hochopeper Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 (edited) I fret about fractions of mm in decoupling capacitor placement on PCB design ... The builder/owner of that unit you've got on loan should try out suggestions above re getting caps closer to the chip. Edited November 14, 2013 by hochopeper 1
Full Range Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 Okay I've just worked out that the one you have now is a loaner. Is it for sale? How much does he want? It's a loaner to trial Not sure if it's for sale - but the owner is reading this thread and he may contact you via PM if that is the case
ArthurDent Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 (edited) Wasn't after it for myself but if it is for sale and the price is reasonable you might want to consider it versus the cost of sourcing all the parts yourself. The AudioSector boards it uses are good, it's using one of the better chips (some say the best sounding), dual power supplies, two transformers etc. It just needs a little work. Edited November 14, 2013 by KenTripp
Full Range Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 Wasn't after it for myself but if it is for sale and the price is reasonable you might want to consider it versus the cost of sourcing all the parts yourself. The AudioSector boards it uses are good, it's using one of the better chips (some say the best sounding), dual power supplies, two transformers etc. It just needs a little work. Doesn't hurt to ask I suppose Ken
Full Range Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 The best chip amps are based on TDA1514A chips. I don't know of any commercially available kits. If you only need 20 Watts, look for an NAD3120. They were an excellent integrated amplifier. Some small mods (new volume pot, caps, etc) and you have something that will do a superb job.If you feel the need for a kit, then this may suffice (though it does use an inferior chip):http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K5114I still reckon an old NAD3120 is a far better bet. They work well, can drive any load, are quiet, well engineered and decent sounding. My Earle Weston Tube amp that doubles as a DAC is fitted with the TDA1514 chip ( not sure if it's an A ) So whatever amp I use it's bound to get some of that TDA sound signature
Full Range Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 I fret about fractions of mm in decoupling capacitor placement on PCB design ... The builder/owner of that unit you've got on loan should try out suggestions above re getting caps closer to the chip. If it's available You live in QLD ( Brisbane I hope ) Then for a modest fee you could do it for me and include any protection circuits if needed at the same time
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 My Earle Weston Tube amp that doubles as a DAC is fitted with the TDA1514 chip ( not sure if it's an A ) So whatever amp I use it's bound to get some of that TDA sound signature Why would Earle fit a TDA1514A to a valve amp? The TDA1514A is a high performance power amp IC. It is not a DAC chip. I suspect you are thinking of a TDA1541, which is a DAC. A very good DAC, in fact. Philips, in their infinite wisdom, name their ICs in the order that they are released. There seems to be little in the way of logic applied to the numbering system. 1
Newman Posted November 14, 2013 Posted November 14, 2013 That might be a 1541 in the DAC, not 1514. Dyslexic dystopia at Philips. Don't want to get too carried away about brand wars, the LMs are excellent too.
Full Range Posted November 14, 2013 Author Posted November 14, 2013 Why would Earle fit a TDA1514A to a valve amp?The TDA1514A is a high performance power amp IC. It is not a DAC chip. I suspect you are thinking of a TDA1541, which is a DAC. A very good DAC, in fact.Philips, in their infinite wisdom, name their ICs in the order that they are released. There seems to be little in the way of logic applied to the numbering system. That might be a 1541 in the DAC, not 1514. Dyslexic dystopia at Philips. Don't want to get too carried away about brand wars, the LMs are excellent too. It's a prototype build - a combination Preamp with a DAC Here is Earls thread on that Build - http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/29945-a-prototypeconcept-tube-dac-running-tda1541-nos/?hl=%2Bprototype+%2Btube+%2Bdac And here is my thread - http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/30460-the-prototype-tube-dac-has-landed/?hl=%2Bprototype+%2Btube+%2Bdac
Full Range Posted December 20, 2013 Author Posted December 20, 2013 (edited) In my search for a ready made chip amp ? I came accross the Valab AM3 They retail for arround $500 with shipping I look inside and it's not as simple as the gainclone amps I have seen Valab products in the past have been talked about on SNA, and overall they got the thumbs up Edited December 20, 2013 by Full Range
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