Sonic Impact T-amp
P’s Take:
This thing looks like a bad-joke. It cost me 40 dollars and it can run on batteries and as soon as I saw it I was pretty sure I had been had. The “breakthrough” of the t-amp technology is that they are supposedly remarkably efficient for size, which is great efficiency is what you need you need in an amp. But when I checked out the Sonic Impact’s T-amp the word “efficient” did not come to mind. The word “bullshit “ did.
S.I’s T-amp rates at 15 watts per channel so I opted to run my old Optimus shelf speakers because they don’t need much power and also because I didn’t have anything else. I hooked up an RCA discman and hit play.
I don’t understand the black magic behind the Tripath Chip inside the T-Amp that makes it work and I don’t care. We here at the FSS are concerned with results not methods, we’re the Machiavellis of stereo, suckas. What came out of the speakers when I switched on that stupid looking T-amp was nothing short of amazing. The sound is full and pretty accurate and will more than do for a nice desk set-up or a make-do main system in a small room if you are broke. And you can take the damn thing camping if you want. I have since hooked up record players and tape decks through this thing. The results there are less astounding but still way better than the T-amp has a right to be. Get one, if not two. For real.
T’s Take:
I am constantly amazed at the performance of this little guy. There have even been a few instances where it’s pulled sounds from a recording that I’ve missed on my more expensive Pioneer amp downstairs and my Alpine Car Stereo. The first being the sound of running water in the background of Pavement’s “Wowee Zowee” opener We Dance and the second being the sound of airplanes in the background of Morphine’s “Cure For Pain” track Head With Wings.
The sound is also really clean. I can turn the volume to 11 and there’s barely any hiss or distortion to be found. Just how exactly this thing sells as cheap as it does is beyond me. But who cares! Just buy one. We found ours at Think Geek so start there first.
One of the few downsides to this suckah would be its lack of inputs. I’m currently using the Audio Out on my old Sony Amp for the purposes of a splitter. Also, my CDs definitely sound better than my Vinyl through it, lacking a small amount of needed punch. Otherwise, this comes with high praise and recommendation. You’ll even like the adorable little blue light around the volume knob. Awwww.
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