Sounds like something with the TA2022 chip would suit you sir.
Printable View
Sounds like something with the TA2022 chip would suit you sir.
Has anyone tried the Bantam monoblocks? Seems to be moving away from cheap options, but if the quality is good might be worthwhile. Perhaps Ali would simply suggest a pair of HLLY 90s?!?
I believe the Hlly can be bridged.
Am l right in thinking the Hily T now has two inputs?:)
Dunno. Just been looking at the Bantam stuff.Looks good,and you get a warranty too.
Another ta2022 amp to throw out for consideration: the Poppulse t150.
Anyone tried it or anybody with an eye for these things want to take a look?
http://www.poppulse.com.hk/T150.html
Hello alll,
New member. Great thread about T-amps. I currently have one of the smaller Topping T-amps, and am considering the TP60 to act as a power amp in my current setup. My preamp would be a NAD 116, which I am quite fond of: phono, remote, nice headphone output, XLR in and out, etc...
Would the TP60 be a suitable match? Speakers are Castle Tay monitors rated 87 dB. The TP60 should do 50 wpc into 8 ohms, which is more than the current 30 wpc NAD power amp I am using now. If I were to go ahead, how hard is it to jump the volume pot?
You'd need to make sure both amps have the same gain, otherwise you will get an unbalanced sound
Sorry, should have clarified. This topping would replace the current NAD power amp. Don't wish to bi-amp at this point.
Ah right. No need to jumper the vol pot.Just set between two thirds and three quarters and forget about it.Use the NAD to control volume.
The little Virtue ONE.2 looks like a real bargain, has the same chipset as the M901?
Let you know, as l am getting a home dem of the Sensation 901:cool:
I recently picked up a Virtue one.2 second hand from someone who had already shipped it over to Europe. It's got the upgraded power supply they sell. Really an impressive little amp, so far. I do believe it has the same chipset as the Sensation. It's exceedingly easy to bypass the volume pot, which results in a more forward, immediate sound. I'll also be swapping out the capacitors to get closer to the Sensation's specs. The other differences being more inputs and copper posts (as well as the really tempting tube buffer option).
I'm still burning in a hlly tamp-90 that had a horrendously long stay in French customs before I give the two (destined to different set-ups) a comparison.
Be interesting to read your impressions. I used to have a 90. Nice little amp.
IDIOT QUESTION ALERT could l use the PSU from my Cambridge audio 640p whose PSU reads 12v 500A written on it, l would like to try this on my Mini-T which has a 12v 2A PSU, ta:)
No, the PSU can't supply enough current :rolleyes: It might well turn on & work at very low volume, but as soon as you start turning it up the PSU will go into current limit & the voltage will drop like a lead balloon :eyebrows:
I could have sworn that said 12V 500mA a minute ago?Quote:
12v 500A
Indeed 12v 500mA, cheers Mark.:)
Yes, only has a quarter of the required current. You could try it the other way round though, to see if there is any improvement on the Cambridge.
Yeah, it's a no go i'm afraid - too little current output :doh:
Hi There, I also have a Mini-T, but with the 12v 5A SMPS, additionally I have a Muse M21 EX T-Amp, for which I bought an upgraded 60W linear PSU, which makes a massive difference to the Muse...Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_2362wt_812
...however it has only just returned from repair (as of 25mins ago), I started a thread on the repair in the DIY section about 5 weeks ago if you want to check it out. Mark et al were very helpful in the problem resolution...thanks again guys it's sounding very good again. :cool:
So buyer beware!!! :eyebrows:
I'll try it with the Mini-T when I can check out the polarity in better light, out of interest has your Mini-T got an adapter on the amp end of the power lead? I've just noticed mine has, which can't help... :scratch:
Hi Will, yes it has, interested to hear any thoughts of an upgraded PSU for the Mini-T
I'm looking into the possibilty of using a small amp like the mini t and ive read a little about it's performance with high end kit.
How would it do with budget speakers like the q acoustics 2020 for instance?
Strange about the adapter, I wondered if it was just the 5A version...I'll check the polarity very closely before I try the Muse PSU...and will report back. :eyebrows:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
I'm sure the PSU will help the sound quality, as it does with the M21, but it does rather mess up the aesthetics...it's a beast! ;)
Hi Lee,Quote:
Originally Posted by webby
I've been using mission 780SE bookshelf speakers with my T-Amps (along with SqueezeBox receivers) and they make a very neat solution for a secondary system.
I must admit to not having heard the Qs, but I'm sure they'll be reasonably similar in characteristics to most decent bookshelf speakers.
