AudioDigit's new 100W T-Amps

starn02 · 9th April 2006, 08:25 AM

Hi everybody,
I just noticed that AudioDigit (the one of the Class T 2020 T-Amp like module) has just completely updated its web site with technical info and images ....

I'm really tempted to buy a Class T Amp 100 kit (see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=80 ) , that is advertised as a 100W T-Amp, or even the Class T 100 as a complete amplifier (see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=83 ).

Does anybody have them and how do they sound? I see they use a "strange" chip (TAA4100) which is 4 channels in origin ...

Do they sound like the very good Class T 2020 that I own? It could be really good to have such power!
Also the upcoming 8 channel module looks promising ...
Any opinion or feedback?

classd4sure · 9th April 2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by starn02
Hi everybody,
I just noticed that AudioDigit (the one of the Class T 2020 T-Amp like module) has just completely updated its web site with technical info and images ....

I'm really tempted to buy a Class T Amp 100 kit (see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=80 ) , that is advertised as a 100W T-Amp, or even the Class T 100 as a complete amplifier (see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=83 ).

Does anybody have them and how do they sound? I see they use a "strange" chip (TAA4100) which is 4 channels in origin ...

Do they sound like the very good Class T 2020 that I own? It could be really good to have such power!
Also the upcoming 8 channel module looks promising ...
Any opinion or feedback?

Doesn't seem that strange a choice, I'd wager a guess it's being used in bridge mode?

starn02 · 9th April 2006, 08:50 AM

As far as I know it's not possible to bridge the Tripath chips, and the 4100 should be no exception. Maybe they use only two channels out of four, they use the same chip in the upcoming 4 channel amp (http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=91).

The important thing is that they use the same "air core" inductors in the 100w amps ! The sound should be similar.

BWRX · 9th April 2006, 01:56 PM

The one thing I really hate about advertising the Tripath specs is their quoted output power. Sure it can do 100W per channel into 4 ohms but that's at 20% THD+N! They should say it is actually a 60W per channel @ 0.1%THD+N amp.

As chris mentioned, it is interesting they chose to use a 4 channel chip for a 2 channel amp. The TAA4100A already has 4 bridged outputs so you can't bridge them further. The datasheet does say you can parallel the outputs to increase current capability but each otuput still needs its own inductor. You could parallel all 4 and be able to drive a 1ohm load if you wanted. The T-amp 100 only has 4 inductors so it only uses 2 channels and leaves the other two disconnected.

Aircore inductors with an amp that powerful? It would be interesting to see how much rfi that thing throws out.

starn02 · 9th April 2006, 07:52 PM

OK, I just got an email from a friend that actually bought the Class T 100 board a few days ago and tells me wonders about it. I couldn't resist any more. My order has been placed, in a few days I'll post my own opinion....

Marco (my friend) told me that he spoke about the chip choice with the audiodigit guys, and they told him they selected the 4100 because it's a newer generation (with respect to the 2022 that we can see in other kits) and that this chip actually sounds much better ... and perfect with their air core inductors. No problems at all as far as RFI is concerned, at least in my friend's hifi system (I know it, it's quite sophisticated).
He got also a pair of "ceramic speakers" (http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=50) for his PC audio system, and he's telling me that they are incredibile for the size, and work perfectly with the Class T 100 board.

Well, guys, a few days and we'll see, I just ordered the board,
I ordered also a "Tubalizer" kit, which looks like a tube buffer (gain is nearly 1) with a 6SL7 tube (http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=81). A little "tube sound" will do no harm in my system.

Back in a few days with more news!

theAnonymous1 · 10th April 2006, 12:38 AM

Its a shame they only implemented two of the four channels, it would have been the perfect amp for bi-amping. The price is a bit high at $194 USD, I could have two AMP1-B's and change to spare for that.

starn02 · 10th April 2006, 06:43 AM

I got the Amp 1 one year ago, but they use conventional toroids for the output filters, and the air core inductors are by far superior in my opinion. As regards the price ... well, I see a lot of discussions about the difference in price of such boards ... but come on, is it worth discussing about 10 or 50 $ when talking about an amplifier? You're not going to make a collection of amplifiers, you need the right one, and if $ 50 make a big difference well, it's
ok to pay them. Please remember how much even a gold plated RCA connector or one meter of cable cost ....

