Sonic T Amp at Ecost

[Takeereasy]

Sonic T Amp . Just read the reviews and give it a try if you've got some really efficient speakers.

 

[Audiosouse]

Reviews weren't flattering

Sounds suspect to me. Where else did you read a review?

http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/power-amps/t-amp.html

 

[Takeereasy]

Honestly this thing costs $20 and the guy reviewing compared it to a $1500 amp somewhat unfavourably. HMMM wonder why. Also he did seem to like it, but maybe there are some QC issues now that the amp is so popular. I bet he would have raved if he didn't get a defective unit. He seemed close to doing so a couple of times in the article anyway. This just seems like a fun unit that you could mod the heck out of really cheaply, and if it sucks you're not out much scratch.

6 MOONS

TNT

Plus in a thread here a member was saying how much he loved his. He also made a point of mentioning that his speakers were very sensitive and suggested that only those with sensitive speakers should buy this unit. It is only about 10w or so after all.

Honestly I can't say wether or not this thing is the bees knees or not, I've been dying to get personally, just to play around with it. Can't go wrong for $20 IMO and I was excited to see it back in stock at ecost.

 

[Critofur]

Did you get it yet?

If so, what do you think?

 

[Pianoman84d]

umm this thread is like one year and some months old.

 

[Takeereasy]

I never did get the T-amp although I'd still like to play with one. My excitement for that amp was quickly calmed with a couple of emails from friends. I'd still like to try it like I said, but it can't be had for $20 up here north of the border, and my audio priorities have switched a little. I "needed" a new receiver for my HT. Then there was my second setup. Then there was my projector. Then there were the bass shakers (still waiting for them to get here). And now there is my new sub to buy. Damn this expensive hobby

I can't believe how excited I was about a product I'd never tried. I hope I've mellowed a bit. However I am proud I worked Bee's Knees into a conversation.

 

[Wafflesomd]

15w per channel?! weak?

 

[Seth=L]

good tube amps don't have much more or less power than the sonic t amp.

 

[j_garcia]

Sonic T isn't a tube amp though. Digital amps don't have the same capability as tubes. This is REALLY old news anyway, there are countless discussions about these amps already. Not to mention, they have already come out with a newer model.

 

[WmAx]

good tube amps don't have much more or less power than the sonic t amp.

The Sonic T-Amp can barely produce 5 or 6 watts into 8 ohms before severe clipping. That is insufficient power for normal sensitivity speakers when listening to dynamic music(classical, for example). For most modern music, it's fine, being that 10-12dB average range from RMS average signal to peak is typical. Far better amplifiers can be found on ebay in the form of vintage 80's stereo recievers, that produce much higher power levels, and have flatter frequency response, as compared to the T-Amp. Starting price? Around $35-40 plus shipping.

-Chris

 

[Seth=L]

Chris, do you have experiance with this amp. Don't get the wrong idea, I am not questioning you, I am just curious on how it sounds. The reviews say it sounds very good, are they B.S.ing.

 

[highfihoney]

I was one of the guys who fell for the hype & since the price was next to being free i bought it,i wasnt impressed with it,i bought it with the intention of messing around with it on my klipsch corner horns(104 db efficient).

After an hour or two of unimpressive listening i put the amp away & have not given it another thought.

Save your cash to buy a bag of doughnuts,six pack of beer,porno,anything but this amp.

 

[Tex-amp]

I played with one with my Ascend 340s. The T-amp had no problem driving them but you couldn't crank it really loud. It reached my normal listening volume without issue.

Remember that it takes doubling watts for every 3dB increase in sound. Since volume as measured with dB is logorithmic and not linear it is roughly 10dB to double the volume but yet 2dBs difference is hard to hear in a normal noise background. So, to double the volume over a 5 watt amp would take over 50 watts. 10watts for the 1st 3dB increase, 20 watts to get to 6dB, 40 watts to get to 9dB, then add a third of 40 watts to reach 10dB.

 

[patnshan]

I got a T-amp. I bought it to power a zone 3 with my Marantz SR-8400. I am currently using it to power some cheap, horn tweeter, audiosource outdoor speakers for the patio. It does a nice job for what I use it for. Sound is good and can fill the yard quite nicely. I wouldn't use it to power my mains, but for this purpose, it works well. I use it on wall power with an adaptor. I also use a mini din to RCA plug to run it to the receiver. I did have to send the first one back as it stopped working, but this one has been running for six months or so now. As for clipping, it never clips. I leave the amp on half power, and adjust the gain in the receiver to change the volume. If you go up on the amp level, that may be what makes it clip.

It is cheap, it looks cheap, but is a bargain if you are reasonable in what you are trying to do with it.

Pat