Kenwood basic M2a
Yamaha M-2(god, a work of art)
Marantz 250
Marantz 240
Marantz model 16
Amber model 70
Marantz 2250b integrated
Hafler 200 something
Carver holographic something or another
After all these I now prefer the tiny little Sure Electronics 50Wx2 tda7492. I can't believe it. It's been about 2 years now, I started with the ta2020, which sounds great too.
My speakers are the excellent JBL L-5 4 way 6ohm towers. My other speakers are econowave pro inspired and are equally beautiful, I run a powered, sealed Lab 12 subwoofer with the econowaves.These amplifiers are superb, dark, deep blackness, sparkling highs and wonderful vocals, clearly the future of hifi
Yamaha M-2(god, a work of art)
Marantz 250
Marantz 240
Marantz model 16
Amber model 70
Marantz 2250b integrated
Hafler 200 something
Carver holographic something or another
After all these I now prefer the tiny little Sure Electronics 50Wx2 tda7492. I can't believe it. It's been about 2 years now, I started with the ta2020, which sounds great too.
My speakers are the excellent JBL L-5 4 way 6ohm towers. My other speakers are econowave pro inspired and are equally beautiful, I run a powered, sealed Lab 12 subwoofer with the econowaves.These amplifiers are superb, dark, deep blackness, sparkling highs and wonderful vocals, clearly the future of hifi
Hi Jah ... i had a similar experience , about 2 years ago i purchased a little Lapai 2024 on a whim . At the time i knew nothing of Tripath, or Class D for that matter, having over the last 30 + years bought traditional Class A/B designs as " standard " .
Nothing and i mean nothing in all those years has made my jaw drop in the way that little amp did the first time i fired it up . GBP 22 and 6 watts , detail , transparency and that dark inky black background you mention.
From that moment i was hooked and researched endlessly looking for other samples of this " new " tech.
Since then i've purchased a fair few different models from SMSL , Topping etc and although my diy skills are limited have enjoyed tweaking them and experimenting .
There's been times when i have reinstated some of my old " monsters " back into my system but they don't last long before i miss whatever " magic " these little amps have and are soon outed again.
My current one is a relatively expensive , compared to Lapai , Topping etc , Fatman S-State 60 Class D
which is the best sounding implementation i have tried so far.
As for the future of Hi-Fi the mention of Tripath or Class D is dismissed instantly by many " audiophiles " as being inherently flawed which on paper it is but for me after many years and thousands spent chasing that elusive " perfect sound " whatever flaws they have sound great to my ears.
I've often wondered how something like a TA 2020 hidden inside some 20 K + fancy " high end " casework would fare in certain magazine tests , there would be a few red faces for sure 🙂
Nothing and i mean nothing in all those years has made my jaw drop in the way that little amp did the first time i fired it up . GBP 22 and 6 watts , detail , transparency and that dark inky black background you mention.
From that moment i was hooked and researched endlessly looking for other samples of this " new " tech.
Since then i've purchased a fair few different models from SMSL , Topping etc and although my diy skills are limited have enjoyed tweaking them and experimenting .
There's been times when i have reinstated some of my old " monsters " back into my system but they don't last long before i miss whatever " magic " these little amps have and are soon outed again.
My current one is a relatively expensive , compared to Lapai , Topping etc , Fatman S-State 60 Class D
which is the best sounding implementation i have tried so far.
As for the future of Hi-Fi the mention of Tripath or Class D is dismissed instantly by many " audiophiles " as being inherently flawed which on paper it is but for me after many years and thousands spent chasing that elusive " perfect sound " whatever flaws they have sound great to my ears.
I've often wondered how something like a TA 2020 hidden inside some 20 K + fancy " high end " casework would fare in certain magazine tests , there would be a few red faces for sure 🙂
I'm in the market for a cheap, 12V TA2020-020 amp... but looking on eBay and Amazon (in the UK) it's hard to identify a genuine product amongst the sea of cheap, inferior alternatives.
Any recommendations for a genuine product?
Any recommendations for a genuine product?
Hi.
I have a Maranz amp (forgot the exact model but somehow remember 40-something Special Edition). I shelved it when one channel went dead and a fried parted with a lightning-blown JVC 300Watt which I had repaired for little money. The Maranz is now begging for attetion and somehow I like it better than the JVC, especially since all the other components are Maranz. I am sure the dead channel is a small thing so hopefully with a little more reading here I might be able to find the faulty component.
