Help choosing amp! [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

kinski

12-07-2011, 14:49

Hi all, this is my first post. Thanks for a great forum! Tons of information here!

I'm trying to decide between two TA2020 T amps.

The SMSL SA-36A:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2011-Tripath-Class-T-Amp-TA2020-Amplifier-12V-PSU-/290541836899?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a5a49a63

or the Muse EX2:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MUSE-M20-EX2-TA2020-2-20W-T-AMP-Stereo-Pro-Amplifier-/320723200733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aac97aadd#ht_5951wt_1141

The guts between these two units seem pretty different. Any help on how to decide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Peter Stockwell

12-07-2011, 15:33

At those prices you could buy both, and throw away the one you like least!

dave2010

12-07-2011, 15:34

I can't really comment about these two. I'd be interested to know what they're like though. Some of us have recommended the Bantams - price around £100 to getting on for £200 for the Gold model, and mention has been made of amps from amptastic - around £60, which are supposedly better than the Muse models. I'm guessing that the Muse might be quite good if you want a cheapie, but if you want a quality model you'll have to pay more. I myself have been tempted by some of the cheapie ones - but not succumbed so far. Also check that the price includes a PSU unless you're prepared to do your own PSU thing. Not sure if HLLY direct from China do anything which would suit you - some seem to rate them very highly.

What do you want such an amp for? Knowing your application might enable us to give you better advice.

Well done on your first post - keep coming back!

kinski

12-07-2011, 16:20

Hi, thanks for the responses.

I guess I'm looking to upgrade my horrible sound system. I've been using a junk receiver and two old dusty Bose.

I don't have a tone of cash for the upgrade at the moment, so I was thinking about getting one of the cheap T-amps, and a pair of the NHT Superzero 2.0, with the matching NHT Super 8 Sub.

I don't need a ton of volume since i live in a brooklyn apartment. I'm open to suggestions for speakers, I have just heard the NHT are pretty good for the price range.

Thoughts? Thanks again!

kinski

12-07-2011, 17:21

Would these TA2020 amps be enough power for a 86db pair? What about the Paradigm Atoms at 90db, would that be better?

I would possibly not get a sub if I got the Paradigm Atoms.

Thanks again.

Ali Tait

12-07-2011, 18:31

I've found Tripath amps sound better with more sensitive speakers, they don't seem to like to have to try hard.

Les Paul '67

05-10-2011, 20:15

Hi,

My speakers are 86 db and I use an Amptaatic mini T. If you don't need loads of volume the mini t can drive sufficiently :-)

There is a dedicated thread re: the Amptaatic

monkfish

06-10-2011, 06:27

Hi
I have tried the Muse 2020, Muse 2024, Sure 2024, Lepai 2020, the SMSL looks the same (similar) to the Muse 2020.
As far as I can tell they all have a similar sound signature with the 2020 based amps slightly more powerful.
The Lepai 2020 was a cheaper made effort with poor speaker spring clips and a more industrial build which would be OK if hidden away.
The Lepai can be currently bought on Ebay for £16 ish with power supply, the others are about £25-40 ish if you look about.
Hope this is of some help to you, they are remarkable amps for the money and if not pushed too hard will sound just fine and dandy.
Regards
Jim

DSJR

06-10-2011, 11:20

What about a good used NAD 3020A? I bet it would easily out-perform these gutless "T-amp" wonders and reveal more in the source too. The one I used at work in set-up duties was used long and hard for nigh on twenty years and apart from phono sockets becoming unsoldered with the constant pulling and pushing of plugs, it never missed a beat and sounded lovely..

Not what you wanted to hear, but far more practical if you wanted to listen to MUSIC through the Bose thingies... :)

lovejoy

06-10-2011, 13:29

The Muse is excellent. Nicely built, with phono inputs, 4mm speaker plug sockets/binding posts and a brick type switch mode power supply rated at 12V/5A.

Bought mine from Ebay for £40 from user earphones_uk and it turned up within 3 days.

I bought it for use with a tiny pair of Tannoy Mercury MR speakers as a bedroom system and I'm over the moon with this little amp. Plenty of volume. In fact, I never turn it above 9 o' clock. There's certainly a lot more power in the 2020 chipsets than in the old 2024 I had a while back.

