I run through the features of the AliExpress TDM157 preamp board and share my thoughts on it's ability to anchor a table radio. Oh, yeah, and it has actual KNOBS!!!
thank you for making this video, complete and sequential reviews, easy to understand, but i hope there's a continue video : how to empower this equipment into computer speaker components .. mine is at home microlab m-700u..
Glad it was helpful! It's long and many people don't like long videos, but you can't cover everything on this in five minutes. Thanks for watching to the end! I hope to review the kid brother to this one, the TDM156 soon as well.
Hooked it up and you were right, very acceptable sound quality, more than enough pre amp output to run my Mackie powered ref monitors. I enjoy playback with no EQ. Not sure if the "normal" EQ setting on the board is flat, but still acceptable. Took awhile to figure out how to open folders and scroll them, then choose and play using the remote since there was zero documentation provided, but persistence paid off. I'm sure I would not have bought this if I didn't see your review. Thumbs Up! Thinking about making a sound bar next. Any stereo amplifier boards (no EQ) you can suggest. Like to stay with 12VDC, 2A
I really like this one, and have used it several times. It really starts to shine with 16 volts and 3-4 amps. www.parts-express.com/TDA7492-Digital-Audio-Amplifier-Board-2x50W-320-606 It is available on AliExpress as well for less, but of course you wait a long time and take more of a chance with component variability. It's got pretty good sound quality. I know what you mean about the documentation. I've taken to copy/pasting from the product description page and then printing it out so have some idea of how to hook it up in the future it it's awhile before I get to it. Yes, finally these little preamp boards are getting to be pretty decent quality! Took 'em long enough.
In one of the teampie electronics product, I saw there is an option to hold down the Mode button, and then simultaneously adjusting the volume knob to adjust the bass and treble. Can you please confirm whether this works on this device?
Hey Phillip. I purchased mine from AliExpress in March I believe of 2021. Here is a link to a post I made about it which shows the Antenna hookup location as well as the back of my test rig which I can use to test out any smaller preamp in the future. techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/tech-talk-forum/1467296-two-new-radio-faceplate-preamps?p=1467331#post1467331 Thanks for your comment and for viewing!
Great review, thank you. A few questions. Pre-amp output suitable for my Mackie HR824 powered studio monitors? Can you recommend a power supply. Did this unit come with wired pin plugs? Can ore-amp output work into my Adcom pre-amp? Also I assume it is stereo out. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback. I think it would work with your powered speakers. The connectors this unit uses are the small and thin clip-in type. I don't even know what they are called. I meant to include pictures of the rear of the unit but it appears I forgot to do that. My unit came with a three-pin connector which plugged into a four-pin connector on the unit, you had to look carefully to see which side to plug it in at. Each seller would probably supply their own cables, so depending on which seller you purchased from, you may get different cables. My unit had the cables included which were 7 or 8" long. but as far as wiring goes, to work with your monitors you would have to get two 1/8" plugs and create cables going from the output pin on the back of the 175 to each of your monitors it appears, assuming each speaker needs it's own 1/8" jack for input... I'm not really familiar with them -- or most retail speakers -- as I usually build my own speakers. It is stereo and fairly click- and pop-free so you shouldn't get any bad sounds on your powered speakers. These cheap overseas preamp products are sometimes not so consistent, so of course, proceed at your own risk and be careful. Power supplies, I think any decent 12v wall-wart or power brick would probably do, I've used this cheap one from Parts Express with no issues: www.parts-express.com/12-VDC-2.5A-AC-Power-Adapter-with-2.1-x-5.5mm-Center-Positive-Plug-129-058
@@workinghand5768 I think it's probably not necessary. The less 'componentry' in the chain the better I imagine. The output seems strong enough and clean enough to go on it's own.
Hello, I have a question about this equipment, if I receive sound through the bluetooth inputs or the auxiliary input, can it be recorded to mp3 files? and the recording is in stereo?
So it records MP3 can you change bite rate and will it record from Line in, I want to convert some cassettes and records , would be good if was decent quality and stereo . Yours is a great review . Have you tried any other Bluetooth media players from Ali express?
Thanks! I think it only records from the radio. As far as I know you can't change the bitrate either. I have played with a few other preamp boards from Ali, but I wondered if others would be interested in watching a review of them.
