T-amp question

[andychen]

I want to use a T-amp and a bookshelf with my computer. I have a home theater system with good amp, so with the computer setup, I want something cheap and small. That is why I choose T-amp. My sonic impact is on the way, but I just read a few negative reviews about it. Now I am wondering if Trends Audio TA-10 amp ($160) is worth the extra money compared to sonic impact ($60). particularly, can trends audio TA-10 drive EPOS ELS 3 (4 ohm)? or do you have other suggestions? I want something really small and less than $200. Thank you.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by andychen /img/forum/go_quote.gif I want to use a T-amp and a bookshelf to use with my computer. I have a home theater system with good amp, so with the computer setup, I want something cheap and small. That is why I choose T-amp. My sonic impact is on the way, but I just read a few negative reviews about it. Now I am wondering if Trends Audio TA-10 amp ($160) is worth the extra money compared to sonic impact ($60). particularly, can trends audio TA-10 drive EPOS ELS 3 (4 ohm)? or do you have other suggestions? I want something really small and less than $200. Thank you.

Negative reviews of the T-Amp? In terms of the build quality, is my guess, not the SQ. If you don't want small, fragile speaker wire clips (you need to use very thin wire with the stock T-Amp clips), then the T-Amp probably isn't for you. I've been using the original T-Amp ($27) for a year with a pair of ancient KLH speakers and a CD player or my Zune/ZVM, and it all sounds fantastic. I recently "upgraded" to the $50 amp (wanted to try the headphone out jack) and it also sounds great with the same setup.

There is a new amp coming out, based on the Tripath, and you can read about at the link below. Might be right up your alley. I have an order in for one at $89, though not sure how long it will be until they actually ship. Why am I ordering it? Cause it has a pre-out for a subwoofer, and I have some PSB CLR speakers that I am going to hook up to the new amp with the sub.

Special pricing until March 31, 2008 !! - Tweak City Audio

 

[scompton]

The only thing negative I've seen is the headphone jack, which next to worthless, and the spring clips. The bass rolls off a little compared to the Trends from what I've read, and the Super T which I have and done the comparison. It's not a huge difference between the V2 and the Super T.

My suggestion would be to use the V2 and open a search on eBay for a Super T or Trends and with patience, you should be able to get one cheap. It took about 4 months for me to get the Super T for $75 shipped.

 

[andychen]

Thanks for your replies. I guess I should not say "negative". Almost all agree that sonic impact is the best bang for the buck, but cannot compare with more expensive ones. I do have $100 more to spend, that is why I am condering trends audio. If "trends" is 50% better than sonic impact, then I can go with "trends", but I do not have chance to try them.

 

[tstarn06]

Be sure to check the link I posted. The photos of that tripath-based amp are promising. And I agree about the headphone amp on the Sonic Impact T-Amp V2. It's of no real use.

Actually, here's a better link to the X-19 amp (as they are calling it). Take a look. You only need to sign up to the forum and post to get the $89 price.

X-19 Specs - Tweak City Audio

 

[andychen]

So, other than bass. sonic and trends perform very similar?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif The only thing negative I've seen is the headphone jack, which next to worthless, and the spring clips. The bass rolls off a little compared to the Trends from what I've read, and the Super T which I have and done the comparison. It's not a huge difference between the V2 and the Super T. My suggestion would be to use the V2 and open a search on eBay for a Super T or Trends and with patience, you should be able to get one cheap. It took about 4 months for me to get the Super T for $75 shipped.

 

[classicalguy]

You can't expect a $50 t-amp to have the same builld quality as a $150 one. Whether the better build quality and sound from better parts is worth 3x the price depends on your economic status and personal preferences. As with most audio, there are diminishing returns at higher and higher price levels. The t-amp gives great sound quality for it's price, and I suspect it will drive your speakers just fine. I have no doubt that the trends is superior in every way. If price doesn't matter to you, get the trends. If price matters, I think you'll be happy with the t-amp.

Note that there are even more expensive versions of the t-amp. Again, diminishing returns, but whether it's worth it is totally subjective.

 

[classicalguy]

Re tweak city: like av123, huge amount of hyping and game playing. I don't think we should be recommending products that are not available- too much vaporware. av123 was supposed to release an amp years ago. I hope it comes out, and I hope it's good, but would not recommend it until it's available and people have heard it.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by andychen /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, other than bass. sonic and trends perform very similar?

I don't know, since I've never heard the Trends. That is true of the Sonic Impact V2 vs. Super T.

In this blind round robin test the Trends won over some very expensive amps. The Super T didn't get out of the first round.
SHOOTOUT2007

 

[andychen]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I signed up for the tweek city audio anyway. I hope they have good return policy. I will use my SI T-amp for now and shop around for cheap trends. If the the tweek city audio is good, I can always sell SI or trends later.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicalguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Re tweak city: like av123, huge amount of hyping and game playing. I don't think we should be recommending products that are not available- too much vaporware. av123 was supposed to release an amp years ago. I hope it comes out, and I hope it's good, but would not recommend it until it's available and people have heard it.

Appreciate your input, but if you are not paying for anything, why not at least sign up to get one less expensively? "No harm, no foul" as they say. If it never becomes reality, where's the downside? Not hyping anything, just thinking that as long as this proposed amp is in the works and may come out some time in 2008, then I want one. Others might too.

If it's got the Tripath chip, no doubt it will perform at least as well as the T-Amp (of which I already own two, V1 and V2). And I would like to add the PSBs and a new sub to my office system, so I need a pre-out for a sub, as well as better speaker connections, etc.

In other words, the Gizmo amp (as its now being called) is a perfect fit for my needs. So if they make them, great. If not, I'll live with the T-Amp and not move to the PSBs/sub setup.

You certainly have a right to warn people about the possibility that the Gizmo may be vaporware, but I don't really see a downside. And if it turns out to be all it's supposed to be, I'd rather pay $89 than $129. Seems like s worthwhile gamble, no?

 

[scompton]

You must have very understanding coworkers. If I put a sub in my office, I'd have lots of complaints.

 

[classicalguy]

No harm in registering at tweak city. All I'm saying is that a product that is in development is not the same as a product available for purchase.

 

[tstarn06]

No co-workers, happily self-employed. We'll just have to see how it all shakes out with the Gizmo amp. Not too worried if it never comes to fruition, but it seems like a nice T-Amp alternative. Oh, they are also supposed to be giving away some of the amps too in a random drawing.