Hi,
Haven't been here for some time, but I just got back into playing around with my system and doing some tweaking. Thus began my introduction to Class-T digital amps. I have long been a big fan of SET valve/tube amps, and have been listening to my records through a completely single ended triode phono/preamp/power amp system. I decided it was time to rebuild the power amp, with maybe some better parts and certainly a prettier chassis.
In order to do that, I looked around for something to replace it for a period of time, so I did not have to hurry the rebuild. I noticed all these cheap amp boards being sold on eBay, and after a bit of research, learned of Tripath digital amps, and read some glowing reviews in places like TNT-audio and others. My interest was caught when it was suggested they paired well with high efficiency speakers like the ones used with SET amps. I thought that this might work well in my system as a drop-in replacement for the SET power amp
Rather than order something from overseas, I looked at what was available locally, and found a couple of local sources for a TP2050 based Tripath amp, one branded Dayton, and the other branded Digitech. Apparently they are the same internally, and they have a little more power than the more common chipsets, plus they have a headphone output. The Digitech one was easier to get, so I grabbed one to try it out.
Initially it sounded a bit harsh in the top end, and I had to cut back on the treble a bit, but, over the last week, I have put a few hours on the unit, and the treble is back to the flat setting again. Everything has settled in nicely.
I have done some tube rolling in the preamp, to get the sound where I want it, and, I haven't even begun the rebuild yet. Still having too much fun with the new Class-T toy. I really like the sound of the single ended triode preamp in front of the digital amp. If I put a line source straight into the tripath amp, I don't enjoy it near as much. Must be that tube warmth I am used to.
I hate to admit that I am finding the little TP2050 amp to be just as enjoyable as the SET amp. I'll take that as a challenge to tweak the SET design while I rebuild it 🙂.
HB
Haven't been here for some time, but I just got back into playing around with my system and doing some tweaking. Thus began my introduction to Class-T digital amps. I have long been a big fan of SET valve/tube amps, and have been listening to my records through a completely single ended triode phono/preamp/power amp system. I decided it was time to rebuild the power amp, with maybe some better parts and certainly a prettier chassis.
In order to do that, I looked around for something to replace it for a period of time, so I did not have to hurry the rebuild. I noticed all these cheap amp boards being sold on eBay, and after a bit of research, learned of Tripath digital amps, and read some glowing reviews in places like TNT-audio and others. My interest was caught when it was suggested they paired well with high efficiency speakers like the ones used with SET amps. I thought that this might work well in my system as a drop-in replacement for the SET power amp
Rather than order something from overseas, I looked at what was available locally, and found a couple of local sources for a TP2050 based Tripath amp, one branded Dayton, and the other branded Digitech. Apparently they are the same internally, and they have a little more power than the more common chipsets, plus they have a headphone output. The Digitech one was easier to get, so I grabbed one to try it out.
Initially it sounded a bit harsh in the top end, and I had to cut back on the treble a bit, but, over the last week, I have put a few hours on the unit, and the treble is back to the flat setting again. Everything has settled in nicely.
I have done some tube rolling in the preamp, to get the sound where I want it, and, I haven't even begun the rebuild yet. Still having too much fun with the new Class-T toy. I really like the sound of the single ended triode preamp in front of the digital amp. If I put a line source straight into the tripath amp, I don't enjoy it near as much. Must be that tube warmth I am used to.
I hate to admit that I am finding the little TP2050 amp to be just as enjoyable as the SET amp. I'll take that as a challenge to tweak the SET design while I rebuild it 🙂.
HB
Good so far 🙂
A decent Tripath chip based amp can be surprisingly good... IF.. built using Genuine Ta Chips (tripath vanished in 2005?) and components and Following the Tripath Data Sheet circuit.
Not that many meet all of the above conditions, darned Few, if any do.. these days.
Pick 'o the litter ...was... 41hz.com Amp6 kits...a Deceased Site now. A genuine shame as these Made the Chinese mfg'd ones seem/sound pathetic.
Moderne times 🙂
A decent Tripath chip based amp can be surprisingly good... IF.. built using Genuine Ta Chips (tripath vanished in 2005?) and components and Following the Tripath Data Sheet circuit.
Not that many meet all of the above conditions, darned Few, if any do.. these days.
Pick 'o the litter ...was... 41hz.com Amp6 kits...a Deceased Site now. A genuine shame as these Made the Chinese mfg'd ones seem/sound pathetic.
Moderne times 🙂
hotbottle,
Not Tripath but newer Class-D chips like the TPA3116D2 and TPA3118 are getting lot of good feedback from the DIY community.
You can check out the " Wiener group buy #2 - Stereo and PBTL editions available!" (by diAudio memeber Gmarsh) and the "GB for TPA3116/8 PBTL bare pcb" diyAudio member DUG) for well designed implementations of the TPA chips mentioned above. I have the Doug amp, and it sounds good. 🙂
Not Tripath but newer Class-D chips like the TPA3116D2 and TPA3118 are getting lot of good feedback from the DIY community.
You can check out the " Wiener group buy #2 - Stereo and PBTL editions available!" (by diAudio memeber Gmarsh) and the "GB for TPA3116/8 PBTL bare pcb" diyAudio member DUG) for well designed implementations of the TPA chips mentioned above. I have the Doug amp, and it sounds good. 🙂
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All my heavy! amps sitting in storage. Main system driving philips full range speakers over tripath ta2021 amp with b1 pre. Amazing sound. It's hard to believe actually these small toys sounds as good as big boys.
I see many people talking about mods to the cheap boards to improve the sound. Obviously bringing them more into line with what you say.
The one I purchased is based on a geniune Tripath 2050 and is sold here as either a Dayton DTA-100a or a Digitech AA0488. TNT gave it a great review, so hopefully I am hearing a good example.
I am reading a lot about the 3116. I am also seeing boards labelled "beyond TA2024" based on a Yamaha chip that might be interesting too.
I agree. I am using the Fostex 8" full range speakers in TQWT enclosures that I used with my SET amp, and they really sound good (and very loud).
Again: hopefully you Lucked out?
I spent a year or two a few years back.. Scratchbuilding a ta 2020 amp and Buying Wayyy too many Chinee Ta Efforts (hey! they were Cheap! 😱
ALL proved to be Garbage, what didn't die within days simply sounded poorly. Unless used on Really Low Quality Speakers. But small joy in that 🙂
Mods ?? been there .. Done that. Short answer is: Lipstick on a Pig.
The ONE genuine Ta 2020 Chip DIY amp I have (amongst 8) is a whole different world in sound and reliability.
That! one has a fair chance of approaching my SET amp in sound quality.
Dayton /Madisound warrantee covered many if not most ALL their sales of Ta Gizmos.
Likely cost them a Bundle.. But they are and continue to be a reputable Source. Will continue to spend $$ there as result
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