Thread: Interested in a USB Audio Amplifier?

16 bit is okay for me, but I'm not an audiophile. Likewise a 192KHz frequency rate at an increased price isn't something I'd be interested in.

Form factor - No case is fine with me.

4X40watts is just fine.

Price - no greater than $200. Ideally, around $150.

24 bit (if not a huge cost increase
48 Khz is fine
I would sell a case as an option, standard amplifier factor
4x40 (real 40) is ok
would like to see 100W on subwoofer
would like to see low level output on sub and 2 channels of the mains
willing to pay up to $300
of course as many features as possible without a substantial cost increase

willing to beta test as I need this almost exact unit for my rig, I'm only running 2+1 right now.
low level outputs would allow me to use an additional unit in my boat.

I'm no audiophile as well, so for me its form factor (smaller install would be nice - behind dash etc) and price. Most of my mp3's are VBR.

I think you'll get a bunch of different responses for power - I think my stock speakers & sub sound fine, but other people on forums think it sounds terrible (although I just bought 4 polk db651's, which are 60w).

Pricewise - I'd say between 100-200, but again this would be for a "lower end" version... i can help beta too.

going back to formfactor - i'm leaving the stock wiring in my car, so having the amp plug to the factory harness behind the lcd in the dash would make the install a lot cleaner.

Bit rate and sampling isn't something I can comment on (I don't know enough about it, so I'm not going to try!), but as for form factor and price...

I would be happy to have either form factor that will fit in a dash, or under seat / in the boot. I currently have a 4x100 amp under the passenger seat, so it could go there as a replacement, but I am fortunate enough to have an SUV with enough space to stash a small child in the dash, so something that fits in there would work for me too. It comes down to what others want, but I would be happy for either.

I think price wise, something in the $100-$200US range would be about right. Adding shipping onto that, anything more would possibly be out of reach of a lot of carpc builders, as they are usually running on a shoestring budget mostly, and I think this really has the potential to be one of those "Must Have" items.

Power output, 40-50W RMS per channel, with 100W for sub would be great. Something to give a rich sound in the cabin, but not overpower. Maybe offer a second version (Ultrahighpowerawesomeness version), that is 200W per channel with 300W for the sub or something like that?

Also, I would love to beta test. I have the 4x100W amp, but no sub, and all the speakers in my car are midrange with passive crossovers and tweaters. However, I need to add a sub so that I can get some bass back into the car (Classical music sounds great...but Dr Dre says no!), but have been holding off buying a new amp because of this exact project. If I could beta test, I would be happy to throw my money at you, as it means getting some good quality sound back into my car, removing the onboard audio, simplifying things a lot, and also being able to fab a sub into the floorboard of the back of the SUV.

power: 40-50x4--how much of a difference would 50wmax chips be? this would put it in the same market as many aftermarket hu's..

and 100-200x1(again, how much of a cost difference for more power). for subs, i can see a partial issue here with only a 100wmax amp-- this will not even meet the rms rating on many 10" subs. i would prefer to see a amp that can push at least a respectable 200wmax, so that it can at least handle a 10" decently...

while it is not enough power for me(i need around 75-100x4, and around 300-750x1), it is plenty for the many basic setups that a amp like this is needed for.

resolution: 16bit/48khz would be fine enough for all but more discerning tastes that would probably want better amps anyways..

size: the smaller the better, but i wouldn't want it to be much larger then most 4 ch amps..

cost: i think that around $100-400 would be reasonable...

i might be interested in beta testing the amp later on, but it depends on the final/beta price point. i really don't need another soundcard/amp, but might be willing to test it if needed...

I am planning on 24bit at 48KHz. This is plenty of resolution at a good enough sample rate that it is fine for audiophiles. This amp's SQ on the low side will be good enough for competition audio.

The hard part is the output. The 40W-50W that aftermarket units use is actually because that is the maximum power you can get out of a nonboosted supply, basically using the car voltage as the amp power. At 12v you get 36W, and at 14.4v you get 52W. That is cheap cheap cheap, easily done.

I figure since it is an audiophile SQ amp, if the output power was good enough then it could be used for anyone including the audiophiles.

This board will draw some power and need to dissipate it so it can't be too small.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

I am planning on 24bit at 48KHz. This is plenty of resolution at a good enough sample rate that it is fine for audiophiles. This amp's SQ on the low side will be good enough for competition audio.

The hard part is the output. The 40W-50W that aftermarket units use is actually because that is the maximum power you can get out of a nonboosted supply, basically using the car voltage as the amp power. At 12v you get 36W, and at 14.4v you get 52W. That is cheap cheap cheap, easily done.

I figure since it is an audiophile SQ amp, if the output power was good enough then it could be used for anyone including the audiophiles.

This board will draw some power and need to dissipate it so it can't be too small.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Originally Posted by Chester

Bit rate and sampling isn't something I can comment on (I don't know enough about it, so I'm not going to try!), but as for price...

I think price wise, something in the $100-$200US range would be about right. Anything more would probably be out of reach of a lot of carpc builders, as they are usually running on a shoestring budget mostly, and I think this really has the potential to be one of those "Must Have" items.

Power output, 40-50W RMS per channel, with 100W for sub would be great. Something to give a rich sound in the cabin, but not overpower. Maybe offer a second version (Ultrahighpowerawesomeness version), that is 200W per channel with 300W for the sub or something like that?

I mostly agreed with these areas so I thought why rewrite Chester's words; although I did slightly edit his words to portray my views.

The smallest size that can dissipate the heat would open up more possible spots to put it.

Could beta test if needed.

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

This amp's SQ on the low side will be good enough for competition audio.

The hard part is the output. The 40W-50W that aftermarket units use is actually because that is the maximum power you can get out of a nonboosted supply, basically using the car voltage as the amp power. At 12v you get 36W, and at 14.4v you get 52W. That is cheap cheap cheap, easily done.

I figure since it is an audiophile SQ amp, if the output power was good enough then it could be used for anyone including the audiophiles.

This board will draw some power and need to dissipate it so it can't be too small.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

I'm not 100% sure I understand what you're saying; but I think this is the gist of it. The pre-amp portion of the design has such a high quality signal that you don't want to match it with a common low end of the market power range amp. If I have it right I understand your point of view; but in this economy I think a lower power amp with an audiophile quality clarity that is cheap cheap cheap, easily done that wouldn't draw too much power that needs to be dissipated so it could be reasonably small would have a lot of appeal. I think it would produce more volume than I need without disturbing others like so many people do.