Nico
I have a Maranz amp (forgot the exact model but somehow remember 40-something Special Edition). I shelved it when one channel went dead and a fried parted with a lightning-blown JVC 300Watt which I had repaired for little money. The Maranz is now begging for attetion and somehow I like it better than the JVC, especially since all the other components are Maranz. I am sure the dead channel is a small thing so hopefully with a little more reading here I might be able to find the faulty component.
Nico
clv not exactly cheap £99 but uk based and high quality with genuine Nos chip Amptastic Mini 1 .
Google Amptastic and you will find lots reviews etc .
Google Amptastic and you will find lots reviews etc .
Yeah, I've been looking at the Mini 1... £100 is just a bit more than I want to pay for this. Amongst all the amps on eBay/Amazon, surely there's something decent for <£50, running on ~12V?
Genuine Tripath chips are pretty much exhausted now though , most of the cheap Chinese amp makers switched to TI chips like the 3118 or now make their own " fake " chinese branded 2020 chips.
Topping are the only ones i can think of that still have a few Tripath based models. TP 21 is about the price range you are looking at .
Topping are the only ones i can think of that still have a few Tripath based models. TP 21 is about the price range you are looking at .
Looking around the net the Topping TP 21 looks like it may be coming to an end also lots of sellers list it under " clearance " . If you can source one i would grab it , not a 2020 chip but sounds good , a bit more power and runs 12 v . The headphone out is poor though .
My tube rolling days are over. I too started with that gateway drug, a Lepai 2020, before moving on to 7297, now at Gmarsh Wiener TDA 3118.
Using my Pono in balanced mode with the Wiener in balanced mode allows me to forget the hardware and listen to the music.
Using my Pono in balanced mode with the Wiener in balanced mode allows me to forget the hardware and listen to the music.
Hello all! Is there a fully complete off the shelf amp that someone could recommend that sounds really really good? I would be new to this having never tried these types of amps before, and I'm presently using a 6watt SEP design from Decware that is wonderful.
I'd be seeking an amp with more power than I have now and high SQ is paramount. All I'd need is a simple amp with one or two RCA inputs for my DAC and CD Player etc.. Is the Topping 60 watt at Parts Express any good or perhaps the 30 watt at a cheaper price?
Thanks for any advice, and I figured I'd post here rather than make a new thread as it seems relevant to my question here. Also I wouldn't be able to diy an amp so a ready made plug n play is what I'm searching out..
Here's a few links:
https://www.parts-express.com/toppi...2-50wpc-(80wpc-4-ohm)-mini-amplifier--310-326
https://www.parts-express.com/toppi...tp2050)-class-t-mini-amplifier-30wpc--310-322
https://www.parts-express.com/brand/topping/470
Edit: Having read through the reviews at Parts Express on the Topping TP60, this one seems like a very nice contender with a good amount of power to 8ohms.
I'd be seeking an amp with more power than I have now and high SQ is paramount. All I'd need is a simple amp with one or two RCA inputs for my DAC and CD Player etc.. Is the Topping 60 watt at Parts Express any good or perhaps the 30 watt at a cheaper price?
Thanks for any advice, and I figured I'd post here rather than make a new thread as it seems relevant to my question here. Also I wouldn't be able to diy an amp so a ready made plug n play is what I'm searching out..
Here's a few links:
https://www.parts-express.com/toppi...2-50wpc-(80wpc-4-ohm)-mini-amplifier--310-326
https://www.parts-express.com/toppi...tp2050)-class-t-mini-amplifier-30wpc--310-322
https://www.parts-express.com/brand/topping/470
Edit: Having read through the reviews at Parts Express on the Topping TP60, this one seems like a very nice contender with a good amount of power to 8ohms.
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Dave - I've owned a few class D amps over the years,:
- Kingrex T20 - well reviewed when introduced, and interesting enough, but I ultimately found it a bit lacking one thing or another compared to the following - (most notably the dynamic "slam" if that term is still in vogue, of the latest generations
-2 Topping TP30s - not a lot of power, but great for desktop scenarios, particularly considering the onboard DAC is better than any laptop I've ever used, or even my iMac. I also have one of their DACs as well, and I believe Bob Brines could comment on the the TP60. I can't remember if he's moved on to something newer?
