The most powerful headunit ever has some issues... Taramps Amplayer 400

[@barevids]

For those wondering about Boom or Bust - I do plan to continue it, however I got absolutely crammed with repairs to the point that I had to turn one of the other rooms in my house into purely incoming repairs storage; and also the videos arent really doing as well as i'd hoped with relatively low views, and it isnt covering my expenses and time making each episode. :( In the meantime I've actually been making loooads of videos on TikTok, really fast paced snappy repair overviews and theyre doing really well, so if you're on the app search Barevids and check it out!

[@joshholden8561]

I enjoy the boom or bust but not if ur not making plenty money for ur time.

[@Abowe3404]

Glad to see this video for the first time in over a month hope you can get repairs nocked out and get another boom or bust in the coming time…hopefully the views pu l up as well have a good one sam!

[@ritoncho]

I have a few amplifiers for you to fix... can i have the info to send them to you tks on advance

[@scottouimet2865]

I'm glad your business is picking up brotha, I know you said it had slowed down a while back.

[@djkritical9606]

That's sucks to hear that boom or bust is not doing that well. Hopefully you get more views.

[@Okicombo]

I like how you come up with your own dyno solutions and clip detectors using your electronics knowledge and not an off the shelf tool.

[@d77543020]

I mean yes it's cool but you can't knock other people who use dynos because not everyone's an engineer/amp repair guy

[@Okicombo]

@@d77543020 I aint knocking nobody. I only said that I liked it. 😎

[@JonGotBass]

This video is AWESOME!!!!!! Do more headunits!!!!! Or even test the top tier brands down to the atoto Amazon unit!!! Barevids your the man! I've learned everything I know from you!!!!

[@micb3rd]

WTF undefeatable EQ before amp stage, just crazy. Talk about colouring the sound plus those filters on the RCA outputs. Keep up the work man great to see your channel after so many years.

[@kubaz2308]

This would be amazing if only it had a fully flat preset and some fader settings. I don't think it's asking too much, I believe every HU should have these 2 things

[@rhkips]

My little 20 year old $159 Pioneer head unit has the ability to run the rear channels in powered sub mode with independent control. Pushing four NVX 6x8s, the rear two in sub mode, and some good deadening and sealing in the doors, my friends get pissed off 'cause I hit harder and cleaner than their store-bought budget systems. That head unit has followed me through four cars now.

[@DTW-bx2vy]

So your running your rear mids & highs as subwoofers?

[@Styphoryte]

@@DTW-bx2vy I think the guy meant he has 2 6x9 speakers in his trunk set to sub-mode and the other 6x9 in the rear seat regular speakers.

[@paulgood2218]

I will stick with the Sony 45x4rms @4ohms 70x4 rms @ 2 ohms for about $220 usd and good eq and build quality. Thank you for this review it's great see how it compares

[@KuntalGhosh]

Was thinking the same thing

[@edfx]

10 years ago I stopped for looking, I wonder if nowadays there is a (ultrabudget) headunit with Parametric EQ (not graphical EQ)?

[@KuntalGhosh]

@@edfx jvc x482bt has 13band parametric from the headunit and graphical from the phone app.. although i am not sure if the numbers are in decibel so it is not true parametric eq but it works really well.

[@DTW-bx2vy]

What do you need an EQ for besides making sure everything is 100% flat instead of boosted?

[@paulgood2218]

@@DTW-bx2vy because every car is different and just because the radio plays flat , (which this one does not at all.) Does not mean you have a flat response in side a car , you have to tune every car different to achieve a flat response. Due to speaker placement , cabin gain , and in general your speakers response curve.

