Sonic Impact Class T $39 amplifier review at 6moons

grkn · « **Reply #180 on:** 28 Jan 2005, 12:05 am »

Awright!
Now I've finally modded this lil' beast. I present the Xmod:

Custom cut hole for led light, volume control on top for easy access when on the floor. Original artwork with black marker for better shielding.

Notice the use of strips.

Materials used:
1 Styrofoam from sonic impact box
8 black strips

Tools used:
Blunt knife

This mod really enhances the dynamics and frequency response, the overall sound has more twang and the treble is more saturated, and is at the same time dryer. I was really amazed that styrofoam could enhance it's characteristics this way, I guess there's no knowing when it comes to audio.

Anyhow,
I award the Xmodded sonic impact with the following scores:
Treble 95%
Bass 80%
Twang 85%
Value 100%
Sound 82%

A total of 443% out of 500%!
I Award it with my platinum editors choice award.

corwin99 · « **Reply #181 on:** 28 Jan 2005, 01:21 am »

That styrofoam enclosure ROX.. you should market it

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #182 on:** 28 Jan 2005, 01:25 am »

I love the ghetto chic!

Bingo · « **Reply #183 on:** 29 Jan 2005, 01:18 am »

Hello, corwinn99,
Vertical biamping of the horns is what I plan on doing. The efficiency of the KLF-30's is limited to the sensitivity of the parallel 12' woofers. The horns are padded down to match output level. I can't get the horn/driver specs from the company, but I'm sure the little SI's could do the job, especially if they are comforted by filter-sloped inputs. I just though I might need a little more power for the bottom and that's the reason for a larger stereo amp for the woofers. Things should be left pretty uncolored if I can let the LF amp run straight through and use some high quality parts for some simple filter slopes for the Mid and High horns. The SI volume controls can serve as a temporary way of determining the input levels needed for the horns. If I had two more SI's, I might be tempted to use one for each pair of woofers. I just can't imagine those little guys giving me much in level. I also use these speakers for playback monitors and some people like to hear life-like levels. I don't know the inputs impedances on these amps and I'm in limbo with x-overs. Any suggestions?

Bingo · « **Reply #184 on:** 29 Jan 2005, 01:41 am »

...and those SI amps. I wonder if there is any way of modifiying the frequency response of those strange little beasts...internally? Look ma, no x-overs!

corwin99 · « **Reply #185 on:** 29 Jan 2005, 08:49 am »

Bingo, I'm not famliar enough with those speakers to give any sort of advice unfortunately

But good luck...

watchdoc · « **Reply #186 on:** 17 May 2005, 08:49 pm »

I have a few questions on the SI amp.

1. is the amp bridgeable?

2. is it bi ampable?

3. I plan to use my CD changer for the input. It's a Marantz CC4000OSE. The Marantz has it's own analog outputs with volume control. I was thinking about bypassing the internal volume altogether. Is there a mod link for doing this and what is everyone's opinion on such a mod?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #187 on:** 17 May 2005, 09:22 pm »

Here is a link to discussions about various mods to the SI amp

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50870

The Tripath chip used in the SI cannot be bridged.

The SI amp is a stereo amp. There is no crossover.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #188 on:** 20 May 2005, 07:37 am »

Stopped in to "Micro Center" , in Westbury, NY today....looking for some jewel cases and PC speakers. While I was there, went down the computer speaker isle. Spotted the Sonic Impact amp mixed in with the different speakers on display. They had two on the shelf. So I bought one, just for fun...$24.99. Checked their web site......guess they still have them in stock...if anyone is still looking for one.

gilbodavid · « **Reply #189 on:** 23 May 2005, 10:49 pm »

hi all. have had a SI amp for about 6 months now I think, and have no speakers sensative enough. Am using refurbished quad esl57's with push pull triod monoblocks made by a freind, and vinal bargain of the century modded lenco l75, with ol silver arm and denon 304 cart. have heard avantgarde duos with shroeder font end and $20,000 set amplification, and i prefer my set up. just. am wanting clari-t, and want advice on best speakers to get. am wanting speakers for my rv too as i want to use a clari-t possibly in it. anyone with quad experience who can give advice. i live in england, otherwise i'd be auditioning omega's, druids and cain abbeys. hope this isnt too off thread

doug s. · « **Reply #190 on:** 24 May 2005, 03:45 pm »

