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T amps
Feb 7, 2015 22:20:33 GMT
Post by Greg on Feb 7, 2015 22:20:33 GMT
On the Mini 1 the boards are connected via a pin arrangement to the sockets this will make it difficult to run the connections Hi John, If I understand what you are saying, you are commenting that the RCA sockets are directly soldered into the circuit board. Yes, I acknowledge that but surely they can be de-soldered out to be replaced with wires soldered directly to chassis mounted RCA sockets on the back panel of a supplement chassis? Not sure until I can take a proper look, but that is my take on it. |
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T amps
Feb 7, 2015 22:47:30 GMT
Post by John on Feb 7, 2015 22:47:30 GMT
Speak with Chris he be able to let you know how easy it is
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T amps
Feb 8, 2015 12:38:16 GMT
Post by tony on Feb 8, 2015 12:38:16 GMT
Doubled up my temple mono blocks last night-two monos on each speaker. Worked really well.
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T amps
Feb 8, 2015 12:55:54 GMT
Post by John on Feb 8, 2015 12:55:54 GMT
So now using 4 mono blocks?. That should be interesting.
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T amps
Feb 8, 2015 13:11:55 GMT
Post by tony on Feb 8, 2015 13:11:55 GMT
wiring is a bit of rats nest but it seems to bring more control and separation.
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T amps
Feb 9, 2015 20:21:06 GMT
Post by Greg on Feb 9, 2015 20:21:06 GMT
Brian bought one of these www.ebay.com.my/itm/30W-DC12V-HiFi-Linear-power-supply-Regulated-PSU-for-DAC-headphone-amp-CL-215-/111544612626?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Amplifier_Parts&hash=item19f893b712Its remarkably good value for the price, component quality is superior to that pictured, proper 230v R-Core transformer, decent rectifier diodes, Nippon Chemicon "KMH" input capacitor & Panasonic "FM" output capacitor with a WIMA film on the output. The internal pot has good adjustment so you can play around with the output voltage between 12VDC>15VDC. Admittedly its not the most powerful but is perfectly fine for a TA-2020, I'm yet to be sold on using a 160VA+ transformer but will be trying different values with the PCB I'm expecting so we'll see how it goes. Interestingly if you look at a Lehmann Stamp which also use a TA-2020, Lehmann don't use a regulated supply at all but a simple CRCRC... Thats another avenue entirely but if there's interest I don't mind making one up along with the other for people to try. Unfortunately this product is apparently unavailable. I'm interested in any PSU developments you have come up with. |
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T amps
Feb 9, 2015 20:33:07 GMT
Post by istari_knight on Feb 9, 2015 20:33:07 GMT
Yeah its Chinese spring festival or something ? Will be available again on the 28th apparently. I haven't done anything yet but will update the thread when I have :thumbsup:
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Post by Tim on Feb 9, 2015 21:06:53 GMT
Yeah its Chinese spring festival or something ? Will be available again on the 28th apparently. I haven't done anything yet but will update the thread when I have :thumbsup: Chinese New Year - 19th Feb, its a major holiday for the Chinese. Traditionally a lot of factories either close or slow right down this time of year and younger workers return home to their families in the rural areas. The holiday lasts for a whole lot longer than just the 19th, most get at least a week off and others take a month or so. Many of the workers never come back after the break, or look for work at another factory when they decide to return! |
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T amps
Feb 9, 2015 21:07:45 GMT
Post by Greg on Feb 9, 2015 21:07:45 GMT
OK, that's helpful. Thank you.
