Teac Tripath - thoughts to date

smargo · « **Reply #180 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 02:04 am »

Just wanted to let everyone know and for those who actually care that now i am using the clari t with the new creek obh-22 passive preamp w remote and the sound if anything has expanded even futher. The soundtaging, resolution, and defintion are to die for.

I just got tired of switching the cables for cd, then movies, then vinyl and back and forth and up and down - this to me or something like it is a perfect solution if your committed to the clari t . I don't perceive any drop off in quality.

This little bugger is at least now practical in my system and is reaping it's musical rewards daily. For movies it is gold as well. The creek has only enhanced it!

I know everyone talks about how their speakers seem to improve with this amp and other digital amp manifestos. I also think my interconnects, cables, cd player and turntable and phono stage sound so much better as well.

The need to upgrade your peripherals seem a lot less pressing at least with Vinnie's little david.

regards,
smargo

Dmason · « **Reply #181 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 02:10 am »

"The need to upgrade your peripherals seems less pressing..."

Exactly. You hit the nail on the head. That is what is happening at my place. I am using it with a new Samsung HD841 SACD/DVD player and a pair of 92db Axiom M40Ti and it all sounds amazingly good. Granted the player and the speakers have been modified, the speakers, heavily, but who cares. You could replicate this same system for about $1100 and be pretty happy. The metal drivers SLAM, on 5 watts of batTery amp.

beatdownvictim · « **Reply #182 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 09:34 am »

Quote from: mcgsxr

I don't have the ability to measure the draw that you speak of, but since the unit is rated only to 45w max, and it runs around 90% efficiently, it cannot be much at all.

I replaced a Sugden integrated that ran Class A for the first 15wpc, and my bills went down...

Great little units, run cool, and sound great stock.

I will be posting my thoughts on the Bolder modded unit later this week, assuming I can find a little more time to finalize a few things.

Awww man, i'm gonna get some serious flack by bumping this thread, which i just re-read tonight.

In particular, Mark, i was wondering about the comparison between the stock unit, the modded PS, and the battery powered unit. I was wondering how that panned out and how would compare the units. I loved this thread and i think that a lot can be gained by re-reading the thread, there have been a lot of questions recently asked that have been discussed in this thread, it's an oldie but a goodie.

BTW, any idea on how to shield the PS with the copper foil? Thanks all, I believe this is the thread that turned me onto the teac, best investment evar.

Regards,
Carson

mcgsxr · « **Reply #183 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 01:08 pm »

Hey Carson, I hope that folks don't give you flack for doing a search, and bringing back a long thread about a great little amp!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16230&highlight=teac+bolder+vinnie is probably the reading you want to do, if you want my thoughts on how the stock unit, vs upgraded power supply, vs Bolder unit comparison went.

As for the battery powered unit - this is a source of some confusion - Vinnie did not DC my Teac, and I have never heard one - I mailed him off the PS, and he did some upgrades to it. As a layperson, the changes that he made are different from those that Wayne made, but hey, that is just me looking at the parts, and the boards themselves.

So, I have never heard the Red Wine DC Teac, but I would like to!

As for copper foil shielding, I know that fellow AC member lcrim did just that, and reported positive gains in sound. As I recall, he used copper flashing from Home Depot to his advantage...

Glad that you are happy with the Teac, I really like the two that I have - but, I have to admit, that using the Visaton b200 open baffle speakers, the baby JVC EX-A1 is a better match.

Now, I have just received a Felicia balanced power conditioner (there is a great thread on this in the Lab) and it will be interesting to see if that changes things. I know that every single person around here, that has tried balanced power with a tripath has responded positively, so I am really jacked to see what it does for my system!

Anyone who has a Teac probably should read through this thread, there was some excellent best practice sharing that came as a result of it.

Have a great one Carson,

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #184 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 02:23 pm »

Thanks for the reminder of this awesomely informative topic...I had forgotten about it.

Bought the TEAC a week ago and it's been burning in 24/7...now with about 160 hours on it. It sounded 'interesting' out of the box...and gradually morphed into 'yeech' status...now it's coming around back to pleasant. Pretty much how most amplification gear breaks in.

I pulled the center channel out immediately upon receipt, hooked it up thru the BPT....and added a Highwire Powerwrap to the cord (reduces RFI) and a 1 x 2" piece of ERS clothe taped to the outside left side(where the power supply is located). I have found that too much ERS can kill dynamics...just a little bit will do it right

Before the TEAC, I never thought I'd get a tube preamp to be capable of providing listening enjoyment...it is a terrific coupling, as it turns out. As it continues to burn in, it gets better.

