SMPS for audio amps

This is probably a silly question with an obvious answer to those who know: Why are audio amplifiers seldom powered with switched-mode power supplies? The common exceptions I know of are in cases where there are few other options as in car amps or where an SMPS is for used other sections anyway, as in TVs.

I can understand how the complexity of SMPSes precludes their use in low-power, low-cost products, and how noise may be a problem with certain applications. But what about medium to fairly high powers with line level inputs? Their light weight and the ease of incorporating regulation and overload protection seem to provide attractive advantages over transformers, and volume production could obviate the cost advantage of transformers.

Reply to
pawihte
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I think Philips has an SMPS in their Class D surround-sound systems. The case seems too small for a regular transformer.

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Manual:

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Although, I kinda wonder how an 6x167W RMS amp can be powered by a

180W power supply. :D

Michael

Reply to
Michael

Something fishy there. Even Class D can't output more power than it takes in.

Reply to
pawihte

Yeah I know :D Maybe gigantic caps? Or... *shocker*... maybe the amp is actually a 180W amp?

Michael

Reply to
Michael

I think Philips has an SMPS in their Class D surround-sound systems. The case seems too small for a regular transformer.

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Manual:

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Although, I kinda wonder how an 6x167W RMS amp can be powered by a

180W power supply. :D

Michael

It just shows the bull shit that pervades this industry. For openers, there is no such thing as an RMS Watt. RMS means "Root", Power is not the "Root" but the already Squared term. They usually mean sine wave, single frequency average power for some number of seconds. Obviously, 6 X 167 would be 1,000 Watts and for all amps to deliver their power at once, the power supply would have to match plus supply power to the amplifier loses. If, how ever, each amp is tested separately, which is likely the case, then the wimpy power supply may do the job and may be adequate for music where the power is never continuous.

Reply to
Bob Eld

More like 167W total, and even that would stretching it. The specs say that power *consumption* is 180W. The output amps are unlikely to exceed 90% efficiency, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt and say 95%, and 98% for the PSU. That just manages 167W total output but still leaves nothing for the optical drive and low-power sections.

It would be more credible if they claimed 1000W PMPO - still technically meaningless but at least it's a common marketing hype.

Reply to
pawihte

Bob, I see that you're using OE6 which has a problem correctly attributing some quoted messages. You might want to try OE-Quotefix.

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Reply to
pawihte

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Ah, ok. I was intrigued by the Philips amp when I saw it at Target (I'd never seen a Class D amp for sale in a store before!), and noted the model number, but when I saw the 1% THD spec on the manual I ran away screaming... :D

Michael

Reply to
Michael

In my monitor servicing days I encountered a number of monitors with built in sound systems having their own separate SMPSU, so its not all that uncommon.

Not sure, but I think Elektor published a project for a high power audio amplifier with custom SMPSU.

Reply to
ian field

"pawihte"

** Higher cost and poor reliability.

No advantages exist.

** Most wall warts are switchers now.

** Higher cost and poor reliability.

No advantages exist.

** Regulation is no advantage in an audio power amp.

Fuses protect transformers just fine.

** You have no idea how cheap transformers are in volume.

.... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

"Michael"

Manual:

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Although, I kinda wonder how an 6x167W RMS amp can be powered by a

180W power supply. :D

** Its obviously not a 180 watt PSU - d*****ad.

Nothing says that it is.

The 180W *power consumption* figure is done with a music or pink noise tests signal on the amplifiers and tell an owner what to expect in the way of power bills.

.... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

"Michael"

Yeah I know :D Maybe gigantic caps? Or... *shocker*... maybe the amp is actually a 180W amp?

** Then, there is the overwhelming possibility that YOU are a raving, ignorant f****it.

..... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

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