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Linear PSU for TA2024 amp

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Posted on October 9, 2020 at 23:13:41
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 I'm considering trying a linear PSU for my little Trends TA10.1 amp.

Requirements are 12V / 3A min

Looking at the two following examples, which one would you choose and why? (I don't mind replacing capacitors or doing other mods)

Open to other options including "upgraded" SMPS supplies.

Thanks :)

 

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RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 9, 2020 at 23:14:12
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 and here's the second

 

RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 10, 2020 at 12:08:56
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7744
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 Tough choice K. I myself would probably choose the second because it would be much easier and cheaper to upgrade the caps and because it is 6A instead of 4A which I believe would likely have a larger fuse and the wires in the transformer might be thicker assuming they have fuses which, IMHO might result in better sound. The first one sure looks a beauty and well thought out though but I wouldn't want to change caps in that baby. My 2 cents.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 10, 2020 at 15:10:07
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 I use the 6A Zerozone 100VA PSU for a 3A rated application and think very highly of it. I also tried it as an outboard PSU for an amplifier and found that it provided a bold, dynamic, and detailed presentation. It features very efficient heat dissipation due to the extensive heat sink fins. I think it would be an excellent choice for use with your TA2024 amplifier, KanedaK.

 

RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 12, 2020 at 21:24:14
madisonears
Audiophile

Posts: 1587
Location: midwest
Joined: September 6, 2006
 What PS do you use now? What do you hope to achieve with a new PS? You use this T-amp for highs? Not much grunt needed there.

Just buy a better amplifier. That technology is pretty old, and the quality of chip amps has advanced considerably. If that T amp fails, I don't know if replacement chips are available. Then you're stuck with a $200 12V PS. Don't forget to look at the shipping cost!

You can buy a new amp with a new D Class chip for the price of either PS. Better yet, try an LM chip series class AB amp.

Peace,
Tom E
berate is 8 and benign is 9

 

RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 16, 2020 at 03:31:38
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 Thanks everyone.
I've been away for a couple of days as I was laying in my bed, fighting against our new friend Covid19!
Not feeling super duper yet but I'm slowly getting there. Mind you I'm only 42 and relatively healthy...

Anyways, I will probably go for the ZeroZone 6A model.

The TA2024 chip might be old, for me it is the "original T-amp chip" and my amp has been so carefully modded, I'm sure it still has a place in my system. I own a couple more recent mini-amps with last generation chips, they don't sound better, in fact far from it. Implementation and surrounding components matter :) that's why I'd like to try on a new PSU.

 

RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 16, 2020 at 22:15:43
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002



I'm glad you recovered from the dreaded virus and are okay now, KanedaK.

In order to get the best out of the new Zerozone 100VA PSU, I suggest a new DIY power cord project to use with it. This particular power cord build is hard to beat at such a low price point, as the cost is only $54.59 with free shipping for a 1.5 meter length. The sonic signature of the power cord is well-balanced with a full-sounding tonality, cleanly extended treble, with no real sins of commission. While resolution is not as high-performance as a more expensive product, it's very easy to recommend it as a low-cost option to consider for your application. It's an easy bulk power cable to terminate, even for a newbie power cord builder.

Unbranded 10 AWG bulk power cable, Viborg VE503 unplated copper Shuko AC plug + Viborg VF503 unplated copper IEC connector:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32812216692.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001335114410.html

 

RE: Linear PSU for TA2024 amp, posted on October 18, 2020 at 02:09:40
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 Thanks Duster, I'll look into it! :-)

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 19, 2020 at 10:29:20
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7744
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 "Not much grunt needed there." What the heck does this mean madisonears. That the bass on the T amp can't be improved? That a vastly better power supply won't effect the mid-range and treble? Please explain. Thanks in advance.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 19, 2020 at 10:54:26
rivervalley817
 I'm not madisonears, but if the 'T amp' is driving the high frequencies why be concerned with bass, the amp is already [somewhat] 'EQ'd' for the application

later implementations of the 2024 chip DID improve bass output via added capacitance [ie: the Trends units]

this 'Class T' nomenclature is market speak from the now defunct Tripath company ... those are all class D chips, and to my ears sound better than the LM 'class AB' chips that are the basis for 'gain clone' circuits that produce higher wattage, which aren't bad at all, very good in fact

and YMMV etc.

my two cents anyway

regards,


 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 19, 2020 at 11:12:21
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7744
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 I see no indication that the OP is using the amp only to drive high frequencies.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 19, 2020 at 11:23:08
rivervalley817
 yeah, me either now that you mention it ... madisonears alluded to it, I believe in reference to some earlier posts by KanedaK, so my comment was intended to address the thread. look, it was only 2 cents and free anyway

*shrug*



 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 20, 2020 at 01:01:49
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 I am indeed using the amp on the 500 to 20K range.

