T-amp type things??

[freefallrob]

Hi, I think i'm shortly going to be in the market for a little T amp type thing, I used to own a Trends one years ago but I haven't kept pace with developments and have no idea what the current ebay special budget leader of the pack is.

Can someone enlighten me please:scratch:.

Cheers,

Rob.

[Themis]

Is the T-Amp the only D-class amp you can get ? If I remember properly Sonic Impact T-Amp measured horribly bad with speakers... giving something like +2dB (!!) at 10kHz or so...

I've no idea of the eBay price, though.

[Ali Tait]

Not the cheapest, but easily the best I've heard-

http://www.templeaudio.net/bantamgold.html

The monoblocks are even better if you have the cash.

[flatpopely]

Is the size of the amp a consideration?

[freefallrob]

Hi thanks for the feedback so far, price and size are a consideration i'm afraid, I struggle to accommodate a CD player, turntable and even a small Creek amp!

I have been looking at the MUSE amp on a well known auction site for around 30-40 quid, for my current budget (or lack of) and purpose this looks 'good'.

I found some posts/reviews and it seems reasonable, I'll be using it with a CD player for now and into either JPW Mini Monitors or Wharfedale Diamond II's until I can afford to improve these significantly.

I intend to run a phono stage in into it at some point also, probably with a direct drive turntable....

Cheers,

Rob.

[flatpopely]

Denon DM31?

S/H with super sound and small form factor, not Class D/T harshness.

[freefallrob]

Hmmm, not a bad idea actually, we used to own one of those years ago (UD-M31) it did sound very enjoyable, should never have sold it!

[jandl100]

I've got the Muse amp. It's very good - I feel sure it would knock the Denon for 6 in terms of sound quality - especially transparency and sheer in-room presence.
The Mini-T is even better but it's about twice the price these days.
If you want to spend less than £50 on it, I can recommend the Muse.

Hmm ... Oh dear - this may come across badly :o .... Actually, I've the Muse with PSU sitting on my shelf with not a lot to do! You want it for £25 delivered? :whistle: If you fancy a try with it, PM me your address and it can be on its way! No win, no fee! :)

[Peter Stockwell]

... not Class D/T harshness.

Don't get harshness with my Bantam Gold, au contraire, it's sweet sounding to me. IME. However, I bet it's speaker and listening level dependent.

[jandl100]

Harshness form a Class D/T amp? ... :scratch: ... I think the problems must lie elsewhere!! ;) I must have had a dozen or more of the beasts in my system, none were harsh, some were too laid back and smooth.

[Ali Tait]

Yes, have to agree with this, all amps of this type I have tried have been in no way harsh. You do need sensitive speakers with an easy load for them to give of their best though IMHO.

[aBe]

Harshness form a Class D/T amp? ... :scratch: ... I think the problems must lie elsewhere!! ;) I must have had a dozen or more of the beasts in my system, none were harsh, some were too laid back and smooth.

Agreed

Class D/T amps are way too smooth and laid back, at times taking away some excitement if they were asked to Rock on.

I have the excellent HLLY T-Amp 20 in my second system and an equally good albeit 'faster' Muse M20 amp for satellite radio listening downstairs.

[wee tee cee]

The standard temple audio bantum is a lovely sounding wee amp.£90 all in with a power supply.Can be upgraded with a maplins PSU for under £20.Temple are great to deal with and if its of any importance to you, British built and designed.
Regards Tony.

[jandl100]

Agreed

Class D/T amps are way too smooth and laid back, at times taking away some excitement if they were asked to Rock on.


Hmm ... I agree that most are too laid back (for my tastes anyway). But I've heard a couple of the TA2020 chip amps (the Muse and the Mini-T) and they don't lack for pizzaz and let the excitement of the music through, imo.

Agreed, the 'original' TA2024 Sonic Impact t-amp is a bit of a snooze box (although very impressive at the time for the musicality of its midrange), and so (to a lesser extent) was a HLLY T-amp90 TA2022 chip amp that I was kindly loaned.

I still retain my enthusiasm for the TA2020 chip amps like the Muse and the Mini-T. :)

[Tarzan]

Hmm ... I agree that most are too laid back (for my tastes anyway). But I've heard a couple of the TA2020 chip amps (the Muse and the Mini-T) and they don't lack for pizzaz and let the excitement of the music through, imo.

Agreed, the 'original' TA2024 Sonic Impact t-amp is a bit of a snooze box, and so (to a lesser extent) was a HLLY T-amp90 TA2022 chip amp that I was kindly loaned.

I still retain my enthusiasm for the TA2020 chip amps. :)

Agreed! My Mini-T rocks!:fingers::fingers::)

[freefallrob]

Many thanks for the further replies, I must admit my only experience was with a Trends TA -10 something, I thought it was very good at the time, especially with a CD player directly feeding it, sounded dynamic even at low level with great 'grip', which is a sound I like, i'm not one for pipe and slippers usually.

Although my system is somewhat recession hit at present, I do have plans to get it back to what it once was many moons ago (before houses/wifes and children!).

Cheers, Rob.

[DSJR]

Hmmm, not a bad idea actually, we used to own one of those years ago (UD-M31) it did sound very enjoyable, should never have sold it!

They've got preamp outputs too - for "experimentation." ;)

[Folkboy]

Agreed! My Mini-T rocks!:fingers::fingers::)
There's a new version of the Mini-T out now, supposedly with better sonics and the blinding blue LED is now a blue glow around the volume dial.

[WAD62]

I've got the Muse amp. It's very good - I feel sure it would knock the Denon for 6 in terms of sound quality - especially transparency and sheer in-room presence.
The Mini-T is even better but it's about twice the price these days.
If you want to spend less than £50 on it, I can recommend the Muse.

Hmm ... Oh dear - this may come across badly :o .... Actually, I've the Muse with PSU sitting on my shelf with not a lot to do! You want it for £25 delivered? :whistle: If you fancy a try with it, PM me your address and it can be on its way! No win, no fee! :)

Like Jerry I have a Mini-T, & and a Muse (M21 in my case), both are excellent IMHO.

I got the additional 60W linear PSU for the Muse, and it outperforms the Mini-T, mind you the PSU was about £50.

I've just been re-jigging a couple of my systems and have swapped the Muse/PSU in, for my old upgraded Audiolab 8000S in my study setup (ASIO, M-Audio 192, Beresford TC-7510 mk6/4, Muse/PSU, Mission 780SEs)...and there's a noticeable improvement, in detail, imaging and depth...:)

[freefallrob]

Just want to say a big thank you to jandl100 (Jerry) for the kind loan of the Muse T - amp.

Cheers,

Rob.

[jandl100]

Just want to say a big thank you to jandl100 (Jerry) for the kind loan of the Muse T - amp.

Cheers,

Rob.

No problem, Rob. It's a pleasure to help out. :)

Does anyone else fancy a loan of the Muse? It costs £3-£4 to post each way.