Several years ago, Dayton Audio (Parts Express) came out with a line of budget "Hybrid Tube" ampilifiers (the HTABT and HTA series) and this year they dropped the "BT" suffix and changed a few of the features, but they are basicly the same units. The HTA20 is the lowest rated power unit, while the the HTA100 and the HTA200 are higher powered, more feature equiped. I've owned both the HTA20BT and the HTA20 and before I relate my experiences with them and given they have not been dicussed here on ASR, I thought I would list some of the scant info avail. on the net;
So the D-class mini amp is a well-known trooper that is well thought of by the DIY guys,
but nothing special. Probably not much different than the bulk of sub $100 mini-amps that some here have played around with, they tend to get a litttle harsh if pushed.
The first thing I learned with the HTA was to use an external DAC, in my case one of my gaming DAC's w/ tone controls. These Fosi and Aiyima DAC's, w/ their $50 price tags, indestructibility and their ability to satisify my OCD for knob twirling, may not be sonicly the equivalent of the $100 and up DAC's w/ a remote, but the HTA seems to take the edge off a bit.
But what brings a smile to my face is the holographic, enveloping sound-stage (I know, an over-used description, but I'm not sure how else to put it). While I'm waxing, I'll throw in the ole "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts" saw.
Now I did have to return the first unit, but with PE's Easy Return Policy, it's NBD and I still give five starts.
It's just a fun desktop amp.
I won't go into all the little differences between the HTABT and HTA models, but will mention that I perfer the BT, the blue "Faux Glow" of the tubes is more subdued than the orange and the sub output signal appears to be quite a bit stronger.
Home
Dayton Audio HTA20 20 Watt Integrated Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier With USB-DAC and Bluetooth 5.0Dayton Audio HTA20 20 Watt Integrated Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier With USB-DAC and Bluetooth 5.0 The perfect solution to bring the rich sound of a tube amplifier to your home audio setup; the...
www.parts-express.com
Home
TDA7492 Digital Audio Amplifier Board 2x50WOriginally designed for high-end televisions, this tiny amp board delivers 50 watts into two channels. Use this Class D amplifier in DIY projects where high power is needed in a limited space.The board includes a massive heat sink, and three...
www.parts-express.com
So the D-class mini amp is a well-known trooper that is well thought of by the DIY guys,
but nothing special. Probably not much different than the bulk of sub $100 mini-amps that some here have played around with, they tend to get a litttle harsh if pushed.
The first thing I learned with the HTA was to use an external DAC, in my case one of my gaming DAC's w/ tone controls. These Fosi and Aiyima DAC's, w/ their $50 price tags, indestructibility and their ability to satisify my OCD for knob twirling, may not be sonicly the equivalent of the $100 and up DAC's w/ a remote, but the HTA seems to take the edge off a bit.
But what brings a smile to my face is the holographic, enveloping sound-stage (I know, an over-used description, but I'm not sure how else to put it). While I'm waxing, I'll throw in the ole "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts" saw.
Now I did have to return the first unit, but with PE's Easy Return Policy, it's NBD and I still give five starts.
It's just a fun desktop amp.
I won't go into all the little differences between the HTABT and HTA models, but will mention that I perfer the BT, the blue "Faux Glow" of the tubes is more subdued than the orange and the sub output signal appears to be quite a bit stronger.
Last edited:
