UcD180ad Vs 41Hz Audio AMP5 (Tripath TA2022)

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#242
I finished an Amp5 this weekend and it is playing as I type this and the only other switching amp I have heard is a Charlize with aircores which I have and think it is very good. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear a UCD, I have gotten close to purchasing twice but never bothered for some unknown reason.

I can say that the Amp5 is in my opinion better than the Charlize (and I really think Charlize is something) but is mostly just "more of a good thing". The Amp 5 does the same soundstage width "thing" but it seems to illuminate the instruments even more, as if they all have their specific placing in the orchestra just like an actual orchestra (well almost)🙂

The extra power it gives is an added bonus, I am playing it with my Scanspeak monitors now which Charlize would not even dream of driving (I listen to horns normally so a bit of a non issue for me but options are always nice to have).
I have no noise issues and have as recommended installed a mute switch to avoid the dreaded turn on thump while the input caps charge. I am playing through an old QED "passive control centre" which is an Alps 10K or 20K (I forgot) pot with a few switches for source selection.

At the price it's a giveaway and only takes a little effort to assemble.
 
#243
Hi Andrew,

nice the "instruments illumination" statement. Yes this is the special thing have Tripath chips that UCD has not. That was what I called "more information". It looks like each instrument in an orchestra would have been recorded with its own microphone with its characteristic volume. Even when the whole orchestra is playing loud, you can still hear weak sounds of a violin or a flute.

Playing Mahler or Stravinsky this "thing" makes a great difference, because they often play with complex contrapuctus with various sections of the orchestra, while others are playing the main motive and a violin or a flute are playing their own.

This "thing" is where Tripath exceeds greatly UCD and even the Klimo valves I've heard.

I found that with more power (I've Fostex 206E 96dB drivers) Tripath TA2022 shows an increased dynamic extension and an impressive low range, against Ta2024 (T-Amp) that it too has enough power to shake windows.

Soong,

yes I would try the other coils, but with 13 turns maybe it is not so interesting. When I have time I have still to try copper foil coils.
 
#245
thomaseliot said:


In the first comparison I stated that if UCD sounded more clean and quiet, Tripath had something more about the amount of "information", even if more noisy and less accurate.

As AMP5 is a 70€ kit including PS while I paid 450€ for UCD180AD + Supply-HG, we argued that some mods to BOTH would lead to a nice "battle".

Coils are one of those mods, but input and output caps too were improved. On Tripath side there is still space for improvements on the PS design, 5V regulation, bulk caps (it works with 2 panasonic 10000 uF). I made some mods to UCD too, but there have been few hints. UCD is a ready made product, so it is difficult to tweak.

Thomas
Click to expand...


What mods were done to the UcD?
 
#246
#248
thomaseliot said:


In the first comparison I stated that if UCD sounded more clean and quiet, Tripath had something more about the amount of "information", even if more noisy and less accurate.

Thomas
Click to expand...


T-Amps are noisy. I fully agree. Mainly due to Rf pickup of the chip and a poor designed power supply.

As final tweaks I applied below:

I got mainly rid of RF impact, when I shielded the chip.

I glued a -- I wonder if I should mention it here, quite some
people will come up with comments like Voodoo/SnakeOil and HokusPokus, anyhow -- a Shakti-Online, which I had at hand to the back of the 2020.
Shielded the whole board and the chip with ERS paper.
And here we go! Audible noise level went dramatically down. Precision improved large scale.

I assume that your power is clean! 😀
 
#249
classd4sure said:
What version are your modules... and do you want some info on modding it.... before you tick me off more? 😀
Click to expand...

Finally I found a way to get good hints from you 🙂

Sure I'd like! I have UCD180ad, Supply-HG and TR100A Hypex custom transformer, 160VA with small secondary for input buffer.

What would be the third mod in order of importance?

Thanks

Thomas
 
#250
thomaseliot said:


Finally I found a way to get good hints from you 🙂

Sure I'd like! I have UCD180ad, Supply-HG and TR100A Hypex custom transformer, 160VA with small secondary for input buffer.

What would be the third mod in order of importance?

Thanks

Thomas
Click to expand...


Like I don't always dish out the goods 😕

What's the actual board version you have? Should be a # on the pcb someplace
 
#251
Let me time to open and unmount one module from my beautiful chassis 🙂

UcdFront.JPG


Sn:..........

06/07/2005
 
#256
It looks like each instrument in an orchestra would have been recorded with its own microphone with its characteristic volume. Even when the whole orchestra is playing loud, you can still hear weak sounds of a violin or a flute.
Click to expand...

Yes Thomas, exactly. It is like each instrument is recorded with its own microphone and it does not seem to matter how softly or loudly you are playing, you still seem to hear all the instruments and none of the softer sounds seem to get buried under the sound of any particular instrument/(s).

I am very impressed with it and it seems we are both hearing the same things. so its not my imagination😀

Andrew
 
#257
Andrewbee said:


Yes Thomas, exactly. It is like each instrument is recorded with its own microphone and it does not seem to matter how softly or loudly you are playing, you still seem to hear all the instruments and none of the softer sounds seem to get buried under the sound of any particular instrument/(s).

I am very impressed with it and it seems we are both hearing the same things. so its not my imagination😀

Andrew
Click to expand...


This is interesting Andrew. Have you used any non-class-D amp before?
 
#258
Hello Soongsc,

Yes, I have heard many but only have opinions on what I have heard in my own systems.
I presently own among a few others an inverted gainclone, SE OTL (very Good), Aksa 55 with Nirvana upgrade, 300Bpp, 2a3pp, el34pp, kt88pp,
RH mode 807SE (very good) RH el84se (very good) 2a3se i.t. coupled, charlize (very good) and some older consumer brand ss such as Carver.
As you can see I am mostly listen to tubes.

I do not drink, smoke or carouse so my money is spent on this hobby although I am beginning to watch more tv (Movies) these days, must be age catching up with me🙂

Andrew
 
#259
Thomaseliot

Let me time to open and unmount one module from my beautiful chassis
Click to expand...

Yes it is beautiful - where did you get the box? - and have you posted pictures of your layout (I think I saw them once, but perhaps you could post them again)
I am building the Amp 5, which so far is going well. I'm looking for ideas to box it.
How are you handling the preamp?

Thanks
Keith
 
#260
Hi Keith,

UcD_Amp5.jpg


Chassis are from www.hifi2000.com or www.audiokit.it. They cost about 50€ but delivery costs to Canada would be more. If you go to 41hz forum there are links to nice chassis in USA.

Andrew, compliments for your amps collection! Why don't you say something about your valve amps sonic characters with respect to AMP5?

Here around I've read almost every comparison of Tripath amps against something else. Everybody, but most people don't say what they have listened to, have been impressed by the "thing", called, liveness, presence, resolution, etc. Even if they didn't appreciate the amp.

I searched for DPP, Digital Power Processing, that is a patented technology by Tripath. I know that it has something to do with the variable switching frequency, from 250khz to more than 1 mhz, that all Tripath ams have. But this is not my field: somebody knows something better?
 
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