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T-amp recommendations

coffee123

coffee123

Well-Known Member
So im lookin for a T-class amp to run a set of KLH bookshelves at work. These wont be so much for music as they will be used on an editing rig. Super hifi clean studio sound is not necessary in this case. I've got no problem with a kit or modding something new as it seems there is a lot of that for these cheep chip amps, but there are soooo many choices.

Basically I need 15 watts minimum, a volume control, inputs would be nice, BUT I can add inputs easily so thats not a deal breaker. Im lookin for something under $50 thats total invested hopefully, power supply and case included in that $50 haha. And like I said, ive seen lots of mods for many of these. So if there is a step by step or articles on the mods im cool with that. Im no electrical engineer, changing cap values and what not kind of eludes me....but i rebuilt my tube amps with no problems and Im not afraid to dive in. But, mods done by someone with the test equipment to prove they are improving it is always what I want to see. So...thoughts?

Mark

FYI, im usually in the Tube section, heh..but been on the forum for a while :music:
 
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I see your not getting many replys. So I'll throw in my .02.

The Lepai 2020+ is about 25.00$. There are alot of mods for them here.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/class-d/223389-lp-2020a-mod-thread.html
Not the watts you want. Maybe 8 to 10 clear watts.
There are also alot of boards and ps on ebay.
I've built the sure 2x100 w/ meanwell ps. Works better than I expected. Very simple to put together. You could also add a volume control. It's more than 50.00 bucks though.
Topping makes some nice t-amps too.


MK
 
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I've got a couple of the 2020's,
great little amp if you aren't playing too loudly and have efficient speaks. They sound really good to me driving pair of old infinty Qa.

jaz
 
If I were the OP I would look at the options available on Parts Express. Pick one of those knowing if there is any problem with the unit he will be able to return it hassle free. There may be better choices out there but none are likely to be as hassle free.

cubdog
 
cubdog said:
If I were the OP I would look at the options available on Parts Express. Pick one of those knowing if there is any problem with the unit he will be able to return it hassle free. There may be better choices out there but none are likely to be as hassle free.

cubdog
Click to expand...

Agree. I opted for the the Dayton D100 (?). 1 set of RCA's in the back, 1 mini-jack in the front. Has worked faithfully with no issue for over a year now, though the claims of 50wpc are slightly inflated (realistically 15-20).
 
It might be hard to find an amp that meets your power requirements in your price range. Without quite doubling it, the Topping TP21 has a nice crisp and clear sound for a unit that only costs $75 and should have the power you need. I'd recommend using it with some sort of line-stage preamp in order to get the most out of it though.
 
I got an SMSL TA2020 based amp with PSU for about $55. It's supposedly 20wpc in 4ohms but really I suspect it's about half that. Seems really well built though and plays some little speakers I have pretty loud.

Honestly, your specifications of 15wpc min at $50 w/psu is kind of hard to do because the cheaper amps like Lepai usually come with crap PSUs that won't actually put out the wattage the chip is capable of.
 
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I just received two of these:
Sure 2 X 50Watt Class D Audio Amplifier - TDA7492
Ebay - Item number:350709620982
Currently $32 free shipping
Works best with 24 Volt 4+amp power supply
Sounds every bit as good as the SMSL 2 X 50Watt Amplifier - TDA7492 I already have.
This really seems like an incredible deal to me (hence I bought two more unneeded amps).
 
mr_light said:
I just received two of these:
Sure 2 X 50Watt Class D Audio Amplifier - TDA7492
Ebay - Item number:350709620982
Currently $32 free shipping
Works best with 24 Volt 4+amp power supply
Sounds every bit as good as the SMSL 2 X 50Watt Amplifier - TDA7492 I already have.
This really seems like an incredible deal to me (hence I bought two more unneeded amps).
Click to expand...

That's a nice looking amp. I like the headphone jack. I'm a sucker for these little amps. I have at least four around here not in use yet I'm thinking about buying one of these. Hey it's free shipping!

cubdog
 
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FYI, if you get one of the Sure amps, you need to push the volume control to turn it on and off. No where is it mentioned or documented....
 
