Sonic Impact Impressions?

DeadFish · « **on:** 1 Apr 2005, 11:17 pm »

Howdy folks,
This is primarilly pitched at Blackmore, since he owns one of these little rascals, but a certain number of you have heard his when he brought it along to a few listening sessions. I either wasn't there, or busy huffing down a cigaraette outside, so was wondering on other's thoughts.
I got one a week ago, and I'll probably put out a bigger post on that in a more public forum, but it has been an enlightening, and chuckling adventure.
My question for you GASsers is if you heard anything you thought worth cultivating in this curious amp.
When I first got one last week, I plopped 8 AA cells into it, hooked it up to a $28 dvd player, sent out maybe 20guage twisted ratshack speaker wire, and...the Altecs.
What an econo-bargain! I did have to literally laugh out loud at how good it sounded, if still far from perfect.
Well, I've tinkered, and added A/C adapter, then reintroduced the Rega Planet and Theta DAC and about 120 hours on the SI amp.
I'm still impressed, though not inclined to listen to it rather than my other 'stuff'.
My point being, perhaps, to lure Mark out with any further comments he has to offer after owning one for a while, and whether any of you have thought about tricking one of these buggers out any further.
This weeks impressions have left me cross-eyed with mixed emotions as in some regards, there is clarity on some recordings I don't remember, but also some stridency in some highs and a definite lack of bottom that I know the Altecs can provide. I've about talked myself into hacking this thing, since even if I bugger it up, i'm not out a lot.
I spent a few days going thru the posts on here and DIYaudio regarding this amp, back to about last september, and lots of people having fun with it. I think that is what really captured me, that there was something so cheap and ....tinkerable, so how could I resist?
For those of you that have been here, I've moved ALL my audio stuff into a room in my attic complete with about anything worth keeping over my whole life, all piled up around the walls. Definitely not the best engineered sound room, but a place 'to play'. And thanks to my ultrakind wife and kids, my ALtecs got moved up the winding stairs and are outa the way and ready to rock. When I got the chance to get the SIamp, it almost seemed like an "Act o'God" that I was dared to see how this stuff played well together.
Well, I digress, and waste electrons here, but wondered if any of my 'local homies' had tinkered with one of these things other than turning it on.
I got a bad hankering to put it in a coffecan with new inand outputs.
I'm still looking for something more outrageous to put it in, and that too, is a lot of fun, without breaking the bank.

Anyway, thoughts encouraged, and laughter even more so!

Best Regards,
Bill

ohenry · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Apr 2005, 01:23 pm »

I'm not a homeboy (at least in Mo.), but I have to further lead you to temptation and testify on this fine morning at the Tripath Temple. Yep, it's convocation time.

I didn't mod the SI (I ruined mine doing some "schooling"), but I did mod a TA2024 evaluation board and if you have a steady hand and plenty of magnification, you'll be amazed at how much better it can get.

I replaced the inductors, the input caps and the PS caps with better quality components (PS caps = Panasonic FM's and input caps = 2.2 uF Auricaps). Changing the PS caps helped the dynamics and the inputs caps will provide great bass and smooth highs IMO. Doing the input caps is the scariest part, but it can be done. If I did it, most anybody can.

Also, get a battery, a coffee can

and real connectors. If you do the coffee can, perch it upon some oversized bronze points for audiophool effect!

I use mine with a tubed preamp, I like the weight the tubes bring and I don't think speed/detail is sacrificed significantly (just slightly on bass note decay on the most demanding musical passage that I have). And I found switching 6SN7's from Sylvania to KenRad VT-231's made the highs airy and less strident, and I had to turn down the sub again.

Have fun!

portlandlay · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Apr 2005, 02:50 pm »

I do have an SI but your little deal looks very nice.

Blackmore · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Apr 2005, 10:28 pm »

Hey Bill:
I haven't done anything to my SI amp, but I was thinking along the same lines as you. Everyone says it needs a 7 AH sealed acid battery for power and new input and output connectors. That's what I had in mind all along. If something goes wrong, you're only out 30 bucks. I would probably ditch the volume control, too.

As far as enclosures, I was thinking more along the lines of mounting the amp in the stand for a yard gazing ball or an old gumball machine or

in the base of an old Edison or RCA record player, complete with morning glory horn. How cool would that be???

