[RonD2]

I use a Clari-T in my office to power a fairly inefficient (maybe 87 dB) desktop speaker (a modded RS speaker with the Linaeum tweeter and a Vifa mid).  It sounds really great, btw.  

Anyway, I decided to check the battery on two days this past week.   Here are the results:

Hours
ON    Volts
   
0:00   13.02
1:10   12.85
2:20   12.72
4:55   12.48
6:10   12.38
7:55   12.25
9:20   12.15
10:00   12.1
   
   
0:00   13.33
1:10   12.89
2:20   12.8
4:55   12.58
6:00   12.48
7:55   12.32

The T was left on at reasonable nearfield listening levels.  Measurements were taken at the charger with the T turned off and the charger unplugged.  They were done on a "first generation" T that has been in constant use since early December.

In case the table is unreadable, here is a summary.  Day 1, 12.1v after 10 hours; on Day 2, 12.32v after 8 hours.

My intrepretation of the data is that there is little reason to be paranoid about battery life even over extended listening sessions.

Ron

[Paul_Bui]

Thanks Ron for making efforts and posting your measurements.  I too was curious how my T performs on battery life but have been lazy to do it myself.

Just imagine, if a single stereo T can last that long under the circumstance, how would a monoblock pair would perform battery-wise?  Probably it can play almost a day long before the voltage drops below 12 volts.

[Vinnie R.]

I use a Clari-T in my office to power a fairly inefficient (maybe 87 dB) desktop speaker (a modded RS speaker with the Linaeum tweeter and a Vifa mid).  It sounds really great, btw.  

Anyway, I decided to check the battery on two days this past week.   Here are the results:

Hours
ON    Volts
   
0:00   13.02
1:10   12.85
2:20   12.72
4:55   12.48
6:10   12.38
7:55   12.25
9:20   12.15
10:00   12.1
   
   
0:00   13.33
1:10   12.89
2:20   12.8
4:55   12.58
6:00   12.48
7:55   12.32

The T was left on at reasonable ne ...

Hi Ron,

Ten hours of use and the voltage didn't go below 12V, not bad Ron!       Thanks for taking the time to check this and post us the info.  

With a pair of high efficiency speakers, you don't have to turn the volume up as loud to get the same volume, so you'll use less juice and be able to play even longer!  

When I say don't listen beyond 6 hours, this is a conservative rating based on using 4-ohm resistors at loud levels.

However, the less you discharge the battery before recharging, the longer it will last.    


Hi Paul,

Yes, using the Clari-T-Amp as monoblocks will drain the battery about half as much, so you should be able to play about twice as long between charges.  Of course, you also get complete L/R isolation, work the Tripath chip half as hard, and other good things  

Regards,

[miklorsmith]

How about sound quality running monos?  Does power output increase per channel?  Punchier sound?  Any other side benes?

[Vinnie R.]

How about sound quality running monos?  Does power output increase per channel?  Punchier sound?  Any other side benes?

Hi miklorsmith,

I post here:
http://www.redwineaudio.com/Ordering_Info.html

"You can also use two Clari-T-Amps to run as monoblocks.  In this case,
you would just use one channel of each amp.  This consumes half the power, so you'll get twice the playing time between charges.     Monoblock operation also offers complete isolation between the L
and R channels, which results in discernible improvements in transparency, soundstaging, stereo imaging and separation.  This option is for those who want to push the performance to the max."

You will not get more power per channel spec-wise because you cannot bridge the 2024 chip, but you will be working it half as hard (less heat), you'll be running each channel from separate batteries, and you will minimize crosstalk.  Does it sound punchier, even cleaner...better?... you bet!  

Sincerely,

[maxwalrath]

just out of curiosity, how would a monoblock setup work? I have a clari-T with the volume control...would I need a pre or just another clari-T with the R from the source going to one, the L to the other, and the volume level matched?

Also, would it be feasable to squeeze two chips in one chasis running off the same battery?

[Vinnie R.]

just out of curiosity, how would a monoblock setup work? I have a clari-T with the volume control...would I need a pre or just another clari-T with the R from the source going to one, the L to the other, and the volume level matched?

Also, would it be feasable to squeeze two chips in one chasis running off the same battery?

Hi Max,

For monoblocks, it is best to use two Clari-T-Amps without volume controls, and then use a passive (or active I suppose) preamp to control the volume of both monoblocks at the same time.  

You can use two Clari-T-Amps with volume controls, but then you need to control the volume of each channel independently...a pain in the neck!  

I can always convert your Clari-T to an "amp only" by removing the volume control and installing a new faceplate.  

BTW, I'm coming out with a passive preamp in a matching enclosure very soon!  This will work perfectly with the monoblocks!

>>Also, would it be feasable to squeeze two chips in one chasis running off the same battery?

Probably, but it would be much better to use a separate battery for each chip if you want true "dual mono."  A slightly larger enclosure would be needed...  However, two separate Clari-T enclosures is better because you get complete L/R isolation to eliminate crosstalk.  


Regards,

[miklorsmith]

I may end up going this route.