Friday, August 9, 2013

Sure AA-AS32171 TDA7492 Amp

I just got this in the mail today. At $38 with a power supply and free shipping it was hard to ignore. This new Sure amp has the same form factor as my much loved TA2024 Sure amp, but it comes with the higher power Texas Instruments TDA7492 chip which claims 50 watts per channel. It's got a few improvements compared to my other Sure amp: a headphone jack, as well as both RCA and 1/8" stereo miniplug inputs. My first impressions are positive. It's well built and sounds great. It has the best digital volume control I've used with excellent feel. While the volume control has discrete indexed settings, there are many and it takes a few rotations to go from silence to full on so it shouldn't be a problem to find the right volume level. The volume control also doubles as the on/off switch; pressing it turns it on and off. If you are looking for a more powerful amp than the TA2024 tripath amps you should definitely check out this one.
So, the million dollar question: Does it sound better than the TA2024 amp? (The TA2024 version is the one on top with the silver volume knob) Well, my initial impression is that I still favor the TA2024. The increased power of the TDA7492 is noticeable and the bass is much stronger with the new Sure amp. I'm using it currently with the supplied 19 volt power supply, but it's claimed to work with a variety from 9 volts to 24. I'll have to give it some time and experiment with other power supplies before I have a definitive opinion.

41 comments:

  1. This is a small amp. Is this a 4 channel amplifier ? And what would I use it for?

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  2. I think that's the smallest 4 channel amplifier I've seen. How's the sound quality?

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  3. Mine is a two channel stereo amp suitable for a home stereo, though there may be other TDA7492. I've got to say that it was fine, but nothing special like the tripath amps. Good deal for the price and certainly worth a try for price if you need a higher power small form factor amp.

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  4. I have an SMSL SA-50. I agree sounds good but i like listening to my sa-s3 more

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  5. Ta7492 sounded cool to me. Like a 3300k bulb to the ta2021B 2700k sound

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  6. Yo-yo, so this is 50x2watts, and the TA2024 is 15x2watts? Does there seem to be nearly so substantial a power disparity?

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  7. Definitely a big power disparity, but I have relatively efficient Axiom M3 speakers and both amps drive them to sufficient levels.

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  8. I used to have a 4 channel amplifier that was like this models great-great-great grandfather. That thing lasted way longer than it should have. Great write up on this one, though!

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  9. Hi, Art Simon! I enjoyed reading this new review. I also like T-class amplifiers and I want to post a link to your blog in my blog. I hope you will not mind this.

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  10. Sure, you are welcome to link to my blog.

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  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. oops i clicked delete. anyway using my laptop adapter made it a lot better. (it was same 19v though) hope it has input selection rather than 'smart' detection. :) great for the price anyway.

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  12. I just ordered one, hows the quality coming out from the headphone jack?

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  13. I don't use theheadphone out much. I'd call it decent.

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  14. Hi Art,

    Does using the headphone output, cut the sound from the speakers?

    Thanks,

    Chris

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  15. Yes, when headphones are connected the speakers are cut off.

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  16. What is the exact difference in sound between TDA7492 and TA2024 on low volume levels?
    The TA2024 retains more detail ?

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  17. It's hard for me to put the difference in sound into words, but yes, I'd agree that the TDA7492 has less detail. It sounds less musical if that makes any sense.

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  18. Thanks for the fast response :)
    Also which one is better:
    Muse MU-15 MK2 TA2024 or Sure TA2024 ?

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  19. I don't have any personal experience with the Muse MU-15, but based on my experience with other Muse amps, I'd recommend the Sure TA2024. Good luck!

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  20. Thanks for the recommendation.
    I ordered the Sure TA2024 from Ebay (sure-hifi)

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  21. I think you'll like it. Let us know when you get it!

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  22. Thinking of maybe getting one of these... Do you think it'll run well enough off a 12v battery (Decent size - 75 amphours) or should I stick to the TA2024. I'd like the extra power if it'll definitely work.
    Thanks

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  23. I've had good luck running my Indeed Hifi TA2021 amp off a 12 volt car jump starter, but I haven't tried it with the TDA7492. I'll try and find where I left the power adapter and give it a try.

