Tpa3118 Hifi Digital Subwoofer Power Amplifier Board+audio Amp Review

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Nobsound/Douk/Pastop/Mogu F900S TPA3116-based bluetooth amplifier & DAC

Virtually everything for almost nothing

Product: Nobsound/Douk/Mogu F900S TPA3116-based bluetooth amplifier & DAC
Manufacturer: Unknown, sold under many different brands - China
Approx. toll: highly variable, from xv to xxx€ with/without external PSU
Reviewer: Lucio Cadeddu - TNT Italy
Reviewed: May, 2019

Foreword

Afterwards the shocking success of the T-Amp, near xv years ago (!!!) we accept tested many other chip-based inexpensive amplifiers. They all lacked something, be it sufficient output power, reasonable number of inputs, adequate binding posts and and so on. For this reason I've been looking for something that could address and somewhen solve all these bug, hopefully at a ridiculously low price. And here it is at last! An integrated amplifier that offers loftier power output (from a TPA3116 Texas Instrument Class D chipset), nice bounden posts, line and Bluetooth inputs and, hear hear, even a built-in DAC for USB connectedness!

This small phenomenon is marketed under many different brands: Nobsound NG-01, Douk Audio F900, Mogu F900, Pastop F900 and a couple of others. Nobsound merits theirs is the one and only F900S. Actually, they all await the same and ARE the same. Pics of the inside of these amps reveal the truth. Moreover, in that location'south F900S printed on the lath!

These amps are sometimes sold in package with a 12 volts external PSU that, every bit we'll run across, is largely inadequate. It is meliorate to buy i of these amps WITHOUT PSU. They tin exist establish, for case, on Aliexpress, for 15$ or so, depending on offers. For this silly money yous become the amp, a mini-jack/mini-jack cable with a red sexy sleeve, sometimes a minijack/RCA interconnect and the owner's manual.

F900S - pocket-size, but incredibly versatile!

F900S - many colors bachelor

What you get

These amplifiers are based on the Texas Instruments TPA3116 Class D chipset which has speedily earned almost legendary reputation in audiophile circles. It has been used on many commercial amplifiers, such as the Breeze Audio 3116, the amazingly cool Loxjie A10 and the Fozi Audio TPA3116. Moreover, it is easily establish on many DIY kits such every bit the Fleawatt Steampunk. SOmetimes it is used in dual configuration boards for more power.

This device can piece of work with different voltages, ranging from ix to 24 volt (DC). Of course, output ability depends directly on the input PSU voltage. To get the highest power output 1 should utilise a 24 volt PSU, with at to the lowest degree 3A of electric current (amend if higher). I used a 24V/5A without bug and getting the best results. For this reason these amps shouldn't be purchased with the PSU which is normally supplied, as this is - normally - a 12 volt one. A 24V/5A external PSU can exist purchased for 15/20$ or and then. You can even employ a notebook external PSU with the same electrical characteristics. With such a PSU the TPA3116 is capable of delivering more than 30 watts on a 8 ohm load and nearly 50 watt on a 4 ohm load.

Inside, you will find two GSK 25 volt 1000uF power supply caps and ii chipsets that manage the USB information menstruum and D/A conversion.

This integrated amplifier offers a mini-jack line input, a Bluetooth input, and a USB input. I don't recall yous could inquire for more than. Speakers tin can be connected via the gilded-plated beefy binding posts that accept bananas, forks and even thick bare wire. A sliding on/off switch and a standard volume control complete the package. The outer trounce seems fabricated out of anodized aluminium, and is available in many different colors. If the original T-Amp was small-scale, this is much, much smaller.

At power on there'due south a quite annoying female voice that tells you which input has been selected. This feature can't be deleted.

F900S - rear view, PSU input socket and speaker binding posts

Claimed tech specs

• Colors: Black / Silver / Gilt / Blue / Red
• Bluetooth Connection Altitude: 10 meters or less
• Bluetooth Version: 4.0+EDR
• Rated Power: 50W*ii
• Impedance: ii-8 ohms
• AUX Input: 3.5mm stereo
• Power Supply: DC9V-24V
• Dimensions: (L)78 * (W)70 * (H)38mm (3.07 � 2.76 � 1.50 inches)
• Cyberspace Weight: 154g

Hidden by the heatsink, at that place's the heart of the F900S, the TPA3116 chipset!

Nearly everything for almost zilch

My listening notes refer to the line level input and to a 24V/5A PSU, every bit this is the best sounding combination. I've also tested smaller PSUs and the Bluetooth/USB inputs.

