Thread: Small and simple USB audio amp anyone?

Originally Posted by durwood

I think this is a great idea! People want simple and small and easy to use. I can see definite value in something like this because I see people asking all the time for a simple amp solution and don't want to do the HU or amp. With all the new cheap efficient amp designs out there, I think this is totally feasible. I personally wouldn't buy one because it wouldn't fit my needs, but anyone who wants a simple soultion should be drooling over this.

I'd say keep it within $50-100 probably $75-100 would be a good place to shoot.

I imagine as with your other projects, it would come preassembled? No building required right?

It would come assembled and tested - as simple to install as possible (ISO plug for power/speakers/ignition), and the price would be in that range I hope (need to find out some more details before I'm sure).

Thanks for your input,
Joachim

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

That's a very intriguing idea. I wonder what happens when we pair it up with something like this (Wireless USB-network Hub):
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04...0211n_usb_hub/

You could use that I guess, although you'd only need one USB cable from your PC to the amp.

Joachim

Even though there is not much reaction, we will develop a prototype soon, just so you all know

I think this would be very doable,
I have thought about designing a USB-amp using the TAA4100A and CM106L chips.

The TAA4100A is the Tripath 4x100 and the CM106L is a USB audio chip (the same one used in the Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Roadie.

The USB chip also has SPDIF in/out, Stereo Mic in, Analog lin in/out, volume control (could connect to analog volume switch like steering wheel contols), C-Media software drivers, 2-8 channel support.

Here are links to the datasheets;

TAA1004A

CM106-F/L

Both dataseets have application circuits (reference designs) and should work together, I think.

Originally Posted by Pockets

I would be very interested, but I would need something that is at least 2.1 capable. What sort of OpAmps would you be looking at? The 4562's are excellent and very reasonable.

2.1 would be possible, we're going to integrate a line-out you can connect to a separate sub-amp.

Not sure what op-amps are going in there yet...

Joachim

Originally Posted by BiG K

Count me in, I am interested too, but I need 4 channel output at minimum and a line out, so I can hook up an external amplifier if I need to drive more speakers or subwoofer

Your wish is our command It will have 4 speaker level outputs and stereo line-out.

The computer will only see 2 channels though (limits of the usb speaker choice), but you can adjust the gain on the amp for all channels separately.

Joachim