$175 Class D amp--120 wpc

roymail · « **Reply #1780 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 04:15 pm »

The August issue of Affordable $$ Audio is out and shows a review of the Class D Audio CDA-254. However, I can't get it to load the article, it's showing the dreaded Error 404, in other words, it's not their yet.

Check back...

wushuliu · « **Reply #1781 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: roymail on 11 Aug 2010, 04:15 pm

The August issue of Affordable $$ Audio is out and shows a review of the Class D Audio CDA-254. However, I can't get it to load the article, it's showing the dreaded Error 404, in other words, it's not their yet.

Check back...

Congrats to Tom and Jason.

Anyone who has not purchased an amp by now better do so soon, because I see a price
jump comin'...

roymail · « **Reply #1782 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 07:32 pm »

OK, the new Affordable $$ Audio issue for August is now online. It has a very nice article about the Class D Audio CDA-254 amp and also a separate review of Jason's amp enclosure.

Congrats to both Tom and Jason, and thanks to Jeff for his interesting and positive articles about both products.

Mariusz · « **Reply #1783 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 07:47 pm »

Instead of hiking up the price of kits in general it would be wiser to make the entry offering still attractively affordable while redesigning/improving top of the line SOTA boards/power supplies.
Even better way to capitalize on already popular product would be a customized options and
build/design alternatives.
- cases
- accessories
- PS / batteries
- possibly preamp/buffer option (integrated or separate

Class D amp kits became so popular due to its affordability 1st and performance 2nd and relatively easy build....., even for junior DIYer.

My 2c.

Mariusz

steve k · « **Reply #1784 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 07:59 pm »

Congratulations to Tom and Jason. Great sounding amps and a great looking case!! Hopefully, this is just the beginning of the kudos from reviewers.

steve k

Nick77 · « **Reply #1785 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 08:22 pm »

http://www.affordableaudio.org/aa2010-08.pdf

Congrats! Much deserved recognition!

steve k · « **Reply #1786 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 08:36 pm »

Quote

Anyone who has not purchased an amp by now better do so soon, because I see a price
jump comin'...

Here is Tom's response to that:

"You can tell them… no price increases for the near future… that wouldn’t be fair!"

Mariusz · « **Reply #1787 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 09:05 pm »

Even better!!!!

Mariusz

pjchappy · « **Reply #1788 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 09:15 pm »

Sweet! I got the CDA-254 and Jason's case. Congrats to both of you!

Paul

jtwrace · « **Reply #1789 on:** 12 Aug 2010, 12:29 am »

Thanks for all the compliments! I'm glad that I was able to do something that you guys would like. It's nice to know that I'm part of your enjoyment.

Hebrew Hammer · « **Reply #1790 on:** 12 Aug 2010, 12:45 am »

Congrats Jay and well deserved brother...

jtsnead · « **Reply #1791 on:** 12 Aug 2010, 01:57 pm »

Quote from: wushuliu on 11 Aug 2010, 07:24 pm

Congrats to Tom and Jason.

Anyone who has not purchased an amp by now better do so soon, because I see a price
jump comin'...

Feanor · « **Reply #1792 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 12:08 am »

The deed is done, folks.

I've completed my SDS-258. Despite my earlier questions I just installed the gain pots as instructed; works fine admittedly.

The case is my own fabrication, mostly from 1/2" MDF with a Hammond aluminum case bottom for a back. This is basically the first time I've built a case and I made numerous small mistakes along the way but nothing major. The On/off switch kills the mains input; it's not the one on PC board -- any issue with that? Ons and offs are silent in any case.

Note that I'm using the XLR balanced connectors since my preamp has balanced outs.

srb · « **Reply #1793 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 01:11 am »

Quote from: Feanor on 13 Aug 2010, 12:08 am

The On/off switch kills the mains input; it's not the one on PC board -- any issue with that?

The AC wiring between the IEC socket, fuse and power switch look a bit smaller than the AC primary wires from the transformer. They may be a sufficient size for the fused allowable current, but it was just something that caught my eye.

Steve

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #1794 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 01:31 am »

Feanor,

If you turn your toroidal transformer counter-clockwise a bit, you'll be able to shorten some of your A/C primary and secondary wiring. And...it's a good habit to make twisted pairs of the A/C wiring. Try to keep output wiring away from the A/C wiring by a few more inches, you've done well with the input XLR wiring, which is the way this amp should be listened to imho.

Good work! Given the excellent input stage on this amp, its probably dead silent anyway. And...what Steve said.

Anand.

jtwrace · « **Reply #1795 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 02:10 am »

The ground strap to the amp board isn't needed just as an FYI. I believe in grounds but that will not do anything IMO.

Feanor · « **Reply #1796 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 02:16 am »

Quote from: poseidonsvoice on 13 Aug 2010, 01:31 am

Feanor,

If you turn your toroidal transformer counter-clockwise a bit, you'll be able to shorten some of your A/C primary and secondary wiring. And...it's a good habit to make twisted pairs of the A/C wiring. Try to keep output wiring away from the A/C wiring by a few more inches, you've done well with the input XLR wiring, which is the way this amp should be listened to imho.

Good work! Given the excellent input stage on this amp, its probably dead silent anyway. And...what Steve said.

Anand.

Thanks for your comments. I was loath to shorten the transformer leads right away this being my first project. However it is obvious that they could and, I guess, should be shortened. I'll probably do that and make the twisted pairs too.

Srb is correct that my added AC lines look a bit lighter than the transformer leads; they are 16 ga. The fuse is only 4 amp slow-blow but it hasn't blown with me playing as loud as I like.

The amp seems very quite. I have no transformer hum and none from the speakers, and start ups and shut downs are completely silent.
Any

Feanor · « **Reply #1797 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 02:18 am »

Quote from: jtwrace on 13 Aug 2010, 02:10 am

The ground strap to the amp board isn't needed just as an FYI. I believe in grounds but that will not do anything IMO.

Interesting point, thanks. The board itself has a little label there that says "chassis ground" so that's why I added it.

jtwrace · « **Reply #1798 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 02:34 am »

Quote from: Feanor on 13 Aug 2010, 02:18 am

Interesting point, thanks. The board itself has a little label there that says "chassis ground" so that's why I added it.

Gotcha. I would need to take a close look at the PCB and see how it's made there. Can't hurt though as long as it's dead silent. Have fun and enjoy!

roymail · « **Reply #1799 on:** 13 Aug 2010, 03:58 am »

Feanor, thanks for posting the pic of your amp. Nice job.

Please give us your impressions of the SDS-258... all 250 wpc. Got headroom?