Class T-amps

[Mr Nad]

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'.

[Tarzan]

Indeed they are the new version beasts.

[Mr Nad]

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...

[RichB]

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)?

Cheers

[wobbleu]

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.

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)

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.

[jandl100]

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?

The Mini-T seems a bit sensitive to different loads - tbh, the only real way to find out is to give it a go.

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!

[Ali Tait]

I think most of the Tripath chips have a thermal cutout, so just switch themselves off if you push them too hard.

[jandl100]

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.

[wee tee cee]

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.

[Ali Tait]

Which review is that Tony?