The Best Amp for the Price of Dirt

Eldartford: What was "Like the Sonic Impact T amp, maybe someone will stuff it into a fancy box, and sell it for two grand!" a reference to?

Cwlondon: I was thinking of trying the same thing (with speakers that are probably a bit easier to drive). It's not just a matter of small price and decent sound, but also small size. Are there really any other options with the small footprint of the T? Too bad you couldn't get this to fly.

I think a market exists for a product that combines a "digital" amp with a volume control and a DAC all in one small package for desktop use with unpowered speakers.

Zaikesman...The original Sonic Impact T-Amp came in a simple plastic case which mostly housed eight AA batteries. It cost (if I remember correctly) about $30. Recognizing that its sonic character was excellent enterprising audiophiles began to offer upgraded versions, with better connectors and volume control in a nice enclosure. Sonic Impact came out with their own "Audiophile" edition costing around $150. When Stereophile mag reviewed the Sonic Impact T-Amp, they chose to go with the Audiophile version. They thought it was "good" at the price, but if they had stuck with the unadorned original version they would have to say "fantastic".

Eldee: That's a pretty far cry from your rather hyperbolic first statement. Anyway, as I understand it the costlier version of the T has many parts upgrades and modifications to the IC in addition to the aluminum case. Given that SI won't be able to "make up in volume" what they would lose in margin on this version nearly to the degree of the cheaper plastic original, the price (and margin) increase doesn't seem out of line if the result is worthwhile.

BTW, can anyone tell me what's the deal with the power supply on the Super T? The SI website seems to imply the existence of both a wall-wart and an "optional" power supply, but provides no further elaboration. And what about batteries in this version?

Zaike....Yes I have heard about the "many parts upgrades and modifications to the IC" but no one has actually described them. Extruded aluminum enclosure, decent connectors, a new pot, and a separate power switch strike me as mostly cosmetics. I doubt that the tripath chip is modified. "hyperbolic"...isn't that how audio stuff is priced?

The "owners manual" (and I use the term loosely) talks about 12 volt and 14 volt wall warts. I presume the 14 volt one is better.

The SI website specifically mentions modifications to the IC chip, and shows circuit board photos that seem to indicate increased capacitance among other changes.