Yep, I'm sure. I've heard the difference that the Teddy Power supplies make to various types of kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
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Yep, I'm sure. I've heard the difference that the Teddy Power supplies make to various types of kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Tait
The latest offering from Topping, the TP32 with its TA 2024B chip, USB DAC and dispaly looks quite interesting.
http://www.tpdz.net/produce/tp32/tp32-s-07.jpg
Hi All,
I've just bought a 5a mini-t but when it arrives I need to pick some new speakers for the kitchen. My main restriction is that I need to wall mount them, so top of my list are some small fairly sensitive ones:-
Roth Audio OLi10 (87db)
Acoustic Energy COMPACT ONE (88db)
BOSTON A25 (87db)
Any recommendations?
You won't be disappointed with the Mini-T. The more I listen, the more I love it.
I'm not going to be much use with speakers; I have read that it is happy driving speakers down to 80dB/w/m sensitiviity. Mine are 89dB and they sound VERY loud even when the volume is at 9 o/c. I'm sure it will be happy with any of the speakers you've chosen.
[Currently listenting to Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes 12" versions. Incredible amount of detail coming out - rich, deep, tuneful bass and crisp treble. It's almost as if Reagan and Gobachev are in the living room with me! The air attack warning sounds like...]
Giles
I have some Q Acoustics 1010is (4) which I bought cheaply with the intention of using them for surround sound. I'd expect these would do pretty well, unless you want ear shattering volume.
Unfortunately, I can't seem to find much from Q Acoustics now. Have they gone bust?
You might find some on ebay- for example here - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Q-Acoustic...item3f13a7e7f8 - though they cost more there used than I paid for new.
[No - mine are not for sale - I've still not finished with them!]
I went for the Roth's in the end, they're only £70 so it's not the end of the world if I find them lacking. I'm a bit restricted for space so the fact they're not that deep is a good thing.
Good choice, I think. I have a pair of small Roths - Oli1. Only 24cm high but remarkably heavy for the size.
Good sound, too. I bet you'll be pleased. :)
Well everything arrived today and I hooked it up. Got the fear when I first plugged it into the minijack socket of my squeezebox, could barely hear anything and it sounded very thin. Tried it with an ipod and everything was fine phew! So this amp is very sensitive to quiet inputs. I then found a straight phono and from that the squeezebox is perfect. Very impressed with the amp, easily loud enough and lots of detail.
However, I can distinctly tell where the bass response drops off on these roths, they're fine for everything apart from dance music. The frequency response is 60Hz~20KHz.. Just to make sure I wasn't going mad and it wasn't the amp I bought in a bigger speaker and could immediately hear the difference, so I think I'll try and get something a bit more beefy when I go to richer sounds to take back my sound sticks tomorrow. I'm tempted to get another mini-t for my bedroom.
I measured the power draw when on to be 1w when plugged in 0. This compares well to the 4w of the soundsticks. Just for the crack I'm off downstairs to plug it into my main speakers http://www.stereophile.com/floorloud...314/index.html
Hi Giles,
Welcome to AoS :)
Could you please pop into the Welcome area and introduce yourself to our community, by telling us what system you use and what music you like, as this procedure is required by all new members joining our community; indeed you were asked to do this in your registration email.
Cheers! :cool:
Marco.
Sorry Marco, just put a message on that thread now.
3/4 on the volume is enough to power the monitor audios really loud. I didn't notice at first with dance music but as soon as I tried some feli feli afrobeat it became apparent in same volume tests with my this £60 amp is better than my aged denon avr 3805. I still don't know how I can go about running a 2 channel amp for stereo and while still using the same fronts in a surround setup but no doubt there is thread out there for me! Hrm I might be able to use this multizone phono!