I remain fairly neutral about the little amp. Steve liked it a lot, but I sort of prefer my Sophia Baby after G put the new caps in it. I think all of my digital amps are a little 'off' in the highs and somewhat sterile. You are right on the money about that clean, clear sound that brings out new bits of information that you hadn't paid attention to before. They are truly dead quiet and I knew they would power the Altecs perfectly. I do like the SI the best of all the digitals I have (powerwave, SI, and Sharp EX-111) I am fully ready to be wrong about these little amps and I think that with proper battery supply, better connectors for better wire connections, they really could be great. I'll hook it up again to the Abbys and listen some more. I don't believe I have anywhere near 100 hours on the amp yet.

Tell you what: If you tear into yours, I'll do the same. I don't have the nerve to resolder parts on that little board, but the rest of the mods are on for sure. Let me know if you're about to take the plunge.

DeadFish · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Apr 2005, 05:55 pm »

Well, thanks everyone for your reading and comments!
I'm still tinkering, but have landed back to my tube setup until I get some sort of box for this thing, and the time to tinker.
Nice setup, Ohenry! I've got a box by the same maker as the one you showed, that I built out at RMAF complements of Doc B and Ron W. for the soldering class they had, putting RCA's and Sweetest Whispers in it as a passive volume control. I don't know if it will all fit though.
I don't have to use a coffeecan (a growing rarity!), but something imaginative will pop up and say US ME, I am sure. Something to cause a chuckle...
Mark, you are ON for the box upgrade, once I figure out a good way. I have read thru all the threads on A/C, Audio Asylum and DIYAudio.com, and seen some imagination used, and at least a couple of people offering up prepped boxes with connectors that just need a board added. BUT to keep expense down, I'll keep looking.
Some inspired mods out there. Although I have a light/magnifier combo that I used to build my Clarinet, I don't think even that will help me solder that tiny board, given the shakey-finger disease that only age can offer.
But I might get inspired....

I switched my el-84 amp back in, and my bottom-ass bass is back, so I know it is the amp, and not my poor drywalled room fullo'crap in the attic that keeps the bottom away with the SI. I like to hope better connectors, and perhaps battery supply might help that. Actually relying on the better connectors all the way around. I'll probably bypass volume to be able to use a tube pre, at this time, but there is always the future.
I just wish someone in the ST. Louis area had a ClariT to show us how good it can be....
Well, this is the 2nd time I have typed this, so must post before computer gobbles this one up as well!
Thanks again for the responses, everyone!
Regards,
DeadFish

ohenry · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Apr 2005, 06:40 pm »

Deadfish, Your coffee can idea has me thinking Andy Warhol...Campbell's Tomato Soup can amp. Maybe the large size can would do.

Good luck with your SI.

DeadFish · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Apr 2005, 09:33 pm »

Thanks Ohenry!
Yah, you got the Andy Warhol idea down!
Just looking for something to put my indelible, tasteless stamp upon it.

Thanks for the good thoughts, and once construction has begun, I'm sure to be whining about what went wrong along the way.

The fun has just begun, and at a price my wife can support!

Regards,
DF

JeffB · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Apr 2005, 12:05 am »

I have an SI. I shorted the inputs recently by accident though. It definitely needs an SLA battery to really shine. A 1.3Ah is big enough, it just depends upon how long you want to listen, before charging. The bass rolls off quickly below 170Hz. It clipped easily on my inefficient speakers. The highs were a little strident. Instrument timbre is a little off. The sound is a little thin. However, it had an amazing ability to separate instruments and place them at a distinct volume level. The resolution in volume space is stunning. There appears to be no noise floor that creates an almost spooky black background that sound eminates from. Once your ears adapt to this blackness, it becomes very addicting. I am not a big fan of classical music, but every once in a while I give it a listen to try and broaden my horizons. With this amp, classical became compelling to listen to. I could hear violin string vibrations in a way that I had never heard before. I was addicted to the sound of rise and decay of violin strings. When I would switch back to my other amp, classical became boring to me again. The amp clearly needs modifications to create a flat response down to 20Hz. It might also do better with a preamp. This $30 dollar amp clearly has cheap parts and they need to go. With some mods though, it could possibly be an amazing amp. In its current form it is just an interesting introduction into what a digital amp is all about.

gary · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Apr 2005, 12:23 am »

If anyone wants to hear the pure auditory magic that is a Clari-T tripath amp and battery powered Nixon NOS dac I'll be in St. Louis all next week and I can bring them. Just send me a PM and I'll pack them when I fly out tomorrow morning.

Gary

DeadFish · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Apr 2005, 08:11 pm »

Hey, if any of yous guys run into Gary with his Clari-T in town looking for a place to listen to them, lemme know, hokay?
JeffB, you have about pegged my experience. I threw a lot of money, time and experimentation at my biamped, aftermarket wired, dedicated a/c powered Bryston/ Vandy combo to really respect that 'absolute black' that accompanies that SI performance. Some of the high end things it does, it does very well and tempts me to hear the 'next level' when someone has tweaked the circuit.
Most certainly, an 'interesting introduction!'