[@KuntalGhosh]

I planned this exact thing with this exact tpa3255 chip few years ago. My plan was to make a custom pcb with a 50v boost converter, two tpa3255 to drive all 4 channels in individual btl mode. And can bridge one or both of the chips to get that sweet 480w. My idea was to build it around a regular sony mex n5200bt that i have in my car. I wanted it to basically fit on the exact pins of the original audio amplifier chip and just take audio signal from pins and send the output back through the same pins. The power would have to come from separate wiring. My main concern was cooling and i spent a lot of time in selecting a proper heatsink. My goal was to use a laptop heatsink that has heatpipe & fins so it would not be too bulky but cool the chip effectively. Also fitting a 12v-50v dc - dc 900w powersupply in there was almost impossible and i am very new to dc dc converters. I have made class d and class ab many times. And researching on making my own 220v - 35± dc powersupply. I have the parts . Desinging a powersupply is quite complicated and there aren't any typical application diagrams to follow. This headunit is quite a failure in my opinion just because they totally missed out on the pre amp section. They basically stuck a 2$ bluetooth module with tpa3255 & powersupply. I have the same exact bluetooth module and it has the same exact presets. These don't sound too good. If you compare it with something like a mex n5200bt. A dsx-gs80 looks much better option with 80w x4 into 2ohm and 50w x4 into 4ohm. Gs80 used a similar texas instruments class d chip but it is slightly different, pioneer & sony both are using that ic in their high power headunits. Sony been using it since the days of mex xb100bt so it's in use for 5-6 years now. Tpa3255 is found in home theatre and powered subwoofer systems. You would not find them in car audio amplifiers often. In my opinion a jvc or Kenwood 100$ headunit + a 100$ class d amp would be much better buy than this 200$ crap. If it was 100$ it would have been better.

[@schuylercassidy1785]

shit i gotta tpas350h in me car

[@BaddDukk]

I am kind of surprised that a mainstream HU manufacturer hasn't already picked up on this! Most of them make shallow mechless decks and everyone makes small 100x4 ClassD amplifiers. It seems that it is always the obscure brands that come up with the neat ideas, and then they fizzle out due to lack of depth. Great to see you back at it!

[@JasonWW2000]

The high-powered amplifier chip in this unit maybe brand new. Taramps may simply have been the first company to use it. They may have rushed the design. I bet there are several head unit companies that are still in the process of designing and making their new high-powered head units. Edit - It turns out these chips have been out for years. So I guess manufacturers don't want to use them.

[@bronwynkaye9277]

Sony is the only manufacturer that has efficient fully functional internally amplified head units. There are a few different models and they are tanks. Flat eq maxed out with megaphone bass on it does not clip on the speaker output channels. Rca outputs are also efficient as well. Williston audio labs tested one of the head units for more info

[@JasonWW2000]

@@bronwynkaye9277 I think the ability to clip on the speakers outputs is a good thing. It means you have extra volume for those quieter recordings. I wonder why Sony limited them?

[@bronwynkaye9277]

@@JasonWW2000 the level of output the radio produces is above par. As far as the rca signal goes, the voltage output exceeds most amps anywhere above volume 32 and sub output level 4. That being said there is a lot of overhead for rca voltage up to 7.6volts. That specific head unit does require direct pos n neg to battery due to power consumption.

[@JasonWW2000]

@@bronwynkaye9277 I was referring to the speaker level outputs. The internal amp outputs. Most manufacturers design in extra output, clipped, in case you listen to a lower level recording. Do you understand what I'm saying? Almost all manufacturers do this. I was just curious why Sony did not do it on all their models. Its okay if you don't know why Sony did that, it should be a question I need to ask Sony.

[@caraudiolab]

I have been pointing people to your channel for the Boom or Bust! I love it and I think that it has applications for improving/innovating the car audio industry! I love your work, keep it up!

[@wal]

Awesome video and deep dive into the sound quality (or lack thereof) 👌

[@darkside59]

Great concept, but the lack of audio processing and UI is a big drawback. I found it funny when you say there's no fade adjustment. If they would've added better EQ, LPF/HPF adjustment (beside having to take the radio out to switch), front and rear fade adjustment, better readable displace, etc. It would have been a great radio that can run an entire system without the need of a separate amps.

[@TheHiuriii]

não é feito para isso , aqui no brasil buscamos a praticidade de ter um aparelho que seja de fácil instalação. se quiser mais EQ compre um sistema melhor com processador de áudio , temos vários modelos que atendem qualquer gosto musical.

[@Chamov.I.V.]

