Transform
You ain't heard nothing yet! Changing the tiny input cap for something better and implementing the wide open output filter with the high current Wurth coils as in the 2X100 thread will totally transform the Sure making it very transparent with explosive dynamics.
Wow, that's a little depressing coming from somebody to almost bought a sure amp, but decieded on a classdaudio (120x2) last minute. Though I do remember earlier in this thread that Tom the owner of classdaudio mentioned that he prefers the IRS2092 based amps as opposed to the TI based amps. Would be interesting to hear both the TI amps and the IRS2092 amps compared.
It's a matter of taste, and what tinitus said as well. So far, when I read the reasons why someone prefer the tripath sound over Class D, it's pretty consistent. It's for the same reason I *didn't* prefer the TK2050. After a while I just found it's sonic signature distracting and ultimately fatiguing in my setup. For instance the instruments which John mention above as sounding exceptional on the Sure, like tambourines, acoustic guitar, horns, etc. are within the range which my ears found too 'forward' in the long run. So I agree with his assessment, it just wasn't my cup of tea. The Class D amps (I can only speak for the IR) give up nothing in detail and transparency. On another forum people are selling their megabuck amps after hearing them.
Some people prefer metal dome tweeters over soft dome tweeters. Same thing.
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You mean like "why isnt the tweeter playing"
I may like this amp 🙂
But its true, a well balanced amp puts high demands on the speakers instead
Might help to turn up the tweeter, but thats not what its about really
Opinions are good, and needed, absolutely
But it needs a bit more to be that conclusive
But at least I know now it may work well fore my bass guitar project 😀
I wouldnt get to depressed, i have been running the 120 for several weeks now and my speakers have never sounded so good. I just built a nice diy power cord and also had very favorable results also.
Of course listening is subjective. My comments (ti vs tripath) relate not only to my sonic sensibilities but also perhaps to my tastes in music. (I like tambourine and woodblock tunes).
My point in making the statements related more to my objective of continuing to tweek the TI to my speakers and ears and sensibilities. This is worth the experimenting due to the higher power rating build quality and reliability of the TI module. Its becoming obvious that a change of inductor or cap can significantly alter the sound of a module as can speaker impedance.
So yes, i threw down my opinion not to depress josephjc. I did it because engineering is a process that requires iteration to achieve a goal. If someone is totally happy as is, then the process and progress stops. If you have heard both amps then its truly your own opinion that counts.
My point in making the statements related more to my objective of continuing to tweek the TI to my speakers and ears and sensibilities. This is worth the experimenting due to the higher power rating build quality and reliability of the TI module. Its becoming obvious that a change of inductor or cap can significantly alter the sound of a module as can speaker impedance.
So yes, i threw down my opinion not to depress josephjc. I did it because engineering is a process that requires iteration to achieve a goal. If someone is totally happy as is, then the process and progress stops. If you have heard both amps then its truly your own opinion that counts.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, the classD amps are pretty decent.
I find them very easy to listen to myself, even right out of the box.
I swapped out the 4 .68 caps on mine with some Dayton PP units recently and it picked up a bit, have to give it some extended listening time to fully evaluate.
I also have some Auricaps and Solens to try on there, it would be nice to have a stock unmoddified unit for direct A-B comparison, maybe when funds permit.
I ordered one of the Sure amps to try out myself, at $45 US including shipping it is inexpensive enough to give a try. Power ratings on them are a little low though, and they state anything below 4 ohms is not recommended. Thanks JohnG829 for bringing them up.
After listening to this unit for over 45 days, I really like the way it sounds.
It is definitely part of my hardware collection now, all that remains is to put everything into a nice enclosure with some decent hardware.
I originally purchased this unit for my brother, but there is no way that he is getting this one, I will have to line up another one for him 🙂
I swapped in another decent amp a few days ago, and ended up putting the classD back after an hour or so.
It is definitely worth looking into, for anyone looking for a cost effective/great performance amplifier solution. You could spend a heck of a lot more money, and get no where near the performance of this unit.
It is definitely part of my hardware collection now, all that remains is to put everything into a nice enclosure with some decent hardware.
I originally purchased this unit for my brother, but there is no way that he is getting this one, I will have to line up another one for him 🙂
I swapped in another decent amp a few days ago, and ended up putting the classD back after an hour or so.
It is definitely worth looking into, for anyone looking for a cost effective/great performance amplifier solution. You could spend a heck of a lot more money, and get no where near the performance of this unit.
I just switched out the output caps, nothing major.