Thinking of getting something like this. I do like that it can record from the radio to mp3 but 128kbps is a bit low for my tastes. 320kbps is my preferred quality. Can this record from line input to mp3?
@@zarboaudioprojects1430 Can you try recording from line input? Looking for something like this that records from radio and line input as well as play music from SD/USB. Bluetooth I'm not worried about but if it has it then it's ok.
I bought a TDM157, but when I connect a headphone to the audio output, a noise occurs when I press the button to advance the song. Do you have information about this type of problem? Or is it a defect and needs to be replaced?
Those kind of weird noises are fairly common on these cheaper boards. They are not always "hearable " on speakers, but on cans, they would be. Thanks for watching!
2 amps is more than enough for this preamp. 1 amp would be just fine. If you plan on also using the PS to power an amplifier, that's a different story. You'd need to check with the manufacturers recommendations for that and add that amperage requirement to what this amp needs to function.
Что за деталь под обозначением U2 ? Можете подсказать маркировку? Подключил 12в 1А , дисплей загорелся и через сикунд 5 потух , немного подсвечивается а эта деталь сильно греется
Извините, я пытался использовать Google Translate с русского на английский и все еще не совсем понял вопрос. I'm sorry, I tried to use Google Translate from Russian to English and I still didn't quite understand the question.
I'll translate Russian to English: Good time of the day. Bundle 4s lithium 16.8v. not dangerous ? Or put a lower value? And then for an amplifier 12.6v will not be enough. ZAP Reply: The TDM157 specs state 9-15 Volts. I wouldn't try 16.8 volts, you will likely destroy the preamp. I realize you need higher voltage to get the most out of your amp. You could try using an isolated DC to DC converter. Look up SPBW06F DC to DC convertor. This will take up to a 36 volt input and output 12 volts, isolated to greatly reduce the chance for ground noise between the preamp and amp.
something like this is good for maybe a power wheels or something like that. having a physical device like this is nice of course but with how people use their phones today all you really need is a Bluetooth amplifier and that's pretty much about it. it's nice to have the option but I don't really see where it could be useful anymore
Bluetooth is popular, but I use a USB drive to store my music on and play from almost exclusively. I'm a bit old school though. Still, it's nice to have the option. Plus, remember, you can connect a line in, so you can connect to a laptop computer or some Televisions to it, as well as the USB and SD cards and play FM from it. It could be built into a TV soundbar for instance and do QUITE a bit more than just play TV output. I use things like this usually for Table Radios though, I think that is what it's best suited for. Thanks for the comment and for watching my video.
I have exactly the same player. On one of the latest firmware updates then you can change the bluetooth name the player has. The player is good except for 4 things. 1. the screen is of poor quality. you have to look straight at the screen otherwise the picture will look strange and bad. 2. No manual tone adjustment like EQ. Finished adjusted eq. choice. only works on bluetooth and playback of music files. 3. No remote output that can be used to turn off an amplifier if you make a bluetooth speaker. 4. You will not get a list of songs that make it easier.
Number 3 really is a shame. I agree, that is a bummer. That alone would make this the go-to preamp for table radios and boom boxes, but alas, I tried several different tricks to get this to turn on an amp, and no luck. Stay tuned for my "Harmonious Table Radio" build coming up for more info on this. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@zarboaudioprojects1430 I have a way. you connect to the screen light. you must have a special relay that draws very little current. A 12v relay that only measures 670 ohms. or 1k. Then connect the relay between one monitor light cord and one 12v regulator output pin. you first measure with a multimeter whether it cuts power when you power off the player Then you connect the power supply to contact points on the relay so you turn on and off 12v or 24v or battery I use siemens v23092-A1912-A302 6A / 250v
Thanks for mentioning that. I tried to use a tiny voltage booster to trigger a timer relay board and the screen LED voltage tap didn't have enough amperage to do it. Someone on Tech Talk mentioned this as an option as well, but I didn't try it. I wish these things came ready to use with an amp, complete with a trigger-on lead.
Sound quality seems to be pretty decent. I wouldn't personally use this as a preamp for my home stereo, but for table radios and boom boxes, I think the sound is perfectly fine.
