TPA3116 / RuneAudio Project

skrodahl

The new TPA3116 2x50w digital amp just arrived, and it's going to be part of a new project.

Here it is, in all its glory, with banana for scale:

To bring it all together, I'm planning to use this enclosure:

The plan is to stuff the amp, power supply, a Raspberry Pi B+ with HifiBerry, a phono preamp and a passive source selector inside the case. There's still a few bits and pieces awaiting arrival from China, so this may take some time. Still, it's a start. 🙂

skrodahl

skrodahl wrote...a Raspberry Pi B+ with HifiBerry...

Looking at the new RPi B+, it doesn't seem to have a P5 connector anymore. At least not where you'd expect it to be. That could pose a problem...

I did some searching around, and HifiBerry has the answer. It will not work. Luckily they are working on a HifiBerry DAC for the B+.

ACX

Lol I didn't know the "banana for scale" meme 😃
Cool project, have you also considered to add some cool features like a LCD display or a rotary encoder volume control (IQaudIO is developing it for its DAC)?

skrodahl

ACX wroteLol I didn't know the "banana for scale" meme 😃
Cool project, have you also considered to add some cool features like a LCD display or a rotary encoder volume control (IQaudIO is developing it for its DAC)?

You may have noticed that I have a preference for vintage equipment. Some of the best stuff is hard to get by, but going old-skool with no frills or remote control is something I like to do. It has to be said that I'm considering an IR-receiver (I have the components at home) for the RPi as a viable option. Besides, MPDroid is also a remote control... 🙂

Midnight

ACX wroteLol I didn't know the "banana for scale" meme 😃

For sure this was not the idea of an engineer, because bananas differ greatly in size. So they are actually not qualified as scale 😛 :twisted: :ugeek: :mrgreen:

skrodahl

A few bits and pieces arrived, I will have to keep my RuneAudio RPi player in its separate enclosure due to space constraints.

So the amp will have the TPA3116 amplifier board, an active phono preamp. And then a passive pre with selector switch, volume and balance. And a power supply of course.

Here's the front panel, partially drilled to get the power button in. The 9V battery is just to demonstrate the LED in the power button:

The TPA3116 amp and my newly etched CNC phono preamp. Still awaiting components for the pre:

To round off, a picture of the enclosure with the lid on:

jj.luoma

Hi

Had to comment this post. I have same TPA3116 amplifier module inside this little box.

My next project is active WiFi speaker RPI+Runeaudio+2xHivi B3N.... etc. Maybe i will post some pictures when it's ready.

skrodahl

jj.luoma wroteHi

Had to comment this post. I have same TPA3116 amplifier module inside this little box.

My next project is active WiFi speaker RPI+Runeaudio+2xHivi B3N.... etc. Maybe i will post some pictures when it's ready.

That's a high quality project. Love the volume knob, I've been looking for one just like that.

skrodahl

A few more pictures from the construction.

Finalizing drilling of the back panel:

Completed back panel, outside and inside:

Enclosure with finalized back panel:

skrodahl

It's alive!

skrodahl

So now that I've spent some time listening to RuneAudio 0.3a and the TPA3116, what do I think?

The best amp I've ever heard (with home usage in mind, none of these will be able to play at stadium volume levels) is the Topping TP20 (a T-amp using TriPath's TA2020), and I've both heard and had quite a few amps. This is definitely in the same league as the TriPath. Using the TPA with lower volumes, it's clearly better.

The sound signature in RuneAudio is a very important feature for me. With the TA2020, I found that the default "RuneAudio" profile was the best. Now, with the new amp, the "ACX" profile gives me the same transparency.

I've got a 19V/3.5A power supply for the TPA3116, I guess that would bring me in around the 25W territory. Compare that to the TA2020, which would provide a maximum of 8 clean watts into my 8 ohm speakers. In terms of absolute volume, the difference is almost non-existent.

I can't declare a winner, but it's nice to know that there is an alternative to the TriPaths. ThriPath went bankrupt more than five years ago, and the supply of amplifier chips must run out sooner or later.

I'm happy with my build and the amp sounds great. The versatility with more inputs, balance control and (when it's complete) a phono preamp is sufficient for me to keep it as my main amp.

ACX

The "ACX" profile was put together for my secondary equipment (DIY ampli based on Tripath TA2024 and Indiana Line HC206), it's interesting to see that it works well in similar conditions (on my primary equipment it becomes instead my last choice, preferring the "tight" OrionV2).

skrodahl

ACX wroteThe "ACX" profile was put together for my secondary equipment (DIY ampli based on Tripath TA2024 and Indiana Line HC206), it's interesting to see that it works well in similar conditions (on my primary equipment it becomes instead my last choice, preferring the "tight" OrionV2).

