Bluetooth Amplifier Board: D3116 50 watts x 2 starting at $7.80 shipped

SJetski71

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50 watts x 2 @ 4ohms, otherwise it's 30w x 2 @ 8ohms using a 24v power supply (sold separately). Bluetooth and auxiliary connections.

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Chinese sellers:

D3116 amp $7.80 shipped.

24v power supply, 3 amps, 5.5mm & 2.1 or 2.5mm center positive connector $8 shipped.


USA sellers:

D3116 Amp $9.89 shipped.

24v power supply, 3 amps, 5.5mm & 2.1 or 2.5mm center positive connector $10.44 shipped. 75 watt total/capable, fine for 8ohm speakers @ 30w x 2

24v power supply, 5 amps $12 shipped. 120 watt total/capable, overkill even for 8ohm speakers <-- This one is supposedly more power efficient @ 85%

MFR data sheet. Some useful info here especially in regards to ideal power supplies.
 
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I am very interested in this. Any idea what bluetooth version we are dealing with on the op's post? The best parts-express version is 4.0 with aptx.
 
I am very interested in this. Any idea what bluetooth version we are dealing with on the op's post? The best parts-express version is 4.0 with aptx.
The links in the OP are bluetooth 4.1, but bluetooth 4.2 amp boards are out in the wild. Google and Ebay turned up a few nice ones, keyword "bluetooth 4.2 amplifier".

Just a few BT 4.2 examples:

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-TPA311...ooth-4-2-Class-D-60W-2-Amp-Board/263785847368 $16 <-- no Aux input !

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-...DC-12-24V-100W-50W-50W-TPA3116D2/283100792952 $26

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/TPA3116D2-...0W-2-FM-Radio-WMA-MP3-USB-Decode/332746035759 <- non standard inputs

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-4-2-TPA3116-NE5532-100W-X2-Amplifier-amp-board-FOR-12v-24V-CAR/183392739794 $24

I didn't check for best prices btw.

I recall reading a few partsexpress user reviews the other day, a couple of people mentioned a BT 4.2 amplifier board available there. I double checked today and can't seem to find it. There may be a misprint in one of their amp descriptions (?)
 
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The links in the OP are bluetooth 4.1, but bluetooth 4.2 amp boards are out in the wild. Google and Ebay turned up a few nice ones, keyword "bluetooth 4.2 amplifier".

Just a few BT 4.2 examples:

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-TPA311...ooth-4-2-Class-D-60W-2-Amp-Board/263785847368 $16 <-- no Aux input !

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-...DC-12-24V-100W-50W-50W-TPA3116D2/283100792952 $26

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/TPA3116D2-...0W-2-FM-Radio-WMA-MP3-USB-Decode/332746035759 <- non standard inputs

- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-4-2-TPA3116-NE5532-100W-X2-Amplifier-amp-board-FOR-12v-24V-CAR/183392739794 $24

I didn't check for best prices btw.

I recall reading a few partsexpress user reviews the other day, a couple of people mentioned a BT 4.2 amplifier board available there. I double checked today and can't seem to find it. There may be a misprint in one of their amp descriptions (?)

Man this has me going down a rabbit hole. I want an Alexa Echo dot to run through some 8 inch 3-way NHT ceiling speakers I have installed in my daughters playroom. Using an old receiver seems like overkill.
It seems like every design is a bit of a compromise. The one posted in the first post has good panasonic caps but the speaker connections seem design for wires only as big as 18 gauge. However this seems to be the best all around board for my situation, so thanks for posting it. Also these types of boards seem to often have hiss from the bluetooth component generating electrical noise that gets amplified. I hope that is just over blown. I can imagine it might have more to do with dirty power in an old house.

Any advice?
 
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A 50x2W amplifier alone (ie before bluetooth) at this price has me somewhat skeptical. What I did instead was getting a Topping amp (Lepai works too) and then a separate Bluetooth receiver. It's really easy to hook them up and get things going, and it might be safer. Now I understand these are just boards, but still. There's something to be said for modularity (unless you really need compactness).
 
Man this has me going down a rabbit hole. I want an Alexa Echo dot to run through some 8 inch 3-way NHT ceiling speakers I have installed in my daughters playroom. Using an old receiver seems like overkill.
It seems like every design is a bit of a compromise. The one posted in the first post has good panasonic caps but the speaker connections seem design for wires only as big as 18 gauge. However this seems to be the best all around board for my situation, so thanks for posting it. Also these types of boards seem to often have hiss from the bluetooth component generating electrical noise that gets amplified. I hope that is just over blown. I can imagine it might have more to do with dirty power in an old house.

