2. amps-preamps
  3. 1155071602

Entry level tube integrated to replace T-Amp?


Hi!

I'm currently using a T-amp with a NOS Dac (Derek Shek's) with a pair of original Snell K. I'm very happy with the set-up and amazed at how good things can sound at budget level. However while the Snells are tight, swinging, very open and aery, and delivers great soundstage and image with the T-Amp, they are also somewhat "bleached" in sound (as I've seen them described by someone). The T-Amp is a bit "thin" overall and creates a certain listening fatigue. The Snells are last on my list of updates, and I am therefore considering replacing the T-Amp with an entry level tube integrated to compensate for the Snell's somewhat "bleach" sound and the T-Amps somewhat "thin" sound, as well as to make the listening less fatiguing. I'm aware of at least three well reviewed tube integrateds: the Almarro 205, the Sophia Baby, and the Decware Zen. Is there anyone who has heard and compared those three amps and could give me some advice? PRaT (as the English say) is very important to me and I would vey much like to keep the T-Amp's good soundstage, image and detail.

Feel free to comment!
Thanks!
Jolojl
jolojl

Showing 6 responses by jolojl

jolojl OP
7 posts
 
Hi!

Jaybo
Hmm, interesting ... I suppose you mean that more power wouldn't only translate into higher levels of volume but also a fuller sound. Tricky ... Will think it over.

Macrojack
I would need to add the Onix to the list now. Looked at the article on 6moons and am intrigued (and it's 38W, Jaybo).

A couple of days ago I also read about the RWA Signature 30 and thought that this is probably exactly what I'm looking for... Still, new it is a bit above my budget and it will probably not be easy to find used. But when I have the possibility I will definitely get one (even without listening to it first :o)).

Thanks for your feed-back!
Jolojl
jolojl OP
7 posts
 

Hi!

Dmason
This new RWA Sig. 30 really seems to be on everybody's lips. I really think it's what I'm looking for so maybe I'll keep to the T-Amp until I can get a Signature. Would have been fun to try tubes though...

Dlstephenson
Looked at the Cary Rocket 88 review in Positive-Feedback and it gets a great one. Couldn't find anything on TAD though. Really a problem with this "hobby": you can never audition enough before buying. You have in many ways to trust other's opinions. Maybe one should become a reviewer oneself :o)

Tpsonic
Had a look on Stereophile review of no 1. Looks interesting. But same problem as above.

Jaybo
:o)

Thanks for feedback!
Jolojl
jolojl OP
7 posts
 
Hi Lvw!

Actually I don't have the knowledge, skill or desire at the moment to modify the T-Amp by myself. Maybe it would be possible to make something like the Red Wine Audio Sig. 30 if one took the time. I've seen the modded T-Amp by Best Audio Mods (http://bestaudiomods.com/information.html): maybe that's one way to go?

It's not really the bass response that bothers me though with the T-Amp (but it could of course be better). It's rather a more full-bodied tone all over the frequency range I'm after. But maybe a change of caps would address such an issue as well?

Thanks for feed-back!
Jolojl
jolojl OP
7 posts
 
Hi Gmood1!

Great feedback! For volume levels I don't need much power, depending on recording level I rarely run the T-Amp above 9 o'clock. Maybe more power would affect other parameters as definition, bass, texture, I don't know.

I regularly read the TNT-Audio site where the Sonic Impact T-AMP, the Autocostruire 2020, the DiyParadise "Charlize", and the 41Hz AMP (why the name "41 Hz", by the way?) were reviewed (http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/tripath_amps_e.html). I have been very tempted by the Charlize and am still wondering how it sounds.

I knew about the DIY site by Michael Mardis but since I'm not really into DIY I haven't visited it regularly. The Octopus however really look like an interesting alternative to the Charlize! Have you heard it?

And what about the Maestro T-Amp. How does that look to you? (http://www.bestaudiomods.com/)

Thanks again for feedback!
Jolojl
jolojl OP
7 posts
 
Sorry! Last link should be http://www.bestaudiomods.com/.
jolojl OP
7 posts
 
Hi Gmood1 and Gilbodavid!

So it all comes down to two (or rather three) ways to go if one want's a T-Amp variant but can't get the RWA Sig. 30 right off (which I would if I could).

Not worth going with the Maestro, Clari-T or self-modded variants in same direction. Next step would be either a Charlize or an Octopus towards a Sig. 30. And last would be to wait for a 41Hz DIY amp similar to Sig. 30 but at lesser cost.

I really appreciate your help and will probably take the second step, Charlize or Octopus, if I don't decide for a tube integrated (and one does not exclude the other). I am quite tempted to try tubes at the moment and think it has come down to trying either an Almarro or a Decware Taboo, but as I said, one does not exclude the other and when I've tried a tube/Charlize/Octopus it might be possible to get a Sig. 30 used, who knows?

Again, thanks for your valuable feedback!
Jolojl
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