For kicks I just got a gainclone off an auction site and have a few questions. First off, this is my first foray into non-Tripath Class D. This unit is rather rough on the outside and supposedley cranks out 30 watts into 8 ohms. The first thing I noticed was a hum coming through my speakers. Now, I use Klipsch and even though it sounds fairly prominent within a foot it can't be heard from my "position" or when program materia is playing. Question One: what is the most common cause for hum or noise? Power supply? Lack of shielding? Etc? The next thing is the unit is very warm sounding. It's a good thing I have tone controls on my preamp because it took liberal adjustments to get the sound where I like it. Question Two: What causes the overly warm signature? Is it component selection? Circuit layout? The actual chips used? Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the chips although it does have the "standard" plexi top.
With the liberal application of tone controls (minus bass, plus treble) I have got a remarkably nice, punchy, and detailed sound. I LIKE IT! I have never heard warm, punch, and detail at the same time! Usually warm and detail are exclusive but not here.
This amp is pretty much a garage job but it shows me the true potential of what lies in chips. It is much more powerful and smoother sounding than any Tripaths I've heard--but, I've not heard expensive modified Tripaths to be fair.
Can anyone give me an idea of what to look for in my next bargain-class chip amp purchase? Which particular chips and power supplies that seem to be the best balanced?