The sound is very punchy and open, but stick with copper cable as it might sound too bright with silver...as I found out on one system :doh:
I do not know your speakers but should work fine I found the amp to be clean fast and lots of detail I use all silver cables and did not have any issuesQuote:
Originally Posted by webby
Probably too much of a sweeping statement from me John... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by John
Just to clarify with the mission 780SEs I found that the copper cables were slightly better for the Mini-T & the Muse M21, and necessary for the Bantam Gold, which was too bright with QED silver. (source being a M-Audio 2496)
On the other hand my missus is using a Bantam Classic with some Wharfedale diamonds, and the silver cable really helped there, otherwise the sound was rather dull with copper. (source being a Muse mini USB DAC) :)
P.S. The Muse PSU does improve the sound quality of the Mini-T, a richer fuller sound. The improvement is not as pronounced as with the Muse M21, but it's certainly a worthwhile upgrade.
Only problem is the reliability (or otherwise) of the muse PSU :eyebrows:
P.P.S. My mate bought a Mini-T about 2 weeks ago, it is different to mine, the speaker connectors have changed from the gold screw fit ones to banana plug only sockets, strangely identical to the ones used on the Muse, must be using very similar components...:scratch: Oh and more worryingly it blew up last week, it is being replaced as we speak.
N.B. It also has a polarity adaptor attached, so it looks to be the norm :)
Interesting the Muse PSU made the Mini-T sound fuller, as l think ( in my system anyway) the Mini-T sounds very full, smooth and dynamic, but we always want more - did you get any increase in volume Will?:) Are we talking subtle improvement or a oh my gosh improvement?:)
Definitely more subtle with the mini-t (it probably has a better supply than the muse out of the box), with the muse it's 'Oh my gosh', must be making up for a more obvious deficiency in the muse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
No obvious major volume improvement with either, just a meatier sound, which I suppose is a bit of a contradiction...a fuller sound is probably a better way of saying it. ;)
Edit; If the Mini-T was my main system amp I would get the additional PSU, but as I use it in the kitchen and there's limited space I'll live with the standard PSU, and the muse M21 needs it more...
Hi Folks,
Just received my mini T-Amp HiFi Amplifier + 2A PSU TA2020 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...ht_4893wt_1141 and all I can say is WOW I'm absolutely gobsmacked that this £60 wee amp can sound in so many ways sound even better than £3000 worth of amps :doh: more detail, sweetness, openness, I'm actually shocked. I'll tell you what I will do, when Carol finishes her nightshift at the end of the week I'm going to do a blind A/B listening test with her and report back to this thread the results on Saturday plus some pics.
Marty
I’m not going to say what I’ve ordered this last week.
It’s got a bloody glass tube in though :eek:
(Omg, I’ll never live this down :doh:)
Is the power supply linear or switched mode?
They...are Linear :eyebrows:
(Well, they wus when they gets here. Dont know how Linear they will be if I dont like them and start hammer adjustments)
Tee-hee!Quote:
Originally Posted by Welder
Just as a general point about T-Amps, in my experience they seem to sound good even at a low volume. They don't seem to suffer from a 'sweet spot' in the same way as more conventional amps do.
So if you're not able to wack the volume up, or like me use one in the bedroom (no sniggering at the back ;)), they're ideal. :)
This..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-100w-TK2050-...item519760c047
Is a ridiculously good amp at a stupidly low price. It can be upgraded with a rotary encoder volume control for just a few quid more and there are many, many sites detailing upgrade opportunities. I had the four channel version and it sounded great. In fact, I intend to get one of these at some point and put it in a nice box from modushop.
That looks a bit cheeky, on board heat sink and fan for the chipset!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by aquapiranha
Please start a DIY thread if you do, I'd be very interested in copying, if my skills are up to it...;)
Hi Will. Many people replace the fan and heatsink with a passive alternative since it is essentially the same as a northbridge heatsink in a PC. You really do not need any DIY skills at all to build one of these into a case with a PSU. Sure also sell the Meanwell SWMP's ( many do not like these, but when I built the other amp with one, there was absolutley no audible noise or hum that I could detect) and they also do an offer with the amp and PSU together.Quote:
Originally Posted by WAD62
Steve
Cheers Steve very tempting, especially with a passive heatsink, I can feel a project coming on...;)Quote:
Originally Posted by aquapiranha
OK Will. Check out this feature, I am sure Blair would not mind me linking to it...
http://www.justblair.co.uk/sure-2x10...pressions.html
Cheers Steve...presumably one can make them as a 'power amp' only, my idea was to have a couple of stereo power amps for bi-amping.Quote:
Originally Posted by aquapiranha
Yes Will that is correct. If you want you can add a pot, or better still the rotary encoder that Sure can supply or leave as is and use a pre amp.
Looks like a real interesting project, now if there was only a idoit guide to this I go for it Would people be willing to help a complete novice in this
Hi John. I am sure you will find the folks on here more than helpful when it comes to building stuff like this.
Any suggested vendors for a Topping TP60? I figure most if not all come straight from Asia, but any sellers more reputable than others? Really wish there were more North American dealers for T-amps. Mind you Parts Express have a nice little unit:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-383
I digress, looking for something with more power, so TP60 it may be...
