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Post by stereojunkie on Jan 2, 2015 16:51:17 GMT -5
Hi guys, I have a few t amps and would like to know how the mini x compares to a t amp in sound quality and overall dynamics. I have a little 2 channel setup in the bedroom that I run a Dayton DTA 120 and while it does a good job, I feel that something is missing. I am familiar with Emotiva gear as I have had the XPA 3 in the past mated with the UMC. Any mini x amp owners that can give feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Post by Axis on Jan 2, 2015 17:15:20 GMT -5
My thinking is any modern amp whether it be class AB or digital does not (edit) have a large bearing on the sound quality of a system on whole. Are you sure it is the amplifier that has you disappointed in the sound of your little two channel system ? The Mini-X is a great little amp and would have the same qualities as the XPA-3 you had but it may not be the answer to your problem.
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Post by stereojunkie on Jan 2, 2015 17:59:00 GMT -5
Did you mean that a modern amp does or does not have a large bearing on the sound? I am looking at getting a dad to connect my iPod into as I listen to my audio thru that device.
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reaper60
Sensei
Music Makes Me Happy!
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Post by reaper60 on Jan 2, 2015 23:20:42 GMT -5
I own both a tripath amp and a mini-x. Mini-x blows the tripath away with my B&W matrix speakers. Currently using the tripath in the garage to power my frankenspeaker builds.
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Post by solarrdadd on Jan 2, 2015 23:26:47 GMT -5
my miniX amp powers a pair of 30+ year old Vintage Polk Audio Monitor 10 speakers and it never gets warm even when i'm rolling music at 75db SPL for long periods of time. it's got plenty of peak power too. it drives those speakers like nobody's business too! i'm glad i have it. can't speak about the Dayton amp, but the miniX is a winner for me!  |
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Post by Axis on Jan 3, 2015 1:58:35 GMT -5
Did you mean that a modern amp does or does not have a large bearing on the sound? I am looking at getting a dad to connect my iPod into as I listen to my audio thru that device. Does not, sorry. What are the other components of your little 2 channel system ? If you think your other components like the pre amp, speakers or source device are good it may be the Dayton DTA 120. It may be that it does not have enough output but the Mini-X does not offer that much more output. The amp is not where you normally start with a change in the sound signature of a system. The Mini-X is a little power house. I have one and actually I use it more with my bookshelf speakers than my main system. It will drive most any small or medium sized speaker that will operate in it's power range with authority and some other little amps will not handle a large load. The Dayton DTA 120 does not look larger than a paperback book. The specs say 40W RMS x 2 @ 8 ohms but at 10% THD. That is not very good. If you are building a new system with a DAC and IPOD and need an Amp to go with it, the speakers you use should determine the amp you use and not the DAC or IPOD. |
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butchgo
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Post by butchgo on Jan 3, 2015 11:12:08 GMT -5
I don't know where you came up with the 10% figure for THD because, in the owners manual it clearly states "Power output:
50 watts / channel RMS; continuous into 8 ohms; 20 Hz - 20 kHz;<0.05% THD; both 2 channels driven (FTC)".
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Post by aud on Jan 3, 2015 12:02:56 GMT -5
Axis was talking about the Dayton DTA-120 specifications not the mini X100.
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Post by stereojunkie on Jan 3, 2015 12:26:06 GMT -5
does anyone know how long the holiday sale will last?
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Post by garbulky on Jan 3, 2015 12:39:47 GMT -5
Couldn't tell you about the T-amps but the mini-X sounded very similar to the XPA-2's sound signature if that helps. It's definitely a "real" amp - within its limits, which I didn't happen to hit when I was listening to it at comfortabely loud volumes in a large living room. Though according to the owner, it is possible to hit it. But just for its performance, I would recommend the mini-x.
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 3, 2015 13:12:40 GMT -5
I have a Lepai t-amp - bought it in 2011. It seems to power everything I connect to it just fine - with limitations. I haven't tried it on anything bigger than my ERM-1's which are 89db efficient IIRC. Get past 2/3 volume and distortion begins setting in - high efficiency speakers are recommended depending on expected volume. I've read that having a more stout power supply than what comes with it (12v) helps. Doesn't matter to me since its too loud with all but the very lowest efficiency speakers. I've used it to power a zone II pair of XRM-4.1 speakers and it does a very good job. I've swapped in an Adcom 535 (60wpc) stereo amp but little or no difference is heard. While the Lepai doesn't have my highest recommendation I wouldn't dissuade anyone from buying it since it is dirt cheap. The Dayton DTA-120 seems to get excellent reviews. I've owned the mini x amp and the 'twin' Sherbourn amp - both are very good and will provide most users with enough power for a very good 2 channel setup. FWIW I don't think the Lepai is in the same league but that Dayton amp might be worth a listen. I've yet to hear one but I can't imagine all those reviewers could be wrong. |
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Post by Priapulus on Jan 3, 2015 16:38:51 GMT -5
I have two mini-x's. One sits on my computer for playing music directly from the computer. The other is in the kitchen, as a zone 2 for the HT. They both give all the power I need, and I love the "auto on-off" and volume control. Deathly quiet noise floor; never distort or clip. Love them...
Sincerely
/b
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butchgo
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The Dark Side rules
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Post by butchgo on Jan 3, 2015 20:55:09 GMT -5
Axis was talking about the Dayton DTA-120 specifications not the mini X100. Opps. Sorry. Missed that. |
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Post by vcautokid on Jan 3, 2015 21:43:42 GMT -5
My experience with Tripath amps is they like efficient easy to drive speakers. The Mini X has more,grunt,than a,Tripath is going to have no doubt. I like Tripaths, but, a a/b high current amp does it for me.
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Post by tchaik on Jan 3, 2015 23:11:34 GMT -5
Did you mean that a modern amp does or does not have a large bearing on the sound? I am looking at getting a dad to connect my iPod into as I listen to my audio thru that device. your dad may not take kindly to being hooked up to an ipod. he may have something to say about that. tchaik................ |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2015 0:38:01 GMT -5
I have built a couple of amps with the tpa-3116 boards and they sound really good better than the different t-amps I have tried. The mini x and flex are in a different league though for clean power output. To be honest I think 90% of set ups could be ran of these two amps unless you have really big rooms or very inefficient speakers.
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 4, 2015 1:39:46 GMT -5
Emotiva used to sell a 150w stereo (75wpc) amp that was quite versatile. Dayton Audio still sells that same amp - might interest a few of you looking for power in a small package but not willing to try a t-amp out. Especially interesting is it has a low pass filter for using with a passive sub - and it is bridgeable into 8ohm loads. |
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Post by stereojunkie on Jan 4, 2015 8:19:14 GMT -5
Did you mean that a modern amp does or does not have a large bearing on the sound? I am looking at getting a dad to connect my iPod into as I listen to my audio thru that device. your dad may not take kindly to being hooked up to an ipod. he may have something to say about that. tchaik................ Stupid auto correct. Meant to be dac. |
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Post by stereojunkie on Jan 4, 2015 8:20:40 GMT -5
I think I may pull the trigger on the mini x and compare the two.
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Post by strindl on Jan 12, 2015 19:48:25 GMT -5
I think I may pull the trigger on the mini x and compare the two. I've had one for several years and it is a great amp. I've had it hooked up to most of the big speakers I own, and it does a credible job with all. Here it is in a temporary hook up with a pair of Magnepan 1.7's.  The 90 some pound vintage Threshold S500e on the bottom of the shelf on the right behind the mini X, is the normal amp I use with those maggies, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the mini X sounded with them. |
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