I am very carefull with electronics and would not use it if it was a problem my case never gets hot ive opened it up to have a look at the components no problems at all it would shut itself off if there was overvoltage I play it about 6 hours a day for the last couple of weeks and no problems maybe im lucky 🙂
im going to change the power capacitors anyway they are only 16v 3000uf got a couple of 16v 6800uf coming with the newer t-amps I think most of the internal components are ok from what ive seen just the input power capacitors need changing
Ok then, I guess 16V is probably the maximum in the 'safe zone'. 😀 It's weird, they say "the internal parallel a large filter capacitor 10000uf" while the pictures show 2 capacitors of 4700uf. I think I'm going to buy the Indeed New Indeed Class T Amp Tripath TA2021 25WX2 Amplifier Improved 20000 MFD Cap | eBay, which seems to be also very popular on eBay! It seems to be decently builded with nice components, which is important for me since I never soldered anything in my life so modding is out of the question. 😀
yes any of the newer model amps are great I posted somewhere else that I have a Marantz pm6004 and denon pma 520ae amps and my little darling ta2021b amp beats the pants of them both for sound quality best £35 ive ever spent on audio equipment.just get 1 then come back and tell me how fantastic the sound is(I know you will)🙂
Can any of the TA2020 or TA2021 handle these?
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Speakers with T amp
Try mating your T amp with JBL Control One speakers. These guys are smallish in dimensions and would be an aesthetic match to the T amp size too. SQ wise, you may be taken aback with its clarity, reasonable volume and smoothness.
I have been using these speakers with a Topping TP20 (2020) since the last two years and have never regretted ... for its VFM sound. This is coming from a person whose main rig is Transmission Line FS with a powerful Krell 400xi integrated. 😀
Try mating your T amp with JBL Control One speakers. These guys are smallish in dimensions and would be an aesthetic match to the T amp size too. SQ wise, you may be taken aback with its clarity, reasonable volume and smoothness.
I have been using these speakers with a Topping TP20 (2020) since the last two years and have never regretted ... for its VFM sound. This is coming from a person whose main rig is Transmission Line FS with a powerful Krell 400xi integrated. 😀
I think there are much more better speaker partners for smaller T-amps. I made best experiences with stands and bigger chassis. Of course above a certain sesitivity.
For smaller speakers there are always bigger amps recommended with more ability and control the membran.
Taking the SMSL SA-S1 to another level
I've been enjoying my SMSL SA-S1 TA2020 T-amp for almost five months, and I recently decided to try a different power supply. For my Sonic Impact 5065 Gen 2 TA2024 amp, I had purchased a PowerOne MAP110-S148 110W switching power supply and stuck in about seven 2,200uF/50V Panasonic FM low ESR electrolytic caps in the second stage filter. This power supply served me well when I used it with my Sonic Impact 5065 Gen 2 T-amp, and with my Arjen Helder TA2020 MkIII T-amp; however, I never could get over some low level noise and distortion when I drove both amps hard. I finally got around to pulling it out and soldering on a Switchcraft 2.1mm ID x 5.5mm OD DC power connector to the twisted pair of 19AWG Kimber TCSS hook-up wire that I use for the DC power cable. I turned the adjustable output pot to bring the output voltage to 13.4VDC. The results were immediately noticeable:
I was so impressed, I told my buddy across the country about it since he bought one of these T-amps too. He purchased a Mean Well RS-100-12 SMPS and wired up a similar DC power cable. He can verify the vast improvements that a higher quality -- ~13.5VDC and 6A -- SMPS can make with this amp.
Now I wonder what a decent regulated linear supply with 13.8VDC and 5A would do with this little amp. Has anyone tried such a power supply like the Astron or Pyramid regulated linear supplies typically used for CB radios?
