TPA3255 4-channel module review - $12.50 per channel but is it any good?

[mcdn]

For the diver I'm thinking of, the voice coils are 4 ohms each: https://www.daytonaudio.com/images/resources/295-104--epique-e180he-44-spec-sheet.pdf

In which case probably don’t bridge the outputs, just drive each voice coil from one channel I reckon. Not an expert in subs but that seems safest as the amp is designed for 4 x 4ohm loads. Requires 4 wires instead of 2 to the sub of course.

in fact now I look at the datasheet again, 2+1 is actually a different operating mode, so you really have to operate it as 4xSE, otherwise results could be very unpredictable. See table 1 on page 4. The output stages look the same but the inputs operate differently.

 

[sychan]

In which case probably don’t bridge the outputs, just drive each voice coil from one channel I reckon. Not an expert in subs but that seems safest as the amp is designed for 4 x 4ohm loads. Requires 4 wires instead of 2 to the sub of course.

in fact now I look at the datasheet again, 2+1 is actually a different operating mode, so you really have to operate it as 4xSE, otherwise results could be very unpredictable. See table 1 on page 4. The output stages look the same but the inputs operate differently.

Actually, the hypothetical usage is from an 8 channel DAC, so if I dedicated 4 channels and just had the channels as (high, mid, low, low) with 2 of the 4 channels just being copies of the output for the woofer, would that work?

 

[mcdn]

Actually, the hypothetical usage is from an 8 channel DAC, so if I dedicated 4 channels and just had the channels as (high, mid, low, low) with 2 of the 4 channels just being copies of the output for the woofer, would that work?

Yes, that's operating the amp as 4xSE channels. You just happen to be driving two voicecoils of one sub rather than 1 voicecoil each of 2 subs. It will work, but you had better be very sure of your setup. Check all polarities carefully.

 

[jamescarter1982]

100x93x35mm. In my main system I use the 3e-audio BTL modules which are a totally different level of quality, but this one seems fine for a second system or experimental setup.

could I have some more information on the modules your using in your main system always on the look out for this sort of thing for active speaker builds .use older pioneer/denon av amps atm but something that could be built in and cut down on boxes would be good

 

[voodooless]

could I have some more information on the modules your using in your main system always on the look out for this sort of thing for active speaker builds .use older pioneer/denon av amps atm but something that could be built in and cut down on boxes would be good

3e Audio TPA3255 Amplifier Kit 480-1-29A Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e Audio 480-1-29A, TPA3255 based class D amplifier module. It was sent to me by the company in a reference design for ease of testing: The module is the PCB to the right and costs US 89.99 from company Aliexpress store. This is the mono...

www.audiosciencereview.com

3e audio TPA3255 260-2-29A Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e audio 260-2-29A TPA3255 chip based stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company as a complete unit even though they only sell the amplifier modules. As you see, it is a generic box which is something you can easily build yourself. I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[jamescarter1982]

3e Audio TPA3255 Amplifier Kit 480-1-29A Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e Audio 480-1-29A, TPA3255 based class D amplifier module. It was sent to me by the company in a reference design for ease of testing: The module is the PCB to the right and costs US 89.99 from company Aliexpress store. This is the mono...

www.audiosciencereview.com

3e audio TPA3255 260-2-29A Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e audio 260-2-29A TPA3255 chip based stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company as a complete unit even though they only sell the amplifier modules. As you see, it is a generic box which is something you can easily build yourself. I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

amazing thanks very much !!

 

[mcdn]

could I have some more information on the modules your using in your main system always on the look out for this sort of thing for active speaker builds .use older pioneer/denon av amps atm but something that could be built in and cut down on boxes would be good

I use some older versions of the 3e-audio modules. If I was doing it again I would use the more recent versions @voodooless linked to. I would definitely use a Connex power supply - they are well made physically, have soft start built in, and very low idle power (<2W). The Mornsun supply 3e sell and which is used in the kit Amir reviewed is clearly also a nice unit for the price.