If you need to do biamping ... just wat a few days, it seems that also a 4 channel board is on the way, see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=91.
Bye.

theAnonymous1 · 10th April 2006, 12:57 PM

$194 is quite a bit more than $50 above the price of an AMP-1B. I don't think the fact that it comes with air cores is worth the $130 dollar difference. I also can't imagine the TAA4100A sounds any better than the TA2022, or at least not $130 better.

FWIW, my gold plated RCA connectors cost $1 a pair and my speaker cable was about $3 a meter.

starn02 · 11th April 2006, 06:20 PM

You are right, money is money ... but here in Italy for $ 130 you will get one night in a medium quality hotel with no breakfast the following morning ... Humm ... if you can get a better sound from your hifi system for the years to come ... well, for me it's a deal! ;-) ... OK, I'm only joking, of course. We'll see if I get all the quality I expect.

starn02 · 13th April 2006, 09:33 AM

Ok, finally I got the Class T 100 board from Autocostruire. It took three days instead of the expected one, but that's Italy ...

The first impressions are really quite good, I have listened only for one our with a temporary setup (I use a chinese 5A regulated power supply set to 25 V instead of the torioidal transformer), but probably I finally got a really good amplifier. Good imaging, very good bass. With my best recordings it's simply outstanding even at high levels. Sound is quite similar to the sound of the 2020 board I have, that's Tripath's sound maybe, really good news because I feared that more power could imply less quality. On the contrary I got the same musicality and even more headroom and even a little more air ...
I suppose the higher supply makes the big difference here, getting watts out of 25V is certainly easier than with 12 or 13 ...). By the way, the board also works at 12V, I initially tried at this level by just plugging the same power supply I use for the 2020. Strangely enough the supply voltage is not so influent on the power or musical character of the board, but probably because I use it at low output levels.

Well, for now I'm quite satisfied, but I'll have to make some serious listening, and also try the "Tubalizer" which seems promising ...
I hope the board will improve after a few hours of use like the 2020 did.

The only complaint for now is that the board lacks the usual silkscreen (the white imprints of components), no signs or numbers or component names on either side. Maybe it's an early version or maybe they have some secret circuit tweak to protect ....
By the way, hooking the board was not a problem, after all you have only the input for the transformer and the speaker connectors... well, no problem at all if this is the sound you get at this price level.

Back in a few days with more detailed impressions. Is anybody out there who can share his experiences with me? Has anybody done any compasison with other boards or amps?

9th April 2006, 08:25 AM	#1
starn02 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Italy	AudioDigit's new 100W T-Amps Hi everybody, I just noticed that AudioDigit (the one of the Class T 2020 T-Amp like module) has just completely updated its web site with technical info and images .... I'm really tempted to buy a Class T Amp 100 kit (see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=80 ) , that is advertised as a 100W T-Amp, or even the Class T 100 as a complete amplifier (see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=83 ). Does anybody have them and how do they sound? I see they use a "strange" chip (TAA4100) which is 4 channels in origin ... Do they sound like the very good Class T 2020 that I own? It could be really good to have such power! Also the upcoming 8 channel module looks promising ... Any opinion or feedback?

9th April 2006, 01:56 PM	#4
BWRX diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania	The one thing I really hate about advertising the Tripath specs is their quoted output power. Sure it can do 100W per channel into 4 ohms but that's at 20% THD+N! They should say it is actually a 60W per channel @ 0.1%THD+N amp. As chris mentioned, it is interesting they chose to use a 4 channel chip for a 2 channel amp. The TAA4100A already has 4 bridged outputs so you can't bridge them further. The datasheet does say you can parallel the outputs to increase current capability but each otuput still needs its own inductor. You could parallel all 4 and be able to drive a 1ohm load if you wanted. The T-amp 100 only has 4 inductors so it only uses 2 channels and leaves the other two disconnected. Aircore inductors with an amp that powerful? It would be interesting to see how much rfi that thing throws out. __________________ Brian

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9th April 2006, 08:50 AM	#3
starn02 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Italy	As far as I know it's not possible to bridge the Tripath chips, and the 4100 should be no exception. Maybe they use only two channels out of four, they use the same chip in the upcoming 4 channel amp (http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=91). The important thing is that they use the same "air core" inductors in the 100w amps ! The sound should be similar.

