Received the "T" amp yesterday!!!

[madmax]

Someone posted this ad and I bought one.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/audio/6cd8/

It is a Sonic Impact 15 watt Class T battery powered amplifier for $23.

I received it yesterday, took it home, hooked it up and gave it a whirl.

I started about 5:00. I disconnected my Jolida 502 amp and connected the T amp. The system is:
Theta Data Basic II CD transport
AudioNote Tube DAC
Audible Illusions Modulus 3A tube preamp
Sonic Impact T amp
SDA-SRS speakers
MIT interconnects/AudioQuest speaker cables

Knowing this amp will only output 5 watts or so per channel I started at very low volume. The first song I played was from Santana Supernatural. Well, I thought I had it turned down but the preamp was set fairly high. The first bass drum intro on the CD blasted out. Oh ****, I must have disconnected the wrong amp or something... As I'm standing there scratching my head the sound intensity increases quite a bit (recorded that way on the CD) and distortion sets in. OK, so yes, it IS the T amp playing.

After adjusting the sound to a reasonable level I sat back and listened. Supernatural has a very pronounced bass level. The T amp was reproducing it clearly with force. After a few songs I tried increasing the sound level a bit and distortion set in so I backed off.

Next I tried something lighter on bass. I was able to get the volume up quite a bit without distortion. Actually it was plenty loud and I backed off a little.

Now it is about 9:00 and I've gone into a new mode of listening. I'm wanting it louder but it keeps distorting. I paid a lot of attention to how it distorts. It doesn't do it nicely like tubes, but not like SS either. It outputs a static type sound when it distorts. It is as if you hear no distortion to some point and full distortion after that point. I can see validity in a statement they make in the manual. "Audiophile sound".

At about 10:00 I tried some LP's. They react much like they do with the tubes. Very smooth but not real dynamic. (function of my cartridge and preamp).

Lets just say this, at 1:00 AM I went to bed but would have been happy to listen even longer.

Overall I am very impressed with this amplifier. I am ordering another one today and will try a bi-amp system next. There is probably a lot of room for modifications with this unit. I read elsewhere that Vinney Rossi (the guy who started a lot of the Toshiba mods) has already started modifying them. He is a very good judge of what has potential and I'll look forward to seeing what he does. Until then I'll follow the traditional route of increasing capacitance, shorter signal paths, etc. I think this amp has very good promise.

Just imagine if I had efficient speakers! I'll bet for around $600 you could have a very nice entry level audiophile system. A $50 3960 Toshiba CD player with mods, a $23 T amp with mods and a pair of high efficiency full range driver speakers like the Fostex.

madmax


Edit: Sound levels. With my RS meter, at high volume, I was staying at about 90db 1 meter away from the speaker. At my listening position it was about 80db average. Not enough for loud listening but plenty for low level listening. I could approach my normal average listening but couldn't quite get there.

[Zero]

Thank you for sharing your input Madmax.

I have yet to try out the Sonic "T" amplifier. There is a lot to be said for the potential of these chip amplifiers.

I have been using the TEAC 700 legacy amplifier now (99 bucks from www.jandr.com ) and my jaw is still on the ground. It is by far the most powerful amp (at 30 wpc), I have stumbled across. Sound wise, well - experience it for yourself buddy, that is, once you settle down with your latest purchase.

[RuSsMaN]

I've got a pair of those amps laying around, time to hook em up!

Cheers,
Russ

[gidrah]

I've had one for a little while. I haven't hooked it up yet though. Even with my Altecs I'm thinking I'm gonna want a little more power. I had the ST-70 cranked today and wanted a little more.

[phoneisbusy]

A lot of people in this forum have been having fun with it. Some of the tweaks worth far more then the amp itself!

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=41846

regards

Dave

Happy New Years to everyone while I'm at it.

[madmax]

Whew, that took some time to read... Seems they are not common ground. They did work well with the SDA-SRS though. Hmmm...

madmax

[F1nut]

MM, when you get this amp settled in, I want to hear it.

[Mjr7531]

I fot the amp for my sis for her b-day, and while she is in mexico, I'm breaking it in for her :) My favorite feature was running the thing off of batteries. This unit really does sound great.

[madmax]

Originally posted by F1nut
MM, when you get this amp settled in, I want to hear it.

No problem. It will take you a little while to warm up to 5 watts. After listening to your system mine sounded pretty lame. I finally figured out I was trying to listen too loud. Seems like that would be an obvious thing but it took a long time to figure it out. All of a sudden it sounded like the soundstage became half the size and the toneality was different, wrong. After cranking the volume back a little things came back. Seems I was doing this without even realizing. :)
madmax

[F1nut]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying the music again.

[madmax]

I've got another T-amp on order so I can bi-amp the SDA-SRS. That will be a gut wrenching total of 20 watts going to those beasts!
madmax

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by madmax
I've got another T-amp on order so I can bi-amp the SDA-SRS. That will be a gut wrenching total of 20 watts going to those beasts!
madmax

since your taking this too a higher level lets start swapping batteries for good marine batteries:D

[madmax]

Great Idea!

madmax

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by madmax
Great Idea!

madmax

every now and then a blind squirrel finds a NUT:D

1/4twin

[Danny Tse]

Now go "dress up" your T-amp with the below....

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/ampbox/page2.html

[madmax]

That is an awesome box!
madmax

[Zero]

pimped out tri-path...

