wondom bru5 pc dsp configurable TPA 3255 "300w x 2" mini amplifier

[ccihon]

I understand that you are using an Asus Z99H Windows XP laptop to run ACPWorkbench. Is that true? That is 17 years old (which = 87 years old in Laptop Years). I expect you will wheeze a lot when you are 87 I think it is very unlikely that anyone on AliExpress is using a laptop that old. That could be the problem. When you contact Wondom/Sure at https://store.sure-electronics.com/question/1 be sure to tell them about the laptop you are using.

Most of us use ACPWorkbench only briefly to make and save EQ changes. You do not have to be listening when you do this. If you cannot figure out the problem I think you can still use the software to make changes. Just disconnect your sound card from the Bru5 RCA audio inputs, make and save the changes, then turn off ACPworkbench before you play music again.

I realize I am replying to a year-old post, but having just received a BRU5, I can confirm that when the USB is connected to my desktop computer, I can hear a very high pitch noise from the speakers - quite faint. Not sure I would call it "wheezing" - it does not seem to interfere with evaluating the DSP changes I am making, and I disconnect the USB from the computer after I have committed the changes to the device.

Other observations - I am awaiting a 36v 8A power supply, but temporarily put a laptop power supply into service that I used with a 3116 amp that this replaces. It is 19.5v 8a, and drives the BRU5 quite well. It will be interesting to see if more power brings any real audible change, or more heat. Subjectively, I get more gain out of this than the Nobsound 3116 unit using the same supply, though I think my EQ curve is introducing an overall gain. I was using a PC-based EQ with the 3116 that I have dispensed with.

I have little use for Bluetooth currently, but may try to add the ability to switch off at least the blue indicator LED.

 

[ccihon]

I realize I am replying to a year-old post, but having just received a BRU5, I can confirm that when the USB is connected to my desktop computer, I can hear a very high pitch noise from the speakers - quite faint. Not sure I would call it "wheezing" - it does not seem to interfere with evaluating the DSP changes I am making, and I disconnect the USB from the computer after I have committed the changes to the device.

Other observations - I am awaiting a 36v 8A power supply, but temporarily put a laptop power supply into service that I used with a 3116 amp that this replaces. It is 19.5v 8a, and drives the BRU5 quite well. It will be interesting to see if more power brings any real audible change, or more heat. Subjectively, I get more gain out of this than the Nobsound 3116 unit using the same supply, though I think my EQ curve is introducing an overall gain. I was using a PC-based EQ with the 3116 that I have dispensed with.

I have little use for Bluetooth currently, but may try to add the ability to switch off at least the blue indicator LED.

I was unable to source the 36v 8a unit, so purchased a PS that is 48V 10A. I turned the voltage down via a built-in pot to its minimum, about 42v, as that reduced the heat generated at idle by quite a bit. I think the thing sounds good - I do occasionally hear some high frequency "swirly" noise intermittently. This may be a wiring interference issue - it's minor.

From what I have been reading, this unit passes all inputs through the DSP and processes at 48bit, so I assume it would be best to feed it a signal generated by my DAC at that spec? Or would that not matter much as the signal fed is already analog?

 

[GGroch]

From what I have been reading, this unit passes all inputs through the DSP and processes at 48bit, so I assume it would be best to feed it a signal generated by my DAC at that spec? Or would that not matter much as the signal fed is already analog?

It would not matter as the signal fed to it is already analog.

 

[CedarX]

From what I have been reading, this unit passes all inputs through the DSP and processes at 48bit

You mean 48 kHz?
The ADCs on the MVSilicon BP1048B2 chip are 16-bit and can operate up to 48 kHz sampling.

 

[popej]

Doesn't USB input work as DAC too?

 

[ccihon]

Doesn't USB input work as DAC too?

I did mean to say 48Khz and 16 bit, not 48 bit, sorry. And the USB input on the BRU5 is for DSP control only and does not function as a usb input to an inbuilt DAC. I am driving it with a Topping E30 connected to the line inputs. From what I have read, the unit is resampling that analog input to 48/16 even if the DSP controls are "turned off" in software controller.

 

[popej]

And the USB input on the BRU5 is for DSP control only and does not function as a usb input to an inbuilt DAC

Weird, because chip supports USB audio. I have other device and apart from DSP control I can see audio output named "mvsilcon B1 usb audio". It supports 44/16 and 48/16.

 

[ccihon]

Weird, because chip supports USB audio. I have other device and apart from DSP control I can see audio output named "mvsilcon B1 usb audio". It supports 44/16 and 48/16.

This device reports itself in Win11 as "CJL BRU5 Audio" when connected, but is not an audio device that can added, like a USB DAC could be. In Device Manager, it is in fact shown as an "HID" device, akin to a mouse or keyboard. Have other owners been able to utilize the USB-C port for anything other than DSP control? I had no expectation this thing had an addressable DAC for that purpose.

 

[Splick]

I have been following this discussion for a while, but just in case I have missed something...

Is the BRU5 still a solid amplifier for the price? It seems they are under $30 from Aliexpress now. Are there any other amps that offer a clear improvement without doubling or tripling the price? I greatly prefer a "real" volume pot, not an encoder, so that has some bearing on my amp choice as well.