- Yuan Jing TP3116 and TDA7294 - the latter is an excellent sounding piece, but the remote input and selector / tone control function gave me some grief.
But far and away my most fun recently has been with the Sure 4-channel amp boards and appropriate SMPS from PE. A great project with onboard selectable PLLXO for bi-amping 2-ways. 4 x "100"digital watts 😉 for less than $200 plus the chassis, etc.
- Kingrex T20 - well reviewed when introduced, and interesting enough, but I ultimately found it a bit lacking one thing or another compared to the following - (most notably the dynamic "slam" if that term is still in vogue, of the latest generations
-2 Topping TP30s - not a lot of power, but great for desktop scenarios, particularly considering the onboard DAC is better than any laptop I've ever used, or even my iMac. I also have one of their DACs as well, and I believe Bob Brines could comment on the the TP60. I can't remember if he's moved on to something newer?
- Yuan Jing TP3116 and TDA7294 - the latter is an excellent sounding piece, but the remote input and selector / tone control function gave me some grief.
But far and away my most fun recently has been with the Sure 4-channel amp boards and appropriate SMPS from PE. A great project with onboard selectable PLLXO for bi-amping 2-ways. 4 x "100"digital watts 😉 for less than $200 plus the chassis, etc.
Chris thank you for the reply and info! That sounds like a great project you have going there with the Sure etc.. I didn't know Bob Brines had the TP60, so that's good news! Hopefully I'll be able to get a hold of him and ask his impressions of it, durability etc, if he's had it awhile..
I have been riding the class D wave since the the first battery-powered TriPath amp. Those early TA2020 amps were awful. Had the Super TI -- better, at least is produced some real bass. The real problem with the vast majority of "cheap" -- whatever that means to you -- class D amps is the power rating is at 10% THD. Look at the THD plot of any class D amp. The 10% THD point is just past the knee in the curve and the plot line is going straight up. Add any more power and the THD is 20-30-50%. So, unless the power rating is actually specified at 1% THD, NEVER run a class D amp at more that 50% of rated power.
Now for amp I actually have in or near my 2-channel setup:
Lepai LP7498E: I bought this one because I wanted to check out the 7498E chip and I wanted a bluetooth receiver. Sounds glassy, runs hot. Actually, this one is relegated to the shop where I feed it off of my iPhone.
Dayton DTA-100: This guy has the TK2050 chip IIRC. Had some problems that were corrected in the DTA-120 upgrade, but not the smoothest of the Tripath amps.
Topping TP60: Best of the Tripath chip amps I have had. The best feature of this amp is that it does not use a SMPS wall wart. It has an EIC power cord plugged into the amp itself. The power supply is analogue. There are two large toroidal transformers inside that very heavy box.
Yuan Jing 3118D2: Very nice sounding amp.None of the glassiness of the older Tripath amps. It is neck and neck with the SMSL 98E. They are cheap. Get both and choose.
SMSL 98E: I have a pair of these running my bi-amped FAST system. At least for the moment, these are my favorites. Very honest amps. If you are using a cheap (48k only) DAC or running off of an imbedded computer card, you will hear it. Get decent DAC's and run digital all the way.
Bob
Now for amp I actually have in or near my 2-channel setup:
Lepai LP7498E: I bought this one because I wanted to check out the 7498E chip and I wanted a bluetooth receiver. Sounds glassy, runs hot. Actually, this one is relegated to the shop where I feed it off of my iPhone.
Dayton DTA-100: This guy has the TK2050 chip IIRC. Had some problems that were corrected in the DTA-120 upgrade, but not the smoothest of the Tripath amps.
Topping TP60: Best of the Tripath chip amps I have had. The best feature of this amp is that it does not use a SMPS wall wart. It has an EIC power cord plugged into the amp itself. The power supply is analogue. There are two large toroidal transformers inside that very heavy box.
Yuan Jing 3118D2: Very nice sounding amp.None of the glassiness of the older Tripath amps. It is neck and neck with the SMSL 98E. They are cheap. Get both and choose.