9th April 2006, 07:52 PM	#5
starn02 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Italy	OK, I just got an email from a friend that actually bought the Class T 100 board a few days ago and tells me wonders about it. I couldn't resist any more. My order has been placed, in a few days I'll post my own opinion.... Marco (my friend) told me that he spoke about the chip choice with the audiodigit guys, and they told him they selected the 4100 because it's a newer generation (with respect to the 2022 that we can see in other kits) and that this chip actually sounds much better ... and perfect with their air core inductors. No problems at all as far as RFI is concerned, at least in my friend's hifi system (I know it, it's quite sophisticated). He got also a pair of "ceramic speakers" (http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=50) for his PC audio system, and he's telling me that they are incredibile for the size, and work perfectly with the Class T 100 board. Well, guys, a few days and we'll see, I just ordered the board, I ordered also a "Tubalizer" kit, which looks like a tube buffer (gain is nearly 1) with a 6SL7 tube (http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=81). A little "tube sound" will do no harm in my system. Back in a few days with more news!

10th April 2006, 12:38 AM	#6
theAnonymous1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Anonymityville	Its a shame they only implemented two of the four channels, it would have been the perfect amp for bi-amping. The price is a bit high at $194 USD, I could have two AMP1-B's and change to spare for that.

10th April 2006, 06:43 AM	#7
starn02 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Italy	I got the Amp 1 one year ago, but they use conventional toroids for the output filters, and the air core inductors are by far superior in my opinion. As regards the price ... well, I see a lot of discussions about the difference in price of such boards ... but come on, is it worth discussing about 10 or 50 $ when talking about an amplifier? You're not going to make a collection of amplifiers, you need the right one, and if $ 50 make a big difference well, it's ok to pay them. Please remember how much even a gold plated RCA connector or one meter of cable cost .... If you need to do biamping ... just wat a few days, it seems that also a 4 channel board is on the way, see http://www.audiodigit.com/index.php?section=91. Bye.

10th April 2006, 12:57 PM	#8
theAnonymous1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Anonymityville	$194 is quite a bit more than $50 above the price of an AMP-1B. I don't think the fact that it comes with air cores is worth the $130 dollar difference. I also can't imagine the TAA4100A sounds any better than the TA2022, or at least not $130 better. FWIW, my gold plated RCA connectors cost $1 a pair and my speaker cable was about $3 a meter.

11th April 2006, 06:20 PM	#9
starn02 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Italy	You are right, money is money ... but here in Italy for $ 130 you will get one night in a medium quality hotel with no breakfast the following morning ... Humm ... if you can get a better sound from your hifi system for the years to come ... well, for me it's a deal! ;-) ... OK, I'm only joking, of course. We'll see if I get all the quality I expect.

13th April 2006, 09:33 AM	#10
starn02 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Italy	Ok, finally I got the Class T 100 board from Autocostruire. It took three days instead of the expected one, but that's Italy ... The first impressions are really quite good, I have listened only for one our with a temporary setup (I use a chinese 5A regulated power supply set to 25 V instead of the torioidal transformer), but probably I finally got a really good amplifier. Good imaging, very good bass. With my best recordings it's simply outstanding even at high levels. Sound is quite similar to the sound of the 2020 board I have, that's Tripath's sound maybe, really good news because I feared that more power could imply less quality. On the contrary I got the same musicality and even more headroom and even a little more air ... I suppose the higher supply makes the big difference here, getting watts out of 25V is certainly easier than with 12 or 13 ...). By the way, the board also works at 12V, I initially tried at this level by just plugging the same power supply I use for the 2020. Strangely enough the supply voltage is not so influent on the power or musical character of the board, but probably because I use it at low output levels. Well, for now I'm quite satisfied, but I'll have to make some serious listening, and also try the "Tubalizer" which seems promising ... I hope the board will improve after a few hours of use like the 2020 did. The only complaint for now is that the board lacks the usual silkscreen (the white imprints of components), no signs or numbers or component names on either side. Maybe it's an early version or maybe they have some secret circuit tweak to protect .... By the way, hooking the board was not a problem, after all you have only the input for the transformer and the speaker connectors... well, no problem at all if this is the sound you get at this price level. Back in a few days with more detailed impressions. Is anybody out there who can share his experiences with me? Has anybody done any compasison with other boards or amps?

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