I should also mention I bought two of these (because 12V is great for portable/mobile). They just don't have the full sound of the more powerfull amps.
Sure 2 X 15 Watt 4 Ohm Class D Digital Audio Amplifier - TA2024 15W Stereo Mini T-Amp
Item number:110932797137
Currently $28 free shipping
Works best with 12 Volt 3+amp power supply
At least these don't take up as much room as my stack of receivers...
 
mr_light said:
I just received two of these:
Sure 2 X 50Watt Class D Audio Amplifier - TDA7492
Ebay - Item number:350709620982
Currently $32 free shipping
Works best with 24 Volt 4+amp power supply
Sounds every bit as good as the SMSL 2 X 50Watt Amplifier - TDA7492 I already have.
This really seems like an incredible deal to me (hence I bought two more unneeded amps).
Click to expand...

I ordered one of these yesterday, couldn't resist even though I don't need it. Funny story, These were on sale for $32.00 with free shipping marked down from $53.00. The sale ended yesterday. For some reason though there was a Make Offer option. I offered $25.00 just to see what might happen. The sellers, Sure Electronics, wrote back to me "Sir, these amps are already for sale". Then they counter offered $31.50. So I got an additional $.50 off the sale price! :smoke: I'm not sure why there was the Make Offer option.

cubdog
 
mr_light said:
I just received two of these:
Sure 2 X 50Watt Class D Audio Amplifier - TDA7492
Ebay - Item number:350709620982
Currently $32 free shipping
Works best with 24 Volt 4+amp power supply
Sounds every bit as good as the SMSL 2 X 50Watt Amplifier - TDA7492 I already have.
This really seems like an incredible deal to me (hence I bought two more unneeded amps).
Click to expand...

An update on this little amp. I don't know how many watts it puts out in reality but I can say it is far more powerful than my other small inexpensive T amps. I'm really enjoying it, so much so I ordered another one last night. They are on sale again for the same $32.00 with free shipping. The sale ends in three hours although hopefully they will go on sale again sometime. I'm using mine on my front patio, streaming Pandora through an android tablet. Doesn't get much simpler than that. Great bargain amplifier that I highly recommend.

cubdog
 
Thanks to the posters in this thread I just placed an order to replace two amps I am in need of. I wanted to mix it up so I got one Sure (TDA7492 chip), and one SMSL (TA2020 chip). Looks like both should be here in the next 2 weeks. woot@

2 X 50Watt Class D Audio Amplifier - TDA7492
US $32.00
From: sure-hifi (FREE - ePacket delivery from China)
No power supply so I will find one at home.



SMSL SA-36A TA202 Mini Amplifier w/14V Power Adapter Black Silver Gold 20Wx2
US $55.99
From: kidult_us_store (free shipping originating in the US)
I think the "TA202" in the item title is a typo as it says TA2020 in the description.






SURE
$T2eC16N,!%29QE9s3HD%29RqBREfo%28p9-g~~60_3.JPG



SMSL
SMSL.png
 
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I'll tell you a T-amp I DON'T recommend: the Dayton DTA-100a (50w/ch). I bought it originally for how small it was to drive some speakers at work. Sure it was clear in sound and got pretty loud (tested both with JBL 6" bookshelves and Axiom M3's).

However, they had no soundstage. They can fill a room, but I compared it to my old Pioneer SX-3700 and it just sounded....flat and bland. I guess it will work for a small computer desktop or garage working, but musical they ain't. Oh, and also one of the headphone outs doesn't work (can't remember which one).

I still have it just in case I do have to use it for a quick audio test setup.
 
The DTA-100a only has one headphone output. The other hole is an input which, when in use, overrides the RCA inputs on the rear of the amp.

In addition to the Dayton, I have a Lepai LP-2020a+ and a Topping TP-60. Each has its own sonic signature, but they share the ability to resolve detail that is surprising for their cost. I have 25-30 receivers and integrated/stand-alone amps, plus 30-35 pairs of speakers. Being able to mix & match at will, I've learned that the synergy between amps & speakers is critical in any system. Example: I have a pair of KLH Thirty-Ones (2-way, 1 capacitor x-over, paper cone tweet) that sounded a little dull even after a re-cap. When I hooked them up to the Dayton, they came to life with amazing detail and without a rising high-end.

Most of my listening time is in my office, with the system set up on a test bench. Right now I'm streaming KFOG into the Lepai driving Genesis I speakers. Ultimate audiophile system? Of course not. Thoroughly enjoyable music? Yeah, man! Bang for the buck? Lepai = $21+shipping, Genesis $10 + new foam $6 + new caps <$6 - such a deal!

For context, my living room system: AR TT w/SME II arm, Denon 103 cart; Phillips CD880, AGI 511 preamp, Bedini 25/25 amp, ADS L1290 speakers. Now testing the TP-60 in the system. So far, I still prefer the Bedini by a wide margin (except for the heat).
 
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