Amp4-hv-ps

[dannya]

Hi,

Is there such AMP4-HV-PS kit "off the shelf" ?

I'm still debating about which AMP to build ...

at finals I have the 2xAMP11-HV, 2 Toroids ~45VDC, 2 PS-3 -- sounds like too much power for my needs (I need no more than 100W @4 Ohm).

any other recomendation ?

My requiements - best sound quality (#1), min 100W @4 Ohm, With $ factor & complexity out of the equation.

thanks,
Danny

[krilli]

I wrote a reply to this today but there was a network outage before I could submit it ... Note to self: Dig up backup and post reply!

[krilli]

With 4 Ohm and in pursuit of sound quality, I would be looking at the Amp11 or Truepath. You'll want to run rails of 30VAC up for 100W into 4 Ohm, which indicates a transformer of 20VAC or higher.

The Amp11 is A LOT simpler to build.

I say Amp11 and Truepath because their output filters are designed for 4 Ohm loads. If you are willing to take a sideroute and adjust the output filters, the Amp4 becomes a very good choice, and the one I would personally take. You will need either the Amp4-HV version, or just a simple power-stage chip swap – so using a STA517B power chip in a stock Amp4, which makes it 4-Ohm capable over the full voltage range.

IMO the Amp4 sounds better and more 'magical' than the Amp11. I haven't actually heard a Truepath yet, but I reckon that it is equal or better than anything else that 41Hz has ...

The output filter change is just a capacitor swap and potentially a little differently wound output filter toroid.

[dannya]

Thanks krilli,

I now see that the STA517B is out of stock so the AMP4-HV option is not clear. (still waiting for Jan response).
Has anyone compared Truepath to AMP11-HV ?

[Scratchy]

Thanks krilli,
Has anyone compared Truepath to AMP11-HV ?

Yes V-bro has, and prefers the sound of the AMP11 just a bit more than the TruePath.

[V-bro]

I actually came to the conclusion that I just slightly prefer the sound of all TC2001 based amplifiers. I even prefer AMP2 just slightly over a Truepath/AMP15/AMP7, even though especially Truepath is a nicer and better laid out design. But let it be clear that the preference is by a very small margin and with the lack of a direct comparison it's almost impossible to tell them apart.