On the 60 to 500 range, I have another tiny class D amp - an SMSL SA50, which is certainly one of the cheapest amps on earth at 70$. It puts out 25W with the wind in the back and drives 104dB sensitive bass horns. I've tried regular class AB amps in that position but, integration between ways works better if you use the same type of amplification throughout, I found.
I also enjoy looking at the ridiculously small size of the amps (they both fit on a single shelf of my rack, with the active crossover next to them, and there's still some space around), the ridiculously HUGE size of the speakers, and the massive sound it all produces.
The modded Trends amp is miles ahead of the SMSL in terms of refinement, miles ahead of another tiny chip amp I use in the office - they all sound "good" in regard of price and size, but only the modded Trends sounds good enough to be used on the high pass in my main system. Sure you can find better - but never at such a low price, and never with such a tiny footprint!

Only the subs use class AB amps, which is the opposite of what is commonly seen, but I had no choice there :-)

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 20, 2020 at 08:46:27
rivervalley817
 sounds like a winning formulae to me!

people were prying those little silver & black 'T amps' open and beefing up the caps to get more low end output, buying power supplies 10X the cost of the 'toy' amp, trying to mount better speaker terminals in them etc., then Trends came out with a sane enclosure, way better caps, 'real' binding posts, and beefier linear power supplies to address the short comings and made a winner IMO ... the sound is very good, not just good

from a bang for your buck standpoint you can't go wrong, and they beat the pants off most of the flea powered tube rigs I've heard that cost 10X more

but there are those with their nose in the air that imagine they have the ever elusive and ill defined 'golden ears' that are actually filtered through their eyeballs and checkbook ... as Lennon said 'whatever gets you through the night is alright'

with regards,

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 20, 2020 at 11:11:54
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7744
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 I would speculate that a much better power supply would improve 500 and up but I have never split the spectrum like that and listened to a PS improvement.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 20, 2020 at 11:25:46
rivervalley817
 what PS is he using Tweaker?

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 20, 2020 at 23:43:02
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 Indeed, and my trends has seen all his passive components (ALL! resistors, capacitors, potentiometer, input RCA jacks, speaker connectors...) replaced and improved... only the pcb, the chip (of course) and the enclosure (but not the front) are original! And the PSU...
I haven't compared with the stock model but, I would guess mine is even more refined. I love it!

I have been using it in the past in full range mode and it was already great. It replaced in my system a lovely Sony TA-N86B in pure class A. But used on the high-pass, without the burden of the low frequencies, it opens up even more.

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 21, 2020 at 00:56:45
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 What make/model vibration control footers do you use if any under the amplifier and external power supply, KanedaK?

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 21, 2020 at 11:21:30
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 I don't use anything (yet?) under the amp and PSU; their tiny size and extreme lack of weight makes proper coupling (or decoupling) hazardous.
I do however use a rack made of modded Ikea LACK coffee tables (the material is some kind of ultra rigid honeycomb cardboard and has interesting properties).

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 21, 2020 at 21:50:09
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 AcoustiFeet vibration absorbing low-profile silicone feet are a good low-cost option.

The soft version would be suitable to decouple lightweight gear.

See link:

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 22, 2020 at 10:19:18
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7744
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 EAR Isodamp C-1002, EAR's flagship viscoelastic damping material is superior in sound to silicon from my experience and designed for vibration damping. There are sheets and various feet type products. There is a graph showing the superiority of C-1002 to silicone but I can't find it right now. This is the best sounding rubber type compound that I myself have found. Michael Percy may still sell it in sheet form. tweaker456


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Info on EAR Isodamp (graphs), posted on October 22, 2020 at 10:32:00
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7744
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 Here is some info on EAR Isodamp vs other rubber products including silicon.


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Question for madisonears, posted on October 22, 2020 at 19:28:43
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002






3M EAR vibration damping material products include such devices as industrial grommets and vibration damping sheets, not vibration control footers to position under an audio component. The shape of the adhesive-backed AcoustiFeet silicone feet is optimized for the purpose on both the horizontal and vertical plane. In my experience they provide well-controlled compliance, while providing firm anti-skid properties for under $10 per set.

 

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