I used the Dayton caps as suggested in previous posts and kept them as close to the board as possible. The dual layer board makes removal of the oem components tough, you really need to be careful when removing them to avoid damage to the traces/pads.
I currently do not have an unmodified unit, which makes it hard to really compare.
It is one of my favorite amps, very nice throughout the frequency range as well as being very dynamic. Really shines in the midrange, probably one of the most appealing aspects to it for me.
I used the Dayton caps as suggested in previous posts and kept them as close to the board as possible. The dual layer board makes removal of the oem components tough, you really need to be careful when removing them to avoid damage to the traces/pads.
I currently do not have an unmodified unit, which makes it hard to really compare.
It is one of my favorite amps, very nice throughout the frequency range as well as being very dynamic. Really shines in the midrange, probably one of the most appealing aspects to it for me.
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Hi!
Can you please say, which power supply voltage do you use? 50V? Also, at idle, with no input signal, can you hear any background noise (hiss) from the speakers?
Thanks! 🙂
Hey thanks for the post, great way to install the caps. I hadn't thought to install them like that. I am having reservations with the mod cause it sounds so good stock. That would be cool if you were able to compare before and after. I have some nice russian pio's awaiting but just not sure if mod is needed. Thanks again! 😀
I purchased this kit:
Class D Audio 600W Class D Power Amplifier and Power Supply
It measures 50V at power supply output.
With source off and preamp turned down to zero, the hiss is very faint on the tweeters, you have to be within 2 feet to hear it.
My ears are still pretty good, but they do have 50 years on them.
Someone younger that has not wrecked their hearing may be able to detect the hiss from a farther distance.
Keep in mind that my unit has not been mounted in an enclosure yet either, but I cannot hear any hum at all.
Class D Audio 600W Class D Power Amplifier and Power Supply
It measures 50V at power supply output.
With source off and preamp turned down to zero, the hiss is very faint on the tweeters, you have to be within 2 feet to hear it.
My ears are still pretty good, but they do have 50 years on them.
Someone younger that has not wrecked their hearing may be able to detect the hiss from a farther distance.
Keep in mind that my unit has not been mounted in an enclosure yet either, but I cannot hear any hum at all.
It would be a real shame to damage one of those boards, they do sound pretty good right out of the box. When I pick up another one later on, I will compare the 2 units and post results. Definitely one of my all time favorite audio purchases, excellent performance per cost ratio. I already have some Solens on hand, and would like to get some Sonicaps to try as well later on.
The output caps are operating as zobels I believe and are not in the signal path (the 22uf cap underneath is however, so I may tackle that despite possible lead inductance issues) so although changing mine up cleaned the sound up some it may not be worth the risk to the board if you're unsure of your soldering skills. I found a far, far greater improvement putting a Pass B1 in front of the classdaudio amp.
Edit: msb64's amp does looks easier to swap caps than my IR 250w, which has tighter spaces.
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I'm interested in these kits. Has anybody compared the IR based one against the likes of Hypex ?
Thank you very much for your answer! 🙂 I built my TAS5630 amp prototype and I can hear hiss from the speaker on approx the same distance 🙄 First I was thinking there is something wrong with my PCB layout/traces, but seems it is not possible to improve this parameter in simple way. Now I plan to run TAS5630 chip in slave mode and feed the OSC+/- pins from some high quality low noise XTAL oscillator. Will see, if it helps... 🙄
Thought i would dig up this thread as i just picked up one of their new SuperD series amps. I had the 60wpc original amp and was very impressed but the new SuperD series takes it up to another level. I picked up the 125wpc SuperD amp and are experiencing better and tighter bass and just an overall more controlled sound. They now have adjustable gain onboard and a new input section. Highly reccomend Tom's new amps. 😀
A work in progress, and showing the adjustable gain. He put molexs on board now for led's, power switch and gain, new cooling also.
A work in progress, and showing the adjustable gain. He put molexs on board now for led's, power switch and gain, new cooling also.
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Yeah, I have looked at those new modules too, and they sure like being improved
Apparently because of more expencive components(input buffer?)
But is the new improved input buffer only better with balanced signal ?
But cost twice as much
With shipping and custom taxes they are getting closer to the big Hypex
btw, I might be using a regulated supply 😛
Apparently because of more expencive components(input buffer?)
But is the new improved input buffer only better with balanced signal ?
But cost twice as much
With shipping and custom taxes they are getting closer to the big Hypex
btw, I might be using a regulated supply 😛
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