TDA1517 or TPA1517 stereo audio amplifier chip amp test and review

[@xaenon]

This chip is at the heart of Harmon Kardon HK206 computer speakers, which are often Dell-branded, I find these computer speakers at thrift stores frequently for like $3-5, usually with their 12V (actually 11.5V), 1-amp DC wall wart power supplies. There's some sort of preamplifier built into them, too, so a modest signal (such as is common for Walkmans, MP3 players, and cell phones), will drive the TDA1517 pretty well. They don't sound bad on their own, though they don't have a lot of bass response. It's fairly easy to extract the circuit board from these speakers, and use it to drive some small bookshelf speakers. It's a great way to avoid having to build the circuit yourself, and it makes a fine 'small stereo' setup, and as you indicated, it's pretty good for battery power also. I'm currently building a 'boom box' with one of these amp boards, driving a set of 6.5 inch coaxial 'car stereo' speakers, powered by a 12V SLA battery, all housed in a cheap plastic ammo can.

[@CollinBaillie]

I recently picked up some old PC Speakers which use this amp IC. Datasheet claims 6w per channel, dual channel. The brand is EDTA, although you'll find sellers listing it as SDTA because of the stylised logo, but the PCB reads EDTASONIC G-401A. The speaker cabinets have a fairly decent sized low/mid range driver (4-5") and a tweeter. The Low/mid range driver is 4 ohm 15w, the tweeter is wired directly to the low/mid driver and has a capacitor across its terminals and is rated 4 ohm 5w. Some photos of the original retail packaging has a 180w PMPO claim, but that "180w" was a sticker added on top of whatever was originally printed on the box. It also claims magnetically shielded, but there're just the speakers, which seem to maybe have a metal "cap" over the magnets, don't know if that counts, and the transformer and PCB. The cabinets are fairly big so you're not going to get close to those magnets from outside. The power is supplied by a 240v to 12-0-12v EI transformer. (Purchased in Australia) Is it likely (considering the speakers wired up) that there is additional amplification before/after the TDA1517?

[@mrjohhhnnnyyy5797]

Nice chip for small speakers. I recently used LM386 again in a small speaker to sit nearby PC. The reason I chose LM386 is that it can't provide too much power to damage (not really, but it sounds crap when you push it too much) the little speaker inside, here I used the disadvantage of the chip to my advantage :) That speaker says 2W, but it distorts the sound above a watt or so, the cone wants to move but it's restricted by the surround and the spider.

[@joohop]

Nice work Fella ! My Lil Studio is undergoing a Big upgrade from a dual core PC to a Quad core so the whole system is up in the air and cant do any work but i am very excited as new software will Boom Our Work Sky high ! I also have a Jamaican Lady Who lives in London Who is willing to travel to Birmingham for a week to come and sing for us WoW She is a HOTTY ! Stay Warm , Stay Safe and keep up the good work :)

[@JohnAudioTech]

Happy Holidays everyone!

[@alfana8492]

Rafisabsingar

[@VidarrKerr]

You could have listed the parts. Did you follow the datasheet schematic exactly? That would have been really helpful to know.

[@francisli8807]

Hi John, have you tried TDA1521 from the same mfr ? I think it is quite good sounding and easy to use.

[@TheLvgk]

The power stage has to work at lower gain for a good signal to noise ratio. Right ?

[@cassvirgillo3395]

Hi John, I hope your doing well. Very good review as always. Peace & Happiness from Oregon, All the Best in 2017, C.

[@aelciogalvao5321]

0301

[@dibyamartandasamanta583]

Which brand film cap are those?

[@mpingo91]

Maybe it would be good to talk about some simple (one opamp?) 'booster' for the sources like those mp3 players?

[@amitghosh6966]

The Usb mp3 module players don't need any preamp as they have too much gain

[@Kerkorea]

Hi John. I am Christy Audio Taiwan. A 72-year-old electronic engineer! Some 30 years ago when TDA1517 came out, its PDF marked it as class B (must have crossover distortion?), but from its 50mA quiescent current looks it may be class AB. And 1517 is widely used in hi-end sound card. It is estimated that it is not It may be class B. Can you use an oscilloscope to see if the 1517 has crossover distortion at 4 ohm 0.1W and 4 ohm 4W? thank you very much! Thank you for unraveling the question mark of class B for HI-FI fans all over the world

[@JohnAudioTech]

It is certainly class AB. Amplifier classes are not cleanly defined. Some engineers consider class AB as just class B with a little bias. In fact, in some parts of the world, the definition of class G and H are reversed. I covered amplifier classes in a set of videos a few months ago.

[@mik310s]

TPA3122D2 is another good one, class D

[@rolandmetivier4437]

Crispy sounding chip amp if you use 4ohm speakers. I like it.

[@iblesbosuok]

I call TDA1517 as "bidadari mungil" little sweet angel. Cheers from Indonesia

[@kevinlivingston9563]

Do you have any good 35-50 watt chips?

[@JohnAudioTech]

The LM3886 is ideal for that.

[@bassblaster505]

LM3886 TDA7376B E-TDA7396

[@amitghosh6966]

If an audio source has lower gain and also the audio amplifier used with it also has a lower gain, then only a preamp should be used else not

[@iceberg789]

it did not sound as good though.

[@JohnAudioTech]

Could be the different choice in music I used. I'm using KZbin"s selection of free music.