PCA2016 PC Internal (PC-Bracket) Digital Power Amplifier (to be available soon)
Back in old times sound
cards had power amplifiers... That was the introduction to my now retired PC
Internal (PC-Bracket) Power Amplifier
PCA2010. It was purely
analog based on the good old TDA2003 IC. It delivered output power of maximum
10 W per channel at the cost of relatively big power dissipation. Although power
output was adequate for small to mid-sized rooms the input I got from users was
clear: More power will be better! Using analog technology more power
was inevitably leading to even more heat dissipation and need of better cooling system. Here came the
PCA2010's digital successor
bringing more power (up to 16 W per channel) at just a fragment of that previous
heat dissipation,
and in even smaller
size.
So here we go: Back in old times sound
cards had power amplifiers. Although this was allowing non-powered
speakers to beused it had a serious drawback – output power was in the miliwatt range.
Nowadays every PC-intended speaker is powered, but unfortunately most cheap
solutions offer remarkably bad sound quality.
Here comes the PC-bracket
power amplifier allowing those old and forgotten but hi-quality speakers to be
brought back to life and connected directly to any PC. Nor it is tiny and
cost-effective, it also saves from yet another powered box near the PC.
Amplifier’s output power is more than adequate for any desktop, and for most
small to mid-sized rooms as well. Sound quality is very good thanks to low
harmonic and cross-over distortions (provided that high quality speakers are
used).
The PCD2016 PC-amp is a dual
BTL class-D audio amplifier. It is robust and flexible allowing connection of
classic non-powered 4 Ω, 6 Ω, and 8 Ω speakers. It also offers a completely safe operation providing automatic
thermal overload protection and overcurrent/short-circuit protection. Amp's gain is
selectable by jumpers between 20 dB, 26 dB, 30 dB, and 32 dB. There is no 'pop'
when switching power on. Thanks to amp's high efficiency of 90% the dissipated
power and heating are significantly reduced.
The PC-amp is
easy-to-install – it fits any standard PC case back-plate full-height extension card openings, no
matter what slot is inside – it simply doesn’t use them. Power big enough for
adequate sound levels and dynamics is drawn directly from PCs power supply via
standard Molex connector used for optical drives and other devices. Input is standard 3.5 mm stereo jack. Speakers are
connected using secure and easy-to-use detachable terminal block.
What the user
must know and understand: In order to be more affordable the PCA2010
PC-amp doesn’t have its own cooling system. The amount of heat generated during operation is
relatively low (around 2 to 3 W) and is dissipated via the back PC bracket and PC case assisted by PC’s cooling system.
Depending on factors like ambient temperature, PC cooling efficiency, and how
loud the sound is, in rare cases amp's temperature may reach inacceptable levels causing the
built-in thermal protection automatic kick-in. This will cut the sound off but
it will be automatically restored as soon as the temperature lowers to
acceptable level. Such behavior is not
a malfunction. Tests show that with normal sound levels and normal PC
cooling this practically doesn’t happen. For more information and installation
procedure please refer to
User's manual.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Maximum output power(1) PO at THD = 10% |
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2 × 16 W at 4 Ω, 2 × 12 W at 6 Ω,
2 × 9.5 W at 8 Ω; |
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Maximum output power(1) PO at THD = 1% |
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2 × 12 W at 4 Ω, 2 × 9.2 W at 4 Ω,
2 × 7.2 W at 8 Ω; |
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Minimum speaker impedance RL |
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4 Ω; |
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Overcurrent protection threshold IOCP |
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3 to 5 A at RL = 0 Ω; |
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Undervoltage protection threshold VUVP |
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4.5 V; |
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Total harmonic distortion THD(2) |
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0.1% at 1 W; |
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Closed loop gain GV |
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selectable 20, 26, 30, 32 dB; |
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Frequency response GV |
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16 Hz to 22 kHz at ±3 dB; |
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Cross talk CT |
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70 dB at 1 kHz at 1W; |
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Input resistance Ri |
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60 kΩ; |
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Total input noise eN |
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20 µV; |
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Supply voltage rejection ratio SVRR |
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50 dB; |
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Switching frequency fSW |
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320 kHz; |
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Operating temperature tOP |
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-40 to +85 °C; |
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Dimensions (excluding PC bracket) |
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47 x 53 x 16 mm (1.8 x 2.0 x 0.6 in); |
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Notes: |
1. |
Maximum output power depends
mostly on speaker
impedance but also on ambient temperature and PC's cooling efficiency. Maximum
values are valid for well cooled PC, otherwise may be limited by
automatic thermal protection kick-in. Maximum output power specified
is pure electric power (sine), not 'P.M.P.O.', ‘Music power’, etc.;
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Total harmonic distortion
depends on output power and is
valid if maximum output power is not exceeded and
allowed speaker impedance is obeyed.
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DOWNLOADS
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