Comparing Class T Amps

[Mr. C]

A properly implemented digital switching amplifier can sound exceptionally good, those with on board output devices seem to work best (especially with switch times around the 25n/s mark) but are some what limited in terms of power around 70Wrms before the THD goes south.

Ultra clean and stiff regulated power supplies are the key here along with the separate dedicated 5Vdc rail to the control unit.

They are a couple of design about that regularly show a Dartzeel the way home.

A few years ago I built a unit capable of swinging very high current(in excess of 90 amps) again around the 24n/s region, yet to find an amplifier I would change it for that doesn't cost the price of small garage in London!

[John]

Yes that the magic of D Class done well

[Covenant]

There are still lot's of people who don't like them, I wonder if it's because they have an expensive amp and can't accept something so cheap can be almost as good?
Is the new Amptastic out yet?

[Alex_UK]

There are still lot's of people who don't like them, I wonder if it's because they have an expensive amp and can't accept something so cheap can be almost as good?

In my experience Jerry, it is the match with the speakers that is important - not sure whether it is impedence or sensitivity that makes the difference, but whilst I loved the (original) Amptastic Mini-T with my Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3 floorstanders, it falls flat on its face (IMHO) with both pairs of Wharfedale Diamonds I have, as they seem to like a lot more juice up 'em. For me, then, I think they are great - if matched correctly, and nothing to do with "snobbery" over the cost.

[freefallrob]

Yeah the speaker match is critical.

I used a Trends TA10.1 (I think) into some little Mission M30i speakers and the result was amazing....

However other combinations have been 'meh'.

I once tried another t-amp with some speakers I had at the time (can't remember) and it was also a total fail...

I've been toying with the idea of a Topping TP60 as it has two inputs, plenty of power and decent power supply.

Rob.

[Tarzan]

Yup, there is l believe a snobbery regarding the cheap T-amps, people should be scared.


Also Rob the Topping TP60 does look interesting and powerful

[John]

The T60 is nice (has a good bit of clout) but it lacks transparency of something like the Amptastic or Bantam

[Clive]

I'm someone who's had a bit of a love and not in love relationship with T-amps. I wouldn't go as far as love/hate though. T-amps to me seem picky about speakers, hardly surprising for the low powered ones....also as suggested Martin et al, the power supply is very important. Get things a little wrong I find you end up with either a very "easy" sound or an edgy one. In-between those two extremes is where we all want to be. I'm currently using an Arjen TA2020 amp and comparing it to my Bantam Gold. Both are performing excellently. They are powered from an Ordo linear supply running at 14V.

[John]

What pre are you using Clive

[Clive]

What pre are you using Clive

It's the AVC-1 which I'm writing the review for currently. It's a fully remote controlled version of the Salge AVCs you use John. The AVCs attenuate a little more than yours, the steps are from -54db to +7db in 1db steps so there is very fine control. The sound is almost identical to yours.