Any advice?
Your application seems specific, $17~$20 is a small risk if you want to test out one of these amps. Otherwise you can sink further into the rabbit hole :)) and check out some forums for advice, DIYaudio or AVSfoums.

A 50x2W amplifier alone (ie before bluetooth) at this price has me somewhat skeptical. What I did instead was getting a Topping amp (Lepai works too) and then a separate Bluetooth receiver. It's really easy to hook them up and get things going, and it might be safer. Now I understand these are just boards, but still. There's something to be said for modularity (unless you really need compactness).
The preassembled amps you mentioned have similar boards inside, some of the Lepai's are actually lower in quality (or actual amperage) than the ones i posted.

As mentioned earlier, it's 50w x 2 @ 4ohms with the correct power supply, though you'll start to hear distortion a bit before that. It's 30w x 2 @ 8ohms, again with the correct power supply. A lot of these boards have line level boost so you'll want to lower the source volume, set it to 50-70%.

Another reason these amp boards are so inexpensive is because they don't come with a case and power supply.


I didn't doublecheck to see if i posted this already, but here's a bluetooth only board, no amp. Seems to get good reviews and doesn't need a high end power supply.
 
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Your application seems specific, $17~$20 is a small risk if you want to test out one of these amps. Otherwise you can sink further into the rabbit hole :)) and check out some forums for advice, DIYaudio or AVSfoums.

The preassembled amps you mentioned have similar boards inside, some of the Lepai's are actually lower in quality (or actual amperage) than the ones i posted.

As mentioned earlier, it's 50w x 2 @ 4ohms with the correct power supply, though you'll start to hear distortion a bit before that. It's 30w x 2 @ 8ohms, again with the correct power supply. A lot of these boards have line level boost so you'll want to lower the source volume, set it to 50-70%.

Another reason these amp boards are so inexpensive is because they don't come with a case and power supply.


I didn't doublecheck to see if i posted this already, but here's a bluetooth only board, no amp. Seems to get good reviews and doesn't need a high end power supply.

The Lepai and copycats (Lepy), often have cheaper/smaller 25V caps inside compared to the 35V caps of the Op's board. That doesn't leave much room when a 24V adapter is connected. The cheaper caps may not meet full spec and might explode or leak over time. The case and buttons seem to add most of the cost. It's amazing how cheap electronics are now.
 
Got my amp and power supply today.

I bought the amp posted in the OP, the USA seller. It did not come with a heatsink, and from what i'm reading it seems like it needs one. I ended up getting the 24V 3A powersupply btw, US seller.

The amp actually has some weight to it, even the pcb is rugged. Soldering and everything else seems decent. Will attempt to use 16 gauge wire, if it doesn't fit then i'll have to purchase some 18 gauge. Going to search for some ramsinks in the garage. The powersupply seems par for the course and not lightweight. Unfortunately i won't be able to test anything till this weekend...
 
Finally got around to setting it up today in a temporary home next to my TV, in a stereo setup.

Purchased the 18g speaker wire, but there was spare room so i think 16g wire (lamp cord) would work also. Everything else was straight forward. It sounds great, bluetooth works from at least 22' away, auxiliary connection comes in clear. An engrish voice speaks up when the inputs are being changed. There's an ever present red blinking light when everything is setup correctly, some of you may want to cover that up.

I compared it to an old school amp 25 watt x 2 @ 8ohm, the volume levels came in near identical, i could not tell which one was louder. Volume levels are more than enough for a casual house party, but not enough for a frat party. My speakers are 86db sensitivity @ 8ohm. Can't wait to try my Cerwin Vegas with this amp, those have 92db sensitivity and would get REALLY loud.

I bought this powersupply btw, 24v 3 amp, the thing hasn't even warmed up yet. And remember, when using this amp, a 24v powersupply is recommended for 8ohm speakers, and a 21v powersupply for 4ohm speakers. From what i understand, the amplifier stops consuming power when the source stops sending audio, but the powersupply still sips a couple of watts due to minor inefficiency. Thus, turning the amp off is optional because it uses so little power in standby. Old school stereo amps still consume a lot of power even when no source audio is present (50 to 80 watts average).

It is definitely clean and detailed enough for a nearfield desktop setup, and would be easy to install behind a passive bookshelf speaker.

Edit: The amp did come with a heatsink, turns out it was in the hardware bag, you have to install it yourself (easy)
 
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I have found the quality audio solution, Cost a little over $100 to put together, but you get a GREAT DAC w ethernet or wifi or or USB or BLuetooth input....but to use the BT would be a crime....the solution is a Raspberry Pi3 w/ Allo Boss DAC add on card.....I've ordered one and it should be here and be put together sometime Fri.
 
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