Вы правы! Странно выпускать такой аппарат без настроек звука. У нас в России тоже стали производить подобные проигрыватели D класса только с процессором , нормальным двустрочным дисплеем и полным набором функций не хуже чем в знаменитых проигрывателях компании Pioneer

[@rampifreestyler4935]

Since i found U on tiktok u are my favourite channel of audio repairs. I always wanted to be that type of proffesionalist. Hope i gotta learn so much from that videos :P

[@212Tan]

I want a "full" Taramps system for my daily driver. I almost bought this Head unit. So glad you shared this video. I plan on buying revised version when it comes out

[@onesikm3]

I hope things start to pick up for you buddy! Your making quality content and these videos deserve more views amongst the car audio community at the very least ya know.

[@mikehonda7934]

I could see many issues with this head unit, but the main thing as an installer I see is a problem, is there a head unit melting peoples dash and or dash kit from the heat of the amplifier. They should separate the amp from the head unit to relocate somewhere else.

[@chloeleedow7250]

Damn that had that pioneer bumping though 😂 You definitely know how to add humour and fun to what could be a rather bland topic depending on who's presenting and I'm thoroughly into electronics have been since I was a kid. There are people that can fix things but not everyone can teach and make it easier and fun to understand for noobs. Love ya work. From the land down under 🇦🇺 Ps if you know anyone that repairs jl hd amps like,youve had on here in my hood or if anyone watching this does chuck me a reply would be great. My hd 600 (4 channel ) & hd1200 (sub) work fine but the 1200 has some crappy pots and comax switches (used for high pass/low pass /infrasonic filter and high or low input) are pure trash especially on what are still around 1200 dollar us amps now and they have been around since 2011 😂

[@fixyourautomobile]

"Give me the frequency response of a 90 year old veteran with shell-shock" ... subscribed

[@jamesedge8605]

Used to watch you years ago and found you again via your tiktok amp repair videos - you should definitely upload some of those in a longer format to youtube!

[@Finga_Trappa]

Always has the most information - bad ass Chanel

[@MacNifty]

Dude, it's hilarious that you are rapping. I love that I love how hip-hop can infect the world from the hood. I've been making music for 30 years, and it's the life. Music is electricity, it's everything that's smart.

[@erickpacheco1623]

This Homie LAB looks Legit AF..NICE

[@jarvislarson6864]

I'd like to see a higher end version maybe they'll crank one out and fix the eq and display and add some features

[@workingclassperson2124]

The guy is truly passionate about audio stuff

[@Chris-B-Bassin]

Happy to finally see a video with your name on it! Unfortunately I don't use TikTok 😢

[@Ron_Masterjohn]

Thanks for the honest review. They sure dropped the ball on this thing.

[@omarowilliams5291]

I see future amplifier and other equipments with your involvement or designs.😊

[@piti_rocks]

How hot will that thing get in your dashboard at full blast 😂

[@barevids]

Yes 😂

[@piti_rocks]

@@barevids but man that thing has potential. When it behaves like a 60€ Pioneer it would sell like crazy.

[@Bassotronics]

Nice melty dashboard. Burnt melted electric cables that touch it.

[@TheHiuriii]

não mas que que seu radio comum , foi realizado testes antes de ser vendido logico!

[@SlinkyStoney]

That dsp chip this is a common in fake jbl bluetooh speaker that does everything. Bluetooth, usb, sd card, fm all in one ic. I am surprised that the head unit does not say "Dah blueotoo devwise is connected uh successfulleh".

[@donjaun540]

Crazy badass one of a kind. I personally like my amps out getting air.

[@MacNifty]

This is a great head unit that you could run to the console of a lot of vehicles that have amperage for auxiliary power.

[@sholtodepuma]

Simply bizarre design, but hopefully a step in a good direction

[@ThePurePlayaz]

I have a fealing this review will change things. Thank you for giving us a heads up. This looks like it might come together one day.

[@gbodytoys]

With the size of some mini amps, I could definitely see headunit/amp combos, especially double din.

[@MacNifty]

It's really interesting to think of designing your own amplifier with that. Texas Instruments chip and applying 4 of those chips to do a quadruple Rudolf bridge.

[@HashDogg06]

Yay, you're back, started to worry a bit there.

[@djowensr2001]

Nice video how about a sound test with a sub and speakers i think it's made for pro series audio like prv just a gess

[@barevids]

It actually sounded pretty "fun" on both my Rotels and Wharfedales, since these older speakers benefit more from a smiley face EQ curve where small sealed box causes low freq rolloff and especially on the Rotels the cone tweeters could do with a bit more brightness.

