Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

[Whitneyville1]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

An add-on to this thread as to power supplies. My favorite computer store/recycler and scrapper has 10,000,000 (more or less) AT and ATX form factor power supplies (and more Dells, but we won't talk about them 'cause they're harder to use) with 12V+ outputs from 8-16 amps many easily adjustable (a pot on the board) from about 10.8 volts to about 14 volts for $5 and up, shipping from Tulsa, OK 74106, as well as 5 volts at more amps and 3.3 volts at about the same as the 12 volt amperage. (Typical PC power supplies.) The place is called O.A.R.S. PC's, and I can run M/C and Visa CC's and Priority Mail out to you thru the hobby store. One of the small PS's will run two amps OK, a big PS would run FIVE amps with power left over. Almost all of these have built in cooling fans that are decently quiet. Tiger Direct or Newegg has REALLY silent fans for about $3-5 bucks as none of the fans are "big blows", the new-tech blades just make less noise. It's Saturday AM and Amazon shows the Indeed amp from Hong Kong with free shipping for $29.95 from 3 sellers. I can't even GUESS the size of the coax power plug from the photo, or see the polarity of the pin and the sleeve.

[ericJ]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

No...that is incorrect for the Indeed TA2020 and also the Lepai TA2020.

The specs for the power supply are fine (12v 5a) but the pin size is too small. You need a 2.5mm I.D. and 5mm or 5.5mm O.D. pin.

This one is just a tad bit more $$ but will work. http://tinyurl.com/bmn9cyl

On Q2 you are correct. You need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm headphone cable - male to male. Like this: http://tinyurl.com/cuwtlv8

Have fun.

Thanks for the help. I'm glad I asked. I'll order the one you linked to.

Whitneyville1, I wish I would have checked AMAZON prior to ordering from knee bay but I just went right from a link someone posted.

I'm a tight wad and when it came time to decide between the lepai and indeed for my little computer application I had a hard time going to the indeed. But the "look" of the indeed won me over as well as the many good reviews from folks on the boards.

[bkeane1259]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

The Indeed amp is better quality than the Lepai all around. It's has better bass response and lower distortion as well. You will be happy. Also, I was not able to locate the Indeed Labs TA2020 on Amazon and I've never seen it lower than $37/shipped. Have fun.

[ericJ]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

Got the Indeed in the mail today. WOW! Way smaller than expected. Mine came with the silver faceplate. I ordered the PS a few days ago and should have it soon. Thanks for doing the reviews of these amps and giving some advice. Now my daughters want a T amp and a set of speakers to play their Ipods through! I built Wolf's PC's and have them going through their "warm ups" through my old Kenwood receiver. Should make a sweet little desk setup when complete.

[jamikkim]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

Is there any risk of noise entering the system from one of the "laptop" 5A power supplies? There's quite a few supplies on the auction site for <$10 which I will look into later on when I use my Lepai. I do know my phone charger whines excessively although it is a *tiny* switching supply so maybe that's why...

[bkeane1259]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

I've never witnessed a whiney cell phone while charging....that's interesting.

The latest Lepai substitute PS I tried, I found on Amazon and I can't detect any additional noise. I used this12v5a PS. I can usually find these either at Amazon or Fleabay for right around $8 shipped. Make sure you get the one with the 5.5mmx2.5mm plug.

I have purchased from Fleabay twice and Amazon twice...about 8 PSs in total....they all were almost identical.

[vlad335]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

Received the Indeed amp on Thursday and have been swapping it back and forth between a pair of Lepai's, one modded as per XR's excellent instructions and a bone stock unit purchased recently. Not good with the flowery audiophile descriptions but would like to say the OP's descriptions are correct.

Alternated between 20 year old KEF Q60's, Behringer B2031P monitors, and a pair of Overnight Sensations, I will say that I am completely blown away by this Indeed amp. There is magic going on here that is simply inconceivable for 37 dollars. The Behringers, Indeed amp, and a 8" Tang Band 740P ported sub are now being used on my main computer setup. Listening to my music collection is sheer pleasure now.

[ericJ]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

Got my power supply in yesterday and hooked up the Indeed to my cd player and basement speakers. They usually run off an old Kenwood receiver. First, the Indeed gets plenty loud at just the half way point. Beyond that it is louder than I will ever need it at my desk. To boot, as Bryan stated, the sound stays clean with no audible distortion. I have to run to ratimus shackimus today to get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to connect to my computer.

How are you all hooking up your powered subs with the Indeed? Do you run the audio out of the computer to the subs via the RCA inputs, then run the speaker outs from the plate amp to the speakers? Or is it audio to the T amp then high level in on plate amp the speaker outs to speakers?

[kevin007]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

NEW 2012 Indeed Class T Amp Tripath TA2021 25WX2 Stereo Amplifier + 12V5A Power: $52.99

[bkeane1259]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

NEW 2012 Indeed Class T Amp Tripath TA2021 25WX2 Stereo Amplifier + 12V5A Power: $52.99

That's a sexy little amp, but note the $22 shipping as well......

I see they also sell them without the PS.....since I have a bunch of 12v5a PS, I grabbed one of the bare bones ones. I will update the thread when I get it.

NEW Indeed Class T Amp Tripath TA2021 25WX2 Amplifier (no PS)

[vlad335]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

That's a sexy little amp, but note the $22 shipping as well......

I see they also sell them without the PS.....since I have a bunch of 12v5a PS, I grabbed one of the bare bones ones. I will update the thread when I get it.

NEW Indeed Class T Amp Tripath TA2021 25WX2 Amplifier (no PS)

Ordered this very amp and should be here next week. Agreed. No need to pay 20+ more for just a PS.

[kevin007]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

Is there no other place to get this amp other than ebay?

[bkeane1259]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

Oh my, these things are sooooooo cute. Can't wait to deconstruct one and get one up on my "subjective" test bench...LOL.

NEW Indeed Class T Amp Tripath TA2021

A few pics.....no time to test/dismantle stuff immediately, but hopefully in the next few days.





I like the binding posts.



Next to little brother...The Indeed TA2020



This was in my package.....



More to follow......

[bkeane1259]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

How are you all hooking up your powered subs with the Indeed? Do you run the audio out of the computer to the subs via the RCA inputs, then run the speaker outs from the plate amp to the speakers? Or is it audio to the T amp then high level in on plate amp the speaker outs to speakers?

I've been using high-level inputs/outputs on the sub amp.

So....line-level audio signal to the Indeed or Lepai amp. Then you can do one of two things.

1. Connect your mains to the speaker outputs of the T-amp and also run a second set of speaker wires from the T-amp speaker output to the high-level inputs on the plate amp.

or

2. Go straight from the T-amp speaker output to the high-level speaker inputs on the sub plate amp and then go from the high-level speaker outputs on the plate amp to your main speakers.

Note that on some subwoofer plate amps, the high-level speaker outputs may be hi-passed...meaning that a filter may cut out some of the bass that goes to your main speakers. You have to check the manuals for that, or have a decent ear.

Either connection above allows you to use the volume control on the T-amp to control the OVERALL volume of the system (once you properly set your gain control on your sub).

[bkeane1259]

Re: Budget T-Amp Shootout - Lepai vs. Indeed TA2020

More pics....looks decent to me.























I'm going to do a power comparison to the Indeed TA2020, hopefully a little later today. Have to figure out the right way to go about it. :o