[madmax]

I know that seems like a lot to pay for a box to put a $27 amplifier in but I'm thinking about it.
madmax

[Zero]

Who cares man, really? This hobby is about having fun and enjoying the tunes along with the equipment that take you to that level of enjoyment. Screw what anyone else would feel or have to say - if you want to do something and have the cash to do so.. DO IT!

[RuSsMaN]

I'm ordering that box, that's awesome.

Cheers,
Russ

[Danny Tse]

Originally posted by madmax
I know that seems like a lot to pay for a box to put a $27 amplifier in but I'm thinking about it.
madmax

Come on, don't deny yourself :D

I'm ordering that box, that's awesome.

We need pics when you are done.

BTW, I have no connection to the manufacturer of that awesome-looking metal case for the T-amp. I don't even have a T-amp myself.

[polksda]

This is another cool discussion of a modded Sonic-T. More expensive for the full blown version (we're into real amp prices here), but it's cool to read the extent to which this chip-based amp technology can be taken in the right hands (not me, I'm all thumbs when it comes to DIY).

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/v...t=sonic+impact

Here is some more fodder for the digital amp mavens, and the Tripath subject in general.

Last week Vinnie Rossi sent me a prototype battery powered Tripath amp based on the chip found in the PowerWave and Sonic Impact, the 2024, I believe it is. He has worked hard on optimizing the signal path, using audiophile grade electrical components, employing a few discoveries made along the way. The unit came in a natty black powder-coated aluminum case, with machined aluminum volume control and spiffy blue LED 'on' light on the front. I should mention that my absolute first impression of the amp was its fit n finish. Vinnie did a really nice job on this Tiny Terror.

Initial Sonic Impressions

Zero Noise. None, nada. We're ready to spin and we're off the National Electrical Grid here and with a battery powered Scott Nixon DACkit, and this concept makes me happy. icon_mrgreen.gif The need for complex power conditioning is naught.... Music arises from a completely black background. This only serves to enhance the now well known ability of Tripath amps to "unbundle" individual instruments from even dense mixes.

Warm midrange typical of Tripath sonic signature, as is bass control even at very low volume. Strident, etched highs more often noticeable with string and piano sounds, which contain complex harmonics in the upper-register. This is due almost entirely to the fresh, as yet un-worked chip, and it is exactly what I expected. It has been well established over the last couple years that one should not really judge the Tripath sonic before the first THREE months, left on full time, so burn in will likely take longer here.

Out of the box, the VinnieR amp completely eclipses the ability of the batter power Sonic Impact; I really didn't expect it, but this is an entirely different beast, with tons more speaker control, and just alot of sound coming from this little box.

Nothing Accesses Current Like A Bunny:

The optimized amp with battery power makes an already fast amp even faster, and was commented on by the kids as well. Attack transients were often startling. --Absolutely superb speaker control. I played it loudly for six hours on Saturday, and it recharged in under 20 minutes. Such is the nature of highly efficient digital amps. This one keeps going and going and...

Flea Amp?

Depends on your speakers. Using drivers with real world sensitivity, over 90db in my book, this approach might be all the amp some of us would ever need. Using outstanding drivers like the Fostex FE207E, (96db) and the Radian coaxial 502/B (97db) the bat-T-ery amp has more than enough juice to drive even the most hardened headbanger howling from the room. I know, because I did just that to a real headbanger on Saturday. The crossover-less Fostex, though far from broken in its supposed mandatory minimum 100 hours, sounded best, exhibiting better synergy to my ears, than even the Radians. So far sooo good.

[F1nut]

3 month burn in time.........Give me a fricken' break!

[bknauss]

People are silly when it comes to chip amps. I can't believe there's a section dedicated to chip amps on diyaudio.com.

If you want something made by Tripath, I suggest getting it soon. They're in a heap of legal troubles, so I don't see many companies who are more than willing to jump on board with these guys... although Panasonic is doing car head units with their chips.

[polksda]

Why are chip amps silly? Is there something inherently inferior about the technology?

[Zero]

Nothing wrong with chip amplifiers at all. They are inexpensive, sound great, operate efficiently and run pretty cool.

Tripath is just one of many chip amp makers out there - they just so happen to be in the spot light amongst the audio crowd.

[madmax]

I gutted out the T-amp on Friday. Very nice little board. I can't wait to add caps, change the wiring around, add a nice pot, change all the connectors, add an SLA battery, etc. I ordered two more so after I do all this work I will still have two that function. :D

madmax

[Danny Tse]

madmax,

did you order the metal case for the T-amp?

[madmax]

No, not yet. I just ordered some efficient speakers (not to mention an RC race car) and decided to put off the case for a bit. I emailed the guy and he offered the parts to go with the case. It was something like $160 or so with all parts (except board), polished and pre-drilled. Seems like a real nice fellow too. I'll probably order one next month. I have not decided whether I want a volume control or not either. I read that some decent pots may cause a loss of sound quality over the cheapy one in the amp. This makes me want to try a nice resistor first before deciding on how many holes to put in the case. I may cheap out and drill my own holes and polish it myself but I keep going back and forth. His prices seem very reasonable for these operations.
madmax

[bknauss]

Originally posted by polksda
Why are chip amps silly? Is there something inherently inferior about the technology?

There is a limited amount of improvements you can do with chip amps, so they're not inferior, but discrete amps just have the ability to be much better. I call it silly because some people think they're the end-all of amps. Yea, they're cheap, easy to make, and from what I've heard they sound decent, but I'd put a big ol' discrete mamma-jamma up to any of them any day.