Choosing a TA3020 Amplifier - the Details

This section details the specification for ordering a TA3020 amplifier from Maedos. There are several choices to be made and the following is a structured approach to choosing the amplifier that best suits your needs. If you are interested in a configuration that is not listed above in Popular Amplifier Configurations then please contact us. (You will note that the nomenclature used in this section is slightly more specific than that used in the Popular Amplifier Configurations).

Amplifier Type

Choose between:

• Optimized Truepath The Truepath design is optimized to suit the user's specific equipment including power supply voltage, source voltage and speaker impedance. The Optimized Truepath includes components for Optimized Design. Certain components of the Truepath are changed to implement the optimized design.
• Tbrick: This is an Optimized Trueapth with two additional small PCBs that fit at either end of the Truepath. (A partial alternative to the Tbrick boards would be to use PSU1-VR boards which are supplied by 41Hz. These are V5 and VN10 unfused regulators). The Tbrick provides the following features:
  • VN10 fused regulator. All that is required to provide VN10 is an isolated AC somewhere between 12VRMS and 25VRMS.
  • V5 fused regulator. The regulator is a dual type which means it has two cascaded regulators for an extra low ripple in the critical input stages of the TA3020 integrated circuit. All that is required to provide V5 is an isolated AC somewhere between 12VRMS and 25VRMS.
  • Speaker Protection. Whenever the Truepath mutes, the speakers are automatically isolated for protection
  • Eliminate startup pops. This is achieved by a one second delay after the unmute of the TA3020 before the speakers are connected (by closing the speaker protection relay).
  • Eliminate shutdown pops This is achieved by disconnecting the speakers before the TA3020 mutes when the amp is switched off. This is achieved by a power fail detect circuit which monitors the V5 supply before the V5 rectifier.
  • Keep V5 on the PCB To reduce EMI in the input stage of the TA3020, sockets and driver circuitry are provided for direct connection of front panel LED indicators for POWER and MUTE to the VN10 side of the Tbrick. No connecton to V5 and no external resistors are required.
    
  • Power indicators on PCB. Both the V5 and VN10 regulators have status LEDs on-board.
  • Small size. Minimal real estate is taken up by the Tbrick PCBs, especially when you consider all these features!
• Base Truepath, which is un-optimized and uses components supplied in Truepath kit instead of optimizing components.

Assembly

Choose between:

• Fully assembled for those who want a working amp ASAP!
• SMT assembled for those who are not confident about their SMT soldering skills.
• Unassemled for experienced (or adventurous!) builders.

Accessories

Option:

• Accessories may optionally be supplied. These include TA3020 socket, connectors, standoffs, MOSFETs mounting plates and hex screws, plugs sockets for external wiring, and mute jumper, test resistors. These are either things that you need or things that make it easier to get the Truepath working.
• - = No accessories.

Heatsink/Enclosure Options

Choose between:

• Standard Heatsinks, typically for mounting in a regular amplifier enclosure.
• Tbrick Box, a fully enclosed alumium box complete with integral heatsink fins, ready for mounting on the back of a speaker box for those who want to "go active". Since the Tbrick box is sealed, it also assists with EMI suppression.
• - = No heatsinks for those who want to supply their own.

MOSFET

Upgrade Option:

• IRFP4228 may optionally be supplied. Here are details on these higher power, lower distortion, and cooler-running than the STW34NB20 MOSFETs that are supplied standard with Truepath.
• -= No upgrade.

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