."Just saying. Dual chip won't give you much more power. 10% probably.
Calculate what ohms at which you could achieve that power.Wait a second. From the Infineon manual it says: "For providing additional power the MA12070 can be configured for mono operation using a parallel BTL mode (PBTL), as shown in Figure 9-5. In this fashion the two BTL output stages are combined to be able to deliver twice the current. This makes high output power sub-woofer application possible."
By the specs one MA12070 chip can deliver 8A@26V=208W. Doubling that would give 16A@26V=416W total max. in theory, wouldn't it? Now, since volume is related to gain and the speakers sensitivity, the PBTL amp is not playing louder by definition, for the gain does not change, but is in theory able to drive speakers twice the sensitivity rating. Isn't that what you would expect an amp twice the power to do anyway? I've had the BTL configured SMSL SA300 before and there is without a doubt quite a lot more juice to the bone with the A20a on my 3.5Ohm/83db KEF LS50 Metas.
BTL bridge tied load configuration is basically balanced output. It does provide more power when it's voltage limited.Will using balanced input give us more power? I know for headphones balanced outputs give more power. What about speaker amps?
I don't believe in break-in/burn-in with solid-state amps. There is nothing to break-in or burn-in.Did you break the A20a in for a minimum of two weeks of playtime with turning the AC power on/off a couple of times (to deload/load the caps)? How was your E30 powered? With isolation or with a mains-loop?
I remember there was a very notable change in sound with this amp which some people might describe as "congested" at first. Mine really opened up after about two weeks of daily play time. It was very notable to a point where I thought my speakers changed. Unless you push it really hard (75%+), there cannot possibly be higher distortion compared to TPA3255 for the MA12070 is superior in about every aspect (reflecting ripple, efficiency, distortion, slew rate), except for total power (it was pretty much designed to beat the TPA chips series in the low-mid power region). Most known amplifier manufacturers break their amps in before they ship it. I seriously doubt Sabaj does it with this ~195$ amp.
I have been a tube amplifier fan for many years, but I find that I really like the definition and instrument separation in good class-D amps as much or perhaps more than in my tube amp.Trying to decide if should try one of these up or wait for impressions/reviews of the SA400... I have been using a pair of modded Bel Canto evo 200.2 monoblocks for years but after a recent move been playing music through Topping tp32 + JS2 power supply and I've been impressed by just how good that little amp sounds - making me question 2 big amp boxes + matching pre, especially with all the listening impression provided for these newer chips. Not sure if I should expect a20 and/or SA400 to be clearly better than my old bel canto gear or if those are still relatively good performers?
I also have a CI Audio e200s with older hypex modules and my ears prefer the bel canto monos. The hypex is probably superior from measurement standpoint but it certainly doesn't control speakers as well as the bel canto monos, nor is it rated for as much output. Speakers are JM Lab/Focal micro utopias, Clements Rt-7, and Gallo reference (original large aluminum spheres). Really appreciate all the details listening impression you've provided here + references!
This is probably not the right place to discuss this -- not only because it isn't specifically about the Sabaj amp but also because there are no measurements involved -- but if you like the sound of T amps (as I do) have a look at this thread:I have listened to much more modest Tripath-based amplifiers, and I have been very impressed by their musicality - especially given their low price. However the EVO design is 20 years old now, and I am sure that time has marched on.
DM sentI have been a tube amplifier fan for many years, but I find that I really like the definition and instrument separation in good class-D amps as much or perhaps more than in my tube amp.
I am considering buying a used Bel Canto evo 200.2 The reviews were great for it when it first came out. Also, I have listened to much more modest Tripath-based amplifiers, and I have been very impressed by their musicality - especially given their low price. However the EVO design is 20 years old now, and I am sure that time has marched on.
I was thinking about something like the Sabaj A20 (or perhaps the Aiyima a08 or a09), which would be in the $200 range, as opposed to the Bel Canto, which would be in the $800 range. However, despite using older technology, the Bel Canto was designed from the start as a higher-end product. Therefore I am really uncertain about which direction to go.
I'm wondering if you've had a chance to compare any of the newer class D amps with the venerable Bel Canto 200.2
Thanks so much in advance for any advice you can offer!
Thank you for the report.I have just put the last puzzle piece to this amp. My journey has come to an end. It's as close to perfection as it gets.
An N30 Ferrite ring from Epcos/TDK (B64290L40X830) has been installed to the AC cable from outside. Huge improvement! Not only to white noise, but from to my subjective ears even to the blackness of the sound (subtly). From this last expriment (with the knowledge of all prior) I am certain that there is HF noise leaking from the AC mains to the speakers-out-panel. You might not notice it right away. Putting the lighting match box inlay to the spkout-panel has improved it a bit, but the ferrite ring is far better at it. Thanks to daniboun for recommending ferrite. However, I did not want to put any inside the case to the speaker cables, for some people claim it to "choke the sound". Putting it to the AC cable is a "safer" solution.
Noise reduction roadmap (all RCA, all ear to speaker):
default amp: from -26db
- insulating SPcables(inside) +lighting match box cover to SPout-panel : from -21db
- replacing Mornsun (burst mode) with Meanwell RPS-400-24 PSU (no burst mode): from -17db
- DAC running from 5Vout of Meanwell: from -29db (ground loop)
- galvanic mains isolation for DAC: from -12db
- N30 ferrite ring to AC power cable: from -02db
I highly recommend anyone (even if you use XLR) to get such a ferrite ring, for they cost only a few bucks and are probably having the most effect on cleaning the amp up. It's crazy detailed now. I could hear a hamster coughing on most tracks.
I'm sorry for being not precise enough.
-60db = min. volume
-00db = max. volume
"from -21db" for example means that there is noise starting to be notable from -21db (of -00db) on the volume. I will translate to percentages to make things easier. It is now totally dead silent up to 97%. I have never achieved that level of silence before, neither with insulating all cables inside (except AC), nor with swapping the PSU with another one emitting far less EMI (CRISPR32 to CRISPR11) -> leading to the conclusion that the main source of EMI inside this amp is coming from the AC-ins which are in close proximity to the SP-out-panel (panel of where to plug the speakers). The ferrite to the AC cable was the cherry on top eventually and is most probably the biggest (and cheapest) way of improving this amp. Just make sure to leave to room from the ferrite ring to the actual speakers cables for we want it to filter out frequencies from the AC-ins, not from the speakers.
Hi Moosi. While we all appreciate the work u r doing and sharing - try using some, even rough, measurements before and after your mods.An N30 Ferrite ring from Epcos/TDK (B64290L40X830) has been installed to the AC cable from outside. Huge improvement!
No. For various reasons:While we all appreciate the work u r doing and sharing - try using some, even rough, measurements before and after your mods.