[@MacNifty]

I love how the digits are old school analog looking digital. And it's bred instead of blue, green, or yellow.

[@johnebuckland]

Thanks for this Sam. Great insight! Deffs not somthing I would use, but its encouraging to see Taramps are stepping into the headunit game. Maybe one day I will make the shift away from Alpine.

[@orangejjay]

Encouraging? This thing SUCKS! It's only good for them to get into the head unit game if they release something that isn't this Chinesium junk. Not a good showing from them at all. They should be embarrassed.

[@YusufGinnah]

If you're looking to Taramps to move away from Alpine, you're going to be waiting a loooong time...

[@ponchville]

This is perfect for my bicycle ❤

[@gamerpaddy]

one of the best ever measured amps out there (top 10 of hundreds measured in terms of low noise and low distortion) uses a TPA3251, they really came far in class-d tech. its the lower power brother of the tpa3255.

[@Tom-fz3sj]

Um abraço do Brasil para você. 😁🇧🇷

[@Chamov.I.V.]

В России подобное выпускают но с полноценным процессором DSP , кроссовер есть, двух полосный или трёхполосный режимы, срезы частот , звуковая сцена , в общем полный набор настроек не хуже чем в Pioneer, называются : Aura - Venom , Prologi - Poseidon, выдают под нагрузкой всех каналов по 50w на каждый, и саб так же качают

[@Linkvision]

heyyyyy ltt screwdriver! lol

[@ellensburgamplifier]

Uhhg.. They better supply me with those 3255 ICs if that is a full-release head unit. Thank you for the heads up for us warranty guys.

[@daveerrington5166]

This unit needs work. But headed in the right direction

[@hardhead7056]

Speaking of alternatives. What in your eyes would be the best micro 4 ch amp to stuff in a dash? EFFICIENCY being key. Related to size. Not just STATED power by the manufacturer.

[@philjimenez4874]

realistickly its the way to go for most users a amp for your phone to entertain you while driving

[@drakey125]

Yo!! missed your uploads! Hope all is going well for you.

[@Dauntless.steadfast.fortitude]

Like I always said you are the man Awesome content, audio, video, tutorial, commentary, teaching with actually facts, theories, testing, science, results !!! Taramps similar to Sony ? Add DSP to solve problems fader, balance, EQ, ect ect Sam / Barevids #1 in any language 4SH😁

[@X7cF4]

I have a question. About class d amps. When the audio signal is at 0 so rest level does that mean the Amp is generating a 50 percent duty pwm. And if so does that also mean the mosfets are wasting energy and generating heat?

[@barevids]

Correct, but no wasted evergy, because at 50% duty on both high and low side the resulting voltage after filter network is zero and there is no cross conduction (in a well designed amp).

[@X7cF4]

@barevids ohh so no current will flow. Thank you! I'm working on designing my own Amp and really enjoy your vids!

[@dead6last]

thank you for the review

[@jimc9823]

Thank you for the review, you are being kind to them. I'd not consider that head unit. The most expensive component of that unit is the heat sink.

[@barevids]

I don't think I am, I literally said don't buy this haha!

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

i think it needs a fader balance rca inputs a must and an equalizer old school slider deal or loudness button bass mid treble knobs think stereo receiver from 1977

[@Road2Rally]

So much potential ruined :( I feel like we are normally being let down by head units. For my next setup I'm thinking of using a schiit dac and fiio bluetooth to optical for LDAC.

[@dextermorgan1]

I figured it was just a matter of time before somebody did exactly that.

[@Road2Rally]

@@dextermorgan1 Using an LC1 for overall volume controls. If you have a better idea in that department let me know XD\

[@0_0__542]

Dude, I've never seen it playing, I think it must have a good sound

[@weltsunlimited]

Like the review/video.... I just really perfer a Mosfet configuration on a board relative to a power IC I mean digital is cool but can it really go the distance over time??? Thanks again

[@kushfromhandsworth6601]

Nice office/work bench laddy

[@N7-alpha]

Popular amp chip in mini home amps with a 48v DC power supply.

[@guestguest]

I probably wouldn’t buy one of these but at least someone out there is trying to upgrade the head unit. 95% of them suck when it comes to connecting speakers directly to the head unit.