SMSL 98E: I have a pair of these running my bi-amped FAST system. At least for the moment, these are my favorites. Very honest amps. If you are using a cheap (48k only) DAC or running off of an imbedded computer card, you will hear it. Get decent DAC's and run digital all the way.
Bob
Thanks for all the great info Bob and quick PM reply! Never saw the SMSL 98E until I looked it up just now. I'm using a JDS Labs ODAC revB so no problem with SQ on that end. Yes the power ratings on many of these little amps are pretty high in THD levels at rated power, and also for most the ratings are for 4ohms first etc..
If you weren't needing the extra power would you give the edge to the Topping TP60 for best SQ or the SMSL? Thanks Bob!
SMSL SA-98E TDA7498E Stereo Amplifier 2 x 160W
Comparing Topping with Smsl amps i have owned in general terms Smsl 's " house " sound is fast , very detailed and on the bright side . In comparison the Topping's are softer with less in the way of dynamic contrast and bass " slam" . Out of the two shortlisted i would pick the Smsl . For the price of the Tp 60 you could buy two 98 's and bi -amp 🙂
These two amps have a slightly different sound. Choice depends on the rest of the system and personal preference.
A side note: the first 98e I got has a 5.4 amp SMPS. The second shipped with a 3.7 amp SMPS. That's 133w vs 194w. PE says theirs ships with a 4 amp brick --- 144w. Delivered power is probably 80% of that. Just saying.
Bob
Thanks guys for the info!
I'm not needing to bi-amp as of yet, but the price of the SMSL is quite attractive compared to the TP60 for sure. I can't help but think the TP60's build quality seems much better as far as parts and heft, and the reviews are quite good.. Also I have an 8ohm load, and it would seem the THD specs for that load at 27 watts for the TP60 are maybe better than around 30 watts for the SMSL? Not sure?
Got me some thinking to do 🙂
A bit of system info: Been using a Decware 6watt SEP for a long time now mated to single driver fe108ez drivers..Sold the drivers and now the SEP runs a pair of old Polk bookshelf speakers with paper cone woofer and tweets, and I've stuffed the ports so they barely breath. Also in addition I use a pair of MJK's 18' Goldwood H-Frames run by a Dayton sub amp.. Also using a JDS Labs Odac rev B DAC for when I stream music through the SEP amp. Thinking on selling my SEP amp but not sure yet, so the reason for my inquiry's into the Chip amps etc .
I'm not needing to bi-amp as of yet, but the price of the SMSL is quite attractive compared to the TP60 for sure. I can't help but think the TP60's build quality seems much better as far as parts and heft, and the reviews are quite good.. Also I have an 8ohm load, and it would seem the THD specs for that load at 27 watts for the TP60 are maybe better than around 30 watts for the SMSL? Not sure?
Got me some thinking to do 🙂
A bit of system info: Been using a Decware 6watt SEP for a long time now mated to single driver fe108ez drivers..Sold the drivers and now the SEP runs a pair of old Polk bookshelf speakers with paper cone woofer and tweets, and I've stuffed the ports so they barely breath. Also in addition I use a pair of MJK's 18' Goldwood H-Frames run by a Dayton sub amp.. Also using a JDS Labs Odac rev B DAC for when I stream music through the SEP amp. Thinking on selling my SEP amp but not sure yet, so the reason for my inquiry's into the Chip amps etc .
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@DaveCan: Don't sell your SEP, and least not until you can directly compare it with other amps and hear what you (don't) like.
Recently I built a secondary system for the bedroom and at present I am running it on tda8560 on 12v linear supply. Have also tried tpa 3118 d2 and didn't like it. Tpa was cold soulding and the soundatage was flat. At first it seemed like more detailed, but I found it hollow and emotionally uninvolving. To my ears tda8560 sounds better. I am awaiting some tda 7297 chips, will try them as well since I read some positive reviews.
Recently I built a secondary system for the bedroom and at present I am running it on tda8560 on 12v linear supply. Have also tried tpa 3118 d2 and didn't like it. Tpa was cold soulding and the soundatage was flat. At first it seemed like more detailed, but I found it hollow and emotionally uninvolving. To my ears tda8560 sounds better. I am awaiting some tda 7297 chips, will try them as well since I read some positive reviews.
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