$175 Class D amp--120 wpc

Paul B · « **Reply #1700 on:** 24 Jul 2010, 02:20 pm »

I will give these suggestions a try

Thanks guys

roymail · « **Reply #1701 on:** 24 Jul 2010, 08:38 pm »

Paul B, did you get your amp working properly? Did you contact Tom about it? I'm sure he can help in some way. Let us know.

jtwrace · « **Reply #1702 on:** 24 Jul 2010, 08:54 pm »

are you certain the input wiring and output wiring is correct?

jtwrace · « **Reply #1703 on:** 24 Jul 2010, 09:13 pm »

See if any of these help:

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #1704 on:** 24 Jul 2010, 10:23 pm »

Dear Class D Audio enthusiasts,

I was just lucky enough to have jtwrace (Jason) send me a Super D amp to listen to. My audition period lasted about 5 days while my family was out on R&R.

First and foremost, Jason is a gentleman and he promptly mailed the amp to me (we are only 60 miles from each other). The build quality is excellent and in fact, if you are even tempted to think about a case for the amplifier, I will say that his case is awesome. Remember he is in the racing industry (NASCAR was born in Charlotte), so all the hole punching, drilling and engraving/lasering of the nameplates are done. The case is also ready for any of Class D audio's amps, including the SDS series (Super D). Needless to say, I promptly purchased one from him.

The amp completely outclassed my dual mono gainclone which uses Peter Daniel's LM3875 souped up chip amplifiers with dual mono 400VA Plitron transformers and a pair of Lundahl 1676 input transformers (for balanced input and to adjust the gain between 24 dB/30dB). The commercial equivalent of this amp lists for about $2400. More open on top and tighter in the bass, but also more wider and deeper soundstaging. I had no listening fatigue with this amp and I could play it at even louder levels than I usually do. Microdetailing was about the same as my gainclone but definitely more macrodetails (of course the 125 watts helped!). My speakers are GedLee Abbeys so you know where I coming from. The amp is also DEAD QUIET on 95-96dB/2.83V/8 ohm speakers.

I'll be building mine soon, probably with Jensen 4 pole caps in the power supply just for kicks. Although I do have other chassis, I chose Jason's because my other chassis have heatsinks which you don't need for this amp (it would be a waste of a chassis).

Thanks Jason, and thanks Steve for bringing this amp to everybody's attention.

Anand.

Paul B · « **Reply #1705 on:** 24 Jul 2010, 11:15 pm »

It's not working yet. Today I am going to take it apart and re-assemble outside the box. I am hoping that will fix whatever is not quite right, which must be something very minor as the wiring looks ok.

Will let you know when I get thing to sing.

roymail · « **Reply #1706 on:** 25 Jul 2010, 12:04 am »

Paul, when you figure out the problem, and I'm betting it's something small like wiring something backwards, be sure to let us know. That should help others avoid making the same mistake.

Of course, that's assuming you did make a mistake. Not saying you did...

hope you understand. Thanks!

Paul B · « **Reply #1707 on:** 25 Jul 2010, 10:13 am »

No problem. I'm relatively new to diy audio so it could happen.

I re-assembled the amp outside the chassis and de-soldered all RCA and binding post connections and re-attached with tape. I have around 21-22 mv DC at each input terminal. But I have zero AC reading at speaker terminal. Seems to be a problem here.

I will see what Tom has to say.

soundnoob · « **Reply #1708 on:** 26 Jul 2010, 11:36 am »

Good luck Paul. Please keep us posted.

motosapien · « **Reply #1709 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 12:54 am »

I'm going to take the plunge and do the 120 watt kit along with the custom enclosure. I have a solid state NAD pre amp with a phono stage that I hope will be a nice fit. What I'm really hoping for is that this amp will "wake up" my GR Research NX2 speakers which have been rather unremarkable so far. My $1200 NAD amp is also rather unremarkable.

jtwrace · « **Reply #1710 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 01:14 am »

Quote from: motosapien on 27 Jul 2010, 12:54 am

I'm going to take the plunge and do the 120 watt kit along with the custom enclosure. I have a solid state NAD pre amp with a phono stage that I hope will be a nice fit. What I'm really hoping for is that this amp will "wake up" my GR Research NX2 speakers which have been rather unremarkable so far. My $1200 NAD amp is also rather unremarkable.

Very cool Which custom enclosure? It should work very well...

dvenardos · « **Reply #1711 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 01:14 am »

That should be a nice combo. I had the demo version of the Neo 2X at my house and pairing them with the Virtue Two amp was just phenomenal.

Quote from: motosapien on 27 Jul 2010, 12:54 am

I'm going to take the plunge and do the 120 watt kit along with the custom enclosure. I have a solid state NAD pre amp with a phono stage that I hope will be a nice fit. What I'm really hoping for is that this amp will "wake up" my GR Research NX2 speakers which have been rather unremarkable so far. My $1200 NAD amp is also rather unremarkable.

roymail · « **Reply #1712 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 02:45 am »

Quote from: motosapien on 27 Jul 2010, 12:54 am

I'm going to take the plunge and do the 120 watt kit along with the custom enclosure. I have a solid state NAD pre amp with a phono stage that I hope will be a nice fit. What I'm really hoping for is that this amp will "wake up" my GR Research NX2 speakers which have been rather unremarkable so far. My $1200 NAD amp is also rather unremarkable.

With those speakers, I'd recommend either the CDA-254 kit or the SDS-254 kit. The CDA-254 is only $15 more than the CDA-224 and double the output. No brainer! Let us know how it works with your setup.

roymail · « **Reply #1713 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 02:47 am »

Paul B, what did Tom have to say about your situation? I'm sure he'll take care of you.

Paul B · « **Reply #1714 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 03:22 am »

Yep he sure did. I have a new amp board on the way. Hopefully by the weekend I will have good news to report.

The amp appeared to be wired correctly and I was seeing normal DC levels from the power supply. The problem was the amp board, where I was seeing normal DC readings on input side, but zero AC at speaker side.

I will report back when I found out what happened from Tom.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #1715 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 06:18 pm »

Just placed my order for the sds-258 kit

Anand's comparison to his tricked out gainclone was what finally made me break down and order the amp. My initial venture into class d audio was 5 years ago and a huge disappointment so hoping for a better experience here. I'll make sure to post my feelings once I'm all wired up and running.

jtwrace · « **Reply #1716 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 06:22 pm »

Quote from: toxteth ogrady on 27 Jul 2010, 06:18 pm

Just placed my order for the sds-258 kit Anand's comparison to his tricked out gainclone was what finally made me break down and order the amp. My initial venture into class d audio was 5 years ago and a huge disappointment so hoping for a better experience here. I'll make sure to post my feelings once I'm all wired up and running.

Great! Happy to be part of your re-introduction being that it was my amp that he used.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #1717 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 06:27 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 27 Jul 2010, 06:22 pm

Great! Happy to be part of your re-introduction being that it was my amp that he used.

I noticed your power supply has different capacitors than what's shown on the website. Care to share what you've replaced them with?

jtwrace · « **Reply #1718 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 06:33 pm »

Quote from: toxteth ogrady on 27 Jul 2010, 06:27 pm

I noticed your power supply has different capacitors than what's shown on the website. Care to share what you've replaced them with?

My power supply is bone stock.

dvenardos · « **Reply #1719 on:** 27 Jul 2010, 08:59 pm »

Panasonic caps seem to be the go to caps for power supplies.