After around 50hr, I can say the sound suit my ear. I can only compare it to my 2024 side by side.

The speed is about the same.
2020 pro: more transparent, more airy, higher sound pressure, better mid and low end extension.
2024 pro: just little bit better high end extension and details (maybe my ear is playing trick on me, just very little, if do blind test sure I can't differentiate)

My equipment is Sony 338ESD player, Castle Eden speaker, Kimber 8VC speaker cable, VDH MCD 102 MKIII RCA and an ALPS 100kohm volume control.

The mod I do for it is just replace 470uF power cap to Rubicon and add a parallel Vishay MKP1837 to the input cap.

This amp is bang for the bucks.

Jazzy, my 2A SMPS can wake up my next door neighbor liow, 4A should wake your opposite neighbor also.

I even use a 12V battery to try it out, it give even better result, listen to believe.

Can not compare to commercial amp because there is none at such price, if compare to higher price you are inviting war here.

Hi YC,
I have been switch 2020 and 2024 many times, what you say is true. Maybe after more time of burn it will smoothern up the top end or the vishay cap or the original cap need to change. I kind of like the slamming bass of 2020.

Because of the edgy high and mid, I buy a pair Wima 2.2uf to replace the input cap. First impression is much better and smoother. Jheena Lodwick is really singing. I think you can consider this if you found the vocal is very edgy not to your liking.
Who got Mundorf to change and let us know the result.

This post has been edited by kww: Mar 4 2010, 07:12 PM

Gaban, I did try to by pass it with vishay mpk but still very edgy.

gaban, I by-pass it with Vishay MPK 1837 0.033uf, it tame down the bright a little bit but still very edgy and rough vocal. I gave it about 70hr run-in but still the same from day one. Maybe I should give it few hundreds hour, but I am very inpatient.
After swap cap in 2020 with Wima, it is much smoother but when I compare it with 2024, 2024 still has my vote as better in vocal. It sound fuller and smoother. I will give the Wima more time. By the way the Vishay 0.0033uf is by-pass the Wima too. Also there is a pair in my 2024 input cap by-pass. Shouldn't be the small cap different.

Jazzy, maybe a full mod 2020 will unleash it's full potential. I saw some good review of vocal of this chip.
Xtorm, you have equipment list of 2020 board?

+1.
I ta-2024 sound better to me.

It can pair with any speaker but better with higher sensitivity (>90dB) one as it has low power (2x8w).
For me, it's character is very smooth vocal.

There is still hope. If 2020 can sing like 2024 with the power, it really beat a lot of good amp around.
According to a lot of 2020 owner, it really sound good. But I still have no idea what mod they have done on it, the board got many version also: some with SMD, air-cor inductor, without input cap, super cap....

Really need a lot of good reading.

Xtorm, google is your best friend.

It could be a cold solder or lose connection some where. You can trouble shot by lightly shake the component and cable. If you are not not sure get someone that can help you, don't end up fried something or hurt youself.

I remember read in some website the chip is manufacture in china now. That's why it got unlimited supply.
xtorm, what Pre-amp?

I think next one I would want to try is Tripath 2022. It is 2x90w, claim to be as sweet as 2024 but with much more power.

Jazzy, the best shopping is ebay, you can find lots of thing in there, now USD is weak, time to buy!

Here is one review in diyAudiodiyAudio, he only mod input and power supply cap.
He also mention it should work with active pre-amp, wonder is this thing design with low gain.

He is comparing it with 3 good amps (gainclone, 300b and Alephx).

jazzy, here are the links I found in ebay:
link 1
link 2

Both from HK/China.

But both use ALPS potentiometer, I wonder is it different design as mention in diyAudio.

I want place order by this week. I will go for link 2, looks better.
My only concern is should I get the toroidal transformer or not. That is a huge one. If that add in will be USD150.

RM180 is around USD55, I think better to take the whole package.

At last my TA-2022 arrived!

Here are some pictures:
compare the size of 2022 with 2024
The 2022 chip
The 120VA toroidal trans is damn huge and heavy.

I will try to find time to hock it up this weekend.

I have 2020, 2022 and 2024. I will compare them, but I think the vocal reproduce from 2024 is hard to beat. We will have to wait and see. 2022 2x90W is very promising on paper and the input cap is at least a Wima 1.8uF (i can't tell if it is genuine) not some china made cap.

About the TT, I think my room is very small, maybe 1-2 person can come but more than that we need bigger place.

Let me listen to it first, see if it worth your time to audit it yourself.

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Added on May 29, 2010, 1:34 amSorry to dissapointed you all, I just connect the power, the overload light was on, it got a problem somewhere. I am sending it back, it will take a few weeks. Update again when I got it back.

This post has been edited by kww: May 29 2010, 01:34 AM