Class T amplifier
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A Class T amplifier is an audio amplifier product. Rather than being a separate "class" of amplifier, Class T is a registered trademark for Tripath's amplifier technologies. It is an implementation of Class D amplifiers, but improves the control scheme to create more efficient and higher quality audio amplification. The control signals in Class T amplifiers may be computed using digital signal processing or fully analog. Currently available implementations use a loop that is similar to a higher order Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) (or sigma-delta) modulator with an internal digital clock to control the sampled comparator. The two key aspects of this topology are that (1) feedback is taken directly from the switching node rather than the filtered output, and (2) the higher order loop provides much higher loop gain at high audio frequencies than would be possible in a conventional single pole amplifier.
Despite increased performance at a price similar to class D technology, financial difficulties have caused Tripath to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 8 February 2007.
[edit] Products and applications
"Powered by Tripath"
Tripath used to sell the amplifiers as chips, or as chipsets, to be integrated into products by other companies in several countries. For example:
- Sony, Panasonic and Blaupunkt use them in several car stereos and integrated home cinema systems
- Apple Computer used them in their Power Mac G4 Cube, Power Mac G4 (Digital audio), eMac and iMac (Flat Panel) computers
- Audio Research, a very high end audio electronics company, formerly an exclusive tube circuit specialist, produced a Tripath based audiophile amplifier.
[edit] External links
- US Patent for ClassT amplifier
- Connexelectronic complete class T amplifier modules
- 41Hz Audio offers DIY amplifier kits based on Tripath chips and has an excellent technical overview in a 'Toolbox/Theory' page on its site
- I-Do-Amps.com Designed T-amps at I-Do-Amps.com
- Winsome Labs offers kit and assembled Tripath amplifiers with higher power
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