Yep, welcome to AOS, Giles. :)
I was going to suggest you try the Mini-T in your main system, and thought you would be pleasantly surprised. It's a stonkingly good amp, it really is! :thumbsup:
Stanley Beresford makes a speaker switch called the TC-7220 that should do the job nicely.Quote:
Originally Posted by gilesw
http://www.beresford.me/PP/TC2D7220_AUDIO_ROUTER.html
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I use one for just this purpose and it works a treat! :cool:
Loving the sound from my Amptastic Mini-T, I would never have noticed it on fleabay if it wasn't for the positive reviews on this site. So, thanks to all who recommended it. Would love to compare it to a Bantam Gold in the future.
What impact does adding a DAC have? Considering it's cheapness is it worth the investment or should I just revel in the bang for buck it already provides.
Claire,
I'm sure Gazjam on here, did a crackin wee review of both amps. The gold if memory serves came out on top.....I have an original bantum and four mono blocks all of which are keepers.
Adding a dac will improve the signal you are amplifying ( shite in shite out ) so long as the dac is superior to what you already have.
Tony.
Spent a pleasant couple of hours Saturday afternoon putting my new Amptastic through it's paces.
I'm not usually so slow in adopting Jerry's recomendations (got the B'dac and the ebay phono amp on the strength of his reviews) but it's taken me while to get one of these - glad I did though.
Did a 'scratch' setup comprising dual core Atom pc (Intel board, 120 watt psu), Hiface coax out to Aune Dac/Headamp to T Amp and JPW Mini Monitors as speakers.
Cued up a playlist of some of my favourite tracks in Foobar and away I go - amazing amounts of detail just like everyone says.
Perfectly acceptable volume levels in a room 20 x 10 and I didn't take the volume past 11 oclock on the dial.
Just need to get my butt in gear now and build some shelves so that the speakers are over my desk, and I can work at the computer and have some decent sounds at the same time.
Thanks for the recommendation guys...
Is 11 o' clock around 90%, or is it maybe only 50%? Vague I know, but I have a Bantam Gold, and if I want it loud I have to turn the knob pretty much all the way up. That's in the lower volume mode - which has lower distortion.Quote:
Originally Posted by wobbleu
I can go higher with the high volume mode, but generally prefer not to do that.
I have been thinking about getting one of these Amptastic amps - as they seem cheap enough, and I could use it for several purposes. Our current largest room is about similar to yours though wider at around 12 feet.
I have other amps which go louder, but I can't stand the distortion and other problems they have for long.
In "old money" a lot of amps had knobs which went from roughly 7-8 o'clock round to 3-5 o'clock, so your 11 o'clock would be under half way.
Aw shucks. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by wobbleu
Mucho thanks for that. I'm coming in for some flak on a certain other forum from the usual suspects. It's nice to know that my thoughts and reccies are appreciated. :)
The Mini-T starts at roughly 7 o'clock and stops at 5 o'clock. I'm running mine with a Caiman+...
a) If the Caiman+ with line level outputs, then the Mini-T generally is at 8-9 o'clock for normal listening levels. For louder listening 10-11 is the setting. And it is loud. The room is about 15x25 feet, but the listening area is 15x12 approx. The sound fills the whole room with no problem.
b) I usually use the Caiman+ as a preamp, so the Mini-t is set at full volume (no hiss in the speakers, by the way), and the Caiman+ never goes past 10 o'clock.
Incidentally, my second Mini-T is now in the study, and it is leagues above the old Rotel it replaces. However, it does seem a lot quieter, and it's set closer to 10 o'clock, even with the PC volume set to the highest level.
@Claire, I find the DAC does make a big difference.
Lenny,are both your Mini-Ts the newer versions?
Well they were bought since Christmas, so I'm presuming they are. Both have the 5A power supply.
They differ from the pictures on eBay and amptastic.com in that the top and bottom have a bevel routed into them. Other than that, they appear identical - blue illumination, just a power button and volume control on the front.
On the rear, there is no amptastic.com stamp, but inside the circuit IS stamped 'amptastic'.
Indeed they are the new version beasts.
Sweet to listen to, they are.
If I had more time, I'd be experimenting a lot more with them. But there simply isn't enough time...
Hi all, I've been following this thread on mini t amps with some interest. Indeed i suggested a friend try one out and he seems more than happy with it.
