[tmx]

boead,

Thanks for your review of the HLLY.

I'm really interested in this one is because I had the Trends Audio TA-10 long ago which has very tuby, but accurate sounds. Unfortunately the power of that one is very limited. I'm hoping the HLLY would provide a similar sound signature to the TA-10 or something warm without losing the details. Also I'm attracted to the HLLY's 102db dynamic range spec.

I have some concerns about this amp that I read from other forums. They mentioned how it gets loud clicks while turning on and off. Also that you get hisses from the tweeter.

My assumption is HLLY probably cleared these issues out by now, but I want to be on the safe side so maybe you can clarify them and any other issues you may encountered? Thanks.

[shawnbaden]

I have some concerns about this amp that I read from other forums. They mentioned how it gets loud clicks while turning on and off. Also that you get hisses from the tweeter.

My assumption is HLLY probably cleared these issues out by now, but I want to be on the safe side so maybe you can clarify them and any other issues you may encountered? Thanks.

The click when powering the unit on and off may be a "feature" of the amp.  I have an Onkyo A-9555 integrated amplifier, which is a class D amplifier (similar to class T).  It makes a click when powering on and off, which is expected.  The click does NOT come from the speakers, just the unit itself.  I do not have the HLLY but I'd bet that's the click they are referring to.

[tw_switzerland]

I think these are two different "clicks":

Most "big" amplifiers (like the Onkyo class D) do protect speakers while starting up. They wait until they connect to the speakers for a few seconds. Then they close a relay, which causes the "click".

The other thing which I can hear when I turn on my Trends Audio Tripath amp is a "plopping" sound directly from the speakers. This is because the speakers are permanently connected to the amp (without relay) and the amp output of Tripath chips may have a dc bias - a voltage offset. This offset to ground moves the speaker membranes a bit --> the sound.

Most Tripath amps have a potentiometer that allows the bias to be minimized.

[boead]

I normally mod things to death but this amp sounds so perfect in my system that I just don't want to touch it. Tonal balance is perfect with my Martin Logans - and those are very revealing.
The only thing that I could imagine improving is the extreme top end as it is slightly rolled off way up top.

Yeah, I hear ya. And to keep it in perspective Ive been listening to SET’s for the last few years. All with gobs of detail and nuance and extraordinary soundstages. Most amps pale in comparison, especially solid state in my opinion. The differences with/without a preamp is huge! The preamp makes the sound audiophile acceptable. I’d like to negate the volume pot, see what that does. Top end is definitely rolled off and the vocal range (especially female voices) are a row back in the soundstage. Focus is not absolute as it can be with some amps; but again the amp is certainly musical and weighty.

I have some concerns about this amp that I read from other forums. They mentioned how it gets loud clicks while turning on and off. Also that you get hisses from the tweeter.
 

The clicks and hiss I read about too is apparently from an older version; ALL newer ones are said to be fine. Mine doesn’t make a loud click or hiss. This newer version has been out about a year I believe.

[BrassEar]

I’d like to negate the volume pot, see what that does.

Please report back if you try this. This should be a simple mod. I might give this a shot as I always have the pot turned wide open with my pre.  Not sure if cap upgrades would make a big difference.  Thanks.

[tmx]

I've had the TAMP-90 for 3 weeks now. Due to my long work days I'm finally able give my impression. My previous amp is a NAD C352 80watt@8ohms, connected to my Magnepan MMG. I think the TAMP-90 amp is probably the minimum wattage recommended for the MMG, though coupled with a good source can drive them pretty loud.

First off I was pleasantly surprised at the shipping speed, safe packaging and also the weight of the amp for its size. I do not believe in 'burning in' for solid state devices, but I must say in the first few days of getting to know the amp I was very disappointed at the sound signature, now however, either the sound has improved or I've grown used to it and really digging its smooth characteristic.

First week of owning the amp, comparing my NAD to this TAMP-90 is like comparing AKG headphones to Sennheiser. The former is at least somewhat about the midrange and forwardness, the latter is more laid-back, smooth and have a "layer of haze". This TAMP-90 is just so different from anything I ever heard. The middle-upper bass is a bit pronounced, but held together tightly and has a groove, this is probably is more bass than I want if I had a box speakers, but since the MMG is ribbon it compliment perfectly to compensate the lack of bass. The midrange was pushed backward causing vocals to be distant and quieter, sometime too distant. The result is music that required the "midrange forwardness" to create energy and drives were missing them. Rock and active electronic music was lacking energy, snare drums are lacking kicks to them. The high trebles roll off smoothly, but clear, not 'splashy' at all, which is exactly what I wanted due to my sensitivity to high freqs. The amp probably have a big 'soundstage', but I can't say how much since my MMG have huge soundstage to begin with.

Everything was overly smooth behind a hazy, sweet curtain giving a sort of intoxicated feeling to my music. This is no exaggeration, my jaw was dropping hearing the way it made my music sound. The lack of drive for the midrange was the main problem, active music like rock didn't sound good anymore without the energy.