The photos I have seen of the insides of the Toppings would suggest their capacitors are of better quality than many other makes use. The TP60 or TP21 would be my choice for a T amp.
Can I assume therefore that the Rotary Encoder is effectively a 'Digital Volume Control', and therefore better than a pot.Quote:
Originally Posted by aquapiranha
I might try an 'integrated' one first, my long term goal is to use 'digital amps' throughout (possibly to replace my Audiolab SX & P power amps), for efficiency reasons...as long as there's no compromise in sound quality that is...;)
Own up time.
I’ve been reading this T Class amp thread with a great deal of interest. For a start, there are a few contributors on this thread who’s opinions on audio I have come to respect, no silly claims, a willingness to experiment, seemingly no particular bias for any medium or any equipment, and more importantly, Scotsmen; probably almost as tight as me :rolleyes: :lol:
Despite my piss taking concerning the eye candy/secondary central heating/overpriced knobs and dials display addicts I baulked at the thought of some 3” by 3” non descript box with a transformer hanging off the back replacing my current array.
Yep, I’m human too ;)
Add to this my recent experience of some NuForce kit and the self acknowledged reality that I wasn’t going to be able to afford a NAD M2 for the foreseeable future (may not be that long at my age:eek:), the temptation to find out whether a T Class amp could put a smile on my face and stop my wallet from cringing in a corner eventually proved too much and I, or rather we, myself and two friends (told ya I was tight) bought one, or rather a bit of a selection.
We all tried to find out as much as we could about the different makes/kit combinations available and some very interesting discussions ensued; which chip? what power? Omg, those case look awful, your bloody joking mate, no tubes in my setup, those chokes look like they’ve been ripped out of a wall wart, switch modes, no thanks.
Me, well I was all for getting the cheapest, but I got over ruled:doh:; the general consensus being, lets give the T Cass the best chance of performing and go for something adaptable, caseless and with minimal building and maximum reputation.
This is what we bought.
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
We had a range of transformers between us so that saved a few quid.
Despite my protestations of having recently spent six quid on some exotic interconnects from Belkin and the heart stopping payment of fifty quid to a robbing electrician for a bit of paper I was forced to borrow a crowbar and prise open my wallet to the tune of £150!! :eek:
Autocostruire were extremely tolerant of our enquiries, delivered quickly a well packed box with excellent instructions and I highly recommend them as a company.
It took less than a day to build the 2020 kit and wire up so that the 2020 and T100 could both be used with the Tube Pre and the Power supply. The only real drawback is having to swap transformers and connect up the power supply from board to board.
I’m supposed to be putting them in cases but we haven’t got past squabbling over who’s turn it is to listen to them yet.
Frankly I’m gobsmacked by the sound these produce. The 100watt version is easily as good as my Quantum’s and does some things better than my Exposure and they haven’t even been properly boxed and connected yet, never mind tweaked and fully burnt in.
The 20 watt has enough power to drive my speakers where I live now but in a larger room they will clip and T class clipping is a lot more unpleasant to listen to than say a tube amp clipping.
The 20 watt can’t drive my mates Quads. The rest of us all have hand built speakers which we’ve had differing degrees of success with.
I’ve read a number of comments in the vein that while T Class may be some things, musical they’re not; bollocks, these are extraordinarily musical and so far completely untiring to listen to, one of the things I find most important and why I’ve stuck with the Exposure for years :mental:
Whether these are better than the Sonic T’s and the Bantam Golds I cant say having heard neither. However, these do have some sensible components, the air core chokes being particularly interesting.
True, they need boxes and this starts to push the price up considerably, particularly if you’re going for separate boxes for PSU and Pre and Power.
Autocostruire say that their single board built Tube Pre/PSU/T100 probably performs better than separates and I’m quite happy to take their word for this.
Are they worth the money? For around £400 for this
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
and this
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
or this if you were consider two T100 power amps (extra of course)
http://www.autocostruire.com/catalog...c0c2719f592836
plus cases and time it would seem initially that the main reported benefit of T Class (cheapness) is no longer relevant.
I would say, forget about T Class as the poor mans option and start thinking that even if you spent £500 on a build these will blow anything else I’ve heard at the price out of the water.
John, you may like the ta 2022 as in the Hlly T 90. Does very good bass with a liquid valve like mid with great detail. It does sound different to the 2020 though.
Regarding your comments in general, I have heard the Bantam against the mini-T, and I did prefer the Bantam. With the limited power from the bantam though, I don't think it will excel with a lot of commercial speakers of average sensitivity. Does work extremely well with the 95Db OB's though. In fact, I'd say they are as good as all but the best valve amps I've heard in most respects.
... the Mini-T is very good for the money though, probably 80-85 % of the Bantam sound.