The New Super-T

panomaniac · « **on:** 18 Dec 2005, 11:18 pm »

Aloha guys,
I haven't posted here in awhile, been busy with amps.
The new "Super-T" from SI-5 is out, the guys who brought you the original Sonic Impact.

The new amp uses the same Tripath chip, but everything else about it is different. Metal chassis, good connectors (connex), better volume pot, different output filter, bigger input caps, an external SMPS or can run on battery.

It also costs $100 more.

I've been listening to it for a week, it sounds really nice, much better than the original. This new amp has balls! No lack of bass, no lack of power.

Compared to some other Tripath amps, e.g. the AMP6, it feels a little restrained, a little "close". The different power supplies between the amps are probably responsible for the different sound. The difference it subtle, but real.

With a few modifications, this could a great amp, and a great audio bargain.

There is more about it on my site, as well as some photos.
http://www.michael.mardis.com/sonic/super.htm

tianguis · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 06:44 pm »

Mike:
Thanks for the post. I like the layout of the new board. Gotta get one.
BTW, I put stick-on heatsinks on all the Tripath things I've built. I THINK I can hear a difference. No heat issues so far so perhaps it's mechanical damping.

Regards,
Larry Welsh

Rocket · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Dec 2005, 01:16 am »

Hi,

Thanks for the information.

I have a little sonic impact with ac power supply and i really like the sound. It did however lack enough power for my speakers.

How much power does this little amplifier deliver?

Regards

Rocket

JeffB · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Dec 2005, 01:50 am »

If it is the same chip TA2024 then it is
6 watts at 8 ohms
10 watts at 4 ohms.

panomaniac · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Dec 2005, 01:13 am »

It does use the same chip and runs at the same voltage- 12V.
However - it sounds much more powerful. A lot of that is due to a better power supply, on and off board, and also bigger input caps.

If you have very effecient speakers, you may not notice a lot of difference, as you won't be pushing the amp too hard. But for most speakers, the new amp has a lot more "Impact". Mostly it doesn't run into clipping as soon as the little guy.

panomaniac · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Dec 2005, 01:14 am »

BTW, the new amp has a mute at power on circiut that helps eliminate the pop at start up. Cool!