aibuya's TA2022 Tube Digital Amplifier

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#2
Tube means it is using a valve on the input stage-vacuum tube to you Americans 🙂
As for a transformer,the seller says he can supply one.If you want to get on yourself,you need one that will give two secondary supplies- a 20 volt center-tapped,and a 9 volt supply.Should be easy to source.
 
#8
Yes, I have been listening to this amp unmodified except for the mullard e88cc and am very pleased with it. Usually new amps don't last to long before I put my old Charlize back in place. This one is going to last I think!
 
#9
Thanks - good to Hear 🙂
Any tips/insights?
Planned modifications?
Can you compare it to "standard" Tripath based boards i.e. TA2020/TA2022/TK2050 (or anything else you've tried)?

Have fun,
Gal

P.S. - What PSU did you use? SMPS or a Toroidal transformer?
 
#10
It is remarkably similar to the Charlize (a TA 2020) very neutral, you forget it is there unlike the icepowers gainclones and 2050's I tried. What comes to mind is my old Cyrus one, also an amp that does not force itself on you.

I have it hooked up to a 120 watts Toroid with a extra winding for the heater and it has lots of punch.
 
#11
Sounds Great 🙂
Since you seem to be the only one who can review this promising product - I hope you won't mind share your insights with us - so:

-Would you say its really an "audiophile" grade DIY board or just a base for modifications/upgrades?
-How about build quality? components grade?
-How much stronger than the TA2020 ?
- Can the Tube stage be turned Off/Bypassed on the fly - if you want to experiment with different music styles etc.? is it a built-in function or can be easily modified?

I would also be very interested to see some pictures of your build if you won't mind 🙂

Happy listening,
Gal
 
#12
Hello again,
I'm seriously consider buying this to replace my TA2020 based amp - but before I order I would still be very interested to know regarding:

1) How about build quality? components grade?
2) Can the Tube stage be turned Off/Bypassed on the fly - if you want to experiment with different music styles etc.? is it a built-in function or can be easily modified?

Thank you again,
Gal
 
#13
Hi Galgo sorry about my late response, been kind of busy with other things, if you are used to a ta2020 I can recommend you this amp as an upgrade, it has replaced my Charlize and that is a tough act to follow. The Amps is good as it is so I have not experimented yet other then the tube replacement but I guess from the layout that it will not be to hard to bypass the tube with a simple switch. overall build quality looks very good so get one while you can!
I tried to take some pictures but they all turned out unsharp, I'll get that done later
 
#14
hoka said:
Hi Galgo sorry about my late response, been kind of busy with other things, if you are used to a ta2020 I can recommend you this amp as an upgrade, it has replaced my Charlize and that is a tough act to follow. The Amps is good as it is so I have not experimented yet other then the tube replacement but I guess from the layout that it will not be to hard to bypass the tube with a simple switch. overall build quality looks very good so get one while you can!
I tried to take some pictures but they all turned out unsharp, I'll get that done later
Click to expand...

Thank you for your FAST reply and usefull insights 😎
Sorry for my "impatience" - I'm really eager to start my new build and still "stuck" on board selection 😉

Can anyone comment/verify regarding bypassing the tube stage with a switch ?
Can it be easily done or would It change the audio path in a way i'll have to compensate with components?

Again - thanks a lot of the comments,
Gal
 
#15
hoka said:
Hi Galgo sorry about my late response, been kind of busy with other things, if you are used to a ta2020 I can recommend you this amp as an upgrade, it has replaced my Charlize and that is a tough act to follow. The Amps is good as it is so I have not experimented yet other then the tube replacement but I guess from the layout that it will not be to hard to bypass the tube with a simple switch. overall build quality looks very good so get one while you can!
I tried to take some pictures but they all turned out unsharp, I'll get that done later
Click to expand...

Hi Hoka, does it radiate EMI ? I have had some TA2022 amps and they all emitted lots of EMI. So much that my tuner reacted to it and lost signal ! This was because of a too simple output filter and this one seems to have the same way of filtering.

And what about the temperature of the volume potentiometer and input caps ? From the picture they seem very close to the tube/valve so I guess they heat up together with the tube/valve ?!
 
#16
So far nothing is getting very hot, but I want to remove the potentiometer when I get some time, I have no use for it.

As far as EMI, I would not know how to check, I do not have a tuner of any kind because I hate radio! But my phone is not affected by the amp at all, so maybe that helps your question
 
#17
Hi all

I've got one of these as well !

sounds great but noisey hum and hiss are just about audible from the listening position not what I'm used to with Tripaths usually very quiet.

@Hoka can you post on your background noise impressions, if yours is quiet I'll badger the seller, even so I keep on listening noise and all tubey goodness seems to be a great combination

cheers jon
 
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