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Advice on several amplifiers

amb3cog said:
Thanks man. I'll have to check that out when I have time. I'm impressed with that little thing. And at that price. I'm not sure how you can go wrong.

I wonder if you can just buy the amp board by itself and DIY. Seems like you could make it even better if they do. Although I'm sure it's quite nice just how it is. Sounds perfect for single driver full range speakers.
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you sure can, if you get on Mouser you can purchase the amp chip for a few bucks.

As for the PCB.. yep, you can buy that too... A lot of good kits out for the LM3886 chips, I decided to go with the Breeze Audio unit as its actually had a good quality transformer, and all caps are branded. Kinda thought they were knocks off, but once I got the unit in, was shocked to see that they were not. Did a lot of reading up on Breeze, and with out fail every site said they use good quality branded components. If they are in fact knock offs, they have a great fit and finish, and sound stage is quite good.

I have been really pushing the amp the past few weeks, and its not let me down yet. I listen to a lot of music, every day... so its been pushed quite hard the past few weeks... (check it out in what are you listening to now thread) you will see the amount of use I put on my amps.

If it ever takes a dive on me, I can rebuild the amp in a matter of an hour or so...

Simple, dirt cheap, good wattage, built like a tank, and the sound stage hits way above its class. It runs ice cold as well. Had it running 12hours straight last Friday night. Was posting about it from 230pm -230am. Chips were slightly warm. just a well built amp.

Enough from me... Some Pix of the inside of the amp.


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Vlad Yuar said:
Very well, I think I will buy the Technics SU - V6.

Thank you all for your advice, as it has helped me decide.

Again, thank you,
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I think you'll be happy with that. They're really well liked. And to be fair. If it were a different name. You would quite possibly be paying more. They're a good deal. Not crazy cheap, but not crazy expensive either. I saw one cheap on OfferUp one day, and just missed it. And they've had my eye ever since, because of all the positive stuff I read while researching it. I hope it works out good for you.
 
jobrewer1983 said:
you sure can, if you get on Mouser you can purchase the amp chip for a few bucks.

As for the PCB.. yep, you can buy that too... A lot of good kits out for the LM3886 chips, I decided to go with the Breeze Audio unit as its actually had a good quality transformer, and all caps are branded. Kinda thought they were knocks off, but once I got the unit in, was shocked to see that they were not. Did a lot of reading up on Breeze, and with out fail every site said they use good quality branded components. If they are in fact knock offs, they have a great fit and finish, and sound stage is quite good.

I have been really pushing the amp the past few weeks, and its not let me down yet. I listen to a lot of music, every day... so its been pushed quite hard the past few weeks... (check it out in what are you listening to now thread) you will see the amount of use I put on my amps.

If it ever takes a dive on me, I can rebuild the amp in a matter of an hour or so...

Simple, dirt cheap, good wattage, built like a tank, and the sound stage hits way above its class. It runs ice cold as well. Had it running 12hours straight last Friday night. Was posting about it from 230pm -230am. Chips were slightly warm. just a well built amp.

Enough from me... Some Pix of the inside of the amp.


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Really impressive that amp is that cheap, uses such quality parts, and kicks that much butt. They would be great for doing an actively crossed multi driver/amp setup. Because of the price/performance ratio. I wonder if you could bridge one?
 
Be sure to let us know how the Technics fares for you Vlad. Nice piece. Switchable phono setting etc.
 
Vlad Yuar said:
Very well, I think I will buy the Technics SU - V6.

Thank you all for your advice, as it has helped me decide.

Again, thank you,
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That will be a mistake. Technics amps are cold, clinical, uninvolving, and ultimately fatiguing in sq. Yamaha OTOH are just the opposite, much more transparent.
 
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amb3cog said:
I would go with the Technics myself also. Never heard a bad word.
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Superampman said:
That will be a mistake. Technics amps are cold, clinical, uninvolving, and ultimately fatiguing in sq. Yamaha OTOH are just the opposite, much more transparent.
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As you can see from the above, sound preferences are personal and sometimes contradictory. The best thing to do -- if you can -- is listen to the various amplifiers, in the same space and speakers and ideally try all without knowing which one you're hearing, and pick the one you prefer.
 
amb3cog said:
Really impressive that amp is that cheap, uses such quality parts, and kicks that much butt. They would be great for doing an actively crossed multi driver/amp setup. Because of the price/performance ratio. I wonder if you could bridge one?
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Yes you can, I have an open thread on it, it's something like "LM3886 chip amp, any users?" the talk lead to bridging. You should check it out. SME folks getting 2-300w out of the amps.

I had it hooked up to my CDP last night playing some SACD... fantastic, no EQ needed just perfect sound.

I keep stressing to folks for price range you won't find a better sounding amp.

I think if one was able to hold and feel the amp, and listen to it they would know it's of good quality. And it's not the standard laptop charger amps, it has an actual transformer. Binding posts are not crappy, just a really well made amp for under a bill. And a marching control amp/pre amp with tone controls and 3-4 inputs for other devices can be had for 50 bucks if one felt like builtig a min system. As it is, with a single CDP connected, I have yet to hear one tone that was off in any way.
 
DaveVoorhis said:
As you can see from the above, sound preferences are personal and sometimes contradictory. The best thing to do -- if you can -- is listen to the various amplifiers, in the same space and speakers and ideally try all without knowing which one you're hearing, and pick the one you prefer.
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I never said any sound preference. I've never heard it. I just said that I've done research on it, because I tried to buy it, and no one ever said a bad word. At least not about quality. The only way to know for sure if you'll like the sound is to buy/borrow it, and try it yourself in your system. And I like Dave's idea here of blind testing. Although I've never done that. To do that. You need to be positive they are level matched and set up exactly the same. Otherwise the loudest one may win just because of that.

