Amptastic - what's going on? A short update from the team

[amptastic]

Hi guys and gals, it's been some time since we've posted up on AoS - apologies!

A few of you have been emailing in to enquire about the status of the next generation Amptastic audio amplifier products. We've also been chatting to a few other forum members over the course of the past few months but we wanted to let everyone know that we are still here and working feverishly hard to get the new line of products to market.

What happened?

We had a couple of struggles to overcome in the last year, we were let down by a major manufacturing partner (they went into liquidation) and also one of our audio engineers became seriously unwell. This delayed the whole development programme. It was incredibly stressful and expensive to overcome, but the passion and kind words from the community kept us going - especially from AoS members. Thanks guys! :)

What's going on right now?

We've moved all production, research and development to the East of England! We are currently securing funding for the tooling needed for the next two models of our Mini audio amplifier. The first model will be a direct replacement and improvement on the original Mini-T amplifier. With our experience and feedback from customers, we really know how to make this amplifier sing. It has been completely overhauled and improved from the ground up, we are going to be supplying custom made ultra low noise power supplies with each unit and specially made components that match the sonics of the amplifier. The circuit board is a thing of beauty, using innovative techniques that you wont find in other audio products, we have built it to last too. The finish and appearance on our products will match those found on the highest end of the market (we know this because we are using exactly the same companies as them to finish the product externally).

What's next?

We're going to post up information showing our pre-production prototype once it has finished EMC testing, and approval. At this point we'll be releasing our new look website with the ability to pre-order (nice discount on this) and obviously we'll give existing customers priority if they shout loud via email :eyebrows:


Finally, we hope you continue to support our little audio company and UK manufacturing. We're really excited about the future of the business and we couldn't have done it without the great support we have from you. Drop us an email if you want more info.

Cheers,
Chris & the team at Amptastic Audio

[Audio Al]

Great news

It all sound fantastic , I want one :D

[kenworthy100]

Looks as though there are exciting times ahead, I cannot wait to see the new models

Best of luck with the venture and thank you for the update

[Xapito]

Thanks for the update on this. I've been waiting for the new product forever now, hope that all these logistic problems won't affect it's quality (I know you promise it's a step up from the former) but also hope it doesn't push too much the bill for the individual consumer as it really is one of it's strenghts and advantadges.

As said before, sign me up to the release list!

[chelsea]

Will they cost a lot more than the original?

[istari_knight]

Will they cost a lot more than the original?

Double at the very least I would imagine with UK manufacture.... "After the price is forgotten quality endures." :eyebrows:

[amptastic]

Will they cost a lot more than the original?

Pricing will be similar to the original, any changes will be due to higher quality genuine components, finish and superior power supply. Margin is very low because we want to keep it affordable and accessible to all.

As istari_knight says, cost of UK manufacture is higher than certain other countries but we need to make sure we are producing a product superior to the competition with outstanding build quality & sound.

We feel that it's essential to put money back into the UK economy where possible.

[wee tee cee]

Some things are worth waiting for and likewise paying for. I have two mini t amps bi amping my sons system they have been faultless and sound fabulous regardless of cost. Temple audio and Tisbury audio provide the amplification in my own system, both British companies that offer fantastic performance and value for money.
I look forward to giving Amptastic my hard earned, I feel strongly that we should support home grown products!

[Xapito]

Double at the very least I would imagine with UK manufacture....

That would be, with all due respect, a nail in the coffin!

[Sovereign]

Very best of luck for the future!

[rubber duck]

The first model will be a direct replacement and improvement on the original Mini-T amplifier.

And the second model? Will there be a power amp (minus volume pot) version?

[jandl100]

And the second model?

Well spotted! :lol:

And well done Chris and his team - I hope it all comes through for you - you'll certainly get my support (and money!). :)

[Tim]

That's good to hear, I love my Mini-T :D

[r100]

+1 I'm in line ... sounds like it's going to sound great !

[amptastic]

Hey guys, just a quick heads up that we're going to be releasing more info over the coming weeks via our blog/email/social media. The website (http://a.amptastic.com/16t196Z) has been revamped and we'll be arranging pre-orders as well as full information on the Mini-1 amplifier as soon as we can, we're waiting for the screen printer so we can take photographs of the final design. We might do some sneak peaks for keen forum members if there is enough interest ;)

[Tarzan]

Hey guys, just a quick heads up that we're going to be releasing more info over the coming weeks via our blog/email/social media. The website (http://a.amptastic.com/16t196Z) has been revamped and we'll be arranging pre-orders as well as full information on the Mini-1 amplifier as soon as we can, we're waiting for the screen printer so we can take photographs of the final design. We might do some sneak peaks for keen forum members if there is enough interest ;)


Yes please.

[John]

Great news

[wee tee cee]

Great news.......hope you're engineer is recovering. Delighted that it is being built here and putting money into our economy. The website looks good and the cables at that price point are well worth a try.

