Class T amplifiers

[ScarisRacer]

I'm still doing some research into these mini Class T amps, and I'm still wondering if they are worth getting. I've only avoided the Chinese ones from Amazon, because the 3 pin UK PSUs shipped with them are illegal over here.

 

However, I have found one that is designed, engineered and assembled here in Britain. The Amptastic Mini-1. According to the website, it uses the Tripath TA2020 chipset and outputs 20W per channel. And it's tiny. Again I was thinking of wiring up the Q Acoustics 2010i bookshelf speakers to it.

 

I know that this amp costs more than the ones on Amazon. But, made in Britain (Cambridge in fact) gives that reassurance. So would this amp make for a good audio setup for my PC?

 

Amptastic website: https://www.amptastic.com/

[creatip123]

Woah, 99 pounds vs $20 of the Lepai (same TA2020 and 20W), review on my sig.

 

It will do the job, that's for sure. For $20 of the Lepai, it's a no brainer. Dunno about 99 pounds.

[Lutkeveld]

Or 5$ for a ta2024

[ScarisRacer]

Woah, 99 pounds vs $20 of the Lepai (same TA2020 and 20W), review on my sig.

 

It will do the job, that's for sure. For $20 of the Lepai, it's a no brainer. Dunno about 99 pounds.

 

Or 5$ for a ta2024

I know price is a factor here, but the BIGGEST factor is the UK PSUs that come with them. They are illegal and very dangerous (as in they will catch fire and burn the house down with in 30 minutes). I've done my research. I'm not hating on the amps themselves, just the UK PSUs.

[Lutkeveld]

Then buy a good PSU with it. Or pick up an old laptop adapter from a good brand at the thriftstore.

[ScarisRacer]

Then buy a good PSU with it. Or pick up an old laptop adapter from a good brand at the thriftstore.

We don't have thrift stores in England. Besides, when it comes to tech, I NEVER buy used. 

[Lutkeveld]

nothing wrong with used power supplies....

[creatip123]

I know price is a factor here, but the BIGGEST factor is the UK PSUs that come with them. They are illegal and very dangerous (as in they will catch fire and burn the house down with in 30 minutes). I've done my research. I'm not hating on the amps themselves, just the UK PSUs.

 

What UK PSU? I've only seen 2 flat pronged PSU included with the lepai on amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/LP-2020A-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier-Supply/dp/B00C2P61FO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428059647&sr=8-1&keywords=lepai+2020

[ScarisRacer]

What UK PSU? I've only seen 2 flat pronged PSU included with the lepai on amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/LP-2020A-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier-Supply/dp/B00C2P61FO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428059647&sr=8-1&keywords=lepai+2020

They do include a UK one, thought not pictured. But it is illegal. I can't take that risk.

[creatip123]

They do include a UK one, thought not pictured. But it is illegal. I can't take that risk.

 

Wait, 'include' as in they give you 2 PSUs, one being the 2 flat pronged pictured there (3rd picture on the left side column) + one more being the illegal one?

 

And 'illegal' as in just by trying to buy it will get you into trouble with the law, or as in it's unsafe to use? If it's just unsafe to use, then simply don't use the illegal one. They do give you the 2 flat pronged, right? Use that instead. 

 

Mine also came with the 2 pronged one (just one PSU), but 220-240V version, according to my country's electric system.

 

Of course you can always get another/new PSU. The original one is 13.4V or something, but I've tried plugging it with 12V DC, straight off PC's PSU and it ran just fine.

 

In the end though, it's your money. If you don't think it's a problem to pay the 99 pounds, then yeah, go ahead. 

[ScarisRacer]

Wait, 'include' as in they give you 2 PSUs, one being the 2 flat pronged pictured there (3rd picture on the left side column) + one more being the illegal one?

 

And 'illegal' as in just by trying to buy it will get you into trouble with the law, or as in it's unsafe to use? If it's just unsafe to use, then simply don't use the illegal one. They do give you the 2 flat pronged, right? Use that instead. 

 

Mine also came with the 2 pronged one (just one PSU), but 220-240V version, according to my country's electric system.

 

Of course you can always get another/new PSU. The original one is 13.4V or something, but I've tried plugging it with 12V DC, straight off PC's PSU and it ran just fine.

 

In the end though, it's your money. If you don't think it's a problem to pay the 99 pounds, then yeah, go ahead. 

Illegal as in unsafe. All UK plugs must incorporate a mandatory fuse. The ones that come with amp from say Lepai (or Lepy) and SMSL do not.

[Lutkeveld]

Illegal as in unsafe. All UK plugs must incorporate a mandatory fuse. The ones that come with amp from say Lepai (or Lepy) and SMSL do not.

 

They do, they´re just poorly engineered

[ScarisRacer]

They do, they´re just poorly engineered

That's why I don't want to take the risk.

[Oktyabr]

Have you actually contacted Amptastic to ask where their power supply is made?

Nearly all power supplies sold world wide today are either made in China, Taiwan or Japan.

Since the Amptastic is based on the same T-amp as the Lepai you are basically wanting to spend that much more on...  a power supply?  Shop for a 12v2a power supply that meets your safety specifications (should be 8-10 GPB), then buy the Lepai

[creatip123]

Okay then, at least you're informed now.

 

As of function and quality, I'd say they're about the same, the amp linked and the lepai counterpart, because they're based on the same architecture. 

 

As of cosmetic appearance, I'd have to admit, the amp linked is better looking. 

 

As of the PSU, there are a lot of (cheaper) ways to get around it, from buying a new PSU, to modding it by adding a proper fuse to the stock PSU. Doesn't have to be actually installed inside the PSU, it can be installed on a power strip plug.

 

It's your decision to go with whichever one you want....