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$500 amplifiers to test and review?

Thierry Bidault

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Thank you.
I'm not a specialist at all but you don't need a DAC for those one because of the FDA technology.
 

Wombat

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Amir. Desired output power rating would help. :)
 
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Amir. Desired output power rating would help. :)
As loud as I can turn up the volume. :) Seriously like to have good power. I say at least 50 watts/channel.

This is early in the process of just exploring what is popular in this range. Once I test one or two I can get better calibrated on where we should go next.
 
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amirm

amirm

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Perhaps a $500 AV receiver? DAC and Amplifier test in one :)
You read my mind. :) After creating this thread I also thought about testing one of those. Problem with them that they are massive in size and often power consumption due to extra amps and video logic. Wish someone would build a svelte on for this type of application.
 

oivavoi

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Blumlein 88

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https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-120-class-t-mini-amplifier-60-wpc--300-3800

I have heard these on some good speakers. Not bad. Compared to an amp costing 20x more it lacked some solid oomph in the bass otherwise not bad. Now this was no thorough audition (lasted about 10 minutes), but for $78 60 wpc at 4 ohms and 40 wpc 8 ohms. Maybe it fits in the ultra cheap camp. You know, $79 Behringer DAC, $78 amp, and some suitably inexpensive speakers.

EDIT: I did just notice the max power spec is at less than 10% distortion. So these are probably really a good 20 wpc.

2nd EDIT: Owner's manual claims .01% THD at 30 watts. Uses the Tripath TK2050 chipset.

Here is a review which says you can use a different power supply for better performance.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/dayton_dta100_e.html

Datasheet on the chipset.
http://pdf.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheet/Tripath/mXyzwqtx.pdf
 
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tomelex

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https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-dta-120-class-t-mini-amplifier-60-wpc--300-3800

I have heard these on some good speakers. Not bad. Compared to an amp costing 20x more it lacked some solid oomph in the bass otherwise not bad. Now this was no thorough audition, but for $78, said to handle 4 ohm speakers, and 60 wpc, maybe it fits in the ultra cheap camp. You know, $79 Behringer DAC, $78 amp, and some suitably inexpensive speakers.


He He Bubba, I second this amp. Class T came out a long time ago, and to my ears it sounded pretty good actually. I would like to see this reviewed as well. Also, if one wants more oomph out of these, typically a power supply with more current capability does the trick.
 
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amirm

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Amazingly cheap. But check out this spec:
THD @ Rated Power <0.1% @ 1W per channel, <10% @ 60W per channel

Can't even get 1 watt out with less distortion?

And they say this in bullet points:
  • Audiophile-quality sound with extremely low distortion
And that is not the worst part. The worst part is this Amazon warning!!!

upload_2018-1-15_20-9-13.png


But since we don't have any 3-year olds, I went ahead and bought it through Amazon. :)
 

Wombat

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Amazingly cheap. But check out this spec:
THD @ Rated Power <0.1% @ 1W per channel, <10% @ 60W per channel

Can't even get 1 watt out with less distortion?

And they say this in bullet points:
  • Audiophile-quality sound with extremely low distortion
And that is not the worst part. The worst part is this Amazon warning!!!

View attachment 10080

But since we don't have any 3-year olds, I went ahead and bought it through Amazon. :)


You may have to get a second-hand dealer licence to sell the tested gear. :p
 

Blumlein 88

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Amazingly cheap. But check out this spec:
THD @ Rated Power <0.1% @ 1W per channel, <10% @ 60W per channel

Can't even get 1 watt out with less distortion?

And they say this in bullet points:
  • Audiophile-quality sound with extremely low distortion
And that is not the worst part. The worst part is this Amazon warning!!!

View attachment 10080

But since we don't have any 3-year olds, I went ahead and bought it through Amazon. :)

You are a brave soul Amir. No thought for the children.

Look at the datasheet, I think they claim .1 %THD at 30 watts for 6 ohms. So probably like I mentioned a 20 or maybe 25 wpc device in general.

I do know someone with a no-name amp based upon the one step smaller class T chip from 6 years ago. A genuine 10 wpc device. Someone knew of a projection TV power supply available cheap to use with them on some internet DIY site. My friend partnered those up and it sounds quite lovely on some K-horns his wife has. Enough power, and class T is quiet. He put away his Dynaco tubes. His wife didn't like the hot in the way tubes in their living room.
 

Blumlein 88

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Amazingly cheap. But check out this spec:
THD @ Rated Power <0.1% @ 1W per channel, <10% @ 60W per channel

Can't even get 1 watt out with less distortion?

And they say this in bullet points:
  • Audiophile-quality sound with extremely low distortion
:)

What about these specs on a REAL audiophile amplifier. Price is only $190,000, and check out the noise, less than 1 mV. Heck I think my amps are like a couple microvolts. And the FR on this baby here is -3 db at 21 khz at 1 watt. Most likely droops more at higher power.


Product 211 single ended stereo amplifier
Rated Power 27W + 27W @1kHz, 5% THD
Frequency Response 8Hz ~ 21kHz (+0dB, -3dB @1W)
Input / Impedance 4pairs (RCA, unbalanced) / 100kΩ
Output speaker (8Ω), REC OUT 1pair
Noise Less than 1mV
Vacuum tube 211 x2, 6072 x2, 5687 x2, GZ34 x4
Power consumption 270W
Dimension 284mm(W) 240mm(H) 550mm(D)
(excluding protrusions)
Weight 34kg
 
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stunta

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So what is a crappy speakers to go with these amps???

Not crappy at all, but wimpy amps have no problem driving these little guys - https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...0e-diy-kanspea-4-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/

They are quite revealing and the "full-range" only means there is no crossover and its a single driver. Don't expect any bottom end. I love them because they are so easy to move around or take to friends' places and/or to test amps.

They are on sale!
 
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amirm

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Wombat

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Come on guys. I won't be able to show up to any audiophile events at this rate! :D



Popular < $500

Speakers: Wharfedale, Celestion, Yamaha ........... .

Amps: Nad, Cambridge, .......... .



Use English popular review mags. as a guide, e.g. What HiFi.
 

Soniclife

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As loud as I can turn up the volume. :) Seriously like to have good power. I say at least 50 watts/channel.

This is early in the process of just exploring what is popular in this range. Once I test one or two I can get better calibrated on where we should go next.
What would be the US equivalent of a site like this...
https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/separates/amplifiers-receivers.html

Would something from a major manufacturer not be a good place to start, to establish a baseline, and they also should know what they are doing.
 

stunta

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Come on guys. I won't be able to show up to any audiophile events at this rate! :D

Don't you want open and airy sound?
 
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