Tripath Evaluation board amp mods

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 4451 times.

Wayne1

Tripath Evaluation board amp mods
« on: 30 Jul 2004, 06:14 pm »


Here is a shot of the Tripath Evaluation board, with some mods in a chassis.

It is powered by a 3.3 AH 12VDC battery. I have played this amp for 12 hours straight with no problem. No need for recharging. The main power switch on the front is up for on, down for off/recharge.

RCA inputs are WBT NextGen copper and speaker binding posts are Vampire direct gold plate.

Mods on the board include removal of audio input coupling caps and upgrade of the PS caps. The rather low grade banana connectors have been removed and all wiring is directly soldered to the board, minimizing mechanical connections

This amp is VERY sweet with the HornShoppe Horns. More than enough power to go deaf very quickly :lol:

I am very pleased with the natural sound of this. If anyone is interested, I may be able to be talked into modding boards for folks who wish to DIY their own. I might even be talked into building a couple of these little amps :)

JLM

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 10743
  • The elephant normally IS the room
Tripath Evaluation board amp mods
« Reply #1 on: 30 Jul 2004, 08:11 pm »
Wayne,

Your ingenuity and energy amaze me.

Please provide details for a fully assembled version: price, wpc, impedance, recommended speakers, etc.

I'm picking up a pair of custom built mass loaded transmision line single driver speakers next month that use the Fostex F200A.  The speaker will do 25 - 20,000 Hz in room at 89 dB/w/m.  The driver is rated at 27 watts continous and 80 watts peak at 8 ohms.  These should be wonderful speakers, but won't cost an arm and a leg, so this amp could fit in very well.

Wayne1

Tripath Evaluation board amp mods
« Reply #2 on: 30 Jul 2004, 08:58 pm »
JLM,

The amp will put out between 10-15 WPC into 4-8 ohm loads.

I have used it with the HornShoppe Horns and it sounds fabulous. I have also driven a 3-way ScanSpeak driver based system and it also sound great. It does run out of juice at louder volumes. I would say you should be safe with almost any 89-90 db/1 watt/1 meter system, if the room is not too big.

Ball park cost would be around $400.00. That is subject to change :wink:

There are options, available. This amp is going to Bwanagreg and I am going to install Bybees on the input for him.

Bwanagreg

Tripath Evaluation board amp mods
« Reply #3 on: 30 Jul 2004, 09:17 pm »
I'll post impressions when I get the amp. My point of comparison will be the stock Powerwave.

I'm off to Mouseland for a week first though.

Bwanagreg

Tripath Evaluation board amp mods
« Reply #4 on: 3 Oct 2004, 03:17 pm »
I finally posted my comments in the Critics Circle.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13518

Very nice work Wayne!

Khorn Dave

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 2
New to the Powerwave Phenomenon!
« Reply #5 on: 4 Oct 2004, 02:47 am »
Hi all,

Just bought a brace (that's two) powerwave amps to tweak and enjoy. I have taken the first step with a 12v 7Ah battery as a power source - much nicer sound quality. A couple of Q's if you would...

First is the hiss I'm hearing through the Khorns. At 104 db, these speakers reveal a hiss noticible from across the room with the powerwave. Has anyone else heard the hiss, and has anyone found a way to quiet it down?

What is the best technique for getting to the PCB? That clam shell case is on there tight!

Thanks in advance!

David

cjr888

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 555
Re: New to the Powerwave Phenomenon!
« Reply #6 on: 4 Oct 2004, 05:31 am »
Quote from: Khorn Dave
Hi all,

Just bought a brace (that's two) powerwave amps to tweak and enjoy. I have taken the first step with a 12v 7Ah battery as a power source - much nicer sound quality. A couple of Q's if you would...

First is the hiss I'm hearing through the Khorns. At 104 db, these speakers reveal a hiss noticible from across the room with the powerwave. Has anyone else heard the hiss, and has anyone found a way to quiet it down?

David


Dave - might I inquire what amplifier you were using prior to the TriPath?

ohenry

Tripath Evaluation board amp mods
« Reply #7 on: 4 Oct 2004, 11:31 am »
Quote
First is the hiss I'm hearing through the Khorns. At 104 db, these speakers reveal a hiss noticible from across the room with the powerwave. Has anyone else heard the hiss, and has anyone found a way to quiet it down?


Those things emit quite a bit of EMI.  You may try moving the powerwave away from your preamp/etc. to see if that attenuates noise or try to provide shielding.  The one I had a while back was quiet, although I got some hum (not hiss) when it was placed near the preamp.

For the case, I believe others have attacked it with a dremel tool equipped with the implement of destruction of their choice.

Have fun.   8)