Hello,
I am sure Fusion plate amplifiers are nice, but gosh, they are expensive.
Does anyone know of any decent 3 channel plate amps with DSP that are more “cost effective”?
I have been looking at the EIFMUSES “EIF-AF3” one here,
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/3-Channel-Amplifier-Module-Class-D_1601278112513.html
for $195.00 USD each.
Anyone have any experience with “PA” DSP plate amps for home use?
Thank you,
David.
I don’t have any experience with such things to speak of, but if it advertises DSP crossover functionality it is likely “textbook” curves and passive filtering and/or active EQ will probably be necessary in addition.
Looks like you are getting ready to go down a fun path!
They look like they are built well. Getting the most out of the dsp will likely be a big learning curve. Im guessing that the gain will be set pretty high witch can be a problem when trying to make it work for home audio.
Although not as sexy I would be tempted to start with the kab boards from PE.
I have only used the Getshow amps for subwoofers. They work very well for that. Still haven’t tested output on them. They claim 2400 watts but I am guessing 600 rms. I don’t have enough resistors yet to test above 500 watts. I did test a home style plate amp that is rated at 350 watts. It tested 360 watts rms and 440 peak. It was 100 bucks. Now they are up to 125. Still great deal.
Edit: The dsp in mine is really easy to learn and has many capabilities. I only use the crossover, eq and level adjustment. Mine also has a mode switch which lets you have six setting that you can program into it. Choose the settings without hooking into the computer. Very nice!
Where did you get the 350W plate amp?
Yes, the 350watt looks intersting, esp if you can do PEQ for 125$. The 6 setting makes it very versatile, can build in different levels of BSC for the woofer for near/far placement, etc.
Does it roll-off the high end or is it full spectrum? The 2 way Dayton dsp amp rolls off one at 1000Hz.
The 350 watt one is the non dsp one. When I uploaded the pictures they inverted the way I wanted them.
The Getshow is the 2400 watt dsp amp. I think it is full range. Single channel.
The 350 watt one has a crossover varitable from 30 to 200hz I think. No eq. It is a subwoofer amp only.
Found both on Aliexpress.
I’ve been curious about the relatively new TinySine 3 channel amp for about $43-
It needs a separate DSP. And for that you’d need something like the:
So you minimum cost of entry is = $169 + cost of power supply for a stereo 3-way boards
The DSP is ADAU1452 2 in 8 out and amps are 80W x 2 (4 ohm, ~1% THD) and probably around 80W/150W (4/2ohm) for the third channel.
ScottS measured the 2 channel amp module sometime ago and it did reasonably well with a 27-30V power supply here:
the tiny DSP board looks interesting - very similar to the mini dsp nano digi - except this seems to have both SPIDIF and analog out. Need to look a bit deeper, but would the SPDIF output the all the 8 DSP channels? Also need to see if there are any 8 channel SPDIF based sound cards - most are usb sound cards.
I haven’t kept current, but a few years ago the consensus was that USB had less jitter than TOSlink
Are you sure you even want a plate amp? Just seems so limiting to me.
-There are some really nice half rack 1U-high DSP amps now. Ashly has one that measured pretty well on ASR, that is a rebadged Blaze Audio (Pascal’s old complete amp division) unit. I have a couple of the Powersoft Mezzo models and they’re great except the controller software is windows only. I’m sure there are knockoffs of these on AliExpress too by now.
IMO it is quite the quagmire to decide.
On one hand: Electronics of average quality have become notoriously unreliable regarding their lifespan. Especially the knockoff direct from china stuff. They take every shortcut, which results in the most sensitive parts in the circuit burning out pretty quickly. If/when one of the amps die.. then what?
On the other hand: Having separate parts to interconnect every time you switch the speakers in/out really murders the simplicity and compactness of an all-in-one unit. IE likely one of the big reasons for getting into the project to begin with.
I go through this every time I think of a project that uses dedicated electronics. I usually end up shelving the idea because the conclusion is not something I’m enthusiastic to go through with.
@jhaider can you please put in some links to the amps you are talking about - and the reviews if possible? Interested in these.
I have a myraid of amps and DSP, some all in ones - they are great for ME, but not for anyone else in the household - casue they so complicated to startup and get working - also the reason we have the actives go after lunch, breaks, etc in our meets, since it alays takes longer then the passives, which are just plug in, set level and go!
Powersoft Mezzo (several flavors available - I have the 604AD and 602 models):
No review that I know of, but Grimani uses them in a lot of his speakers:
Ashly/Blaze Audo (Pascal):
As for knockoffs thereof, I’m sure they exist but that’s not really my thing.
I don’t really see the complexity thing. Assuming a 2-way (and honestly I would likely do a hybrid crossover for a 3-way anyway, simple passive on the MT with EQ assist, and separate channel for the W) – just use a 4-core speaker wire and put a Speakon terminal on the speaker end.
Then I suppose we look at things rather differently then. We’ve all got our own proclivities, and I know I’m a weirdo at times. 
