Hi there everyone! [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Lol

03-08-2012, 09:36

I'm not really sure what I am expected to say and usually avoid all social networking as negativity and downright rudeness often seems to be the order of the day.
Having recently moved back to Blighty, I am building a hifi system. At the moment I have a Sony CX 90ES CD player, some Grado 60i phones, a Teac V8030S cassette deck (remember them). On my shopping list is a Bushmaster DAC and a pair of Dali Zensor 1's.
So, I need a budget amp (don't need any bells & whistles like phono-stage, tone, etc.) and I live in a flat so high volumes are out of the question.
I have read positive things about the Mini T amp and hope it will pair well with the Dali's.
Lol (my name for about 50 years).

Barry

03-08-2012, 09:58

Welcome to AoS Laurie.

The Mini T is a remarkable little amp available at budget price. I use one connected to my DVD player running into B&W DM2a speakers. It is fine at low volumes.

I don't know how difficult a load the Dali Zensor 1's are - if they are a difficult load the Mini T may not work too well powering them.

What are your tastes in music by the way?

Welcome again

Regards

Lol

03-08-2012, 10:13

Puffin

03-08-2012, 13:21

Hi Lol. Welcome along.

Barry

03-08-2012, 13:57

The Zensor's : Crossover frequency: 2.9kHz. Frequency response: 53Hz–26.5kHz, ±3dB. Nominal impedance: 6 ohms. Sensitivity: 86.5dB.
What do you think?
I have an eclectic taste in music. I enjoy indie, classic jazz, blues, reggae and classical. Just about everything except country (surprising maybe as I'm an American citizen).
Thanks again for your kind welcome Barry,
Lawrie.

Haha - that just about agrees with my tastes as well. Nothing wrong with being eclectic.

Apropos the speaker load, what you need to look at is the variation of speaker impedance with frequency. A 'nominal' impedance of 6 ohm doesn't really tell you much. Some speakers can have quite an erratic variation of impedance: my own do, varying between 2 ohm and 30 ohm! The Mini-T would not be able to cope.

If the variation is only a couple of Ohm, then the Mini-T ought to be OK.

Regards

guyhayton

03-08-2012, 16:00

Welcome.

What an excellent choice in speakers :eyebrows:

I cannot really comment on "easy to drive" but I am very pleased with my 25W amplifier which definitely falls into the low cost bracket and produces a nice sound out of my Zensors.

It is more costly than a Mini-T amp but it gives you some extra inputs for expansion and is actually very well built. Cambridge Audio AM5 Amplifier (http://www.richersounds.com/product/amplifiers-receivers/cambridge-audio/topaz-am5/camb-topaz-am5-blk)

Lol

04-08-2012, 15:18

I've looked into your amp suggestion (CA AM5) and some owners report problems when playing the amp at low volume. This concerns me as I am only able to play my music quietly.

guyhayton

04-08-2012, 16:54

... some owners report problems when playing the amp at low volume.

This is down to the non-ALPS (cheap!) volume control and at very low volumes it can have trouble with its channel separation - if you have seen the same reports as me then you know this can be easily fixed with the balance control. This is not isolated to the CA amp but happens to a lot of low cost amplifiers - in fact I had an Arcam amp a number of years ago that had the same issue of maintaining balance at low volumes. It's all down to keeping costs low and compromises made by the designer/manufacturer.

I have tried to recreate this "problem" and it really only seems to happen at a really, really low volume when you have literally only turned the volume a tiny, tiny fraction from its start position - and its only then noticeable if I put my ear right next to the speakers to detect the lack of balance.

I don't play my music loud and I don't have the "problem" you refer to. However, If you are seriously considering this amplifier then give it a try at one of the stores to see if you can experience the "problem" - my definition of low volume may be different than yours! ;-)