morty88 Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 Hey all I'm just setting up a very basic system for my bedroom at the moment. My main rig (as per my sig) is where I'll be turning to for any serious listening session - the bedroom speakers are just some basic sony floorstanders (previously used as my 5 channel system for movies). I'm investigating small form factor amps as the setup will go something like this: iPad (with USB attachment) -> my MF V8P headphone amp also doubling as DAC / preamp -> [insert small power amp]. Cheapie chinese class D or T, with about 50WPC is about all I was thinking of. This Muse M50 off ebay seems to have reasonable write ups and for $50ish may be worth the gamble, but I'd prefer it to be a straight power amp: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250879382513?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4106wt_1051 Anyone got any other recommendations for SFF amp, that's not in the price range of W4S / Bel Canto (I'd go for a W4S if I had the dosh but keeping it cheap at the mo!). Really looking for no more than $150-200. cheers!
uHenry Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 If you're handy with a soldering iron & drill the Hifimediy amps are light years ahead of small one box Tripaths. The little one box or box plus laptop type SMPS have no authority or weight/impact. So I tried a 13.8v marine battery - no improvement. With small standmounts, maybe OK, but my experience with very efficient floorstanders (95dB) they were dull & lifeless at all amplitudes. YMMV of course!
morty88 Posted August 30, 2012 Author Posted August 30, 2012 although this is mighty tempting..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/CYRUS-6-POWER-Stereo-Power-Amp-RRP-700-/190680788567?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item2c6575ee57#ht_5847wt_1180
morty88 Posted August 30, 2012 Author Posted August 30, 2012 could be an interesting project Henry... although I wouldn't class myself as 'handy' with a solder iron! Will look into it...
A J Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 If you're handy with a soldering iron & drill the Hifimediy amps are light years ahead of small one box Tripaths. The little one box or box plus laptop type SMPS have no authority or weight/impact. So I tried a 13.8v marine battery - no improvement. With small standmounts, maybe OK, but my experience with very efficient floorstanders (95dB) they were dull & lifeless at all amplitudes. YMMV of course! Have you tried these ? I have found my little Trends TA amp pretty good, has good balance from low through highs, so no issues with authority. I am interested in the hifi medly though if they are any good?
uHenry Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) Yep, the little one is a tk2021, if I ever get motivated to recable the headphones it will be reborn as a balanced headphone amp, apparently they excel in this role. The Hifimediy amp has the TC2000. controller and an ST mosfet driver. The TC2000 seems to be the key here, it is a major improvement over other TP chips. The driver is not so critical. Lots of chatter at Diyaudio on the subject. I'll post a pic of the build when back from the Pho joint. Sent from my iPoo Edit: Pics Obviously a two box job, so it has a very small footprint on the shelf. The SMPS is 300w and about 36v I think? PC PSU case was an obvious choice (hidden away). The Auricaps came in the mail later, was not expecting the size of them! Somehow I shoehorned them in, really breathed life into the presentation, an ear pleasing hump in the midbass/lower midrange giving foot tapping rhythmic drive that the stock wimas were lacking. This was a pleasant surprise. Edited August 30, 2012 by uHenry 1
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