Just for entertainment value I thought I'd take it downstairs and put it on the end of my ProAc Response D15s in place of my Dynavectors...

These little amps are incredible. Apart from not playing loud enough through the ProAcs (so watch the sensitivity of the speakers you're going to use), I could live quite happily with one of these in my main system. That's pretty high praise when it was sat in place of a Dynavector L-300/HX75 combo! Not to mention a little bit scary! I can't see a NAD 3020 punching that far above its weight (good as they are).

DSJR

06-10-2011, 18:11

You'd be surprised sir, indeed you would, as it was this very aspect that endeared it to so many around the world :D

Don't mind me going off occasionally. You have to allow an old man his madness sometimes :lol: :peace: :mental:

jandl100

07-10-2011, 07:01

What about a good used NAD 3020A? I bet it would easily out-perform these gutless "T-amp" wonders and reveal more in the source too.

Heh! Wrong again, Dave! :eyebrows:

Welder

07-10-2011, 08:43

Apparently the Pre from a NAD 3020 and a pair of Temple Bantum Mono’s make a pretty decent noise.

Off to hear the combo this weekend.

DSJR

07-10-2011, 08:57

Heh! Wrong again, Dave! :eyebrows:

It depends whether you like a stripped and tinny sound I suppose :ner:

Oh alright, I'll get Alex to flog his godawful T amp and buy summat better. I'll only get the chance to hear one that way :)

WAD62

07-10-2011, 09:05

Apparently the Pre from a NAD 3020 and a pair of Temple Bantum Mono’s make a pretty decent noise.

Off to hear the combo this weekend.

Interesting John, I've been considering using the bantam mono's with my Audiolab Q, as future replacements for my Audiolab power amps...it'll be interesting to hear what you think. :)

DSJR

07-10-2011, 13:55

WAD62

07-10-2011, 15:18

I ought to suggest a Croft preamp to replace the Q and leave the Audiolab power amps where they are - possibly :) I think the Audiolabs could take a passive control unit as well, although I haven't tried one.....

Why drop the power output available into a wide vareity of 'orrible speaker loads on a whim for the latest mini-wonders? I didn't think the laws of physics could be bent that much :scratch:?

A. I like my upgraded Audiolab Q, and I need a good flexible integration point for my other sources.

B. I'm very impressed with the Class-T amps I own and have owned, Bantam, Bantam Gold, Mini-T, Muse...

C. I'd like to reduce my power consumption, and I could leave the Bantam monos on all the time.

D. I reckon that 4 * bantam Monos would be sufficiently powerful for my relatively efficient speakers.

Any good for you? ;)

Not sure why you have such a negative view about class-t amps :)

Alex_UK

07-10-2011, 22:36

It depends whether you like a stripped and tinny sound I suppose :ner:

Oh alright, I'll get Alex to flog his godawful T amp and buy summat better. I'll only get the chance to hear one that way :)

As long as it is the same size as a couple of fag packets and can be hidden away behind a plate like my Mini-T is. ;)

Alex_UK

07-10-2011, 22:44

Not sure why you have such a negative view about class-t amps :)

Dave heard my Mini-T (with a Rega Saturn and Harbeth SHL5's if memory serves) at hifi Dave's back in April, I recall. To be honest, I don't think hifi Dave nor I thought it was as bad as DSJR does, (I think "tinny" is maybe a little harsh ;)) but I certainly agree with him that it feels gutless, and flat - maybe with better matched partnering equipment they sound great, but otherwise mine is absolutely fine for background music in the dining room, but I'm afraid I wouldn't let it near my main system after one experimental try. Perhaps the T-Class and "BBC Legacy" just doesn't synergise?

MartinT

08-10-2011, 00:06

They just don't go loud and don't like inefficient speakers. They drive my speakers - extremely near field - by my computer screen very nicely and sound good within their limited performance envelope.

After all, what can you expect from a +12V power supply which will give effectively 6V max voltage swing.

WAD62

10-10-2011, 09:23

Dave heard my Mini-T (with a Rega Saturn and Harbeth SHL5's if memory serves) at hifi Dave's back in April, I recall. To be honest, I don't think hifi Dave nor I thought it was as bad as DSJR does, (I think "tinny" is maybe a little harsh ;)) but I certainly agree with him that it feels gutless, and flat - maybe with better matched partnering equipment they sound great, but otherwise mine is absolutely fine for background music in the dining room, but I'm afraid I wouldn't let it near my main system after one experimental try. Perhaps the T-Class and "BBC Legacy" just doesn't synergise?