Also, I would love it if the DSP allowed the stereo channels to be controlled separately. I know this wasn't available on the BRU5 originally, but is there any chance this functionality has been added, or that any other amps or even separate (cheap) DSPs have implemented this? My listening space in my office isn't symmetrical and there is a clear improvement when I calibrate my speakers independently. I currently just run all the audio from my PC, so EQ APO handles all of that... but if I could have the amp do the job instead then I could make use of the DSP with any device I connect to my amp.

That said, the DSP is totally optional since I am content to just keep using my PC for music.

 

[ccihon]

I got mine just a few weeks back. I see no new features that allow the channels to be EQd independently, but not an issue for me. I think the volume pot is analog, and seems to work well. I used the BRU5 to eliminate EQ APO, and add some power to the setup. It works well - I think there are a few other 3255 amps that are simpler, with no DSP, that are close to the price. I am adjusting to using the software and parametric eq, being more comfortable to the old "graphic slider" approach of the separate eq software.

 

[SanCarlos]

I took photos of the ACPWorkbench Software and the innards of the BRU5.

The AudioEffect screen in ACPWorkbench allows you to adjust a lot of parameters, including:

-- A 9 band parametric eq (you can adjust both at the pre-amp and output end and in addition there are several presets),
-- Dynamic Range Compression
-- Music Noise Suppressor (this is the only effect on by default)
-- Voice Cut/Voice Remove (karaoke?)
-- Music 3D, 3D Plus, Virtual Bass, Stereo Widener, Delay, Exciter, and Phase
-- Adjust gain of both the line and BT inputs

Adjustments happen in real time so you can judge the effects. You can save, import, and export configurations as well as reset (to the configuration last saved) and factory reset (to the original configuration. I have not done any of this yet, but will run another REW RoomEQ on my speakers and program those into the PEQ in the next couple of days.

Note that the "heatsink" for the TPA3255 is an aluminum block that conducts through thermal paste to the underside of the cast chassis. So you may need to reapply it. View attachment 292245View attachment 292246View attachment 292247View attachment 292248View attachment 292250I have a couple of the Arylic boards and so know the ACPworkbench software. In those you can eq each channel independently, so you can use the eq for crossovers. Ca you do the same here? your screenshots suggest the eq is global across both channels.

 

[HarŴonics]

Interested in 2x of these anyway to connect 2 of them to drive 2x tweeters(1 Bru5) 2x woofers(Second Bru5).

 

[BrodaWawa666]

I have this amplifier now in my home.
Does this thing have time corrections using the Chinese version of ACPWorkbench? I have the impression that there is too much garbage in this DSP application and too few specific things. I gave $40 with shipping to Warsaw included.

 

[gnat_leader]

So I've been using the TPA3244 version of the BRU5 for over a year and have been happy with it sitting behind my TV always on... I've been using a 19v 3A laptop PS but looking now to upgrade it for more power to see if it improves the sound quality.
I saw in the TI spec's for the TPA3244 power supply range is up to 31.5 volts. I can find many different 32V laptop style power supplies such as the Aiyima 32V 5A so my question is you think this is safe or I should go for a 30V supply as Wondom/Sure lists as the max?
One reason I'd prefer to use a 32V PS if possible is it could also be used with better effect with the TPA3255 amps that like higher voltage.

My teardown of the amp is here if it helps or anyone is interested:

 

[Roland68]

So I've been using the TPA3244 version of the BRU5 for over a year and have been happy with it sitting behind my TV always on... I've been using a 19v 3A laptop PS but looking now to upgrade it for more power to see if it improves the sound quality.
I saw in the TI spec's for the TPA3244 power supply range is up to 31.5 volts. I can find many different 32V laptop style power supplies such as the Aiyima 32V 5A so my question is you think this is safe or I should go for a 30V supply as Wondom/Sure lists as the max?
One reason I'd prefer to use a 32V PS if possible is it could also be used with better effect with the TPA3255 amps that like higher voltage.

My teardown of the amp is here if it helps or anyone is interested:

The Absolute Maximum Ratings say 43 volts, but I would be cautious there too.
Look for a cheap Mean Well industrial power supply with 27 volts and the corresponding output. Most have a regulation range up to 31.5 or 32 volts.

 

[somebodyelse]

Check the maximum voltage for the regulators too - it may be lower than for the 3244. This has been an issue with some of the generic 3255 boards where they saved a bit on lower rated regulators. While those don't usually die (at least not immediately) they cause measurable issues at the amp output when used above their design maximum. IIRC this was shown in some measurements QuandAsylum did.

 

[gnat_leader]

The Absolute Maximum Ratings say 43 volts

Thanks, where did you see this? I prefer a laptop style (sealed) PS because I live on the beach and humid climate... everything rusts really quick here. So sounds like I could use the Aiyima 32v then.

 

[Roland68]

Thanks, where did you see this? I prefer a laptop style (sealed) PS because I live on the beach and humid climate... everything rusts really quick here. So sounds like I could use the Aiyima 32v then.

In the data sheet under "7.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings".

 

[gnat_leader]

Check the maximum voltage for the regulators too - it may be lower than for the 3244. This has been an issue with some of the generic 3255 boards where they saved a bit on lower rated regulators. While those don't usually die (at least not immediately) they cause measurable issues at the amp output when used above their design maximum. IIRC this was shown in some measurements QuandAsylum did.

I know only the very basics on circuitry, how can I identify the voltage regulator(s)? Are they they chips in between the large capacitors in my <teardown pics>?

 

[voodooless]

This is probably the voltage regulation section:

What chips are those?