Right now, in my estimation, the TEAC/Dynaco PAS-4 isn't quite up to the listening experience of the JVC ES1sl...but that took 300 hours to flesh out...and could not drive 4 ohm MMG Maggie loads (at all) There may be more positve experiences waiting on the TEAC. I do miss remote, tho

It sounds every bit as good as the JVC F10 right now....maybe a little nicer, overall...and drives the Maggies to more than adequate levels in a 12 x 15' x 8-12' room - no more than 11 o'clock needed on the active preamp.

I'm not sure what benefit was provided by my '5th grade upgrades' as I didn't care to listen to it without, but right now I'm scary happy with the value for my US$100.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #185 on:** 6 Oct 2005, 12:31 am »

With well over 200 hours on this baby I have to say I'm really impressed.

It lacks a real grunting bottom end, but most other performance areas are excellent...especially in light of it's US$100 cost. Thru the BPT, with the addition of a the Highwire Powerwrap on the power cord and a wee bit of ERS clothe, it really mates scary well with the Dynaco PAS-4.

It is simply the first time I've listened intently to the PAS-4 tube pre in combination with any other amp I've had with it (all SS, and none with superlative audiophile credentials - Norh MultiAmps, AudioSource Amp3, Superphon DM200) and just enjoyed it, not spent time dwelling on what's missing or wrong with it. Maybe it's just a natural inclination to tubes I'm now finding...or maybe it's the excellent pairing of tubes with Tripath gear that many have spoken of.

Volume levels are fine in my 12 x 15 x 8-12' room (on MMG's)...it could use a little more bottom end wallop, tho. Probably other bits and pieces missing (or in overabundance), too, but that sticks out quite plainly for me.

I played a couple CD's over and over the past week that were virtually unlistenable for me with any other combo (including the JVC receivers) - they were fun to listen too- finally. They were/are Pat Metheny's 'The Road to You' and a digitally re-mastered George Benson ' Best of' compilation.

Why the hell would I need a 100w + Bel Canto or other SS or Tube amp if these 30 watts are so fulfilling? Being a music lover got a lot cheaper with the advent of these digi, digi/hybrid and Class D amplification all of a sudden. 'Mazing

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #186 on:** 6 Oct 2005, 08:41 am »

Hey John/TCG,

Chris[/list:u]

Gordy · « **Reply #187 on:** 6 Oct 2005, 01:47 pm »

Hello Mark,

I'd love to hear what you heard/found with the Felicia on board! In my experience, here along the I-95 corridor, the Felicia and/or a BPT 2.0 Ultra seemed to provide about 75% of the benefits of a battery supply in a chip amp application. I can only presume that, with the TEAC, the benefits would be even higher as you'll be preventing the switching supply noise from poisoning the PS's of your associated equipment as well

Chair Guy, swapping out the 1000uf 35v supply cap on the amp board for a 1500uf 50v Panasonic FC cap (fits perfectly!) seemed to help the TEAC grip the bass better, as did doubling up the capacitance on the PS board (c655 and c656)...

Enjoy

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #188 on:** 6 Oct 2005, 03:23 pm »

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think I'm bound for the SLA battery route on this l'il feller'

Damn decent is is now for $100 - I'm not in a hurry just yet. But, I'm not sure a Tarot Card reader is needed for the 'what's next' question.

Gordy, I am skilled in several things - soldering ain't one of them. I let those more skilled do so....a few bucks extra for a great job is better than (initially) saved $$ on a botched one.

WolfyChris, I decided to get back into vinyl again...at least to once again hear my 300+ albums. So, tho I loved shelving all those ugly and space inefficient components with the JVC, I'd need a phono preamp anyhow...and that would wipe out the only good input on the JVC.

And, you're right, this little TEAC (bone stock) with a good preamp is probably superior to the JVC's - either of them that I've heard. 'Mazing.

This tightwad is quite pleased with the results

DeadFish · « **Reply #189 on:** 6 Oct 2005, 11:58 pm »

Hey TCG (or should I say 'fellow tightwad')
My ears were buzzing this morning, so I should have known that I had been 'summoned'.

Yes, that stock Teac with sufficient breakin is such a stone cold bargain, it might be hard to part with for modding for you.
It was for me. I almost bought a second one so I could enjoy the broken in first one. Unmodded, it really had me convinced it was for me!

I'm about 150 hours into the RWT breakin now and am really impressed. Using the HagTech Clarinet in front of it, I'm a really happy camper.
Through the Altec 19s, I get a broad and deep soundstage, well outside the speakers.
Of course, YMMV, but my thoughts on how much bass I want out of my rig have been severely modified the more I've listened to tripath based amps.
I don't think I have 'less' bass than I need, but I certainly have 'controlled' bass, and the more listen, the more I think that it is extremely hip that the bass player doesn't walk all over everyone else, as some of my amps have illustrated.
By all means, listen to the stock unit to your heart's content, but you sound like me just 'knowing' the next step in the journey.... when you just have to have more delicious goodness.
Enjoy the journey!

