Hi Thanks for reading.
Do you have any experience of Zinamp:
ZinAmp SCA Power Amplifier module - Pair | eBay
Claims to be based on quad 405, but cannot find anything about it on the net.
How does it compare to quad 405 or any other amps.
Thanks.
Do you have any experience of Zinamp:
ZinAmp SCA Power Amplifier module - Pair | eBay
Claims to be based on quad 405, but cannot find anything about it on the net.
How does it compare to quad 405 or any other amps.
Thanks.
Last edited:
The picture shows Exicon transistors, not HEXFETs. Is this even the amp that you will be getting, or just a picture of another amp?
Just got the reply back:
"
Hello
Thanks for your inquiry. You did indeed spot Exicon FETs in that picture. The picture is of a previous version of the amplifier that used these. We have since evolved the amplifier to use HexFETs and Toshiba BJTs. We really must update that picture - sorry !
The problem we found with Lateral FETs is supply and cost. There is really only one company making a reliable LatFET (i.e. guaranteed not to be fake or damaged) and that is Profusion with their Exicon brand - sounds like you probably know this already. So....
We evolved the design to use HexFETs and Toshiba BJTs. This meant adding good thermal regulation as BJTs and HexFETs both need this. The result really is very nice and the HexFETs in Class A really do clean up the crossover region of the BJTs, just like the Quad 405. However, unlike the 405, our BJTs are biased on slightly and this gives superior performance, in our opinion. Our Class A stage is also doing a lot more 'work' than in the 405.
We still get requests for a LateralFET power amp, so we designed a Class A/B LatFET amp, based on the same kind of low-distortion (blameless) topology and uses the same compact PCB layout as the SCA amp. You may be familiar with the term 'blameless' from the work of Doug Self. Either way, the L-FET A/B amp can take up to 2 pairs of double die Exicon L-FETS, meaning you can get "a lot" of power out of it. This is the equivalent of 4 pairs of standard L-FETs on the same board. Expensive to build due to the cost of the L-FETs, but some people really like the available power. It's available now and it will appear on our website in Jan.
I hope that answers it. I'd say the SCA amp as listed on eBay is the way to go for pure sound and the L-FET A/B is the way to go for lots of power potential. Blank PCB cost is the same. Ready built cost will vary depending on your FET options. but expect to add £10-20 per module depending on your choice.
Best wishes and Merry Christmas
Team ZinAmp
"
Hello
Thanks for your inquiry. You did indeed spot Exicon FETs in that picture. The picture is of a previous version of the amplifier that used these. We have since evolved the amplifier to use HexFETs and Toshiba BJTs. We really must update that picture - sorry !
The problem we found with Lateral FETs is supply and cost. There is really only one company making a reliable LatFET (i.e. guaranteed not to be fake or damaged) and that is Profusion with their Exicon brand - sounds like you probably know this already. So....
We evolved the design to use HexFETs and Toshiba BJTs. This meant adding good thermal regulation as BJTs and HexFETs both need this. The result really is very nice and the HexFETs in Class A really do clean up the crossover region of the BJTs, just like the Quad 405. However, unlike the 405, our BJTs are biased on slightly and this gives superior performance, in our opinion. Our Class A stage is also doing a lot more 'work' than in the 405.
We still get requests for a LateralFET power amp, so we designed a Class A/B LatFET amp, based on the same kind of low-distortion (blameless) topology and uses the same compact PCB layout as the SCA amp. You may be familiar with the term 'blameless' from the work of Doug Self. Either way, the L-FET A/B amp can take up to 2 pairs of double die Exicon L-FETS, meaning you can get "a lot" of power out of it. This is the equivalent of 4 pairs of standard L-FETs on the same board. Expensive to build due to the cost of the L-FETs, but some people really like the available power. It's available now and it will appear on our website in Jan.
I hope that answers it. I'd say the SCA amp as listed on eBay is the way to go for pure sound and the L-FET A/B is the way to go for lots of power potential. Blank PCB cost is the same. Ready built cost will vary depending on your FET options. but expect to add £10-20 per module depending on your choice.
Best wishes and Merry Christmas
Team ZinAmp