 

[jamescarter1982]

thankyou those modules all seem like an affordable achievable first amplifier project and thanks for advise about the smps that's really handy to have a soft start built in !

 

[Tangband]

thankyou those modules all seem like an affordable achievable first amplifier project and thanks for advise about the smps that's really handy to have a soft start built in !

072 ic in input is not sota but probably better sounding than ne5532.
This might be an interesting amplifier in a 4 way dsp active tower speaker.

 

[bigjacko]

My Connex SMPS300RS 36V supply arrived, here's the stepped sine using that instead of the awful cheap power supplies I was testing before. Single channel power at 0.01% distortion is up to ~120W. This is way beyond the spec! Obviously with all channels driven power would drop, but in my intended use for an active speaker that's not a big issue. -90dB at 40W is really nice.

View attachment 329174

Thank you for the measurement! That is good power for 1 channel. Does more channel driven always reduce power? How much would it be if 4 channel driven?

 

[mcdn]

072 ic in input is not sota but probably better sounding than ne5532.
This might be an interesting amplifier in a 4 way dsp active tower speaker.

There‘s no evidence for opamps sounding different.

 

[mcdn]

Thank you for the measurement! That is good power for 1 channel. Does more channel driven always reduce power? How much would it be if 4 channel driven?

It completely depends on power supply you use and the speakers you connect it to. Just go by the datasheet.

 

[mprivitera1]

Hi guys,

I was considering purchasing this amplifier board to drive (I'm multi-amplifying) the high part, tweeter and mids, you don't need a lot of power.....how does it sound? is it worth it?
On it there is a jumper with the name "SE - DIFF" near the signal input. What are they for?
Thanks for your help

 

[mcdn]

Hi guys,

I was considering purchasing this amplifier board to drive (I'm multi-amplifying) the high part, tweeter and mids, you don't need a lot of power.....how does it sound? is it worth it?
On it there is a jumper with the name "SE - DIFF" near the signal input. What are they for?
Thanks for your help

It doesn’t have a “sound”, unless you use it with a very high impedance tweeter and have exceptional hearing. Remember that with these modules most of your cost is going to be in the power supply, case and connectors, plus your time. Unless you are experienced with building amps there are very many cheap options available pre-built.

 

[mprivitera1]

It doesn’t have a “sound”, unless you use it with a very high impedance tweeter and have exceptional hearing. Remember that with these modules most of your cost is going to be in the power supply, case and connectors, plus your time. Unless you are experienced with building amps there are very many cheap options available pre-built.

..thanks for your intervention, yes I have a bit of familiarity with assembly, yes I really think that the power supply must be of high quality...while for the jumpers, mentioned above, you don't know anything?

 

[olieb]

On it there is a jumper with the name "SE - DIFF" near the signal input. What are they for?

This is for changing the input from SE (single ended aka RCA) to DIFF (differential/balanced aka XLR).
How exactly it is done (changes in circuit - external switchboard?) depends on the implementation.

 

[mprivitera1]

..thanks for your intervention, yes I have a bit of familiarity with assembly, yes I really think that the power supply must be of high quality...while for the jumpers, mentioned above, you don't know anything?

..reading the tpa3255 manual....I understood, the jumpers are used for the BTL of the channels....I think this is it!

 

[mprivitera1]

This is for changing the input from SE (single ended aka RCA) to DIFF (differential/balanced aka XLR).
How exactly it is done (changes in circuit - external switchboard?) depends on the implementation.

..ah...ok ..I was thinking about the BTL of the channels....Thanks

 

[mcdn]

..reading the tpa3255 manual....I understood, the jumpers are used for the BTL of the channels....I think this is it!

No, this is not correct! It is for choosing between single ended and differential input signals. BTL or SE operation of the output requires different hardware and is not switchable

 

[mprivitera1]

No, this is not correct! It is for choosing between single ended and differential input signals. BTL or SE operation of the output requires different hardware and is not switchable

ok....Thank you