In my opinion a tripath is kind of a cheap replacement for someone who likes the warm sound of a valve, but not fully equivalent. I only know new valve gear, but from what I have read for your budget I would recommend a The Fisher or K&H Telewatt amp.
dear el'Ol...
not begging for a despute, I disagree (slightly) with your comments about tube vs. Tripath.
Yes, although I haven't done a lot of listening to either my newly built Tripath amp or similar powered new quality tube amps, from the "rave" all over the I'net, it is like comparing apples and oranges.
I have listened to a 2A3 2 watt amp that has sounded glorious. I have listened in-depth to my McCormack DNA 0.5 and I enjoy that too. But at something in the order of 100 Euros, the Tripath is a no-brainer. If you can come across a good tube amp or reciever, then great. Or if you buy or build a kit , then that's good as well. Would I like to own a modern, good quality tube amp? Yes. Would I like a "classic" amp or reciever? Definitely. I've been keeping my eye out for such a thing for a year or so, but staying within my pre-determined budget.
Each has their own merrit. The great thing about a Tripath amp is that they are inexpensive, they produce what my limited experience would call "pure" or "transparent", sound much better than they ought to, and can be used in a secondary system after a purchase of a "top drawer" new amplifier or classic piece. There are quite a few Tripath kits out there now, I built the 41Hz Amp 6 basic in an evening, and can't believe my ears.
Recently my brother purchased a Decware "Zen" 2 watt amp and is enjoying it beyond his expectations, and he is an old Hendrix fan not afraid of the volume control (much to my suprise and his).
Everyone has their own preference. My advice is based soley on my own experiences. Others may differ, or disagree. I don't think that erozsolt would go wrong with any of the recommendations. And having a new audio buddy that's into tubes may make that the natural choice.
not begging for a despute, I disagree (slightly) with your comments about tube vs. Tripath.
Yes, although I haven't done a lot of listening to either my newly built Tripath amp or similar powered new quality tube amps, from the "rave" all over the I'net, it is like comparing apples and oranges.
I have listened to a 2A3 2 watt amp that has sounded glorious. I have listened in-depth to my McCormack DNA 0.5 and I enjoy that too. But at something in the order of 100 Euros, the Tripath is a no-brainer. If you can come across a good tube amp or reciever, then great. Or if you buy or build a kit , then that's good as well. Would I like to own a modern, good quality tube amp? Yes. Would I like a "classic" amp or reciever? Definitely. I've been keeping my eye out for such a thing for a year or so, but staying within my pre-determined budget.
Each has their own merrit. The great thing about a Tripath amp is that they are inexpensive, they produce what my limited experience would call "pure" or "transparent", sound much better than they ought to, and can be used in a secondary system after a purchase of a "top drawer" new amplifier or classic piece. There are quite a few Tripath kits out there now, I built the 41Hz Amp 6 basic in an evening, and can't believe my ears.
Recently my brother purchased a Decware "Zen" 2 watt amp and is enjoying it beyond his expectations, and he is an old Hendrix fan not afraid of the volume control (much to my suprise and his).
Everyone has their own preference. My advice is based soley on my own experiences. Others may differ, or disagree. I don't think that erozsolt would go wrong with any of the recommendations. And having a new audio buddy that's into tubes may make that the natural choice.
For speakers, take a look at the frugel horns thread , homepage and download the plans (PDF format).
A pair of Fostex FE126E's for the Frugel horns will cost you about 100 euros. You do the woodwork.
For an amp, check out the Charlize or the Audiodigit Class-t-amp-2020-m .
Assembled, no soldering, and about 100 euros each.
Add a source, and a 12v battery for the amp, and you're all set for not much money.
I built the frugel horns over the summer and the audiodigit 2020 amp, and am frankly amazed at the sound. Incredible detail and soundstaging.
Eventually I may go for a UCD setup, but this was my first real diy experience and I wanted to keep the initial cost down in case I fried everything!
A pair of Fostex FE126E's for the Frugel horns will cost you about 100 euros. You do the woodwork.
For an amp, check out the Charlize or the Audiodigit Class-t-amp-2020-m .
Assembled, no soldering, and about 100 euros each.
Add a source, and a 12v battery for the amp, and you're all set for not much money.
I built the frugel horns over the summer and the audiodigit 2020 amp, and am frankly amazed at the sound. Incredible detail and soundstaging.
Eventually I may go for a UCD setup, but this was my first real diy experience and I wanted to keep the initial cost down in case I fried everything!
There have been so many entries on class D that I am likely to repeat; one cannot possibly read all.
But I think before making up the mind on class D, it is necessary to read Bruno Putzeyz's informative article (an AES paper). (He was apparently a designer of class D stuff with Philips. He may be known on this forum.)
http://www.hypex.nl/docs/allamps hypex layout.pdf
But I think before making up the mind on class D, it is necessary to read Bruno Putzeyz's informative article (an AES paper). (He was apparently a designer of class D stuff with Philips. He may be known on this forum.)
http://www.hypex.nl/docs/allamps hypex layout.pdf
Tripath: "magical realism, 3D+40.000 megapixel".
Hypex: "clarity, power, rightiousness".
Amp6 on Fostex seems to me like a winner in price, easy build and cuteness/performance at the highest level.
Ucd180 on any good hifispeaker (think they are a bit more versatile because their high power...)
All subjective offcourse....
But 41hz.com sells many other kits...like AMP9 for instance...
Hypex: "clarity, power, rightiousness".
Amp6 on Fostex seems to me like a winner in price, easy build and cuteness/performance at the highest level.
Ucd180 on any good hifispeaker (think they are a bit more versatile because their high power...)
All subjective offcourse....
But 41hz.com sells many other kits...like AMP9 for instance...
Thanks for the informative posts!
I've settled down with DIYparadise stuff, just because I would like to try Monica DAC too, so shipping is cheaper that way.
So let's say I will build a speaker very similar to Fostex single-driver units.
So what else do I need to make it a good sounding system, not just some electronic stuff put together?
Do I have to put a pot between Monica and Charlize?
Or do I need to make a DIY preamp?
Or start with a pot for now and make a preamp later?
And what PS shell I use, SMPS or battery?
I've settled down with DIYparadise stuff, just because I would like to try Monica DAC too, so shipping is cheaper that way.
So let's say I will build a speaker very similar to Fostex single-driver units.
So what else do I need to make it a good sounding system, not just some electronic stuff put together?
Do I have to put a pot between Monica and Charlize?
Or do I need to make a DIY preamp?
Or start with a pot for now and make a preamp later?
And what PS shell I use, SMPS or battery?
erozsolt said:
SMPS is the way to go. Surplus industrial SMPS supplies capable of delivering twice as much power as you're going to need are availible for $10.
What I'm looking into doing is a hybrid approach : A Gainclone wired in place of the original output stage in a Sansui 551 reciever. The same should work with, say, an Amp6 basic. (Of course, PSU modifications would be needed for either path of modification.)
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