KingRex T20U+PSU Amplifier
zingo
Posts: 11,258
It's finally time to let the "little amp that could" move on to a new home. After including this KingRex T20U+PSU Tripath based amp in a Tripath shootout. The upgraded version of this amplifier sounds very good with deep bass and no noise from the upgraded power supply. This amp is very interesting as it has a very musical and warm sound. It is not as minutely detailed as more expensive Tripath integrated amps, but its presentation comes across as a little softer, and thus more musical. This is the second best Tripath amp I've listened to, and the better unit cost three times as much!
The other great thing about this amp is that it has an on-board USB DAC which makes it exceptional for a desktop audio. With a simple USB input and speaker cable output, you have all the electronics you need to drive a pair of speakers!
I replaced the Bennic 2.2uF input capacitors with ClarityCap ESAs. This provided better depth, body, and clarity, giving the T20U a more expansive, fuller and overall more musical sound. I also replace the stock 1000uF tank capacitors with MUCH larger Bennic electrolytic caps which provided tighter, more powerful bass, improved dynamics and better channel separation. Class D amps can be more effected by cables than regular amps, and the same proved true with capacitors. As soon as I flipped on the amp I could hear all the improvement, even before any burn-in! I'm excited to see how this amp evolves, but I have never heard such a dramatic improvement in SQ with cap upgrades than with this amp.
Comparing it to my newly upgraded Shuguang Treasure 300B amp, the tubes still provided better tone with more body and life, but the T20U+PSU was still very impressive. I'm really enjoying this Tripath amp, and it you have not heard an upgraded version of one of their better amps, it's worth a listen.
The T20-AMP with the TA2020 chipset has additional power over other chipsets which allows for more flexibility when choosing loudspeakers; 20wpc at 4Ω. You can easily reach acceptable volume levels comparable to live performances in medium spaces with loudspeaker sensitivity as low as 86db. Sound is very well articulated and the sound stage is wide, representing a lot of space around the instruments and vocals. The frequency range is also very precise from the right down to the lows. The excellent build quality, finish of the amp and PSU is immediately apparent as well.
The PSU features a 48VA toroidal transformer coupled to a full fledged regulatory circuit with eight audio grade aluminum electrolytic capacitors: 5 x 2200uF at AC input stage and 3 x 4700uF at DC output stage.
Specifications:
-0.03 % THD + N @ 10W 4Ω
-0.1% THD + N @ 12W 4Ω
-0.18% IHF ? IM @ 1W 4Ω
-88% Efficient @ 12W 8Ω
-81% Efficient @ 20W 4Ω
-Dynamic Range = 99db
-Over Current & Over Temperature Protection
-6mm aluminum front panel with steel chassis
$375 shipped and paypal'ed
The other great thing about this amp is that it has an on-board USB DAC which makes it exceptional for a desktop audio. With a simple USB input and speaker cable output, you have all the electronics you need to drive a pair of speakers!
I replaced the Bennic 2.2uF input capacitors with ClarityCap ESAs. This provided better depth, body, and clarity, giving the T20U a more expansive, fuller and overall more musical sound. I also replace the stock 1000uF tank capacitors with MUCH larger Bennic electrolytic caps which provided tighter, more powerful bass, improved dynamics and better channel separation. Class D amps can be more effected by cables than regular amps, and the same proved true with capacitors. As soon as I flipped on the amp I could hear all the improvement, even before any burn-in! I'm excited to see how this amp evolves, but I have never heard such a dramatic improvement in SQ with cap upgrades than with this amp.
Comparing it to my newly upgraded Shuguang Treasure 300B amp, the tubes still provided better tone with more body and life, but the T20U+PSU was still very impressive. I'm really enjoying this Tripath amp, and it you have not heard an upgraded version of one of their better amps, it's worth a listen.
The T20-AMP with the TA2020 chipset has additional power over other chipsets which allows for more flexibility when choosing loudspeakers; 20wpc at 4Ω. You can easily reach acceptable volume levels comparable to live performances in medium spaces with loudspeaker sensitivity as low as 86db. Sound is very well articulated and the sound stage is wide, representing a lot of space around the instruments and vocals. The frequency range is also very precise from the right down to the lows. The excellent build quality, finish of the amp and PSU is immediately apparent as well.
The PSU features a 48VA toroidal transformer coupled to a full fledged regulatory circuit with eight audio grade aluminum electrolytic capacitors: 5 x 2200uF at AC input stage and 3 x 4700uF at DC output stage.
Specifications:
-0.03 % THD + N @ 10W 4Ω
-0.1% THD + N @ 12W 4Ω
-0.18% IHF ? IM @ 1W 4Ω
-88% Efficient @ 12W 8Ω
-81% Efficient @ 20W 4Ω
-Dynamic Range = 99db
-Over Current & Over Temperature Protection
-6mm aluminum front panel with steel chassis
$375 shipped and paypal'ed
Post edited by zingo on
Comments
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Bump for a great little amp I that's just hanging out on the shelf right now!
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$300 shipped and paypal'ed or best offer.
With the upgraded caps, this is a great little amp that pairs very well with my Klipsch speakers, and also sound good with every other speaker I've tried it on. The upgrade PSU sounds great with the amp, but the unit also comes with the stock switching power supply as well if you wanted to use that. -
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So, is it Banana plugs only for Speaker cables?HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure
Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers -
So, is it Banana plugs only for Speaker cables?
Yes. I thought about swapping in 5-way binding posts, but the urge left me with my new amp. I would be willing though to swap in new posts for free for anyone who wants the amp but doesn't use bananas. It's a strange/bad design built into an otherwise great amp! -
No worries, I was just making sure that is what I was seeing
TedHT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure
Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers -
Is the amplifier still for sale?
Thomas. -
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Email sent as could not PM you.
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Still available?
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Won't allow me to PM you because I'm a newbie. Can you email me?
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