Trends Audio TA-10: Modding Potential?

Status
Not open for further replies.
woodmancy said:
I'm late into this, but I think I can be found earlier or on other threads. I am a fan of the Tripath chip. I have the Super T, Charlize, Amp 3, Amp 6, Amp 5 and TA-10. I've recently added the TweaKit 3 to my TA-10 and so far after 24 hours it is just wonderful.
I have about $50K of tube amps and trusted transistor stuff from UK suppliers to compare them against.
Thank you Pano for supporting this effort. I would be glad to provide any of my experiences with anyone who's interested.

Keith

So which is the best of the t-amps you've tried? And how would you compare them to the level of tube amps?
 
"Mine are for sale if anyone is interested. Although I'm still in the opinion that these ar by far the most worst amps I have heard in my system for the last 20 years, many people here seem to like them a lot"

This I simply do not understand. Many of the people who have this amp, especially pano's version, have a lot of serious time in audio and no investment in making up fantasy postings... my self included. Sure it has issues, the most important being compatability with speakers, but other than that it is a very sweet revealing little amp that says how unnecissary it is to invest in BIG expensive amps to get a BIG expressive sound. I have no idea how the original stock version sounded but I assure you mine sounds better or as good as any amp that has ever crossed my path in the last 30 years. This is so in spite of using it in a totally inappropriate way (very ineffeciant speakers) Maybe you got a lemon???
 
It is not easy to compare the T-amps against my tube system because of logistics (they are hooked up in different rooms and it takes a lot of sweat to get it done) - but I have done it with the Super-T. My Synthesis (Italian) tube amp is connected to Sonus Faber Cremonas, which are seriously good. I auditioned tube and solid state with these speakers and tube won hands down - this is the first tube amp I've owned.
If I just drop the Super-T in that system (with no replacement of caps or tweaks of any kind it compares very well. The tube amp has more lower mid and bass, but the Super-T has almost more transparency than the tube amp - separation is excellent in both cases. I will do more comparison when my Amp 5 is done - as I intend that to be my main Tripath system.
Of the T-amps I rate the TA and the 41Hz about equal (unmodified). The Amp 6 basic is my favorite little amp as it is so cheap and easy to build. I'm doing the Amp 5 because it has more power and more features. Both the Super-T and the Charlize are very good but I rate them lower than the other two.
My first experiment with changing caps has been the Tweakit 3 kit from Audiomagus. I did it in about an hour and it worked fine right off the bat. It is improving with burn in and is a fine improvement off the standard TA, which I expected. Bass has much more quality - I would like Audiomagus to do kits like these for the 41Hz line, as I like to buy my bits from one source.
I'll post when I've done a serious comparison between my heavily modified Amp 5 (see the work of Thomaseliot on this site) and my tube system.
 
I am days that I listen to the TA.10. I have need of a sound little warmer fuller sound. I order Obliged caps.... which?
Those black ones from 2uF or those of copper from 2.2uf? Differences of sound between the two?
Those of copper are warm?
Thanks


Marco
 
I am looking for a case where i can put two modded mardis trend amps, do someone in this forum have any recomendations och cases i can use?

I am also thinking of building one from scratch in oak finish and aluminum.

Plz pm me if you got some case you recomend.
 
panomaniac said:


Don't know what you mean. Can you state the question again, please?


I think that the 2.0 uF Premium film should repair to the lack of warmth...but now i'ma afraid the that these oil film could sound too much warm in the high frequences...
does anybody compared 2.0 uF oil fil caps and 2.2uF copper caps?

in the end i hope you forgive me and the bad italian educational system...i promise i'll learn english very soon!


Marco
 
Hey Marco - no worries! English can be hard sometimes. And you don't want to hear me speak Italian - it's worse than a German Pope. :whazzat:

The paper in oil caps have a very "warm" midrange with tons of detail. All of the fine detail that lets you hear recorded room acoustics and the personal details of the musicians.

I feel - and it is only a feeling - that the paper in oil Obbligato caps my be a little "soft" at the top and the bottom compared to the copper tube Obbligatos.

Of course, if we really listen to sounds in nature, the highs don't "sizzle" - the lows are rarely firm and dry. But in Hi-Fi we often think the extremes of the spectrum are more important than the rich middle ground where the music really lives.

If in doubt, try both types. They are not expensive. Choose the sound you like.
 
Obligatto Caps

panomaniac said:

The paper in oil caps have a very "warm" midrange with tons of detail. All of the fine detail that lets you hear recorded room acoustics and the personal details of the musicians.

I feel - and it is only a feeling - that the paper in oil Obbligato caps my be a little "soft" at the top and the bottom compared to the copper tube Obbligatos.

Of course, if we really listen to sounds in nature, the highs don't "sizzle" - the lows are rarely firm and dry. But in Hi-Fi we often think the extremes of the spectrum are more important than the rich middle ground where the music really lives.

If in doubt, try both types. They are not expensive. Choose the sound you like.

I value your opinions. I currently have a set of Auricaps and I am considering the Obligattos. More of something to do than necessity. I have an inquiry into DIY HiFi Supply regarding purchasing their caps.

Like you I enjoy Jazz and acoustic music. Which of the two Obligattos do you prefer?

Would you, please, make an observation comparing the Obligattos to Auricaps?
 
I've not tried the Obbligato's yet but have tried the Auricaps in my Amp6 and Pedja dac, personally I don't like the Auricaps.
I'm not saying they are bad but wasn't to my taste, the sound lacked depth and complex music sounded confused
 
Caps continued

t. said:
I've not tried the Obbligato's yet but have tried the Auricaps in my Amp6 and Pedja dac, personally I don't like the Auricaps.
I'm not saying they are bad but wasn't to my taste, the sound lacked depth and complex music sounded confused

Auricaps have been my cap of choice over the last few years. I have the Auricaps in a modded SI, stock caps in the Amp6 and TA-10.1.

So, you don't care for Auricaps, which cap do you prefer?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.