As some of you will know I've been a one box kind of guy and currently have an Arcam Solo Neo driving my Rega RS3s, Jerry suggested that i might try a mini t as a power amp with the Arcam handling pre amp duties. Got to say i'm intrigued at the though that one of these little jobs could outclass the 50w onboard amp of the Neo. My main concern would be that whilst the Regas are pretty sensitive at 89bB they still take a bit of driving on account of the side firing woofer they have. So for music listening at a good volume i tend pushing the Arcam to about half way.
How do you think a t amp would cope would the load of the Regas? I'm also fascinated by those using these little amps as mono blocks. How would i do this if i was to get hold of two of them? Is there a mod you can do or would the seller do this for me (I'm not a solder sniffer btw)? :scratch:
Cheers
I find that a bit confusing too - most of the amps I grew up with started to sound worse after the 12 o' clock position - yet the Rega Mira I use in my main system needs to be at 1 o' clock to get a decent level and shows no sign of distortion if I take it further (that's with a low output mc into Fono mc pre-amp first)Quote:
Originally Posted by dave2010
I'm sure I'd read somewhere that T Amps could be a bit 'sensitve' so I didn't want to brick it 5 minutes after it was fresh out of the box - sounds from the other comments as though I could take it further.
The Mini-T seems a bit sensitive to different loads - tbh, the only real way to find out is to give it a go.Quote:
Originally Posted by RichB
I can't see how any harm can be done if you are sensible and don't try and play technodance at wall-flexing levels from the off! Start low, then wind it up - I wouldn't be surprised if you were surprised at the outcome! ;)
I think most of the Tripath chips have a thermal cutout, so just switch themselves off if you push them too hard.
Ah, that's interesting, Ali.
I was amazed how loud a Mini-T would go with my 83dB/W speakers - and it never cut out - it's the load thing that may be problematical, and the Mini-T may (or may not) sound good with the Regas.
My son has a bantum original with the maplin power supply on treble with a cyrus 1 on bass duties. It sounds lovely......however his girlfriend is willing to get him a couple of mini t amps for his birthday.......oh boy.....
I am looking forward to comparing it with my four temple audio mono blocks. I read the great review with the gold and mini t......I will trust my ears .
Tony.
Which review is that Tony?
I'm sure it was you and Gary that wrote up a crackin comparison.....I cant seem to find it ...
Oh yes, i remeber that one. That was good day at Gary's.
Ali,
I cant find the review....any chance of digging it out and tacking it on here,
for the reference of the great and the good.
All the best...Tony
I'll have a rummage Tony and stick it up.
Still cant get over the size of Ali's OB's when they came out the car!
*EDIT*
Found it: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...=gazjam+towers
Thanks chaps....A crackin review.......Reading through it does make me remember just how fantastic the OBs sounded.......mmmmm.
Ali,
If you get those fuck off electrostatics up and running please give me first dibbs on them.
Regards Tony
This comparison is useful but, are there any comparisons out there between the Mini-T and a more modern budget amp released in the last couple of years? Something like the What Hi-Fi? 5 star rated Marantz PM6003 or PM6004?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
I was searching for such a comparison but i have not found anything. Comparisons between the Mini-T and older amps like the Cambridge Audio 640A are fine but technology has moved on and the Marantz amps I think are quite a bit better than the Azur 640A, which can now be picked up for as little as £100 on ebay.
Is it possible for someone who owns the Mini T to do such a comparison with a modern budget amp?
You can read all the reviews and forum posts in the world and still not have much of a clue if you'll like it - there are enough positive vibes about it, so why not just buy one and send it back for a refund if it doesn't suit you! :thumbsup:
... from my own point of view, forget the latest budget priced wonder amps, I've compared a Mini-T directly to current and very recent production multi-£k amps as well as true classics from years gone by, and I'd rather listen thru a Mini-T than most of those. ;)
D (dz1) - please would you go to the welcome area as instructed and introduce yourself before making any further posts? Many thanks.
