Old stuff

[Sandro]

This nice stuff followed me for at least 25 years, in 5 different houses and 2 marriages :D

http://imageshack.us/a/img543/7978/img00613201212051235.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img255/6296/img00614201212051235.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img132/769/img00615201212051237.jpg

[prestonchipfryer]

Hi Vicenza. I had a Rotel amp, it was an RA-870, but that was over 20 years ago. Cannot remember who I sold it to but it was (well I thought so at the time) a good un'. 60 watts per channel, NO tone controls.

[Sandro]

Yep,
mine has no tone control neither. I think the philosophy was to have less possible circuits and not trying to modify the original signal...

I wonder how this stuff is rated against today's products.
I mean, to which contemporary amp may I compare my Rotel?
Maybe improved technology could provide me with a better amp without spending a fortune ?

What about the B&W ? Are modern speakers better than this "vintage" stuff ?

[prestonchipfryer]

I wonder how this stuff is rated against today's products.
I mean, to which contemporary amp may I compare my Rotel?
Maybe improved technology could provide me with a better amp without spending a fortune ?

Probably, but you would need to listen to any integrated v your Rotel to form an opinion. Having said that, at present I am using a Quad 405 power amp. which dates back to 1979 and I love it!

What about the B&W ? Are modern speakers better than this "vintage" stuff

No, I don't think that is necessarily true, as their are many folk here who use vintage speakers.

[Marco]

Hi Vicenza...

Yo daftee, his name is Sandro, and he's FROM Vincenza! :doh:

Mi scusi, sandro, ma questi Inglese sono veramente stupido! :D

Spero che ci si diverte sul forum :)

Ciao,
Marco.

[prestonchipfryer]

Ooops, stupid is as stupid does. And I'm sure Sandro will enjoy the forum.

With people like me he will certainly have a good laugh. :ner:

Chiedo scusa per il mio errore, Sandro.

[Marco]

Lol - your Italian's better than your English! ;)

Marco.

[prestonchipfryer]

:)

[Sandro]

Nessun problema John, e complimenti a te e a Marco per il vostro italiano :D

I'm really enjoying the forum, after years away from the audiophiles world, I'm trying to catch up with all the news. T-amps ? USB DACs ? Wow !!! :interesting:

Right now I'm browsing eBay and I'm only a click away from buying a TA2020 amp, just to try one :D

[synsei]

You won't regret it Sandro they are cracking little amps ;)

[Sandro]

Yep Synsei, I'm reading lot of nice comments about them.
Any specific brand or model to advise ?

[synsei]

Well, I drive an Amptastic Mini-T with a Classe Audio DR5 pre. The Mini-T supplanted a modified Hafler DH220 power amp and I have not looked back. I use the current model Amptastic amp, however the company are due to release a new model very soon so if you are not in a hurry it should be well worth waiting for. Amptastic can be found on ebay.

Here's a review for ya... :)

http://hifipig.com/do-good-things-come-in-small-packages-amptastic-mini-t/

[Barry]

You won't regret it Sandro they are cracking little amps ;)

Agreed, the Amptastic Mini-T is a remarkable little amplifier, and like you, I use it with B&W DM2A's.

Like Sandro, I was attracted to the Mini-T because it was a lot of watts in an unbelievably small package and for very little money. I wasn't expecting too much, but was delighted with it's performance.

It now forms part of my 'home cinema'; actually the audio channels of my DVD player and/or Freeview decoder.

[Idlewithnodrive]

I've recently usurped my WAD6550 Integrated and my Quad 33/303 combo :eek: with a Trends Audio TA10.1 2024 based amp and it is really awesome :)

Just what I was looking for for my very small listening room.

[Sandro]

I'm reading lot of reviews and spending lot of time on eBay. :D
Given my B&W CDM 2 speakers (87db) would you advise a T2020 or a T2024 ?

I subscribed the Amptastic newsletter, as I'd like to buy one when the new model will be released, but in the meantime I don't know if I'll resist, probably I'l go for one of the cheaper Chinese on eBay :)

[Idlewithnodrive]

Sandro,

My TA10.1's are the 2024 chipset, they get rave reviews and drive my 87dB Royd Minstrels plenty loud enough but that is in a small room. One thing these amps do well is bass and bass control.

Apparently the 2024 have a bit more refined mids/highs than the 2020's. I also have an Amptastic 2020 but I much prefer the Trens Audio.

Only problem is that they don't come up used very often.

[Sandro]

Thanks Mike, I found some Muse 2024 at ridiculous prices on eBay.
I think one of them will keep me happy until the new Amptastic will be available.

[Ali Tait]

The Amptastic is a nice little amp, but I think the Temple Audio Bantam Gold is a fair bit better, though at a higher price.