Sound of chip amps / gainclones?


Has anyone tried chip amps like those from chipamp.com or audiosector.com? These are similar to the 47 labs gaincard amps and use an LM3875 chip. How do they sound compared to other types of amps? I am concerned about dynamic range, and brightness/HF ringing.
I am looking to build one for my 4" dia, 8 ohm single driver speakers and need about 6 watts.
Thanks
cdc
Cdc..I've been breaking mine in as I type this.
I can tell you there are no worries my friend. The dynamic range is simply amazing! I've had the Scott Nixon 40 wpc monos here for audition over a two week period. Terrific little monos..especially with a tubed preamp!

There is no HF ringing or brightness when mated to the proper speaker load. At the present time I'm breaking in the Audio Sector integrated and NON OS Dac. This is jaw dropping good stuff man. Compared to T amps, the sound is more alive and palpable. No brightness to speak off..though if your front end is bright you'll have bright sound.

This little amplifier is the most transparent and musically vibrant amplifier I've ever owned or played with at home period! This includes the Music Reference RM9 MK2 tubed amp(helluva tube amp by the way),McIntosh 7106,Monarchy Audio ,several Adcoms , Carver ZR T amp , ClariT battery powered amplifier, Van Alstine modified Dynaco,Musical Fidelity 300, modified Forte 4 there's some more.. can't remember them all LOL!

Make sure you go with the Blackgate N caps for the amplifier section instead of the Panasonics. The panasonics have a hint of stridents in the upper range. Not offensively bad though. The BG Ns sound much more fluid and refined IMHO.Also make sure your preamp is up to the challenge. A noisy preamp will stick out like a sore thumb on the chip amps.

A well designed chip amp will make certain amplifiers sound like you had blankets tossed over the speakers. Not in a unnatural hyper detail sort of way. More of a clearer view of the soundstage..without pyrotechnics.Not clear on your front end but I would consider a NON OS Dac also. It's a great match with the amps. All the grain and piercing highs associated with cds are an after thought.Tubes aren't needed to smooth the music over either.

Your in for some good fun..that's for sure!
Srajan Ebaen of 6moons was right on the money with his review of the Audio Sector gear.

Cheers!
My reference amps right now are Scott Nixon monos, modded by Parts Connexion. They put out effortless sound, extremely revealing and how many have mentioned before, are very well paired with a tubed preamp, mine being a First Sound Paramount Hot Rod MKII. With other amps I have tried....Blue Circle BC-2 Monos, Sonic Frontiers Power 2 tubed, Nakamichi PA-7 SS amp, as well as Musical Fidelity Class A integrated...and inumerable others, the Op Chip amplifiers, especially when they are matched with a synergistic tubed preamp and most importantly a complementary speaker, can outperform other SS and for that matter tubed design sonically, as well as being down right affordable in comparison.

What sort of 4" driver and speaker design are you going to attempt? I have heard BR Fostex' of a renown manufacturer and I was not impressed at all with a tilted presentation towards the midrange and treble.
I own the Channel Islands VMB-1s which are 40 watt/channel "Chip Amps" built by a well respected designer/builder. They are excellent at their price point. There are no high frequency anomolies and the bass is excellent. It is very easy to follow bass lines with these amps that were obscured by other amps I own. Also, the midrange is truely excellent.

Enjoy,

TIC