Bantam Monoblocks

[electric beach]

My Bantam Gold (Power amp version) is at the post office ...

John has answered that he considers my CB supply to be perfectly OK to power both monoblocks, so I will try it next weekend (I'm working abroad this week).

[Ali Tait]

Good to know Steve.

Peter, let us know what you think.

[Peter Stockwell]

John has answered that he considers my CB supply to be perfectly OK to power both monoblocks, so I will try it next weekend (I'm working abroad this week).

There's only one output, so you connect in parallel ?

[electric beach]

There's only one output, so you connect in parallel ?

Should I not? I showed John the spec but he may not have noticed that aspect.

[Peter Stockwell]

Should I not? I showed John the spec but he may not have noticed that aspect.

I would have thought there was a slight danger to the PSU, if I can remember high skool physics well enough, parallelling the load will double the current draw.

If we assume that the maximum draw on the Monoblocks 1.5amps (the Gold is 1.25amps), then connecting two makes it 3amps. Which would be tough, I think, for the 3amp version. Should be ok for a 5amp version.

Somebody who's an EE will be along soon to put me right, if necessary.

Or buy two and be on the safe side ?

[Ali Tait]

As I said earlier, you need to look at the specs on the Maplin site, and see what each supply will give under continuous load. Also, yes, if there is only one output, it would be better to buy two, or at least one that can supply the required amperage continuously.

[Peter Stockwell]

I've had the Bantam Gold Power amp version in my system for a few days, but I've only been able to listen to music for a couple of hours in that time. The BG replaces an Avondale S100, considered by many to be superior to a NAP250 and rivalling a NAP300. The S100 has a more even handed touch than a NAP200, in any case, and opens a wider window to the music. Mine cost me about £1400. The BG costs £180.

The BG is not so open into the soundstage as the S100, I feel like there's some haze, I'm wondering if that is the SMPS that I'm hearing. On the other hand, the very moment I fired it up to listen to music I was struck by its direct way of communicating, and how, for instance, with vocals, it makes John Martyn understandable (ok, maybe no amp can do that ). In fact I was in awe and laughing, because the amp is so tiny (125 x 130 x 40 mm, more or less).

Listened last night to Tom Jobim sings Vinicius (famous brazilian singer/composer singing the songs of another famous brazilian singer/composer), couldn't be sure if I had the same clarity as the S100.

Temple Audio, maker of the Bantam Gold, say that 3 days of 24 hours running, music or not, is required to make the BG come on song. It is a fine wee amp, I'm looking forward to trying it with a linear supply (I have one on order). It probably will not play at head banging levels, but I don't need that in my 24 sq metre appartment in a block of flats.

It's close enough to the S100 to make me consider selling the S100, although I haven't decided one way or another yet.

Today, if I was starting from scratch, I wouldn't bother paying more than the BG (ok, the Monoblocks are tempting).

More to come.

[John]

please keep us updated
I must admit I am bit worried about it not playing at headbanging levels that would be quite important for me if I was to go down the active route. What the sensitivity of your speakers

[Ali Tait]

I don't think you'll have a problem John, my OB's are about 95dB and go as loud as I could wish. That's with the Golds, which are a max of 25w/ch. The monos do 40 I believe.

[Peter Stockwell]

John,

They go loud enough for me, here's the data sheet from the website :

http://en.audium.com/produktmatrix.php

Sensitivity claimed as 90dB.


I just can't imagine the BG power amp (25w per channel into 4 ohms, maxi) being able to sustain long periods of very high level listening, I don't listen "loud" any more. It's not whisper quite, but the windows don't vibrate and the walls don't shake.

OTOH if you using high effeciency, say 94dB or better speakers then you'll be alright. One thing I forget to add, I'm not aware of any hiss when no music is playing, so for very high effeciency speakers this would be a great choice.