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I've got a TPA3116 right now. I'm experimenting with it a little bit. Thus far I can't seem to make it sound half as good as the 7297 Odal3 is talking about. Don't get me wrong, for the price it's an exceptional little amp. I've got Blackgate input caps on it (N series). OSCON supply caps. Then there's a couple special inductors with 1ohm resistor before the PSU where I'm using Nichicon KG capacitors, 20kuf, following the best diodes I've ever used. Before the diodes is a CMC and caps. That's being fed by a dual bobbin transformer. And it's still just not good enough. It's good, but nothing I'd rank as special. My board could be better with improved inductors on output and bootstrap but... classD just doesn't do it for me. To me well done class AB like the 7297 is so much more like class A with better top end that I'm not so interested in classD. I'm happy to entertain anyone on improving PSU quality into their TPA3116, if you plan to stick with it.
Not sure what board you got and what you did with it but a good working tpa amp should sound pretty damn good. You should compare your amp with an equivalent modified like the wiener over at diyaudio. Otherwise ebay versions require lots of mods. It may not sound good out the packet like the tda given the tda has so few parts and therefore has a leg up in that regard. I think its a little dismissove to just lump it in with 'classd' especially as classd amps now come in such different flavors.
Anyone's welcome to send me one to try (and I'll return it). I'm not convinced enough to continue modding.
Otherwise ebay versions require lots of mods. It may not sound good out the packet like the tda given the tda has so few parts and therefore has a leg up in that regard.
Thanks George,I've actually tried the LM3875 numerous times. It's an ok amp. As far as AB amps go the TDA7297 is the only stand alone one I've been into. The rest seem to need control. The Modulous 86 would be an example. Sure I've got two mods left for my TPA3116 to get it up to date, but I'm not hearing anything that indicates it'll have what I want when it's done. It's just too far away. It's still a good amp, and fits some systems well because it can put out 50w. It mostly just sounds like classD to me. Bang for buck it's pretty darn good. However if you're trying to persuade me don't forget I'm a total snob .
I have had no time for my audio and finally getting back to it. I bought the Sure3116 and before that SA-36Pro. They were both good but I kept the Sure3116. I use them without any modification since I cannot really do any soldering,etc. So, now I want to buy a finished TPA3116 that is as good as Sure (they have no finished product). I am wondering if anybody would suggest anything? Thanks.
I'm listening to my TPA3110D2 amp made by Rhing. It has quality parts like Vampire RCAs and Insight 12v/5a power supply and Pangea AC cord. Powering my 90db/4ohm JM Reynaud Twin Signature speakers the sound is very good, better that my NAD 3020, Cyrus 2, T-amp, B&K ST-140 or ASL Wave 8s with those speakers. I've been using it with the built in volume control but plan to try it as a power amp with a Bottlehead Quickie as the preamp too. The sound quality/value ratio is pretty amazing.
Yes, I did try the Quickie in front of the TPA3110D2 with the JMR speakers and liked it better than the TPA alone. My favorite inexpensive solid state amp lately has been the NSMT modified Lepai but there is still something about tube power amps or integrated amps I come back to with the JMRs or my Omega Super 3XRS (RS5) speakers.
