DSPower! Behringer Power Supply Retrofit - Preorder Available

[MarkZ]

Originally Posted by ezaudio

All you'd need is a good 6 channel volume control at the outputs. I'm working on one of those, too.

I could have sworn there was already a mod floating around about that. People were adding remote volume control to it. Have you looked on the diyaudio.com forums?

[thehatedguy]

Another reason why the Rane is better...lol, it CAN do volume control via the VIP ports.

No, won't work with the dBx units either, atleast the ones I've looked at- they needed similar PS that Rane needed.

Now, you might could use that supply with the single rack space Rane and dBx processors. Maybe. Probably not though.

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by chad

That's cool. I've not had temp issues with VCA's used in outdoor live work, even in amp racks

I don't mean that they won't work, I should say that their gain tracking abilities between channels are quite variable with temperature. If you adjust each channel by hand to within 0.1dB, you're just reaching the inherent abilities of an PGA2310 device. So, the question would be - why bother with VCAs when you can get much better inter-channel tracking results under almost any circumstance using an PGA2310.

I could have sworn there was already a mod floating around about that. People were adding remote volume control to it. Have you looked on the diyaudio.com forums?

Sure, they are there. Are they optimized for the car environment? Will they inherently meet a car audio enthusiast's needs? I don't know all the answers for what already exists. My approach is to develop products that are purpose-built, not one-size everything.

I need the six channel control with variable offsets and subwoofer level for my own system. I haven't seen a device out there that does this with a 12V input. This is similar to the reasons I did what is now known as the DSPower. I built the first one for myself and, after speaking with a friend of mine, realized that there could be a market.

[durwood]

Originally Posted by ezaudio

I need the six channel control with variable offsets and subwoofer level for my own system. I haven't seen a device out there that does this with a 12V input. This is similar to the reasons I did what is now known as the DSPower. I built the first one for myself and, after speaking with a friend of mine, realized that there could be a market.

So you already have built a volume control too? Looking at the data sheet it doesn't appear that hard to daisy chain more PGA2310 devices. Are there any plans to add one more pair of channels and make it 8 instead of 6?

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by durwood

So you already have built a volume control too? Looking at the data sheet it doesn't appear that hard to daisy chain more PGA2310 devices. Are there any plans to add one more pair of channels and make it 8 instead of 6?

You can daisy chain as many as you want up to 255(?) devices [or whatever the I2C limit is]. The changes would be to the display and some menu code. I'm not a software guy; I'd have to contact the designer to see what can be done.

Aaron

[chad]

Originally Posted by ezaudio

I don't mean that they won't work, I should say that their gain tracking abilities between channels are quite variable with temperature. If you adjust each channel by hand to within 0.1dB, you're just reaching the inherent abilities of an PGA2310 device. So, the question would be - why bother with VCAs when you can get much better inter-channel tracking results under almost any circumstance using an PGA2310.

Fine buisness, Now that I have high speed access I was able to look at the chip more in-depth. It should be a cool unit, I may build with these too for a multichannel rig at work

Holy cow, can that thing make some gain or what ?!
+31.5dB!

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by chad

Fine buisness, Now that I have high speed access I was able to look at the chip more in-depth. It should be a cool unit, I may build with these too for a multichannel rig at work

Holy cow, can that thing make some gain or what ?!
+31.5dB!

Sure but it's all relative. You can't start with 1V input and end up with 37.5V output with a +/-15V power supply. A few software tricks have to be implemented to make sure none of the channels are clipping. The offsets can't exceed the highest output, which means that your main channel can't actually "go to 11".

There is really no reason to go above 0dB as you really need an attenuator, not a preamplifier for a volume control. If anything , you might consider a 1 or 2 dB boost in software but calling it "0dB" because of insert losses or what-have-you.

[bdubs767]

[QUOTE=thehatedguy;207382]Another reason why the Rane is better...lol, it CAN do volume control via the VIP ports.

QUOTE]

Why do you think I own oen of those instead of the DCX

[scott_fx]

i think i'm going to bite the bullet, you can put me down for one :-)

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by scott_fx

i think i'm going to bite the bullet, you can put me down for one :-)

Done. Thanks! I am really looking forward to seeing everyone's responses.

[chad]

Originally Posted by ezaudio

Sure but it's all relative. You can't start with 1V input and end up with 37.5V output with a +/-15V power supply. A few software tricks have to be implemented to make sure none of the channels are clipping. The offsets can't exceed the highest output, which means that your main channel can't actually "go to 11".

There is really no reason to go above 0dB as you really need an attenuator, not a preamplifier for a volume control. If anything , you might consider a 1 or 2 dB boost in software but calling it "0dB" because of insert losses or what-have-you.

Oh I know, that's the ONLY reason I recommended VCA's. I'm not Poo-Pooing the gain I was just impresed with what it could make gain-wise, that's all. Sounds like you have a solid design. You should start your own line of HT controllers while you are at it

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by chad

Oh I know, that's the ONLY reason I recommended VCA's. I'm not Poo-Pooing the gain I was just impresed with what it could make gain-wise, that's all. Sounds like you have a solid design. You should start your own line of HT controllers while you are at it

Funny you should say that. If I can sell enough of the DSPower supplies, I will have some capital to get some nice extrusions made that work as both home and car audio enclosures. I have a vast lineup of products in the pipeline. Unfortunately, the pipe has a small diameter (I'm the employee) and a low pressure source (low funding).