Best Regards,
DeadFish

beatdownvictim · « **Reply #190 on:** 7 Oct 2005, 01:51 am »

Anyway, a new toy that i've been eyeing is my buddy Mark L Schifter's X-line of amplifiers.

There is a 50 wpc integrated digital amplifier that's going for$99. Lets see if it'll knock the Teac off the ladder in terms of bang for the buck. 99 with the option of a remote control and piano gloss/ferrari red paint. Sounds VERY interesting. That however will be on another thread.

Hello Fellow cheapskates, i'll be installing the redwine modified PS (yes these were available way back then). I'll probably be stopping with mods and audio gizmos until the new year, i'm broke! Anyway, i just wanted to tell everyone that thus far, i've put nearly 1500 hours in it, and it's "fully" broken in. The stock unit is by far better than i could have hoped for and although it isnt the end all be all of digital amps, it's been my best buy. So i'mgoing to be making the assertion that the top end will never taper out, nor will the bottom octaves slam home with authority.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #191 on:** 7 Oct 2005, 01:57 am »

Mr. LoanWolf is graciously allowing me to break in his newly purchased Red Wine modded TEAC...so I'll know soon enough what all the hub-bub is about with the other bewildered cheapskates

Dang, I'm really looking forward to hearing it modded, and enjoying a bit o' life outside the nasty power grid.

DeadFish · « **Reply #192 on:** 7 Oct 2005, 02:05 am »

Hey Chair Guy!
Great for you!
Upon break-in status, I do hope you can come back and reflect on differences. Much as I would like to say I can 'remember' and compare, I know my auditory memory is a tricky rascal.
I just know I haven't gone backwards!

What a guy that Chris is...

Happy listening!

Regards,
DeadFish

tdb · « **Reply #193 on:** 9 Oct 2005, 11:51 pm »

I read a post the other day about a shop in Indy that still has the Teac's in stock. Now I can't find the post or remember the name of the store. Can anybody help?

Thanks.

beatdownvictim · « **Reply #194 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 12:28 am »

Just because i'm nice,
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=21869&highlight=teac
fullcompass.com

Remember me when you sell something

Regards,

BDV

tdb · « **Reply #195 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 12:52 am »

Thank you very much!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #196 on:** 13 Oct 2005, 01:34 pm »

Quote

Hello Mark,

I'd love to hear what you heard/found with the Felicia on board! In my experience, here along the I-95 corridor, the Felicia and/or a BPT 2.0 Ultra seemed to provide about 75% of the benefits of a battery supply in a chip amp application. I can only presume that, with the TEAC, the benefits would be even higher as you'll be preventing the switching supply noise from poisoning the PS's of your associated equipment as well

Gordy - thanks for sharing your thoughts around the balanced power vs DC power - as I have not had any Tripath amp of my own DC modded, and have yet to hear any DC powered amp, I could not compare and contrast of you have.

I have not tried the Felicia with anything other than the baby JVC, as things are a little hairy right now (new house, new baby coming in the next 5 weeks) so the system is staying as is for the moment.

In time, I will seek to setup my whole former system (Nakamichi cd as transport, Monarchy DIP, Bolder Mensa DIO, Hagerman Clarinet pre, Bolder Teac) using the Felicia on the amp, and see how it all does, through the DIY Visatons that I am using at the end of the signal path.

TheChairGuy - glad that Mr Wolf could help you out, now I feel less bad for not being able to follow through on sending you out one of my two Teacs. Glad that you are liking the Teac + tubed pre, there are a number of folks around here that are digging that.

Gordy · « **Reply #197 on:** 13 Oct 2005, 01:52 pm »

Hi Mark,

"As things are a little hairy right now..." To say the least!

All the best!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #198 on:** 13 Oct 2005, 03:14 pm »

Quote from: mcgsxr

TheChairGuy - glad that Mr Wolf could help you out, now I feel less bad for not being able to follow through on sending you out one of my two Teacs. Glad that you are liking the Teac + tubed pre, there are a number of folks around here that are digging that.

No sweat soon-to-be-Canuck-Dad

The bone stock TEAC was revelatory and it'll be darn interesting what Mr. Loanwolf sounds like in comparo.

Enjoy the craziness. You should be concentrating on absorbent diapers, Pre-K waiting lists and how to survive on less sleep then you're used to right now...not audio.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #199 on:** 13 Oct 2005, 06:21 pm »

Thanks for the kind words boys - as this is child #2, I expect to have some clue... but hey, in the end, they are all different!

As for audio, well, so far I have been able to integrate my basement system into my daughter's inside play - when we go downstairs after dinner to chase the cat, throw a ball, play hockey (hey, we're all silly for that sport up here eh!) I always turn on the system.

Her favs include Marley, Everything but the Girl, and Madonna. Hey, how can you say no to that little face when she looks up and says "downstairs, music"?

She can pick the tunes anytime!