Tripath amplifiers
Tripath class-T amps are known for their great, smooth sound, often compared to that of a tube amplifier. The Tripath company filed a patent in 1996 however the company soon went out of business. Thankfully there are still chips available so we can produce these wonderful sounding Tripath amps.
They made several different chipsets from the simpler TA2020 to the TK2050. Not all of them sound equally awesome though. We have chosen to use only the TK2050 in all our amp designs, as it’s the best sounding one in our opinion.
T3S Amplifier with TK2050 chipset (TC2000 AND STA516b)
TK2050 is the chipset with TC2000/TC2001 controller and the TP2050/STA505 output stage chip. The STA516b is a higher performance, higher output substitute for the STA505 output chip. It’s capable of handling a higher power supply voltage, it’s better at low impedances and also provides a higher watt output while keeping the great sound signature of the TK2050 that mainly comes from the controller TC2000/TC2001.
The T3S use the STA516a in a full bridge, paralleled configuration. The paralleled configuration makes it good to drive low impedance, we recommend this for 4 ohm speakers. You can also use it with 8 ohm speakers, but you would get a higher output with the  T4 amp that use a non-paralleled configuration.
The input capacitors are very important for the sound quality of this kind of amps as it’s one of the few parts that the audio signal flows through. This amp has Jantzen Cross Cap 2.2uf input caps. Note: The picture does not show the Jantzen caps.
There is no volume control on this amp, it is a power amp that will require either a preamp or a external volume potmeter to control the volume.
The T3S is the stereo version of T3 mono amp. It is similar in design to the T2 amp, except it’s higher power and no volume pot.
Specifications
- 300W+300W output @4ohm, 150W+150w @8ohm
- Power requirement: dual ac 34 – 0 – 34 or single DC 48 – 0 (AC between 30 to 36V is ok, and DC between 36 and 48V)
- Input impedance 20K
- Input sensitivity for full power 1.5V
- Gain: 25x
- Inputs: 2.54mm connectors for signal, 7.62mm screw terminals connector for power supply
- Outputs: 7.62mm connectors
- Speaker protection: DC/error and power on delay, power down immediately off  (when transformer powered)
- Power down interface to switch or controller: It can be remotely switched off from compatible preamp or controller. Shorting the 2 pads of the power down interface will power down the amp.
- Dimensions: 125x180x40mm
huseyinobel –
The only problem is that it gets very hot compared to other amps. The user manual could be a little more detailed. There is a pdf file on the web page but I think it should be improved. Installation videos would be nice.
Laszlo –
I have merely heard it for some days but I can declare that T3S is better than my tube amp which is 3000Eur!
The sound very detailed, balanced, dynamic with excellence highs and controlled bass.
Really great!
It appreciates the good quality inner cables and terminals.
Collin P. –
I’ve powered the T3 S with 32V AC, 38V DC and 48 V DC. All of them works but I finally choosed the 38V DC because it runs 5 °C. less than the other voltages. The highest is 48V DC who bring the aluminium radiator to 62°C.
I was surprised to see this temp. out of a class D amp.
But except it….it’s a really, really good amp. Very silent. Powerfull. Detailed but not surgical. Easy to assemble.
Highly recommended.
Dayton Rodman –
Have been running the T3 for a week now powered by a 800va transformer and I couldn’t be happier with the setup. There’s so many things to like about this amp – it’s price point, build quality is excellent, easy installation and definitely delivers on it’s rated power. I highly recommend and will be using these board for builds to come.
ozan –
Hi first of all I bought the monitor audio rx 2 tk 2050 family T1 matched very well with the soft jazz and live audio.Also
and then I got a horrible beyond T3S strong plays incredible detail, rx2 s adcom 5802 and vincent sv used I would recommend the cheap price of 234 as one of T3 is a very quality sound, thank you and good luck with the new different devices to Mr. Hifimediy…
Vassilis K. –
I received the Hifimediy T3S mcap amp board & put it in an old broken Audiolab 8000p amp box. As a psu i used the SMPS500R 48V provided by Hifimediy. Very easy to assemble as it is straight forward where to connect everything. You must be a fool to do it wrong.
You will be shocked by the performance of this amp. Very good job, it is silent & very powerful with very good built quality. Mass amount of bass & overall great sound quality. Drives 4ohm load speakers with ease. It is worth every euro paid.
Another thing, great customer support.
hektic –
Using one of these in a home cinema setup with 2 M&K 4ohm speakers, front left and right. Stunning sound and handles THX reference level with ease.
I’m shocked how good this amp is!
Will be back to purchase a few more when they get back into stock!!