I will give you my business for the new amp but as others have said a monoblock at a wee bit more money would be great. I love my temple amps and my son has tried numerous of my other amps but loves his mini t bi-amp set up and always goes back to them.

Very best of luck with the new range and look forward to plumbing them in and enjoying my favourite music with them.

Just for your info a number of my sons friends (17-21) have heard his set up and built proper wee hi fis around t amps- I pods/phones streaming spotify etc there is a younger market out there that appreciate bang for buck audio-but proper hi fi sound is achievable on weekend job earnings.

All the best,

Tony and my son Matt....

[DSJR]

The interconnects are excellent value (new ferrites at retail cost a few quid each) and perfect for the job IMO. Mine don't seem overly bothered by 'direction' either. Just plug and play!

[infinitydreams]

I've heard good things about this little amp was thinking of one for one of the home office.

Good to know a new model is coming.

[Barry]

Will the new power supply be usable with the original Amptastic amp, and if so can one purchase it separately?

The original Amptastic amp worked very well into B&W DM2As. If the new amp is sold at a similar price, I could well be interested in buying one. I trust the build quality will be as good.

Best of luck with the new venture - it'll be good to see something that is "Made in Britain", and not "Made in China".

[synsei]

Will the new power supply be usable with the original Amptastic amp, and if so can one purchase it separately?

The original Amptastic amp worked very well into B&W DM2As. If the new amp is sold at a similar price, I could well be interested in buying one. I trust the build quality will be as good.

Best of luck with the new venture - it'll be good to see something that is "Made in Britain", and not "Made in China".

I agree Barry, the Mini-T does sound wonderful driving a pair of DM2's at low volume levels but it quickly runs out of puff if the wick is turned up. As long as this is born in mind one won't be disappointed :)

[wee tee cee]

you can always bi-amp them with phono splitters adaptors.......my sons system using two would flap yer trousers.......

[synsei]

The DM2's aren't bi-wirable Tony so I don't think bi-amping would be an option, or am I missing something? ;)

[losenotaminute]

Best of luck with the new venture - it'll be good to see something that is "Made in Britain", and not "Made in China".

Seconded. All of my hifi kit apart from the cartridge is from British companies and I would always try and support local manufacturing. It's not always easy to know where stuff is actually made and it's nice to see a commitment to British made.

Lawrence

[wee tee cee]

NOPE.....

[DSJR]

There are bigger versions of this chip aren't there? A friend has the 40W Topping one I think, and he said that after a couple of days use, it settled down and sounds great driving not very efficient speakers. I haven't done research so may be typing out me backside again :(

[Tarzan]

There are bigger versions of this chip aren't there? A friend has the 40W Topping one I think, and he said that after a couple of days use, it settled down and sounds great driving not very efficient speakers. I haven't done research so may be typing out me backside again :(

TP60 do you mean?:eek:

[amptastic]

Thanks all, it's taken longer to get everything set up here in Cambridgeshire for manufacturing and ultimately costs more, but the difference in end product seems to be huge. The larger companies who can set up their own factories, with staff based overseas, can do amazing things but ultimately for us it comes down to building great hi-fi components with the best quality and ethics going forward. We've squeezed in the best components, design, layout and sound we can at this price point. We could have cut corners using plastic extrusions and other lower grade metals but when we tried it the product just felt completely different and not at all a luxury item that will fit nicely with high end kit.

As we hinted, this is just the tip of the iceberg product wise - the office is littered with interesting prototypes :eyebrows:

We just posted up a sneak peek on our blog, the current reason for delay too: http://a.amptastic.com/16EiHgy
p.s. why not follow us on twitter? https://twitter.com/amptastic/

Barry: We'll check into the PSU situation and hopefully get back to you, don't see why not...

Oh and finally, regarding bi-amping, the new models will make this easier!

ATB, Chris & Team Amptastic

[synsei]

That's great news Chris. Much admiration for you all for it is not easy to relocate everything to another site and get up and running so soon after. Hope you don't mind but I am hot linking your piccy directly to the forum. Let me know if you would rather I remove it ;)

http://25.media.tumblr.com/630fe3f4cc81eff28e4c93b820120839/tumblr_mtbodwPyW91syp80ko1_500.jpg

[amptastic]

No problem at all - more pics to follow very soon :eyebrows:

[synsei]

Excellent... :D

[amptastic]

Meet the Mini-1 amplifier - precision engineering in aesthetics and sound

http://www.amptastic.com/mini-1-preview.jpg

You're seeing it here first on AoS :)

More photos, details to follow :eyebrows:

BTW Last chance to register your interest to win one of the first batch over at http://www.amptastic.com

[istari_knight]

Is it still Tripath based like the MK1 or have you opted for something different ?

[amptastic]

Is it still Tripath based like the MK1 or have you opted for something different ?

This model is Tripath based - years of research and testing have made this the logical choice for the Mini-1. Hopefully we'll set a new benchmark for Class T :)

Other products in the future may contain other amplifier configurations as suitable to their purpose

[Firebottle]

Nice case :)

Alan