Post by Slinger on Feb 16, 2017 12:21:06 GMT
I mentioned in another thread that I was putting together a new system based on a T-Amp or Class D amp, and this is it, or at least it will be when the rest of the bits get here from China...
AMP
Topping TP22
PHONO
Douk Audio Valve MM Phono Pre-Amp (valves are 2 x 6J1)
DAC
Breeze Audio SU4 AK4490EQ+AK4118
VALVE BUFFER
FX-AUDIO TUBE-01 (valves are 2 x 6J1)
SPEAKER CABLE
Chord Leyline 2
CABLES
Interconnects - Primewire
Optical - Ibra
Co-ax - AKORD
The dual ideas behind it are a) to have some fun, and b) replace my Arcam Alpha 8/8p combo. It's a 'second' system that mostly gets used for background music these days so sound quality is not hyper critical but obviously I don't want it to sound totally cr*p either
Total cost, exclusive of sources (CD, DAB, and Deck) and speakers (Epos ES11) = £245.06 or roughly "one guitar" and I'll hopefully recoup that after eBaying the Arcams and my Beresford Bushmaster which is also currently in that system.
I've experimented with a couple of little Class Ds lately and now have one (an SMSL 36A) in my 'third' system, which is basically a substitute for powered monitors in my studio setup. I'm lucky in that the motherboard in my PC has an integral optical out so it's straight into a DAC and then to the amp. That's driving a pair of KEF Q15s with Monster Z2R cables. The main problem is that the speaker cables are much heavier than the amp, so it tends to wander off on its own. Next upgrade? Blu-Tack!
I accept (obviously) that they will never replace a main system, but for second tier use I think that the bang-per-buck value is amazing. I just wondered what other people's experiences with these little bundles of joy were. Love 'em? Hate 'em?
AMP
Topping TP22
PHONO
Douk Audio Valve MM Phono Pre-Amp (valves are 2 x 6J1)
DAC
Breeze Audio SU4 AK4490EQ+AK4118
VALVE BUFFER
FX-AUDIO TUBE-01 (valves are 2 x 6J1)
SPEAKER CABLE
Chord Leyline 2
CABLES
Interconnects - Primewire
Optical - Ibra
Co-ax - AKORD
The dual ideas behind it are a) to have some fun, and b) replace my Arcam Alpha 8/8p combo. It's a 'second' system that mostly gets used for background music these days so sound quality is not hyper critical but obviously I don't want it to sound totally cr*p either
Total cost, exclusive of sources (CD, DAB, and Deck) and speakers (Epos ES11) = £245.06 or roughly "one guitar" and I'll hopefully recoup that after eBaying the Arcams and my Beresford Bushmaster which is also currently in that system.
I've experimented with a couple of little Class Ds lately and now have one (an SMSL 36A) in my 'third' system, which is basically a substitute for powered monitors in my studio setup. I'm lucky in that the motherboard in my PC has an integral optical out so it's straight into a DAC and then to the amp. That's driving a pair of KEF Q15s with Monster Z2R cables. The main problem is that the speaker cables are much heavier than the amp, so it tends to wander off on its own. Next upgrade? Blu-Tack!
I accept (obviously) that they will never replace a main system, but for second tier use I think that the bang-per-buck value is amazing. I just wondered what other people's experiences with these little bundles of joy were. Love 'em? Hate 'em?