Quote from: gilbodavid

hi all. have had a SI amp for about 6 months now I think, and have no speakers sensative enough. Am using refurbished quad esl57's with push pull triod monoblocks made by a freind, and vinal bargain of the century modded lenco l75, with ol silver arm and denon 304 cart. have heard avantgarde duos with shroeder font end and $20,000 set amplification, and i prefer my set up. just. am wanting clari-t, and want advice on best speakers to get. am wanting speakers for my rv too as i want to use a clari-t possibly ...

if ya wanna keep the quads, but need more juice for 'em, ya may wanna consider the teac &/or sharp amps - vinnie also mods these. i am extremely impressed w/my bone stock sharp sd ex111 digital amp, which is ~20wpc...

doug s.

Bingo · « **Reply #191 on:** 30 May 2005, 07:43 pm »

Hey gang,
I would like to run one of my SI's into a pair of Stage Accompany SA-8535 drivers(16ohm each) and just set up a few different inputs caps for 1st order slopes at either 1k, 2k and 3k. Can anyone give me some numbers so I can do this right at the input caps? Thanks for the help.

Rocket · « **Reply #192 on:** 18 Jun 2005, 12:06 pm »

Hi,

I was lucky enough to be in the 'right place at the right time' and purchased a sonic impact and switching power supply last weekend. In total it cost me $100au, apparently it costs as much in shipping as it did to purchase the si.

I had a listen to the amplifier at my local hifi store on a part connexion modded denon dvd, sonic impact and a pair of aria 5's (zalytron) and guess they are about 90 -92db.

Anyway i was really impressed by the sound and couldn't help it and bought one. I recently purchased a ps audio hca -2 which cost me a fair bit of money to import into oz. I prefer the sonic impact apart from the lack of power.

It's gettin pretty scary how cheap good quality hifi can be purchased for.

Regards

Rod

powerbench · « **Reply #193 on:** 18 Jun 2005, 08:20 pm »

I have a ClariT being modded by Vinnie,which i am awaiting return arrival.I have been playing with a tamp with omega speakers and the t amp sounds suprising good...little harsh,less refined but still quite appealing.

Rocket · « **Reply #194 on:** 19 Jun 2005, 01:00 am »

Hi Powerbench,

If my speakers were more efficient i would be interested in purchasing a red wine audio clari-t just to listen to one. However, it would mean i'd have to purchase another pair of speakers and i'm not willing to spend anymore money.

The Teac that vinnie mods would be sufficient and i might have a look at the later this year.

Regards

Rod

Tabascosauce · « **Reply #195 on:** 19 Jun 2005, 06:17 am »

Rocket, where in Perth did you listen to the sonic impact?

Rocket · « **Reply #196 on:** 19 Jun 2005, 06:47 am »

Hi,

I bought mine from Pat at War Audio, in osborne park. I cost me $100au which included a switching power supply. I like the sound of the little amp but need to get some more efficient speakers.

He might have a couple of amps left.

Regards

Rod

Tabascosauce · « **Reply #197 on:** 19 Jun 2005, 07:56 am »

Thanks Rocket.

I took your advice some months back and got my speakers made up by Pat.

What do you think of the SI?

Rocket · « **Reply #198 on:** 19 Jun 2005, 09:47 am »

Hi,

I heard the sonic impact of the following system at War Audio;

Denon Dvd (parts connexion modified design but implemented by War)
Sonic Impact (with ac switching power supply)
War Audio speakers (focal tc90 and 2 x 5inch focal utopia mid/bass drivers)

I think the War speakers using the focal tweeter are a bit easier to drive than my speakers which use the raven tweeter. They sounded very good at war audio but not as good in my system as my speakers are a little harder to drive. Interestingly when i insert my n.e.w. p3 preamp into the mix the amp clips earlier than if i use the sonic without a preamp.

I also heard it with a stealth indras interconnect (between denon and sonic impact) and it dramatically improved the sound but at $5795us a pair they are outta my league

.

Which speakers did you purchase from war?

Regards

Rod

Tabascosauce · « **Reply #199 on:** 19 Jun 2005, 10:49 am »

The D'appolita design with the focal tweeters and two 5 inch focal drivers. They took at least 100 hours to burn in, but I love them!!