For the TA2020, I found the default "RuneAudio" and the "UM3..." profiles to give the best result. There are just a few nuances different between "RuneAudio" and "ACX" with the TPA3116 (the amp is really starting to grown on me, btw), and I find that "ACX" gives more transparancy and presence. This is what I first heard when journeying through the class-D equipment, and I really like that a lot.

Thanks again for RuneAudio, it deserves to be the heart of any stereo system.

Downunder55

skrodahl wrote Thanks again for RuneAudio, it deserves to be the heart of any stereo system.

[/quote]

Hear, Hear ! .....(stereo... 🙂 )

Skrodahl thanks for your answer over on Audiokarma, I have been playing with the Pi and Rune for a while also and loving it !

I am planning as my first little venture into 3116's to have a stand alone "Rune Box" with a Pi, HifiBerry, an internal 2.5" HD for the FLAC's, but will probably transition to SSD, Wifi router, Audiobah and an Alps pot all in a single case and powered by an external 19v PS with the UI on an iPad...... so just add power and speakers !

Think I am being a little optimistic on the case, but would like it to be in a 135mm * 180mm * 49mm internal, but cognisant of your previous comments.

Ordered everything except the case at this stage and will get it all bench tested and then see if there is any chance it will all fit. I have cut out the items to scale and seems a little tight, but probably more worried about heat in such a small space ?

While I am waiting for all the kit to arrive will start planning the next project for the study, running from my NAS and home network, but might wait for the new Pi and would like to try a IQaudIO.com Pi-DAC this time, but still deciding on the amp.

So much reading to do and so many opinions to filter ......not sure that I want to "mod" boards at this stage as I think a Chimp would have better soldering skills than I (no offence intended to primates).

skrodahl

Downunder55 wroteThink I am being a little optimistic on the case, but would like it to be in a 135mm * 180mm * 49mm internal, but cognisant of your previous comments.

So much reading to do and so many opinions to filter ......not sure that I want to "mod" boards at this stage as I think a Chimp would have better soldering skills than I (no offence intended to primates).

The size of your enclosure should be fine, I insisted on having an internal PSU and that's what made me run into space issues.

Are you planning to have both the amp and the RPi in the same case?

There should be no need to mod the Audiobah board in any way or form, go with it as is.

Downunder55

skrodahl wrote Are you planning to have both the amp and the RPi in the same case?

Yes, as well as the disk, power converter (19v - 5v) and router ..... let's call it ambition :lol:

When all the kit arrives will first see if it all works as planned then, look at fitting to the case.

So much fun for so few $'s !

Also have some Sonos bits so will be interesting to see how they compare.

ACX

Downunder55 wroteAlso have some Sonos bits so will be interesting to see how they compare.

Uhh yes, that's interesting! 🙂 I always wondered about how they perform in terms of sound quality, considering how much they cost.

Downunder55

ACX wrote
Downunder55 wroteAlso have some Sonos bits so will be interesting to see how they compare.
Uhh yes, that's interesting! 🙂 I always wondered about how they perform in terms of sound quality, considering how much they cost.

The Connect has quite a reasonable DAC in it and the Connect Amp is also pretty good, but you are correct re the pricing.

The big strength is multi room, it's compact, very easy to set up and operate and so has a high WAF !

While the sound is good, the fun is limited as there is not much to tinker with :geek:

Will compare when all up and running.

skrodahl

Downunder55 wrote
skrodahl wrote Are you planning to have both the amp and the RPi in the same case?
Yes, as well as the disk, power converter (19v - 5v) and router ..... let's call it ambition :lol:

Hehe, that's ambition allright. :lol:
I don't know if you're able to place some of the PCBs vertically, or perhaps stack them. If not, you get my utmost respect if you manage to succeed. I like your sense of humor about it. 🙂

My own build is coming along, the phono preamp is all but finished. I'll be busy for the next week or so, so there is going to be a delay.

My volume control/balance came out great. It's a combination of Rod Elliot's volume/balance in his project P88 and project P01 (Better volume control).

I'm using linear potentiomenters for both balance and volume. Then I use two 12k ohm resistors, one from each center pin of the volume pot to ground, to create a log pot. That, and the input selector switch, is my entire passive preamp. (Technically it's all from P88, the 12k resistors are just not shown in the picture above. P01 will show you the theory behind it all.)

Peter

I'm using linear potentiomenters for both balance and volume. Then I use two 12k ohm resistors, one from each center pin of the volume pot to ground, to create a log pot. That, and the input selector switch, is my entire passive preamp. (Technically it's all from P88, the 12k resistors are just not shown in the picture above. P01 will show you the theory behind it all.)

Hi, What value pots are you using? 100k for volume and 10k for balance as shown in the diagram, or some alternative.

Apologies if I am a copy cat, but I have just ordered the same board, after researching Audiokarma. The green board was a little bit pricey for a first attempt. Maybe later if there is an issue. Do you have any "power on" click/ pop, which seems to be an issue on some boards?

Really cool build just BTW.

Peter