I don't post much here on DiyAudio but I feel I need to share what has probably already been said about these t-amps. I've been searching for a SS backup amp for my main amp which is a SET 2A3 tube type amp. I don't have the time for vintage EL84 PP amps anymore (my 2nd fave type of amp) plus I didn't want to spend much more than a few hundred. I'm strictly an analog guy, tube amp, tube preamp, horn speakers (95dB efficient), idler drive TT, MC cartridge, vinyl records.
Over past year I've tried the vintage SS semi-class A amps that some have raved about and some more recent class A type amps (very expensive). All have left me wanting except for the recent class A amps, just to expensive.
Ok, I'll cut to the chase. How can this little cheap box put out such great sound! 100 bucks! Are you kidding me! After reading a few hundred threads about the tripath amps I narrowed it down to the TA2020. This thing is 1/15th the cost for my 2A3 amp! It has all the imaging, depth, detail and drive of my 2A3. It just does not have that organic grab-out and touch it type of feel that my 2A3 amp has, not as transparent sounding either. I don't care. A very good amp for the high-efficient speakers guys for sure.
Over past year I've tried the vintage SS semi-class A amps that some have raved about and some more recent class A type amps (very expensive). All have left me wanting except for the recent class A amps, just to expensive.
Ok, I'll cut to the chase. How can this little cheap box put out such great sound! 100 bucks! Are you kidding me! After reading a few hundred threads about the tripath amps I narrowed it down to the TA2020. This thing is 1/15th the cost for my 2A3 amp! It has all the imaging, depth, detail and drive of my 2A3. It just does not have that organic grab-out and touch it type of feel that my 2A3 amp has, not as transparent sounding either. I don't care. A very good amp for the high-efficient speakers guys for sure.
Granted that it's probably (make that certainly) over 50 years since I reached out and touched a 2A3, still, I remember burning my fingers. 😱
Yep, the tripath amps are a lot better than they have any right to be for the price. They are also far from the best ClassD . . .
Yeah it's been over 50 years for me too. 2A3, 6L6s and many others (I'm a slow learner!).
So what do you consider the best Class D, other than the expensive Hypex amps? I have highly efficient horn speakers.
Thanks,
Rod
I have an old pair of Klipschorns and other Klipsch Heritage speakers in a 5.1 setup. For the mains I am presently using an old Harman Kardon 430 amp that for some reason works great with the Khorns. Learned about it on the Klipsch Forum. Other not so good amps at the moment for center and sides.
When I can get the coins and some time together I want to go active with the Khorns and am putting together a LaScala clone center. Those three will be converted to two way active, each using a single cd horn for mid and tweet.
I have bought, but not assembled yet, a HiFiMeDIY T4 amp. It will be interesting to hear it. I'm a little concerned that there may be some noise with our horns, but it does have good specs. Probably way overkill in the power department, but with our home theater we sometimes listen to things quite loud. We will ultimately need 8 channels of amp.
We also have a Danley DTS-10 tapped horn sub with Behringer EP4000 amp, so are horn all the way. That sucker can shake the house!
It's fun!
Rod
I tried out a 430 and a 730 also for about a week. The 430 is a nice amp but unless you need lots of power the I can't see spending any time with vintage SS stuff. You can buy the Topping on line for about $115 shipped and if does not work for you return it. I'm keeping mine. This has been the biggest no-brainer purchase I've made in my 30 years of audio. I'm going to get another one for my garage Altec A7 mono set-up.
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