Starting time and foremost, the ability output is amazing. If you are familiar with the 9 watts of the original T-Amp, well, you'll be shocked. This minor amplifier is as powerful as a Tripath TK2050-based amp such every bit the Dayton DTA100/120, which has been used (with the very aforementioned power supply!) as a sparring partner, along with similar competitors.

This amplifier - cartel I say it - delivers a true HiFi sound, with a complete frequency response, from the deepest bass to the audibility threshold of the human hear. And this is the first surprise. Then, the bass range is powerful and articulated, but a bit lightweight, particularly when heavy loads (at the speakers end) are connected. Perhaps the ii 1000uF PSU caps are undersized for the task. A beefier energy reservoir would take given meliorate bass, in my opinion. Overall, the tonal balance seems to favor the mid-high range, only since this is clean and piece of cake on the ears, it is not an unpleasant event. The high range is complete and well extended, though it lacks the harmonic richness of other class D amplifers. For example, the Dayton performs better in this expanse, though besides being slightly warmer and smoother.

Overall, the sound appears to be clean and detailed, sometimes a bit clinical, but still mostly neutral. The level of distortion is very low, considering the price of this amplifier. Voices appear clean and undistorted, though a bit dry and cold.

Information technology has enough ability output to drive even low sensitivity speakers, and the dynamic performance is assuredly good. The slam in the bass isn't on a par with the Dayton DTA100/120 just without a direct comparison you lot won't detect its operation poor, by any means. Even the soundstage information technology is able to create is rather good, though not every bit big and deep as with the Dayton. The focus of the image is stable, simply the whole phase is smaller than it should be. At this price it shouldn't be even mentioned as a fault, merely I'm here to tell you everything, the good, the bad and the ugly. If you twist my arm, I'd confess the Dayton sounds more often than not better: less clinical, with beefier and deeper bass and, generally, with a bigger audio. On the other paw, the F900S has a more vivid and open sound. Anyway, the Dayton (with Bluetooth input) costs 100/130$, while a F900S with 24 volt PSU shouldn't exceed twoscore/fifty$. And don't forget the F900S has a congenital-in DAC for USB music through USB input, plus much ameliorate speaker binding posts. The merely affair that is missing (and that is offered by the Dayton) is a headphones output.

Complaints

For the price, information technology is ridiculous to endeavour to complain of anything. Anyhow: there's no headphones output, and the line input requires a mini-jack/RCA adapter or mini-jack/RCA cable. A practiced 24 volt PSU isn't supplied with the amp and should be purchased separately. The female vocalism that announces which input has been selected is pretty annoying.
It south a very light component, fifty-fifty the slimmest speakers cable will make it flip upside downwardly :-)
Soundwise, information technology is almost besides practiced to be true, even though bass slam and power could be ameliorate. Harmonic richness could also exist better, in lodge to reproduce musical timbre more accurately and naturally.

Some advice

The TPA3116 chipset can be powered even with 26 volt ability supplies, but this F900S won't tolerate such a high voltage, because the power supply caps are rated for only 25 volts. For this reason I recommend you to use 24 volt every bit a maximum. As for tweaking: there'southward some room to experiment: better PSU caps, for example, should exist the place to showtime. The web has plenty of forum discussions on how to properly tune a TPA3116 board, though.

Availability

The lowest prices tin exist found on Aliexpress, but even Amazon, from fourth dimension to time, has nice offers on these amps. It is even like shooting fish in a barrel to notice on Ebay. When ordering from Aliexpress do not forget it may accept xxx-40 days to be delivered to your door.

Conclusions

A tiny magic box that does about everything for almost nothing. Honestly, I can't ask for more. This amp is the identify to start for building a good sounding, minimalist and extremely inexpensive HiFi system. Just add two speakers and any source (a PC, a smartphone, a tablet) and you'll be washed. HiFi has never been so good and affordable. More than than a bargain!

DISCLAIMER . TNT-Audio is a 100% independent mag that neither accepts advertising from companies nor requires readers to annals or pay for subscriptions. Afterwards publication of reviews, the authors do not retain samples other than on long-term loan for further evaluation or comparison with later-received gear. Hence, all contents are written free of whatsoever "editorial" or "advertising" influence, and all reviews in this publication, positive or negative, reflect the independent opinions of their respective authors. TNT-Audio will publish all manufacturer responses, field of study to the reviewer's right to answer in turn.

© Copyright 2019 Lucio Cadeddu - direttore@tnt-sound.com - www.tnt-audio.com

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