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    1. That would be fantastic!
      Guesswork from specs is all well and good but nothing like a real world test.
      Cheers Art, i'll keep my eyes peeled.
      Charlie.

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    2. I do like the look of the Indeed TA2021 but the Sures are too appealing at less than half the price. The TDA7492 jumps out at me for its extra power and improved bass response. Going to be using this set up for camping, running off an ipod or similar MP3, not too sure how much that will impact the final sound but if there's not much in it with the 12v power source then i'll just pop for the Sure 2024.
      Again, thanks for your help.
      Charlie.

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    3. Sorry I haven't been able to use the 12 volt battery adapter. The barrel plug on the TDA7492 is different than the TA2024 amp, so I wasn't able to try it out.

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  24. I want to ask:
    What power supply will the Sure TA2024 need?
    It is 2x15 watts and this means that in theory a 12V 3A power supply will satisfy it (36watts) but will it benefit from a more powerful power supply i.e. 12v 4a or 5a ?

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  25. I use the 5 amp adapter from indeed hifi with my T-amps, and to my ear it sounds better than the 3 amp adapter the Sure came with. It is suppose to have better shielding as well.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC90-265V-Adapter-12V5A-for-Tripath-TA2024-TA2020-T-amp-/250734255819?pt=US_MP3_Player_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3a60ed1ecb

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    1. I have been using it off of a 24v amp from their website and it gets plenty loud, but my amp!makes low popping sounds when turning on and off and sometimes will just freeze and not let me change volume then it makes loud popping sound. Do u think it could be the power suppy?

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  26. Doesn't sound like a power supply problem, but I'm not an expert. Did you contact Sure? It might be a defective amp. I didn't notice anything like that with mine, and I used the Sure power supply.

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  27. I havent contacted sure yet, i guess i will soon

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  28. Dumb question, but I'll ask. This seems to be a T-Amp (as you stated) with the Tripath chip. Why is this being called a "Class D" amp elsewhere? I just bought one on Ebay and it's called a class D amp. Also, any thoughts about this amp vs. the Dayton T-amp? (The DTA-1).

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  29. Its a class d amp based off a tripath chip as i understand, i havent used the dta-1 but i hear a lot of people have problems with them

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  30. Hi everyone,
    my marantz pm4000 has been stolen, so i need a budget replacement to feed my Kef Cresta 2:

    Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
    Amplifier requirements: 10-100W
    Frequency response: 48Hz to 20kHz +/-3.0dB
    Sensitivity: 90dB at 1m for 2.83V

    So, which of this little wonders should i choose?

    thanks for your opinion

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  31. Hi!
    Thanks to your review, i buy 1 topping TP22 and 1 sure tda7492.
    I think the TP22, connected with vintage philips speakers, give me the finest soud expérience. It's just amazing!
    So, i try the Sure TDA7492, with his 19V 4,7a power supply.
    The sound have less details, but it's great too. And maybe he need more hour of playing to reach his potential at full. (i have just try if for less than 24 hours)
    So, i'd rather know if you try it with a better power supply, just to know if the sound become ever better?

    Anyway, thank you again for the very good review you did. You give me what i need to buy somem of this little amps, and feel great expérience.

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  32. Sorry for my bad english. Is the device volyme setting permanent. When I turn off and Initiates checks of equipment, whether it will continue the same regulation. What about the power on / off switch of whether the device enabled if you turn off the flow by disconnecting the power cord. I wonder device in connection with the purchase of the TV.

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  33. Hi Mike,

    I think the answer is yes to both questions. It has a digital volume knob so when you turn it on it starts at the same volume as when it was turned off. Turning the volume knob when it is off has no effect.

    If you leave the power switch on the front in the on position, you can turn it off and on by disconnecting the power cord.

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  34. Whats the difference between mono block and a digital amp?
    high-end sound quality

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