Winsome Labs Mouse

[Κώστας Φ.]

Άλλος ένας Class-T ενισχυτής? Όχι ακριβώς...
Μία σειρά από ενδιαφέρουσες ιδέες υλοποιημένες στο..."ποντίκι" της Winsome Labs. Στο εξαιρετικά αναλυτικό review του 6moons θα βρείτε όλες τις απαντήσεις.

Κυκλοφορεί και σε DIY kit.


"Weighing 16 ounces and measuring 4.25" x 2.25" x 5" excluding connectors and control, the Mouse is one of the smallest, lightest class T amps yet yields the biggest output per cubic inch: 30/45wpc at 8/4 ohms to be exact. It is available in four versions: DIY kits with either Panasonic or Alps Blue Velvet volume control ($319/$349) or fully assembled amps with either Panasonic or Alps volume control ($369/$399).

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In the middle of the PCB is your Tripath chip. But this one is merely the TC2000 controller. Unlike other smaller-output Tripath chips like the 2040 or the 2020 where the controller and power stage all built into one module, the TP2050 comes as a separate chip for more application flexibility and sonic integrity. With the Mouse, you have to unscrew three more screws to remove the bottom panel to see it - er, them. The Mouse is using two TP2050s snuggly pressed against the bottom panel with heat-dissipating gel and a metal plate as heat sink in-between.

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TK2050 is just a part number for a set of two chips, a TC2000 controller and a TP2050 power stage. The TC2000 is a stereo modulator/controller. The TP2050 is a power chip that can be configured either as stereo or with both channels paralleled for monaural operation at twice the current. If you look at the data sheet, you'll see that the four-ohm performance of the TP2050 in stereo mode leaves something to be desired. The Mouse uses a TC2000 controller to drive two TP2050s, each in monaural mode. You can think of it as a TK2050 with an extra TP2050 power stage for the second channel. This gives the performance boost of the parallel TP2050 configuration in stereo with only a single controller necessary.

The main difference between the Mouse amplifier and the SI, Trends and KingRex designs is that they use a nominal 12-volt Tripath chip with the controller and power stage in the same package. With these chips there isn't a practical way to use the Tripath controller with a power stage having a higher rail voltage or current capability. The TK2050 uses a separate modulator and power stage. The clipping level is now based on the higher rail voltage of the TP2050, in the case of the Mouse 30 volts. I've taken this further by using a separate TP2050 for each channel. This gives better bass control and higher current capability for lower impedance loads. My initial prototype was pretty much a stock TK2050 stereo design. I liked the sound and performance but I found it inadequate to drive "difficult" speakers such as Infinity Kappa 7s. Going to a parallel monaural configuration on the output stage changed that and improved the sound overall.

The "secret sauce" of T-class is the modulator/controller, not the output stage. In fact, the TP2050 is really a Tripath-branded STI Microsystems STA-505. And you are of course correct. It is configured as a full bridge design. Each side uses two half-bridge amplifiers. Regarding the previous discussion, getting correct absolute polarity is just a matter of which half-bridge input connects to which of the two modulator outputs from the controller.

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Conclusion

This review was the last chapter in my Tripath triptych. Three distinguished class T amps have opened my eyes and ears in different ways. The Trends TA-10 offers the best price/performance ratio. The KingRex T20/T20U emulates tube amps in the most convincing manner and their USB/DAC is a breakthrough. The Winsome Labs Mouse has maintained an affordable price and yet pushed the performance envelope by re-thinking the entire Tripath proposition. Jay Hennigan the designer has performed extensive R&D with the little box and given it a big heart. Don't let the conservative specs mislead you. With the Mouse, your choice of speaker is no longer bound by the high-efficiency type. It drives like a Beemer and consumes like a Prius. My heartfelt congratulations to the Winsome Labs Mouse. It gets a Blue Moon Award for being the compact muscle amp in the class T category.

Full Review: 6moons.com