[@Bassotronics]

When you said “drawbacks” then I saw the Brand and then I was like “Uh Oh”! Lol It’s basically an amplifier with a head youknit face on the side. I never liked premade equalization patterns. I like to adjust the eq manually exactly to my needs or the way my speakers sound.

[@SheikhN-bible-syndrome]

Sweet its LM3255x they sound amazing an home hifi

[@detecta]

this looks like a aftermarket car radio

[@wetdookie3808]

If this picks up with other companies then the car audio industry gonna be upset. All those -500 watt amps won’t sell anymore

[@StephanBuchin]

What's amazing is the 4 x 100W writing on the front panel. Coming from any other Chinese maker, you would think it's PMPO but this is totally true for once 🙂

[@josuelrocha6964]

Porque é uma fabricante brasileira e a leis aqui proibi o pmpo

[@StephanBuchin]

@@josuelrocha6964 Ah OK 🤓

[@therealchayd]

A bit of a random ramble; I was chatting to my Dad today about how amps are getting smaller (he used to do mobile discos in the '80s with something like 100w+100w big hefty PA amps) and jokingly said more powerful amps are probably as small as this nowadays (pointing to a button the the TV remote), and I was like "nah, they've not shrunk them that much", and now I see this video with a single, tiny chip putting out 280w+280w plus!! What the actual f**k?!? I mean I understand that class D is pretty small and efficient, but that is one compact package. Also, why on earth did Taramps do a nice design on the back end, then just gave up halfway through and slapped on a godawful Chinese media player module on the front end? Makes no sense at all!

[@barevids]

You want to look up GAN fet amps, TV remote button size amps are coming 🙌

[@therealchayd]

@@barevids Interesting, I will read up on them, cheers!

[@narrwass]

What amp module you can recommend for dyi install inside old cd players using rca for the inputs for the amp.Purpose is to create something like this but actually better.Ive already installed bluetooth through aux port.

[@MacNifty]

Terra amp's is pretty genius. And using old weak Tech to apply it in a combinative process of a product that achieves and kills Premier brands. But the fact that Terra amps is worldwide makes it a Premier brand..

[@yugaindiranmarimuthu7310]

Hey, i want to ask some question in private to you, but im not sure how to actually dm you, i have a nakamichi PM600.1 that randomly goes into protect sometimes. even if it doesn't some times it just has kinda like a bumpy or pulsating noise thats not in any constant frequency. i have yet to check the circuits out, but any pointer in a direction will help. i suspect that the protection is because of a dc offset at the output. but since its not constant. it's hard to figure out what the problem is

[@moasto02]

that LTT screwdriver

[@303nitzubishi4]

Very cool concept but the quirks you found are completely unacceptable. As another commentor also mentioned, there's a reason why most manufacturers keep their headunits below 80w rms total and it's not just to upsell you to a component amp. It's because HEAT is an issue in the dash. I cannot imagine how hot this chassis will get at full tilt with that shallow heatsink and no active cooling. Even if there was a fan or a legit heatsink, where is the heat going to go? The wiring in the dash? The mounting kit? The skeleton, ductwork, trim panels, etc that make up the dash? The only scenario in which I see this thing surviving would be in a vehicle that has an AC duct directly above it and a climate and driver that runs the AC at all times

[@Fozgate4000]

I have the Sony Mex-XB100BT and was wondering if you can do a review on it. It also is a high power head unit requiring direct leads to the battery

[@Saulo_Lima]

this needs a more complete interface and a good graphic equalizer with 15 bands +12db -12db

[@newportzzzz]

What kind of thermal paste or Grease goes behind the mosfets if you could help me with that that would be great I'm putting it on a car amplifier

[@chachayteti4life]

What is your opinion on skar rp amps and Have you reviewed any skar rp amps?

[@Road2Rally]

Got that LTT screw driver!

[@jasonwilke2703]

I miss seeing simple bass and treble controls on the front of head units it used to be so nice to switch things on the fly now everything has some overly complicated 10 band graphic equalizer that takes 10 minutes to adjust and your song is over by the time you’re done

[@tholo86]

kinda like 2 songs are over by time you are done🤣

[@Sherky59]

Hey!! I hope you see this comment. I just messaged you on your Facebook page about fixing my JL HD1200 Amp. Thank you!!!

