How easy a load are your speakers? I'd recommend maybe the Hlly T-amp 20,or the 90 if you need a bit more power.Or perhaps the Bantam-seems to get good reviews.Or you could do it cheaper by buying just some boards and doing a bit of DIY.
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How easy a load are your speakers? I'd recommend maybe the Hlly T-amp 20,or the 90 if you need a bit more power.Or perhaps the Bantam-seems to get good reviews.Or you could do it cheaper by buying just some boards and doing a bit of DIY.
Try www.41hz.com
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
This is a complete board based around the tk2050 tripath chip - output up to 100 watts into 4 ohms.
I'm not electronically savvy, but even I could plug in a laptop power supply for this to work. And work it does. I'm currently using it on a computer sourced set up with a Benchmark Dac1, then this board powering Castle Isis speakers. I love the sound. For £27 it is a 'no brainer' for anyone wanting to explore tripath chips. With no mods at all, it is a very classy sounding amplifier.
I've had the Sonic Impact, still got Trends Audio TA10 and the Teac Al700p and also use a winsome labs mouse. So, I've been a keen follower of this technology and sound. The Sure Electronics IMO is brilliant for the money. Typical of the tripath sound, it has a very clean and sweet top end. The bass goes down well, but lacks some articulation. But the mid range is wonderful, a little forward but brimming with detail. It is a more full bodied sound, compared to my leaner sounding Winsome Labs mouse.
I'm sure that improvements could be made on the power supply I'm using, but, in all honesty, for an office hifi setup, the sound is so musical, that I can't be bothered tweaking it further. It's also a setup that makes nonsense of the formulaic approach to system building ie spend 1/? of your budget on source, 1/? on amp and 1/? on speakers. The original sonic impact was startling for £20 to £30. The sure electronics amp board is much better IMO.
I only dip into this forum once and a while but hope this gives food for thought.
Thanks Jtay. Is noise from the fan a problem?
In my case I use sensitive speakers but the manufactures recommend 20w and my Tripath only gives 8-10w. All this means is that I use it with the volume up around 2 oclock. I would prefer a more powerful amp.
I think Tripath are underated and I am sure many people dont try them because they are cheap.
Agreed.I was amazed by this Hlly.
You guys reckon the Hlly amp would be up for a fight against my Cambridge Audio 640C SS amp?
Could be a very cheap upgrade?
It's very good.Bring your amp over if you'd like to compare.
I've bought two of these boards in the last year, replacing the output coils (with heavier duty Wurths), input caps (with Daytons and old PIOs) and rail caps (with a sextet of Panasonic FC 1000uF/35V). I haven't done it yet, but replacing the heatsink/fan combo with a Zalman passive device should be helpful. A good power supply is essential, about 27V to 32V. Sure Electronics sells the oddly-named Meanwells, which are a great deal in themselves; for US$50, you get a hash-free SMPS that doesn't flag under load. My Meanwell's fan has never turned on. For well under US$150, you can enjoy listening to a real giant-killer. I've owned ASL tube monoblocks and a Triode Electronics modded ST-70, and I like the Sure more, much more. The Sure is a fabulously rich-sounding and dynamic amplifier. Smooth, too.
Naturally, my statements are based on my opinions, though I've sprinkled in some relevant facts. ;) YMMV, etc., etc.
--Alan
I've been looking at those Sure modules, not got around to trying one yet, theres a load of stuff to mod on it too.
The Paul Hynes PR3 based PSU I knocked up for the Technics would be ideal for one of these, it allows the voltage out to be adjusted quite easy
For anybody who tried them in the UK whats the total cost you paid for one including P&P?