DizRotus

Tom- Congrats for 10 years. PS: Your avatar still stings[]

On the recommendation of Rich, aka rhing, I also purchased a SMSL SA-S1 off eBay (see pdf attached). That amp will have a 14v 3.8A PS. It will be interesting to see how the Lepai reacts to that, and, conversely, how the SMSL likes the other PSs. According to the tracking info, that unit has now made it from Hong Kong into the hands of USPS in Chicago. It should be here any day.

The second Lepai TA2020 arrived today. The good news is it seems to sound even better than the first one using the Lepai supplied 12v 2A power supply (PS). The bad news is I had to open it up to repair one of the spring-loaded speaker terminals right out of the box. At the suggestion of Chris, aka Escher, I ordered a 12v 6A PS from Amazon. I also found a Motorola 12v 3A PS in my trunk full of junk too valuable to throw away. Even the 3A PS is a noticeable improvement over the 2A PS. The most obvious improvements are improved bass and more headroom. Those same areas are further improved by switching to the 6A unit. The photo shows left to right: LCD Monitor AC Adapter 12v 6A (measured @ 12.50v) purchased from Amazon for $9.79 with free shipping. Logitech Bluetooth adapter attached to the 15v 3A PS for Klipsch iGroove not yet used with the Lepai Motorola 12v 3A (measured @ 12,22v) found in a junk box 12v 2A (measured @ 12.17v) supplied with Lepai amp at ~ $5 extra charge. Based upon my limited experience, were I to order another Lepai, I'd skip the PS supplied and put the savings toward another LCD 12v 6A PS

The Internet seems to frustrate many, especially crossover folk. Remember how It transformed Al Klappenberger from a Dale Carnegie instructor to a curmudgeon on steroids. Poor Al took every difference of opinion as a personal attack. A valuable member and resource was driven away . . . at least twice.

You auditioned . . . but did not buy? Why not? They played OK, but there was too big a weight .

ShapeShifter and I auditioned these gems years ago. Beauty is in the eye . . . . .

Congratulations. Enjoy the amazing responsibility.

Also, the time devoted to completing the related "iPod" dock on steroids project prevents much time for the completion of these. The "iPod" dock project convinced me to use machine screws and T-nuts throughout, rather than nuts, washers and/or wood screws. The Tekton wannabes will also get the same black metal grilles shown on the dock. The single drivers and dock will be used to evaluate T-chip amps: Lepai TA2020, SMSL SA-S1 & SMSL SA-50.

The finishing process is going very slowly. After sanding, applying Bondo and more sanding, several coats of latex primer have been applied. Sanding between coats of primer will produce a smooth surface suitable for spraying on the black finish coats. The motivation is not helped by the fact that 2 of the 4 are operational, albeit unfinished. The photo doesn't show the results of using my new router on the motorboards to recess the drivers and port tubes.

Glad you're back in business. Foam surrounds are an enigma, especially coming from Klipsch. They never last. I too love the sound of Pandora from my Promedia 2.1 while at the computer. My only complaint is too much gain from the woofer. I always listen with it dialed down to the minimum. I'd prefer turning up to the desired bass. When my foam surround dies, I'd like a paper surround replacement that needs a slight boost.

If one's not available from Klipsch, I agree with your plan. Keep us posted on the results.

I edited the subject to broaden the discussion to all chip amps and the hot rodding of same. As I type this, I'm enjoying the variety of Pandora's shuffle feature--from Roy Orbison to Beethoven to Brubeck to Alvin Lee, etc.--outside, on a gorgeous Michigan afternoon, from my new boombox powered by a totally stock Lepai TA2020, which sounds darn good to these old ears. Nonetheless, I'm eager to compare it to the S.M.S.L. SA-S1 which is on its way from China (thanks to rhing) and to tinker (thanks to Escher) with this Lepai and the one on the way. I know, there's a 12 step meeting I should go to if I'm to be cured of this addiction.

