Good sounding CHEAP adapter for T amp?

[entropy0]

Im looking for a cheap ($20-30US shipped) power supply for the Sonic Impact T-Amp that sounds about
as good as the original purpose-built power adapter,
or better (can't find the original adapter for sale). It needs to be "plug and go", and plug directly into the back of the amp, as I don't want to have to try to custom mod the power supply or anything like this. Also, I'm in Canada so it needs to run on 110/120v. I've seen people using 12v adapters that have anywhere from 1.5a - 5a. Is the amperage going to have an effect on the sound, or possibly, on whether the amp continues to work under load?

To that end, will THIS item work?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-MONITOR-AC-A...QQcmdZViewItem

[sreten]

Originally posted by entropy0


To that end, will THIS item work?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-MONITOR-AC-A...QQcmdZViewItem

I can't see why not, as long as polarity is correct, /sreten.

[renfrow]

Two avenues you might explore:

Radio Shack has a 1500ma adapter that I bought and it seems to do just fine. You pick the adapter that fits the connector on the T-Amp when you buy it. I don't remember which it was, however. I do remember that I got the wrong one and had to exchange it :-).

CB power supplies. These are 13.8v so will give you a little extra oomph. I will probably buy one of these for my next T-Amp.

Tom.

[entropy0]

13.8v to me, is asking for trouble with the SI-Tamp! I don't want to go over 12v, as these amps blow up very easily.

That said, I'm not sure what amperage is best? 1.5a or is there a risk if its greater, and is there an improvement if I get something with a higher amperage than the Radio Shack standard?

Also does the power adapter absolutely need to be regulated to ensure it doesn't go beyond 12v?

[preiter]

Amperage shouldn't matter, so long as it's above the max the amp will draw.

That said, what is the recommended minimum current for a T-amp? I've heard 2A. Can you go lower than that?

[cpemma]

Originally posted by preiter
That said, what is the recommended minimum current for a T-amp? I've heard 2A. Can you go lower than that?

I first used my T-amp (with 8R speakers) using a 12V 1.2A regulated adaptor, no problems at normal listening volume, the adaptor stayed fairly cool. And I doubt the standard AA cells the amp's designed to take can supply much current without massive voltage sag. But you can't have too big a house or too stiff a power supply.

[Sherman]

I found a couple of 12V 2.5A adapters at American Science and Surplus for about $8 each. I think the website is www.sciplus.com but there is a retail outlet not too far from me that I found them at.

I've been using one with an SI amp and to be honest I can't hear the difference between it and running it on batteries. I don't profess to have golden ears and YMMV.

[entropy0]

preiter: The recommend min for the SI-T amp can't be 2A, since the Sonic Impact adapter is 1.5a

sherman: The closest thing I found to what you described on the American Science site is a 12v 2A, similar to the laptop/LCD power adapters I've been looking at recently (a box that has a seperate power cord that plugs into it). I don't know if they all are, but the one on the American Science site is a switching supply, and I heard this was not desirable for the SI-T amp.

cpemma: I've been having trouble finding a -regulated- adapter (with the proper female plug) suitable for the SI-T amp (ie. 12v 1.5a). Did you get yours online?

[Sherman]

Originally posted by entropy0
...

sherman: The closest thing I found to what you described on the American Science site is a 12v 2A, similar to the laptop/LCD power adapters I've been looking at recently ...

...

Since AmSci is a surplus place their inventory changes. Sometimes they have lots of something other times they don't.

I think the adapter I have is a switching adapter as well but as I mentioned to my ears it sounds as good as running on batteries ,which in theory anyway should be best as you are getting "real" DC.

[cpemma]

Originally posted by entropy0
cpemma: I've been having trouble finding a -regulated- adapter (with the proper female plug) suitable for the SI-T amp (ie. 12v 1.5a). Did you get yours online?

Yes, but UK stores (Maplin and Rapid Electronics) who don't ship small orders abroad. Plugs can be bought separately if the as-supplied is wrong.

The switching type (SMPS) are excellent, that's what Sonic supply AFAIK.

as good as running on batteries ,which in theory anyway should be best as you are getting "real" DC.

No, batteries are "chemical" DC, all bubbly and no body, like keg beer.