I have to say that it would be helpful to have some comparison with amps such as the Marantz models you mention, though many round here seem to think that the Amptastic and similar will do as well or beat it, and certainly the Amptastic ought to be very good value for money. On the other hand the Marantz models will have multiple inputs, and also provide pre-amp features, and the higher priced model also has an input for moving magnet cartridges, so there may be an element of convenience and versatility to consider. If you only ever want to play music from a single (or simple) digital source, then the T amps will serve very well if you use a suitable DAC, which may be able to do some switching, and perhaps give provide a modicum of pre amplification.Quote:
Originally Posted by dz1
It would still be interesting to hear from anyone who has heard some of the recent crops of good value/best buy amps, such as the Marantzes and Cambridge Audio etc. At one time I thought that Arcam did some good things, and one of the best amps I've heard in the last couple of years was a rather expensive Musical Fidelity.
Does anyone know where TA2020 based amps, eg Topping TP20 can be bridged? Not so much for power but for running as monoblocks - with the pot on max or internally shorted and run from a preamp.
I had a Tamp-90 and still have a bantam gold. To my deteriorating ears neither was in the same league as the Marantz PM-7003 which was a superb amp or my current Yamaha AS 500. The Bantam was clearly better at everything than the T90 and should have been - for the price differential. The Bantam also didn't sound so good when switched to gain mode. Not that i needed the gain with music generally.
For me , The Yamaha at AU$400 is the clear value for money winner, agreat cool running amp, crisp, quick, and plenty of power for my tastes; followed by the Bantam Gold (AU$300) which also lost out due to causing ongoing rf interference with my pvr and tv. The Tamp -90(AU$150??) I just didn't think was all that organised and was a trifle muddy in the trebles.
The Marantz was easily the best amp for sound quality (about AU$1K). Might have to buy it back one day, but for now the Yamaha is providing excellent service hooked up to a Beresford Gatorized dac, macmini with audirvana plus.
I never posted about my speaker choices with a mini-t. I sent my Roths back, that'll teach me for listening to What HI-FI like it's the bloody gospel! Anyway, I tried some Monitor Audio and B&W compact bookshelfs and they were alright, the 602's were 6ohm and sounded impressive on speaker stands but should do for £300. I demoed the Q-Acoustics 1010 and they sounded excellent for £100 and dealt with being in the worst positions I could find in the demo room, which is exactly what I'm dealing with in my kitchen. I would have bought them there and then but the guy in Sevenoaks was a real plonker. When a customer says they want one speaker don't tell them they should have gone for the one 3x the price that they just demoed!
Anyway I ended up at RicherSounds taking back my soundsticks and they recommended the Dali Zensors. They were powered really easily by the mini-t and hook onto the wall, great bass and amazing soundstage. Thank you RicherSounds for not trying to flog me Cambridge Audio. </rant>
I had a quick question about matching speakers to this amp. Would the Q Acoustics Q2010i's work well? I'm new to hifi but from what I've gathered, this amp likes 8ohms and high sensitivity, but these Q2010i's are 6 ohm and 86db. I'm looking for some speakers that are good for £100 ish.
Hi I have the very same speakers wired to my Amtastic T-amp. Highly recommended!Quote:
Originally Posted by SMed
BW
Bonky.
Just aquired a Virtue Audio Sensation M451 T-amp and to my ears this amp has for me redefined what is possible from reasonably priced amplification- this is EASILY the best amplifier l have had at home (and l have had a few l can tell you), if anybody wants a more in depth review l will do one, it is certainly worthy of it, for me it is agame changer:cool:
Interesting find, Andy!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
There's a review here and yes, they seem to like it too!
A step up in price from many other chip amps, mind. ;)
Hi Jerry, we love the Mini-T, well, move the goalposts on ten times and you are there, to say l am gobsmacked would be an understatement, l got a good deal on mine, l cannot bang on about VFM enough regarding this amp:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool ::cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
Well, with all those pints of beer you're downing there, you seem to be managing OK! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarzan
Sunk a few last night went to see Aussie Pink Floyd, and very good they were to- the beer and Aussie Pink Floyd:)Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100