Previously, I had asked whether the midrange and highs of my T-amp are really better after the caps change by me? I have listened to several more CDs since then and my answer now is an undisputed YES. Vocals sound airier, livelier and less forceful (
hardness in midrange greatly reduced). I would think a CD player proper would be required in my setup to totally remove any hardness remaining. The overall sound now is a touch lighter compared to before.
My latest CD used to test vocals and resolving-ability of amplifiers is Il Divo’s first album (
Sony BMG 828766765427) where ‘Unbreak My Heart’ is the first track therein. This is a non-audiophile CD and I only owned a local-pressed copy. With most amplifiers, this CD would sound rather noisy as Il Divo is a group comprising of 4 male soprano singers brought together by Simon Cowell (
yes, the outspoken judge of American Idol). After the caps change in my T-amp, Il Divo sounded very very close to what I am hearing through my Simaudio Moon i-3 integrated amp and this is really unbelievable as resolving ability of my T-amp now has surpassed that of Exposure 2010S integrated amp, an amplifier being retailed at RM4,300 and a Stereophile Class A component.
In concluding my series of review (
read also earlier Posts 1011, 1017 and 1046), I would say even in its stocked form, the T-amp kit at RM55 (
throw in another RM100 or so for some decent RCA plugs, speaker binding posts, wires, a volume potentiometer and casing) is a great sounding amp and giant killer. If any of us are on the lookout for an amplifier, it would be almost a sin not to explore and consider picking up the T-amp. Without comparison, many of us would be pleasantly surprised, charmed and could happily live happily with its sonic qualities.
Its performance could be better improved by caps change, especially the input capacitors. There would be no clear answer as to which brand and model of caps is the best as each of us actually listen to and seek different things in audio. No doubt very expensive ‘boutique caps’ would bring about greater improvements to the T-amp's sound, they are beyond my consideration as I myself seek for the greater bang for ‘RM’ spent.
Xtorm,
You had asked about the sound staging capability of the T-amp. Currently, I positioned my loudspeakers 3 feet apart from one another, each sitting on a stack of magazines and books. And within this setup, yes, I hear the T-amp image well, vocals well fleshed out (
as opposed to cardboardy sound) with decent sound staging within the setup. I would think it would not be any lesser than most other amplifiers. I will comment again on this area much later after I have fitted my T-amp into its casing proper and after listening to it within the confines of my main listening system.
Sep 7 2008, 08:28 PM
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Nice to know you're 'upgrading' hehehe 
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