The amp was still very clear, classical music are beautiful sounding. The bass will be very groovy, good with jazz fusion. In fact, I'm mostly impressed with this amp when I listen to the album "Hector Zazou's Geologies" which feature strings, horns and flutes and I did not get any sibilance or fatigue. Shoegaze + this amp = perfect combination.


Now three weeks later and I think the midrange has open up, there certainly is more rawness and I didn't feel the vocals were as lacking as before, its still 10% percent less drives and pronouncing than what I ideally want, though doesn't ruin the music. The sweet, haze curtain had mostly disappeared, leaving behind the smoothness. However, I don't know if there is actual "burn in" or its my brain that's grown used to the sound and learned to appreciate the better things this amp delivers: all around smoothness, beautiful but non-fatigue high ranges, groovy mid-upper bass, quite detailed and more real sounding instruments than my NAD C352 at twice the price.

This amp might be somewhat unforgiving to low quality music, lossy digital music I bought online for example, some of the vocals have weird hollow space sound to it. Like 'boead' stated, while the amp is very detailed, some people might find with certain music with lots of instruments it lack a bit of pin point focus, especially for the lower ranges (for me meaning not the best stereo crosstalk, mind you its still very accurate for its price range). However, I am more willing to bet this is due to the crappy acoustic of the room I'm in which doesn't have foams align on the walls and not the amp fault.


To sum it up, I think this TAMP-90 does offer hifi sound in term of details and sound 'decay', though lacking some energy and 'attack'. Good for people who like more laid back, flowing sound with some bass. Because it has such a unique smooth sound and more accurate instruments reproduction than most amps at this price range I elected to sell my NAD and kept this amp.

[fredgarvin]

Hi TMX, I appreciate your review of the HLLY. I would mention though, that the lack of drive, even with your growing appreciation of it, is most probably due to the tough load of the MMG's. That HLLY isn't delivering the oomph that they need to sound at their best. These T-amps aren't really designed to play with Maggies and others of their type. It's often not a volume issue when speaker matching. but a 'body' issue.

[BrassEar]

Heaven for $169. I wish I got mine that cheap. No affiliation...

http://cgi.ebay.com/HLLY-TAMP-90-Class-T-AMP-AMPLIFIER-Tripath-TA2022-MINT-/290460980287?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a0d2d43f

[pslate]

I know this thread is quite old, but I wondered if anyone has solved the problem with radio frequency interference with this amp. I am not adept at electronics, but does anyone know of a relatively simple fix? Every morning I start the day listening to NPR and it is just so annoying that I can barely get reception. If I had money to burn, I’d buy a class d audio amp, but I’m short on dough and this unit just sounds perfect with my rig. Very tube-like, with pronounced mids, and great soundstage and imaging. I even like it better than a TK2050 amp that I tried. The TK2050 just did not have that tube magic with my system. Have a great day everyone and happy listening

[Doublej]

You can try moving the amplifier or reorienting it by turning it 90 degrees or turning it onto its side.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I know this thread is quite old, but I wondered if anyone has solved the problem with radio frequency interference with this amp. I am not adept at electronics, but does anyone know of a relatively simple fix? Every morning I start the day listening to NPR and it is just so annoying that I can barely get reception. If I had money to burn, I’d buy a class d audio amp, but I’m short on dough and this unit just sounds perfect with my rig. Very tube-like, with pronounced mids, and great soundstage and imaging. I even like it better than a TK2050 amp that I tried. The TK2050 just did not have that tube magic with my system. Have a great day everyone and happy listening

I just bought a Class D audio amp and it's RF interference is terrible.  I can't listen to my tuner.  The amp is in a wooden box and is going to be placed in an Aluminum chassis.  I hope this helps or I will have to line it with Copper RFI tape.

[pslate]

Thanks for the info DoubleJ and IGreyhound  I wrapped the amp in tin foil, have it on its side, and moved as far away from the tuner as possible. It's not a perfect solution, but NPR is generally audible now. I am a believer is speaker amp synergy now, this amp with my prior Selah speakers was only so, so, but with the new Verita speakers it is fantastic. Anyone want to buy an Emotiva UPA-2 cheap?

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Hi TMX, I appreciate your review of the HLLY. I would mention though, that the lack of drive, even with your growing appreciation of it, is most probably due to the tough load of the MMG's. That HLLY isn't delivering the oomph that they need to sound at their best. These T-amps aren't really designed to play with Maggies and others of their type. It's often not a volume issue when speaker matching. but a 'body' issue.

Agreed!  TMX, those MMG's need more power.  Maggies like clean, high current power to sound their best.  I own a pair of 1.6's and MMG's and they sound best with over 200wpc and lots of dynamic headroom.  When I went for 225wpc to 400wpc with my 1.6's the music came alive.  This is not to say that they cant sound good with lower power amps.  But if you want to bring out the best in Maggies than you will need a more powerful amp.