Tripath - so many choices

[djfake]

For whatever reason, I'm in the market for another T-amp. I noticed that there is a TON of sellers on eBay now, all with some version of the ol' venerable T-amp on the VERY cheap. Muse, Sure, Lepai, Pyle, SMSI, HLLY, Dayton. T2024, T2020. T2050... Way back when there was only the SI. There's even this MKll Tripath TA2024 board for $9.00 free shipping!

What to choose? Comments?

[Kjeldsen]

I got the 9$ Arjen Helder T2024 amp, and it works and sounds like a charm.
I haven't tried other brands, but the 41hz.com have very good reputation.

Lepai do not have good reputation, but still they should sound really good for the price.

[kristleifur]

TA3020 and TK2050 chipsets are the noticeably best sounding. I trust Hifimediy, Connexelectronic and 41Hz implementations of these. Have most respect and trust for 41Hz.

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by kristleifur

TA3020 and TK2050 chipsets are the noticeably best sounding. I trust Hifimediy, Connexelectronic and 41Hz implementations of these. Have most respect and trust for 41Hz.

You have to build the 41hz. They are not available pre-assembled. And they are not for beginners...

[Campino Morten]

Originally Posted by wushuliu

You have to build the 41hz. They are not available pre-assembled. And they are not for beginners...

You can also buy them assembled for a little extra.
Here's a link to the AMP6-Basic (TA2020) assembled.

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by Campino Morten

You can also buy them assembled for a little extra.
Here's a link to the AMP6-Basic (TA2020) assembled.

That's true if you just need the TA2024. Just the low power Amp6 and sometimes the Amp9. The rest are not available. Last I knew V-bro assembled on order, but his cost more than a 'little extra'!

[kristleifur]

Originally Posted by wushuliu

That's true if you just need the TA2024. Just the low power Amp6 and sometimes the Amp9. The rest are not available. Last I knew V-bro assembled on order, but his cost more than a 'little extra'!

That's true! I like to build from scratch, and I go with 41Hz.

(Although I wouldn't say that V-Bro's builds were that expensive for what you get - an expert assembles the amp, solder joints are perfect, the amp is fully tested and there is a guarantee, up to a point ... But yes, it is hand-made, and the cost reflects that. 41Hz amps are amazing though!)

For ready-made boards, I would have a look at Hifimediy. The T4 looks the most promising to me.

[djfake]

Originally Posted by Kjeldsen

I got the 9$ Arjen Helder T2024 amp, and it works and sounds like a charm.

I bought this one from Helder on Ebay (there were many other dealers btw!). $11.71 delivered to USA.