Class T-amps

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Hi Ali,

Actually, I WILL be using a valve preamp with mine... soon. However, instead of adding a valve preamp into the system, I plan on "transforming" my Buffalo DAC into one (I need to stop stealing Leo's ideas)! I may replace the Sowters in Nick's schematic with Lundahl LL1689s though, as I really like the results of my current LL1527 "passive output stage" setup.

Cheers,

[Ali Tait]

Sounds good,let us know how you get on.

[squeezethatbuffalo]

I'm hoping to complete the project by the end of next month, as I probably won't even receive my Buffalo II+Volumite until mid September. I guess I could start on the valve output stage first... Either way, I'll keep you posted.

[technobear]

For those looking for a nice TA2022 amp, the Topping TP60 seems to be a viable and less costly (at least where I live) alternative to the HLLY 90.

Where exactly do you live? Perhaps you could edit it into your profile






(hint: it's not optional)

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Where exactly do you live? Perhaps you could edit it into your profile






(hint: it's not optional)

Oh, thanks for reminding me. Done.

[technobear]

Oh, thanks for reminding me. Done.

Everyone will now be Googling 'Taichung City'

[squeezethatbuffalo]

Small update on the Topping TP60, I just bypassed the ALPS pot, and the results were rather surprising.

I fully expected a very good digital volume control - like the Volumite - to better the ALPS, but it turned out that even the one on SBT sounded superior to me.

I think the volume control is a performance bottleneck for these integrated T-AMPs. I guess that's what Ali's been trying to tell us all along!

[technobear]

Small update on the Topping TP60, I just bypassed the ALPS pot, and the results were rather surprising.

I fully expected a very good digital volume control - like the Volumite - to better the ALPS, but it turned out that even the one on SBT sounded superior to me.

I think the volume control is a performance bottleneck for these integrated T-AMPs. I guess that's what Ali's been trying to tell us all along!

The volume pot is a bottleneck on most amplifiers

I changed the Alps Blue on my Croft for a Glasshouse Seiden/Takman Metal Film stepped attenuator. This gave a large increase in transparency and microdetail with a commensurately large decrease in noise.

http://www.hificollective.co.uk/comp...tiometers.html

[squeezethatbuffalo]

I don't deny that

I found it "surprising" because I normally prefer analog volume control over the SBT's digital one. Then again, it shouldn't surprise me at all, since the pot on the TP60 HAS to be a low quality one due to the low price tag.

Unfortunately, the better pots just won't fit in the small case. So yea, a good pre seems like the best solution. Looks like I'm rediscovering the wheel!

[Ali Tait]

Yes agreed,I'd take the pot out if you're going to keep the amp.