Amplifier Specifications and Testing
What makes a good amplifier?
This is an interesting question, and quite often it can arrive at having more to do with what can be measured than what matters. In the case of the DickinsAudio application and design, we targeted an amplifier that was ‘fit for purpose’. A key goal was to achieve a cost target that made high channel count spatial sound experimentation more accessible. Rather than racks of equipment costing tens of thousands, we wanted to achieve 10x more scalable and cost-effective. But what are the requirements for this? In addition to being the complete system from network to speaker cable, the following early targets are what led to the design and achieved specifications:
Low-Cost targeting much lower cost than separate Dante, Conversion and Amplification Gear
High channel count convenient for 16 – 512 channel systems
Compact around 1 litre or 100mm x 100mm x 100mm in size
Easy Cabling custom cabling with less effort and error in connecting to array
Output Power perceptually loud without distortion in room-sized arrays
Sound Quality clean sound with low distortion
Quiet Operation ideally convection only with no fan or other noise
Safe no high voltage or excessive temperatures
Fault-Tolerant protected from and clear indication of output shorts, over temp and under power
Flexible Power operation from PoE, DC wall plug, laptop brick or dedicated power – 9-24V, 20 – 600W
Scalable able to daisy chain for more channels
Robust suitable for portable use, quick setup and long service life
After 4 design iterations, the amplifiers are now here and full specifications are provided on in this BROCHURE. However, it is not enough to work from design specifications. We seriously tested and stressed these amplifiers. Faulty units or restricted functionality is just not good business, and there is also engineering pride at stake. In addition to soak testing with actual arrays, here is a photo of one test bench, and some of the interesting (and fun) tests we carried out.
Channel Load individual channels sustain 30W into 4 ohm (30V peak to peak output)
Bulk Load amplifier stacks with all channels running sustain 90W (laptop brick) fanless
Extended Load stable operation at 400W total into the stack – requires an additional fan
Thermal Shutdown with limited ventilation, amplifiers shut down as required
Current Overload short circuit or low impedance loads
Extended Cable operation remains stable with longer cable runs
Insufficient Power when using PoE or inadequate power supply, system remains stable
Meltdown Tests with restricted ventilation and pushed to power limits, retain structure and safety
