STMicroelectronics Announces Flexible, Space-Saving Class-D Amplifier for Car Audio

STMicroelectronics' latest HFA80A automotive-grade analog-input class-D audio amplifier combines high efficiency, small size, and a low bill of materials, with load diagnostics optimized for automotive and native electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). With its feedback-before-filter topology and 2MHz nominal PWM frequency, the ST HFA80A lets designers optimize the output filter for the targeted performance and achieve a compact outline with small component values.

Encouraging developers to design high-performance Class-D audio amplifiers leveraging GaN FETs, EPC has launched the new EPC9192 reference design enabling high power and high efficiency Class-D audio amplifiers in a modular design that is ideal for customization. The EPC9192 showcases the high performance capabilities of EPC's 200V, EPC2307 eGaN FETs in a ground-referenced, split dual supply Single-Ended (SE) design, delivering an impressive 700W per channel into a 4Ω load.

John Melanson, senior technical fellow at Cirrus Logic, has been granted his 500th US patent, an achievement that places him among the world’s most prolific inventors. The Academy Award-winning engineer’s core contributions are within the field of audio and electronics, particularly the analog and mixed-signal technologies that have helped transform the analog world around us into the digital signals at the heart of today’s most advanced products.

Technics unveiled the SU-R1000, its first Reference Class integrated amplifier. As Technics explains, its Reference Class products are developed in pursue of the brand's insatiable desire to deliver ultimate sound quality to customers, and offer the premium musical experience the Technics brand is known for. The SU-R1000 follows design references of the classic hifi components from decades ago. But inside, this is a technical evolution of the brand's 2014 rebirth.

Texas Instruments (TI) introduced the first 2.1-MHz Class-D four-channel audio amplifier specifically designed for automotive applications. Supporting high-resolution 96-kHz digital input, the compact TAS6424-Q1 enables high-fidelity audio with low distortion in automotive infotainment systems. This impressive small footprint device combines low voltage and low noise, while providing lots of software settings, offering manufacturers more freedom to tailor their designs.

With vinyl sales increasing year on year, indicating clearly that music enthusiasts want to connect with music purchases also with a physical object (and because many of those records come with a download voucher anyway…), hardware manufacturers have taken notice and a number of new turntables were announced in past months. Believing it is possible to do better with advanced materials and precision manufacturing, Bryston has announced the introduction of the BLP-1 turntable, ideal for discerning vinyl enthusiasts.