Class D Amp Chip

Zetex has announced the first product in its new class D audio amplifier family.

The ZXCD1000 switching amplifier controller offers a combination of efficiency, good audio quality, small size and low cost per watt.

Efficiency is greater than 90%. The amplifier generates much less heat than a comparable class A/B linear amplifier - which would typically have an efficiency of only around 65%.

The high efficiency also means that a smaller power supply is required.

The device offers total harmonic distortion and noise of typically 0.2% open loop, or typically <0.1% with a 10 dB feedback loop.

These measurements are taken at 90% power, full-band.

Zetex is also offering a reference design, which removes the layout and design difficulties traditionally associated with Class D amplifiers.

The reference design includes custom magnetics supplied by the company, specifically optimised to the system requirements.

Overall solution cost has been minimised to offer a cost per watt that is substantially lower than competitive products.

Depending on the choice of output filter network, the ZXCD1000 provides high fidelity performance at an output power of 25 or 50 W driving either a four or eight ohm load.