Rich- Based upon your recommendation, I just bought an S.M.S.L. SA-S1 TA-2020 with a 13.8V/4A switching power supply off eBay for $55 including shipping. I'll compare it to the Lepai and report back. dale_S suggested (in an email) that modding the small Lepai might not make sense. My reply was that I need a physically small amp to fit with the boombox shown above and that part of the fun of this hobby is making a silk purse from a sow's ear. At a minimum, I'll try a better power supply (the 13.8V/4A just ordered) with the Lepai and probably a larger capacitor in the amp's internal power supply. Then I might as well bypass the volume, tone, power switch and . . . . wheeeeee . . . . headed down a slippery slope now, but aint it fun.?

Chris - Thanks for posting the photos. They're useful. I just ordered another Lepai. I'll definitely tinker with them, starting with the power supplies. We'll need to compare notes. I'll buy you lunch at The French Laundry.

I three would be interested . . .

The beauty of the Logitech Bluetooh adapter is that it avoids the Apple 30 pin connector. I also have a CoolSpace Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the 30 pin on a Klipsch iGroove. Using the Logitech hard-wired into the back of the iGroove is better. As to a horn loaded boombox, power is not the issue, but size is. As stated above, the puny chip amp easily powered a pair of bass modded (slightly less efficient) La Scalas to "call the police" levels, but toting around a pair of La Scalas, or even Heresy, is impractical. The memorial was poignant, albeit cold and wet in Northern Michigan. The photo shows 3 of my late friend's 4 sons paddling out to a small island where their dad's ashes were placed at the bass of a single White Pine. A bald eagle flew over as the ashes were being transported to the island. That's the best kind of fly-over we could have, Sequester be damned, I'm posting this from the historic Landmark Inn in nearby Marquette, MI.

I took the "iPod" dock on steroids to the high school band room and used the Lepai to play the school's bass modded La Scalas. Every year I do a tweeter check on the 50 y.o. Ohio bar speakers I refurbished for the school. It was amazing how well that tiny chip amp played those speakers. It's almost done. The painting will have to wait until I return from a memorial service for a fallen college friend at Craig Lake in MIchigan's Upper Peninsula. A group, including 3 of his 4 sons, is gathering to spread his ashes (probably illegal, but the ring leader works for the Governor). With a 12 volt battery, we'll be able to add some appropriate music to the event. Music was important to Jack. I don't think he'll mind the unfinished MDF.

I took the "iPod" dock on steroids and used the Lepai to play the school's bass modded La Scalas. It was amazing how well that tiny chip amp played those speakers. It's almost done. The painting will have to wait until I return from a memorial service for a fallen college friend at Craig Lake in MIchigan's Upper Peninsula. A group, including 3 of his 4 sons, is gathering to spread his ashes (probably illegal, but the ring leader works for the Governor). With a 12 volt battery, we'll be able to add some appropriate music to the event. Music was important to Jack. I don't think he'll mind the unfinished MDF.

WOW, another coincidence. LOL...Yea, his son's name is John and he's a lawyer. Whose son, John or Herb? Thank you CECAA850 for posting this.

You'll need some anti-gravity paint.

The Lepai amp is now powering my nearly finished Bluetooth "iPod" dock on steroids (see thread of same subject). On that unit, the amp still has a tendency to stridency also noted by Dale. Perhaps some tinkering can improve that. Nonetheless, it works well in the portable system to allow music from a phone in outdoor settings.

Very nice!

A 15" woofer guard (also Parts Express) supports the unit and protects the amp and adapter when the speakers face forward. I put clear tubing over the bars of the guard to avoid scratching floors, etc. The connections to the speakers are through the box using terminal strips. Now that it 's operation is confirmed, I'll take it apart and paint it black. First it needs some Bondo, sanding and priming. There are black metal grilles that will protect the drivers and add to the industrial look. BTW, it sounds good. The imaging is surprisingly good, even though the speakers are so close together. The sound stage seems to extend left and right beyond the unit. I still want to experiment with the port length and add some acoustic foam to interior surfaces. Even as it sits, it sounds better (read plays louder) than the Klipsch iGroove. Best of all, SWMBO is pleased the iGroove no longer needs to be taken outside.

The power supplies for the amp and Bluetooth adapter are inside the box. I contemplated cutting a hole for the wires. I might do that eventually, but, for now, they use the single bass reflex port for access. The four rubber feet allow the unit to be placed with the speakers firing upward, if desired.

The spring-loaded handle from Parts Express is overkill, but contributes to a sturdy look.