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Cheap transformer upgrade replacement?

In fact, transformer is the best part of that amplifier.
There is enough space in box, to put one more amplifier inside.
 
nironiro said:
In fact, transformer is the best part of that amplifier.
There is enough space in box, to put one more amplifier inside.
Click to expand...
Stop it, you're killing me! That's too funny!!!
I think what got me to buy it were the favorable reviews on youtube. That, and it is completely manual. After having a NAD with awesome sound, but would switch to random sources at will, I thought that less would be better. I wish they were made better because they have power to spare.
 
I would not trust youtube reviews.
Thd for that amp is 0.1% at 10W.
Tone controls (you mention them) are +/-5.5dB.
Specifications are from Cambridge Audio page.
 
There’s only so much you can expect out of a little chip amp that puts out 15-20w unless you have very sensitive easy to drive speakers. If you are into DIY you could build a regulated power supply using lm338 or similar but you would lose a few volts.
 
Fsatsil said:
There’s only so much you can expect out of a little chip amp that puts out 15-20w unless you have very sensitive easy to drive speakers. If you are into DIY you could build a regulated power supply using lm338 or similar but you would lose a few volts.
Click to expand...
A few random thoughts and one question: I was suprised when I opened it up and saw only one chip attached to the heat sink.
I couldn't find any info about the amp's guts prior to this post, but I do have 90db speakers which should be efficient enough.
I'm guessing the board that connects to the power plug is an unregulated power supply.

Do you happen to know of any regulated power supply kits that are out there that would be compatible?

Thank you for the response!
 
nironiro said:
I would not trust youtube reviews.
Thd for that amp is 0.1% at 10W.
Tone controls (you mention them) are +/-5.5dB.
Specifications are from Cambridge Audio page.
Click to expand...

I saw the Thd for the amp before I bought it and thought about the Pioneer amps from the early 70s that had that high of distortion which many people seem to [still] enjoy. One thing that impressed me from the specs was the wide frequency response down to 10hz. Different circuitry though.
 
Those Pioneer amps from early '70s have warm sound, Cambridge Audio amps are known for brighter sound (Which is not good or bad, depends on listeners preferences).
 
I doubt that regulated power supply would help this.
Better to find in schematics why low end have no depth.
 
If the problem is lack of low end, add a sub. The problem is quite likely a lack of power, which isn't going to be fixed by regulation. That would require a higher voltage transformer so the regs have overhead to operate with anyway.
 
Guess I will look for something lik
nironiro said:
Those Pioneer amps from early '70s have warm sound, Cambridge Audio amps are known for brighter sound (Which is not good or bad, depends on listeners preferences).
Click to expand...
Guess I will look for something like a SA-6200 that isnt too beat up, since warm sound is what I had in mind.
 
durk80 said:
A few random thoughts and one question: I was suprised when I opened it up and saw only one chip attached to the heat sink.
I couldn't find any info about the amp's guts prior to this post, but I do have 90db speakers which should be efficient enough.
I'm guessing the board that connects to the power plug is an unregulated power supply.

Do you happen to know of any regulated power supply kits that are out there that would be compatible?

Thank you for the response!
Click to expand...
I don’t know of any kits but a basic Lm338 circuit is simple enough to build on a little piece of vero board. Chip amp ics usually have pretty high psrr so I wouldn’t expect much improvement but it’s always fun to experiment.
 
Just an update: I've learned to love this amp. The toroidial transformer definitely gives it a warmer, slightly deeper sound. The Chinese transformer did not shield out enough noise. You could also feel and hear it 'buzz' if that makes any sense. The toroid also reduced the rather startling 'pop' to a 'click' when the a/c thermostat clicks on.

One thing that amazed me right out of the box prior to adding the new transformer was the tendency of the music to noticeably become louder at crescendos in songs I've never realized existed which makes listening much more engaging. Also, it's perfect for my living room which is approximately 12x18'.

Would I buy it again? Yes, considering there is nothing that I'm aware of in the refurbished/ scratch and dent price range including the mod that is solely an integrated amp.
 
durk80 said:
The toroidal transformer installed. I disconnected the usb input on the back, but left the wire there just in case a dentist office wants it to stream some Kenny G to pipe into the waiting room and the drilling stations. The photo is a couple stops underexposed but I think it's par for the course.

Click to expand...
That's quite an...empty box. Interesting experiment though, glad it worked out for you. :thumbsup:
 
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