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Hi CEntrance. Can the Ampersand be used directly from USB/wall power without involving the battery? Can charging of the internal battery be disabled? Are the USB charging cable and charger included?
Fayne
2575
Dec 9, 2021
mattrisGood questions. I've also got some questions along the battery lines for @CEntrance . Specifically, what kind of battery is being used, Lithium-Polymer bag, Lithium-Ion cell, or more esoteric like LiFePO4 cell? And is the battery (batteries?) replaceable, or are we stuck with a bloating LiPo fire hazard or a grenade when the cells start to off-gas?
mattrisWe use a modern, automatic battery management system, which essentially disconnects the battery unless it needs to be charged. Once every second, the system measures the voltage on the battery and decides if it needs to be topped up. If the product is plugged in and the battery is fully charged, there will be no need to internally connect it, as the battery can stay fully charged for weeks. Self-discharge is extremely low. So if the unit is plugged in, the battery is essentially disconnected automatically. If the charger is not strong enough, the battery might be reconnected to provide extra power during loud music passages. This assures there is always plenty of power to deliver that pumping bass. We include a USB-C cable with an adapter for USB-A, so you can connect to computers with both the old rectangular USB-A plug and also the newer ones, with the rounder USB-C plug. Charger is not included as most people already have plenty of USB chargers around the house.
(Edited)
FayneWe use the safest and best battery technology, that provides clean and sufficient power for your complete audio enjoyment. Unlike some other companies which use cheaper, Chinese production process, we use a special Japanese chemical formulation in our batteries. It ensures a much cleaner compound and results in longer-lasting batteries that hold their capacity very well. We use a great supplier and have used their batteries for many years. We still have product in the field with batteries that were installed over 8 years ago and they keep working well. That's way longer than the lifespan of a typical iPhone! Of course, we can replace the battery if something goes wrong. We give you a 1-year manufacturer's warranty and take great care of our customers. If you have any questions with your product, email us and we will make sure you are happy! We've been in business for over 20 years and have thousands of satisfied customers. Rest assured, your satisfaction is our number one priority.
CEntranceYou explained that the Ampersand's battery management system will measure the battery every second to keep it topped up. To prolong the overall life of the battery - and since its self-discharge is extremely low - could you add a feature that disables charging altogether? Owners who plan to primarily use their Ampersand plugged-in at a desk would be wise to engage such a feature. Also, what specs would the USB charger need to have so as not to require use of the battery during loud/bass-heavy music?
mattrisThat feature is already there... (but wait, there's more... ;) Note that if you fully disconnect the battery letting it drain during storage that would actually decrease its life. It's important to store most rechargeable batteries in a "full" state in order to have a long life. And that's what everybody does in their devices (iPhone, etc). In summary, the battery is effectively disconnected until a drop in voltage (due to the inevitable self-discharge) is detected. Then it's quickly and accurately topped off, so it always remains charged up to the appropriate voltage (performing a voltage measurement does not affect the battery). This automatic practice ensures longest life and best performance when you need it, especially if you don't use the battery on a regular basis. About the charger, 5V / 2.4A is enough (also known as 12W.) That's the type of charger that's usually about 2" square. Slower .5A chargers (the smaller kind, about 1" sq, think old iPhone type) will not provide enough juice for charging and playing music, so this will result in automatic "borrowing" of the energy from the battery. It's not the end of the world, nothing will break, but charging times will be slower. So for best results we recommend the faster 12W charger. The USB jack on the charger could be A or C. Ampersand is compatible with both.
(Edited)
CEntranceThank you for that complete answer. Though, your statement regarding 'storing most rechargeable batteries in a full state in order for them to have a long life' runs contrary to what I understood to be true: lithium batteries should be kept charged to 40-80% of their capacity. Are lithium-polymer batteries - like the one in the Ampersand - an exception to the rule?
mattrisFor extra clarity, Ampersand is a portable product, designed for daily use on the go. Just like with a cell phone, most customers will expect to have the product "ready to go at" all times. And that means a fully charged battery. In the world of RC cars, where users stop racing during the winter for example, it's practical to swap out the batteries and store them at lower voltages. In the world of small CE devices, such as your iPhone, etc., the practice of disconnecting the battery is not widespread. That's probably why there are separate desktop headphone amps and portable headphone amps. Therefore if you don't need the portability, a desktop amp may be a better choice.
CEntranceI understand your latest points. But you did not address why do you think that rechargeable batteries should be stored charged "in a full state in order to have a long life" when that advise runs contrary to real-world tests that prove that, for maximum lifetime charge cycles, lithium-polymer batteries should be stored at around half of their capacity... and that keeping them charged at 100% will cause damage, resulting in far fewer lifetime charge cycles. You previously confirmed that the Ampersand's battery charging can be disabled. How is this feature activated? For maximum charge cycles, it would also be beneficial to have a feature that keeps the battery charged to no more than 80%.
mattrisThank you for your comments and sharing your knowledge of technology. At this time we don't offer the feature you request. While the discussion deserves respect, we are currently forced to turn our attention to manufacturing and shipping issues -- things have been quite busy this holiday season. Happy Holidays!
(Edited)
CEntranceWhile this product is not for me, I think many on-the-go audio enthusiasts would be interested in a smaller, stripped-down version of the Ampersand, one that implements the battery management features I suggested... but without a large/top-mounted volume knob or XLR-out. It appears the 4.4mm (Pentacon) standard is the way of the future, so I'm glad to see you utilized it here as an input and output option. Personally, I would be interested in a smaller-than-average desktop DAC/amp combo with the power of the Ampersand. Should you produce it, I think it would be a hit. All the best, and Happy Holidays!
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