I've been enjoying my SMSL SA-S1 TA2020 T-amp for almost five months, and I recently decided to try a different power supply. For my Sonic Impact 5065 Gen 2 TA2024 amp, I had purchased a PowerOne MAP110-S148 110W switching power supply and stuck in about seven 2,200uF/50V Panasonic FM low ESR electrolytic caps in the second stage filter. This power supply served me well when I used it with my Sonic Impact 5065 Gen 2 T-amp, and with my Arjen Helder TA2020 MkIII T-amp; however, I never could get over some low level noise and distortion when I drove both amps hard. I finally got around to pulling it out and soldering on a Switchcraft 2.1mm ID x 5.5mm OD DC power connector to the twisted pair of 19AWG Kimber TCSS hook-up wire that I use for the DC power cable. I turned the adjustable output pot to bring the output voltage to 13.4VDC. The results were immediately noticeable:
- Deeper soundstage with a more three dimensional image
- Frequency extension at both ends of the spectrum
- The treble had better definition with greater air
- The bass was stronger, tighter and more balanced with the mids and highs
- The tone and timbre of vocals and instruments were more natural and warmer
I was so impressed, I told my buddy across the country about it since he bought one of these T-amps too. He purchased a Mean Well RS-100-12 SMPS and wired up a similar DC power cable. He can verify the vast improvements that a higher quality -- ~13.5VDC and 6A -- SMPS can make with this amp.
Now I wonder what a decent regulated linear supply with 13.8VDC and 5A would do with this little amp. Has anyone tried such a power supply like the Astron or Pyramid regulated linear supplies typically used for CB radios?
Hi,
have you tried FM radio with your SMSL SA-S1? The RF interference produced by the one I have just kills fm reception.
I understand that air core inductors do not effectively filter RF interference produced in the T-amp circuitry. I don't listen to AM/FM radio, except when I am driving, so it is not an issue for me. In the meantime, I am enjoying the SMSL amp, which has produced the best sound quality of any T-amp I've owned.
Ultimately, I do prefer the sound of tube gear. My main system consists of a restored Kenwood PC-400U belt/idler drive turntable (similar to Thorens TD-124) with a Talisman Alchemist 2B MC cartridge, an Audio Research PH5 phono stage, an Audio Research LS7 line stage and an original Dynakit Stereo 35 that I restored and modified with Dave Gillespie's EFB and power supply module. The SMSL T-amp gives me 90% to 95% of the performance of my tube amp system for less than $100 including the upgraded SMPS, especially when it runs with my PH5 phono stage. I would consider this T-amp an incredible audio bargain.
Ultimately, I do prefer the sound of tube gear. My main system consists of a restored Kenwood PC-400U belt/idler drive turntable (similar to Thorens TD-124) with a Talisman Alchemist 2B MC cartridge, an Audio Research PH5 phono stage, an Audio Research LS7 line stage and an original Dynakit Stereo 35 that I restored and modified with Dave Gillespie's EFB and power supply module. The SMSL T-amp gives me 90% to 95% of the performance of my tube amp system for less than $100 including the upgraded SMPS, especially when it runs with my PH5 phono stage. I would consider this T-amp an incredible audio bargain.
Having lived with a wonderful modded Dynaco 35 that is about the highest praise I have ever heard for any T amp!
The T-amp doesn't have the bloom and sweet EL84 tonality, but it does produce warm tone on its own. I love my Stereo 35 and I have a couple Dynaco SCA-35 amps as transformer donors to build a couple Stereo 35 clones. Shannon Parks just came out with his ST-35 boards with accommodations for adding EFB.
Compared to my vintage Sony TA-3060 and heavily modded Adcom GFA-535 SS amps, the SMSL beats them hands-down. Both SS amps have a warm and smooth presentation, but the SMSL has better separation and it reproduces the soundstage in greater size. Keep in mind I am using 98dB sensitive Klipsch Forte IIs, which match up well with the lower powered T-amps. I think speaker pairing is a key to getting the most out of a T-amp.
Going back to the issue of RFI, Michael Mardis developed a shielding mod using Copper foil for the Trends TA-10.1 T-amp for attenuating some of the RFI radiating from the stock air core inductors in the output filter. I haven't had a need to do something similar with the SMSL SA-S1, but it is an option for reducing RFI.
I urge you to try a TDA7297, $6 shipping included. Connected to my old Tannoys it sounds wonderful, better, to my ears, than SMSL-S1.
I cannot compare my Quad II outfit, it's been 30 years since I had them connected, I have forgotten. The 7297 sounds better than the McIntosh ss amp it replaced.
I gave up with tubes, I was always sniffing the air for burning (grin)
I cannot compare my Quad II outfit, it's been 30 years since I had them connected, I have forgotten. The 7297 sounds better than the McIntosh ss amp it replaced.
I gave up with tubes, I was always sniffing the air for burning (grin)
They are all the same, except one now has a disc type gain which had not been introduced when I purchased mine.
AliExpress and Ebay are both good.
An old friend and music lover is dropping in today, I'm going to amaze him!
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