Regards,
DeadFish

drummerwill · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Apr 2005, 09:26 pm »

Yo Fish
Where did you get your SI ? I planned to but my Target Store doesn't sell them.
They sound like just the kind of stuff that gets me going!
Have fun
Willie

DeadFish · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Apr 2005, 10:45 pm »

Hey Willie!
I got one from a fella that had 3 for sale on here.
I haven't seen anyone have them in stock for a while.
Yah, I bet you would like playing with one, as they have some great parts to offer. Listening to it and then the ClariT like I did last nite would give you some great ideas!
If I see any more anyplace, I'll drop you an email.

Regards,
Bill

ohenry · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Apr 2005, 12:08 am »

Hey Willie,
I see that PCMall.com has them in stock for $20. Better jump before it's gone. Also, I heard that Parts Express has them, but for more $$$.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Apr 2005, 05:29 am »

Hello DF,

I see the Sonic Impact little wonder is going upscale....

Quote

In response to the incredible popularity of the original and the countless DIY modifications it inspired, Rick Bracke of Sonic Impact Technologies is now introducing his own hot-rodded version, incorporating the features customers have been asking for. The 2026 will be an improved, gussied-up T-amp for $119 and the 2050 a 50wc version for $299. Our own Jeff Day has taken delivery of samples to continue reporting on this underground phenomenon.

. Its a quote from 6moons...moonbeams.... http://www.6moons.com/news/news.html ... the link on that story takes you to their site....and clicking products page ..... http://www.si5.com/frontEnd/cm_productList.jsp ...shows a buy now...$39.00 . [/list:u]

Chris[/list:u]

DeadFish · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Apr 2005, 02:10 pm »

Hey, LW!!
Thanks for the tip!
Have you had the chance to try one of these things?
I'm looking forward for what their next 'act' will be, and hope they can only grow with the experience.
But then again, I must admit that in the heart of me, I want one of everything....

Best Regards,
Bill

ss397 · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Apr 2005, 02:35 pm »

i have one finally after about 2 months of backorder. i got mine at:

www.procura.com cost about $30 inc. shipping.

i am going to be using mine in its intended roll, a portable system. sony d-ne300 cd walkman, jbl n24 speakers. i put this system together as a boombox alternative at a cost of about $120.00. it sounds nice for the amount spent. i only have about 2 hours on the amp but it does its job, plays plenty loud, and the speakers are definitely the weak link in the chain. but i'm getting ready to schlep this thing to saint martin and use it on the beach for a week so i can't justify good speakers. i will report back after a solid week of listening

drummerwill · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Apr 2005, 05:11 am »

Thanks guys just ordered a SI from MacMall.com. Don't know
how it'll sound, but its to cheap to pass on.
No I'm not giving up my DHT's but I want to see what a different
reference will do.
Have fun !
Willie

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Apr 2005, 05:12 am »

Quote from: DeadFish

Hey, LW!!
Thanks for the tip!
Have you had the chance to try one of these things?

Not yet Bill...but I will. May wait for the 50 watt version thats coming out....I always like a little more power. Glad to see your having fun with it !!

Chris[/list:u]

ss397 · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 04:46 pm »

the sonic impact amp worked great on my vacation. the stock batteries lasted much longer than i expected, at least 15 full cd's. the amp is better than the jbl speakers so i hear no limitations with it. when i can get better speakers to pair it with i plan to mod it(sla, vol. pot, i/o improvements) but still keep it portable.

DeadFish · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Apr 2005, 11:07 pm »

Don't 'slack' on that amp if you feel like upping the ante on it, SS!
If you wait until you get better speakers, then you will want to mod the speakers.....

Actually, one of the upshots of listening to my SI, and then the Clari-T that Gary was able to bring over and share, I've finally reached a point where I think I have to lay hands on my Altecs before I go much further with any amps. A little 'updating' to what I am listening THRU ought to make it easier to appreciate any amp I listen to. Now that I look at it, I guess I want better speakers TOO, or maybe just better the ones I listen to.
I pulled my SI apart last nite, just for grins and am truly impressed with how damned tiny they are and fear the limits of my inputs (eyes) on monkeying too hard on this board.
Also, after listening a bit to my Clarinet tubed pre thru the SI, I was really a lot happier with the sound thru that arrangement over the volume control alone on the SI.
and hey Willie, didja get your amp yet? I'm really curious on your take on it.
That's it for now.

Regards,
DeadFish