Here is a preview of those; they're split symmetrical lids - one arranged over the other joined by side and endplates. A peek at a side profile helps explain this in the third image:







The side or end panels are replaceable with finned heatsinks. Internally, there are slots for PCB mounting. These can be custom made as long as you want as one-piece extrusions (min order required).

The guy that is doing the code for the PGA controller has a lot of experience with digital controllers. He's given me Class D TI (Texas Instruments) amplifiers that accept direct S/PDIF input and digitally process all signals right up to the output, making them the most fully Digital amplifiers available. His intended market was for powered multi-amplified speakers with programmable crossover frequencies, equaliztions and variable slopes.

I have at my desk a 200W RMS full-frequency amplifier that requires a 1" square x 0.25" height heatsink. For a car, the whole amp with power supply is about 3" square x 1" tall. There is a lot of really high technology out there for which I have excellent engineering support. I don't have the capital to startup something like that from the blue. Plus, the market is still a bit small - limited to the DIY, hobbyist and specialty installer arena. However, I still plan to pursue it because A) It's really neat stuff and B) DIY car audio should be at the forefront of awesome technologies.

[envisionelec]

I noticed your avatar is similar to a little parody I made a few years ago.

This is a audio power transistor being "blown away". The chair and speaker are made from clay and foamies. My humor is pretty twisted.

[npdang]

Lol I love it.

[chad]

Originally Posted by npdang

Lol I love it.

I was thinking up a version where the room would be a tube and instead of a TO3P we would be seeing some sort of a resemblance of a tube plate, with a blue orb coming from the speaker to the plate

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by chad

I was thinking up a version where the room would be a tube and instead of a TO3P we would be seeing some sort of a resemblance of a tube plate, with a blue orb coming from the speaker to the plate

That's a TO-247 Lateral FET, Buster!

[chad]

Originally Posted by ezaudio

That's a TO-247 Lateral FET, Buster!

Bah, correct, missed the lack of the angle at the top and the bit of tab protrusion

[backwoods]

just a heads up, but as far as a volume control, I have been using old AC MVC units.

Works great, and shouldn't be too hard to copy.

[Whiterabbit]

hell. I want a third for future upgrades.

Put me down for one. Ill send you an email as soon as I can access it. (seems to be down for the moment.)

And put me down for twelve of those 3x3x1 class D amps. =B

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by backwoods

just a heads up, but as far as a volume control, I have been using old AC MVC units.

Works great, and shouldn't be too hard to copy.

As a designer, I don't engage in copying others' work. That's not to say that there are not many shared technologies among designers, but that most engineers don't actively make a habit of such.

Besides, the MVC is just OK - not what I would consider a really good approach. Passable, but not audiophile. (Not that I'm an audiophile).

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by Whiterabbit

hell. I want a third for future upgrades.

Put me down for one. Ill send you an email as soon as I can access it. (seems to be down for the moment.)

And put me down for twelve of those 3x3x1 class D amps. =B

Ok. You can email me at aaron@ezamps.com

12 of those amps, eh? All in one chassis?

[Cancerkazoo]

You get your boards yet? Still shipping the 21st?

[Whiterabbit]

Not sure if I'd need the chassis. The constant struggle is whether or not to limit myself to install locations for the benefit of having a professionally manufactured chassis. Also homebuilt allows for options such as eliminating unused gear or adding additional gear needed, rebuilding the chassis to maintain an all encompassing product without living with wasted space.

Ultimately its a very, very tough call. And frankly, a welcome one, as typically existing gear is so large the debate would be moot as install options become limited.

but the options are nearly limitless with a 3x3x1 size. for example, installing amplifiers inside kickpanels with the drivers they power, eliminating the need for a dedicated amprack space.

Or maybe stacked ala pdx amplifiers, pushed to a barely visible trunk corner or even behind the trunk panneling in the quarterpanel.

or strung out so they fit under the rear deck or under the passenger seat.

a chassis would limit me. Very tough.

[envisionelec]

Originally Posted by Cancerkazoo

You get your boards yet? Still shipping the 21st?

Yes, still shipping the 21st!

Originally Posted by Whiterabbit

but the options are nearly limitless with a 3x3x1 size. for example, installing amplifiers inside kickpanels with the drivers they power, eliminating the need for a dedicated amprack space.
Or maybe stacked ala pdx amplifiers, pushed to a barely visible trunk corner or even behind the trunk panneling in the quarterpanel.
or strung out so they fit under the rear deck or under the passenger seat.
a chassis would limit me. Very tough.

I was being facetious. Yes, the small (tiny) size means a lot could be done with these amps. I wasn't even thinking about using them in a car before I posted that...but it seems like a bit of a nifty idea.

The SMPS would need to be miniaturized meaning your average toroidal won't fit in a cavity like that (and survive). Planar magnetics are becoming pretty popular, but they are several times the cost. However, the reduction in aluminum and overall weight reduce majority costs. An all-SMD (surface mount) design is also a space saving factor.

[RedGTiVR6]

ok - I think we're going to be interested in two of these. I need 8 outputs at a minimum...so having 12 for future upgrades would be nice.

How soon is the price going to be jumping?

I really need to get a good comparison between this and the DBX though...but that's for another thread I suppose.

I will say that this PSU looks very well designed. Makes me wonder if you would consider building a higher wattage PSU for CarPC purposes...