Quote:
Originally Posted by sumone
mono,
May I ask what kind of sound you're looking for out of the T-amp; the reason you're doing all these mods?
In other words, with a flat-out stock T-amp, what do you consider is "wrong" (probably a poor word choice) about the sound? Explaining examples like, "I changed the _______ part to do ______ to the sound", etc. would be good enough.
...I'm just trying to "train" or "tune" my hearing.
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I changed POT to improve tracking.
I changed input coupling caps to lower high-pass filter (more/lower bass) and less coloration, and less coloration from replacement of SMD input resistor with external metal-films matched to keep L/R channels as near same level as reasonable.
I added power supply to reduce power ripple and increase pre-distortion output level.
I recased it because these bits don't fit in the original SI case and it looked
too junky, in addition to being light enough that cables might pull it off the shelf. Plus I wanted RCA jack input because minijacks have poor contact, wear out and stress the tiny circuit board pads. The rear of the SI case was already cramped enough.
Added normal volume knob because I like to be able to turn a knob normally- not sure what SI was thinking with that flush-mount smooth knob.
I wasn't wanting to use a SLA battery/recharging all the time and realized that technically it was inferior to a linear supply with a lot of near-amp capacitance.
I put a metal partition in it to reduce EMI from transformer to SI board and I/O wires.
Added solder to chip 'sink plate because it's MEANT to be 'sinked like that, not sure why SI stopped doing it and I'd heard of others who had theirs getting quite hot.
The original spring-clips were too small and poorer contact after time passes. I'd
wanted binding posts and as mentioned previously had ordered some, but they never came and I was anxious to get the rest of the thing completed (some prjects, once shelved for awhile, never get finished in a timely manner) so I just reused some slightly-better spring-terminals I'd removed from some other amp before upgrading it's terminals. So, I ended up with it finished and working fine, just need to get more binding posts someday and decide on front panel light... was thinking something that read "tripath".
It should be noted that most of the mods I did, used parts I already had, I would not spend $100 on one of these, and probably not $50 in addition to the amp cost. Even so, when all is said and done if someone didn't "need" more than 5W/ch, they're not going to be able to build anything else better for lower cost.
If I get motivated I'll post a quick pic of mine.