The great T-Amp shootout.

[craigsub]

Good morning, after some careful thought, I have decided to do a round robin style T-amp test.

Please see the poll for choices to add to the Gizmo and Sonic Impact Super-T.

For this test, we will use a pair of high quality bookshelf speakers - I have Dana 630's, Ascend 170 SE's, NHT Model 2's, and could probably get a pair of X-LS, too.

[Cujobob]

The Value Mod has the upgraded Caps which make the biggest difference...if your amp can compete with that, then it would show us if the caps in Gizmo are upto par.

[BradJudy]

If you're buying two, I would vote PopPulse and Trends with your choice on which level of Trends.

IMO, there isn't a point to doing the "MiniMod" since it's mainly a QA check and the only change it makes is adding a heat sink. So I think the Trends should either be stock (that's what I own) or Value Mod.

For the speakers, I'm baised towards using the Ascends since I own a pair, but whatever the listeners are most comfortable is best.

[emac]

Considering that at the NJ GTG, the Gizmo compared favorably to dweekie's highly modded Trends w/ the souped up SMPS, I think that the Gizmo will beat out any variation of the Trends that Craig has up here. Now, if you were to take the better modded Trends + the SMPS, that would be very interesting. As for the PopPulse, I haven't heard it, so I don't know. It would be interesting though.

And Craig, if you want one of dweekie's SMPS's for the shootout, I can send one up to you. Works equally well on the Sonic Impact and the Trends. And believe me, it makes a significant difference in dynamics and the soundstage.

[billnchristy]

I talked to Craig about this and other modded t-amps.

He wants to test against stuff that people can buy and plug right in and listen to, not stuff that geeks like us labor over for hours to squeeze every little drop of performance out of.

It makes sense to me, most people buying the gizmo (most mind you) are not going to tear it apart to see its guts within 90 minutes of owning it.

[craigsub]

I almost hate to ask: blind test? Don't get angry anybody...:huge:

LOL - Yes, it's a blind test. :cloud9:

[Cujobob]

I almost hate to ask: blind test? Don't get angry anybody...:huge:

ZOMG WTF!?

Err...yeah I second that notion :salute:

[emac]

I talked to Craig about this and other modded t-amps.

He wants to test against stuff that people can buy and plug right in and listen to, not stuff that geeks like us labor over for hours to squeeze every little drop of performance out of.

It makes sense to me, most people buying the gizmo (most mind you) are not going to tear it apart to see its guts within 90 minutes of owning it.

Oh come now. 90 minutes is far too long to go without tearing it apart.

Seriously though, Craig's position makes a lot of sense. It does surprise me somewhat that some company hasn't put out a reasonably inexpensive SMPS for the Trends or SI T amp (unless I've missed something). Audiomagus has some, but they end up costing more than the amp itself.

[HAL]

Craig,
I have a pair of B-stock Mascarey X-LS Classics I can send if you need a pair. Waiting to hear from the Ninja about the Encore upgrade.

Would be interested in how they do in the shootout with all the amps.

[billnchristy]

Seriously though, Craig's position makes a lot of sense. It does surprise me somewhat that some company hasn't put out a reasonably inexpensive SMPS for the Trends or SI T amp (unless I've missed something). Audiomagus has some, but they end up costing more than the amp itself.
Edit/Delete Message

I don't know, Hypex has listened and is designing a SMPS. Most people don't think they can sound good.

[dweekie]

I vote the original Trends since that's pretty standard, and the Populse since the power rating of 24Watts is similar.

[dweekie]

Actually, Craig, can you consider a Nuforce? That thing's the new hot item to get with quite a buzz generating. $199 at the moment, $249 in the future. I'm sure this place will be hammered with Nuforce vs Gizmo in the future.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nuforce7/icon.html

http://amazon.nuforce-icon.com/

[bobbyg1983]

+1 on the NuForce

This guy has definitely caught my eye as of late, and the early reviews are very positive. I think at $199 ($250 after the promo period), it definitely falls into the same category and I've love to see it faced off against the Gizmo!!

[craigsub]

Maybe we will end up with three. In terms of pricing, the Nuforce will be more money than the "Gizmo-2" ... which will be a 36 (8 ohms) to 50 (4 Ohms) amp... and will include remote, Toslink, Coax, USB, and subwoofer outs.

It would be interesting to hear how $129 Gizmo compares to $249 Nuforce. :)

As both the Nuforce and the Gizmo have subwoofer outputs, this is REALLY looking like a winner.

Who wants to come to Erie for a couple hours of listening ?

[billnchristy]

You buy, I'll fly. ;) Of course I would only come for the bar as I said I would never do one again. ;)