Like you Alex, my class-T (or D) amps are confined to secondary systems, my main system is still using Audiolab power amps (a P & an SX).

However I've a feeling that the bantam monoblocks raise the stakes somewhat, and they could possibly represent a genuine alternative for the future, and certainly a more efficient one.

We'll see what John reports back...;)

Welder

11-10-2011, 19:06

I did get to hear the Bantam mono’s Will but tbh I got completely distracted by my mate turning up with my old Exposure kit all fixed, with a recap and some rather nice tweaks
(not quite sure what the problem is here but these links are for cute girlie jumping emicons. Should have the full set here really)

Erm..
http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/03e0a8d8256888a607f5ce4ab6dc04c920ece145c8f5c56ce5 3aa4a80c4f8c622g.jpg (http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=dsnvms74bt4vs6d&thumb=5) http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/03e0a8d8256888a607f5ce4ab6dc04c920ece145c8f5c56ce5 3aa4a80c4f8c622g.jpg (http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=dsnvms74bt4vs6d&thumb=5)

It’s only taken him three years :eek:

All I can say is I wasn’t impressed enough to make me want to rush out and buy a set, but then again I wasn’t impressed with the Chord CPM 3350 I heard either.

So sorry mate, i just didn't pay attention really :doh:

Reid Malenfant

11-10-2011, 19:10

I did get to hear the Bantam mono’s Will but tbh I got completely distracted by my mate turning up with my old Exposure kit all fixed, with a recap and some rather nice tweaks

It’s only taken him three years :eek:
Good job it wasn't a KSA250 then, as it'd have taken thirty :lol:

By the way John, i didn't know any hyperlinks were there on your post until I quoted it...

I'd alter the jumping things if i was you so you can actually see a link is there m8 ;)

ATB :)

Welder

11-10-2011, 19:26

Wot! Can’t see my girlie emicons ffs!

Tbh I had more or less given up on seeing the amps back in working order as they got caught in the path of an irate Italian female in full flow.

Can’t thank the guy enough really. It was well beyond my electronics skill and patience to fix. They sound fantastic now but have raised a few electronics questions perhaps some of the experts can enlighten me about later :scratch:

Reid Malenfant

11-10-2011, 19:29

Wot! Can’t see my girlie emicons ffs!
I can see them as plain as day John, what i'm trying to say is that there is no indication that they are hyperlinks to pictures (perhaps you should mention this in the original post ;)).

Like click on the jumping bimbos :lol:

E2A:- The link just goes to the file hosting site & the jumping bimbo... No amp pics :scratch:

Welder

11-10-2011, 19:43

Erm, no mate no amp pics.:scratch:

I'll tell you what, I'll try to remember to get my daughter to take some with her phone when she's round next.

Reid Malenfant

11-10-2011, 19:49

I'll tell you what, I'll try to remember to get my daughter to take some with her phone when she's round next.
Would love to see them John :)

wee tee cee

11-10-2011, 22:42

I run 4 temple monos and cant say they lack anything in the grunt department.The gain setting can be altered by the power button on the front to suit your speaker load or pre amp output.Cant say I've noticed them getting remotely flustered when driven hard. The soundstage and resolution are very good.
I really enjoyed the sound of my bantum in the same way I enjoyed a valve set up I was kindly loaned.The monos retain the 3d soundstage but build on the resolution and provide trouser flapping oomph when required.
In terms of value for money/performance I cant think of anything that comes close when bought new.
They are letting me rediscover my music collection afresh....many tracks that I wrote off as badly recorded are now very listenable......In saying that,they cant turn shite into gold.
Regards Tony.

WAD62

12-10-2011, 08:33

I did get to hear the Bantam mono’s Will but tbh I got completely distracted by my mate turning up with my old Exposure kit all fixed, with a recap and some rather nice tweaks

No problem John, I can empathise, my main DAC was away for repair for 18 months a couple of years ago (not quite up to your level). Getting it back fully working and recapped was tremendous...I'd been using my old Meridian 506 (16bit) in its place, what a relief ;)

WAD62

12-10-2011, 08:34