I would go with the Technics because it's a quality built unit. It's not crazy expensive. And most people seem to be happy with it. You really won't know till you get it in your system though. Which is true with any audio gear. Definitely get stuff you can take back if possible. Although that usually costs more then other deals like buying off of here. I myself don't mind the risk. You can always sell it, if you don't like it.
 
jobrewer1983 said:
Yes you can, I have an open thread on it, it's something like "LM3886 chip amp, any users?" the talk lead to bridging. You should check it out. SME folks getting 2-300w out of the amps.

I had it hooked up to my CDP last night playing some SACD... fantastic, no EQ needed just perfect sound.

I keep stressing to folks for price range you won't find a better sounding amp.

I think if one was able to hold and feel the amp, and listen to it they would know it's of good quality. And it's not the standard laptop charger amps, it has an actual transformer. Binding posts are not crappy, just a really well made amp for under a bill. And a marching control amp/pre amp with tone controls and 3-4 inputs for other devices can be had for 50 bucks if one felt like builtig a min system. As it is, with a single CDP connected, I have yet to hear one tone that was off in any way.
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Yea that's the first thing I looked for. It's amazing it has a transformer at this price. I've been reading about these for too long now. I have to try one. I don't really even have a use for it. But I feel like I may really like it.
 
amb3cog said:
I never said any sound preference. I've never heard it. I just said that I've done research on it, because I tried to buy it, and no one ever said a bad word. At least not about quality. The only way to know for sure if you'll like the sound is to buy/borrow it, and try it yourself in your system. And I like Dave's idea here of blind testing. Although I've never done that. To do that. You need to be positive they are level matched and set up exactly the same. Otherwise the loudest one may win just because of that.

I would go with the Technics because it's a quality built unit. It's not crazy expensive. And most people seem to be happy with it. You really won't know till you get it in your system though. Which is true with any audio gear. Definitely get stuff you can take back if possible. Although that usually costs more then other deals like buying off of here. I myself don't mind the risk. You can always sell it, if you don't like it.
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Blind testing is and has been controversial. The verdict is "it's bull crap". Do you think that if somebody played a trick on a blind man and switched his amp he wouldn't know the difference when the butler fired it up? He's going to walk in and say, "what's wrong"?
 
Superampman said:
Blind testing is and has been controversial. The verdict is "it's bull crap". Do you think that if somebody played a trick on a blind man and switched his amp he wouldn't know the difference when the butler fired it up? He's going to walk in and say, "what's wrong"?
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I don't understand why you think I would think that. I obviously didn't show an opinion on it either way. Just said about level matching which is considered the proper way to do it. Which I was pointing about, because Dave suggested it. All I know about the sound of amps is I can certainly tell my SET over other amps. But other then that. I have no idea, and no real opinion either way. I don't have the experience to form one. And I certainly don't want to get into this can of worms argument. Nor will I. Please discuss this without my involvement. Thank you very much.
 
Drugolf said:
And guess what, he can always move it on if wanted. Nothing is permanent with this stuff.
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Yup. Great thing about vintage is if you shop smart. You won't really lose when you go to sell. Might lose the shipping you paid, but not much. I look at it like paying cheap rent on an item. Buy something, I use it for a year, and sell it. Even if you lose $100. That's Netflix prices to use it. Given a choice between Netflix, and listening to some nice gear. I know what I'm doing. Plus you're getting an education on this stuff. And last I looked education wasn't cheap. So call it tuition. :)
 
Superampman said:
Blind testing is and has been controversial. The verdict is "it's bull crap". Do you think that if somebody played a trick on a blind man and switched his amp he wouldn't know the difference when the butler fired it up? He's going to walk in and say, "what's wrong"?
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If not him, his wife for sure...
 
amb3cog said:
I don't understand why you think I would think that. I obviously didn't show an opinion on it either way. Just said about level matching which is considered the proper way to do it. Which I was pointing about, because Dave suggested it. All I know about the sound of amps is I can certainly tell my SET over other amps. But other then that. I have no idea, and no real opinion either way. I don't have the experience to form one. And I certainly don't want to get into this can of worms argument. Nor will I. Please discuss this without my involvement. Thank you very much.
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I respond to what I've seen written. In this case as per your hand. If you don't want a response you shouldn't prompt one. You said you like the idea of blind testing so it was you who lifted the lid.

In any case, we all typically browse all responses and I'm sure Dave noticed mine.
 
Superampman said:
I respond to what I've seen written. In this case as per your hand. If you don't want a response you shouldn't prompt one. You said you like the idea of blind testing so it was you who lifted the lid.

In any case, we all typically browse all responses and I'm sure Dave noticed mine.
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Yea but you are just one man's opinion... Take it for what its worth. :)

Kind Regards,
John
 
Superampman said:
I respond to what I've seen written. In this case as per your hand. If you don't want a response you shouldn't prompt one. You said you like the idea of blind testing so it was you who lifted the lid.

In any case, we all typically browse all responses and I'm sure Dave noticed mine.
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I do like the idea of it. But I've never done it. So I have no opinion. And again I was responding to Dave mentioning it. So he opened the lid on it. I did not bring it up. Please read the whole thread!
 
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