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 9:59:49 GMT
Post by gazjam on Feb 10, 2015 9:59:49 GMT
Unfortunately Gary has mine at the moment or I would send it down . This is a very good amp in its own right guys . However , big improvements can be had by using the Chinese PSU . Put the Capella in front of it and it's a totally different beast . You have PM James . My new amp is in the works now Brian, won't be long before its back with you.  |
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 12:54:46 GMT
Post by istari_knight on Feb 10, 2015 12:54:46 GMT
Yeah its Chinese spring festival or something ? Will be available again on the 28th apparently. I haven't done anything yet but will update the thread when I have :thumbsup: Chinese New Year - 19th Feb, its a major holiday for the Chinese. Traditionally a lot of factories either close or slow right down this time of year and younger workers return home to their families in the rural areas. The holiday lasts for a whole lot longer than just the 19th, most get at least a week off and others take a month or so. Many of the workers never come back after the break, or look for work at another factory when they decide to return! " Slightly" more informative than my post  |
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 16:53:39 GMT
Post by gazjam on Feb 10, 2015 16:53:39 GMT
Running Brian's Mini-1 configured as a power amp with the fettled linear PSU into Stan Beresfords Capella head amp acting as pre. The Capella and the linear PSU were pretty much fresh out the packet, so sound has been a bit up and down over its first few days. Some time on all the boxes now and they are singing nicely. I'd go so far to say the Mini-1 set up this way is better sounding than my previous KT88 valve amp with my Eddingdale speakers. The proviso being, I guess, that the speakers are 94db efficient so very easy to drive. Great control in the bass and an almost valve like creaminess at the top end now the electronics have settled in. Its a fantastic amp for not a helluva lot of money. |
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 18:02:47 GMT
Post by tony on Feb 10, 2015 18:02:47 GMT
I found the Capella really settled down after maybe 100hrs both on cans and as a pre. I really liked the tubes with the Capella - its a Brucie bonus utilising it as an active pre (does its day job rather well too).
The valve like qualities are palpable-just lovely music that draws you in.
Not sure how efficient the Frugel3s are but they really respond to different amps/cables.
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 18:24:14 GMT
Post by John on Feb 10, 2015 18:24:14 GMT
The Frugul3 is not efficient like Gaz speakers. When I plugged in 1 Mini 1 it just did not have the drive for the speakers but seems like the active pre and bi-amping helps a lot
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 18:32:35 GMT
Post by steveeb on Feb 10, 2015 18:32:35 GMT
The Frugels are 86dB Tony. I was a very impressed with the Amptastic Mini-1 with 96dB Sachikos. When John and I tried the Mini-1 with the Frugels it sounded crushed, so we didn't persevere. If you've found a way to get more power then I can imagine the result - as the single Alpair 7 driver is, as you notice, extremely revealing of the chain, the musical communication and the transparency of a well implemented 2020 chip are highlighted  |
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 18:52:29 GMT
Post by tony on Feb 10, 2015 18:52:29 GMT
Steve,
The best noise out of them so far is using 4 temple mono blocks-bit of wiring malarkey but the control and attack is palpable. They like a bit of power up them?
Getting close to cans is the best compliment I can Pay!!!
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 19:36:27 GMT
Post by gazjam on Feb 10, 2015 19:36:27 GMT
Having heard Tony's Sennie's in his setup that's high praise.
Not a big headphone guy, but easily saw (heard?) the appeal when Tony let my stick my noggin in them.
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 19:43:09 GMT
Post by gazjam on Feb 10, 2015 19:43:09 GMT
The Frugels are 86dB Tony. I was a very impressed with the Amptastic Mini-1 with 96dB Sachikos. When John and I tried the Mini-1 with the Frugels it sounded crushed, so we didn't persevere. If you've found a way to get more power then I can imagine the result - as the single Alpair 7 driver is, as you notice, extremely revealing of the chain, the musical communication and the transparency of a well implemented 2020 chip are highlighted Hi Steve, the Frugels sounded wonderful when we heard em a few weeks ago at Tony's. reminded me of the openness of Tony's Quad 63's but with the low end grunt of his Spendors, best of both worlds. couldnt get him to tell us where he hid the subwoofer though... Hooked up with an active pre and quality linear psu The Mini 1 sounds as good as you need it to be. its wonderful, seriously. Been listening for a big chunk of this evening to some Hans Zimmer soundtracks, both on digital and vinyl (ooh..think I made a mess) and the way I'd describe it is "power". Architectural prodigious bass absolutely controlled, driving the music but not overpowering the fine detail at the top end. its an open window, like the music is being spooned into your ears. All credit to Chris and the team at Amptastic, nice to see a British "non supermarket bread" product do so well. Stan B's Capella and its transparent preamp section is propping things up too. |
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 19:50:29 GMT
Post by steveeb on Feb 10, 2015 19:50:29 GMT
Shawn in north Wales is quite happy with a Frugel3/ Temple mono pair, which I would have thought give dynamic inducing wattage. But then my Dared is 65w on a Philips chip Class D/ Triode pre, so I'm used to them kicking back!
The Proprius pairing sounded stunning at 45W.
Conversely a pair of TA monos wouldn't play nicely with the Sachikos.
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T amps
Feb 10, 2015 19:52:56 GMT
Post by tony on Feb 10, 2015 19:52:56 GMT
t amps rock!!!
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