[@MikeAnnunziato]

Kinda sucks that it only has one rca out. Wow no custom eq either, that's horrible how did they not know that everyone in the car audio world has to have these options 😕

[@JasonWW2000]

Seems they built it specifically for the Brazilian market and people there like it.

[@Kautian]

Just go head and incorporate the dsp. 4 outs Taramps 👍🏽 and aux input

[@schuylercassidy1785]

tpa s350h is great you have to install a $20 power converter with a switch to use but $50 on total 220w x2 and 350 for a sub

[@cubanman2009]

I agree with barevids 💯 I bought this radio over a month ago thinking that this would be awesome but ended up sounding like 🐩💨💩💩💩

[@sausagedog52]

somebody needs to make an amp that can fit in the small cavity behind most newer sony, pioneer, etc... mechless head units where they basically only use the top single din area for the back of the head unit and then the front extends down, this would allow you to have decent power in the same package as an older style double din head unit

[@JasonWW2000]

There are amps just for that application.

[@jasenlauver4862]

I have a alpine ILX-650 that has a option for a 200rms amp that bolts to the back. I bought the whole set up for around 450. I’m running 2 6x9’s in my front doors and it gets loud.

[@oldskoolhead0]

Could you not add or take eq at the source, eg, a blue tooth connected phone app to get the sound you want?

[@barevids]

Yeah but like, you really shouldnt have to lol. Most phones don't really have an eq that applies to bt audio anyway

[@aurthorthing7403]

Looks pretty cool but it would be kooler if it had a real graphic EQ.

[@bryanmeier272xp8]

thats to bad this could of been something my mom sed i liked to have some bump in her car but dont want me to run big power wire and amp to the back of her car this could of been perfect if they had custom eq or just bass and treble i would of put it on pair of low watt 10s or 12s and some good door speakers in the front and run like 8 gage power from under the hood hope they fix it great video

[@JasonWW2000]

Just an aside, if you only want a few hundred watts then you can probably run a fused 8-gauge wire from the internal fuse box input of the vehicle to the rear. Once you go over 500 W or so then you may need to do a traditional power run from the main battery.

[@621ELECTRONICS]

With modern micro-controller technology, seems a bit ridiculous how they designed this. I feel like this idea would have been great 20+ years ago, and I suppose still an option for older vehicles, but modern cars I can’t see anyone installing one of these, it looks like an ancient flea market brand head unit, with not very good adjustability. Could be cool to make a portable boombox driving a couple 10’s and highs where you only need a server power supply to run it. I’ll admit I’m not much into audio gear as I’ve gotten older, and I don’t play with it much at all these days, just trying to see a solid use for it. A car audio enthusiast would have no use for this, meaning, there are much better alternatives for SQ or SPL, or well even daily systems when it comes to a head unit, and the average consumer would be better off with a modern OEM head unit and just add a small amp under a seat if 100wx4 is needed. Just thinking out loud as I watch this. Interesting product but definitely needs a lot of rethought to the functionality.

[@floydwilliams3321]

Wow

[@shawnosbourne9439]

Sorry we don't use chap head unit so what about the sound quality 😂😂😂

[@madisonjones7003]

What volume this plays up to clipping

[@realflow100]

How can I join the discord? invites expired for the FB links :(

[@Varkie0]

You sound exactly like @JudoSloth !

[@ua7pyro591]

Bestbuy special

[@adamsdiyandrandomvids5379]

How does it do with heat I see it punching the 10

[@denaylin3276]

can u make a video of a Taramps BASS 8K PLEASE

[@MacNifty]

With power and stuck inside of a dark hot humid spot. It can't succeed. It's a great idea, no doubt. And things are always great on paper. But that's only when you pay attention to just the product design and not the environment included in the design. That's what I'll say before I even watch the video.

[@dellalexander7205]

Noce video keep up good work

[@barevids]

thanks but you commented 40 seconds after i uploaded so how do you know lol

[@kittyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

​@@barevidsevery video is a good video

[@1tonyhawks]

A solução das caixa Bob Esponja

[@djpulsemm]

How can I contact you about a amp repair

[@samgreer8596]

Where are you in the world?