LEPAI LP2020A+ mini Digital T-Amp - Hi-Fi Stereo Amplifier TA2020, Tripath IC for Home, Boat or Car

Astonishingly good... eventually!

At first, harsh and raucous with noticeable odd-order harmonics on HF content. But after several hours of 'burn-in', it mellowed substantially and now sounds rich, smooth, transparent and detailed. Used so far with modest speakers (oldish B&Os - can't remember the model number) initially just for the purpose of simply trying out the LP2020A, the improvement cycle was unbelievable. To begin with, the sound was awful with unpleasant 'ringing' of top end percussive sounds (i.e. piano and any metallic sounds). But this miraculously disappeared to leave a warm pleasant sound, full of stereo image and rich in delicate detail with scarcely a trace of distortion, even on transients. The volume level was of course judiciously set to avoid clipping, but nevertheless, the overall sound level was generously loud even for attentive listening. I've never heard those old B&O speakers sound so good! Music evaluated ranged from Metallica and Floyd to Beethoven and Palestrina, with a variety of classical (choral, orchestral, chamber, solo) and modern jazz in between.

It's worth mentioning that the initial tests were made using a switching PSU (12V/5A) designed for LCD monitor use, and the LP2020A+ (Class D) amplifier didn't much care for the quality of its DC, which appeared to cause excessive HF distortion. A good old traditional transformer/rectifier/smoothing PSU (10A bench Supply) delivering 13.8V was then used and the difference was marked. A decent quality 3A regulated supply (typically 2A continuous, 3A 50% duty-cycle, 5A peak) would be ideal. Most such equipments actually provide 13.8V DC, and this is absolutely fine. The product description mentions its "aluminum alloy solid case that easyly distributes the heat" (sic). Actually, there is practically no heat to dissipate - the unit staying virtually cold to the touch even at high listening levels.

The amazing phenomenon though was the way the amplifier appeared to 'learn' and improve as the 'burn-in' hours progressed until it transformed itself into a top-class smooth detailed performer, full of listening satisfaction and utterly devoid of audio nastiness. Such was the delight of this that the exploratory listening and 'rediscovery of existing music' session went on far into the night - it really was that joyful!

Despite the manufacturer's claim of 20W rms per channel, in reality its usable output is far short of that. Their 20W claim is into 4 ohms and at 10% harmonic distortion - and that's acceptable to no-one. Into 8 ohms and at a reasonable distortion level of, say, 0.1% we're looking at around 6-7W per channel, but they really are 'genuine' watts, not hyper-inflated ones, so it seems adequately loud. And by golly, it sounds good too!

Audio source was an iPod Touch playing AAC files at 128kb/sec or better. A small amount of bass lift and treble cut on the amplifier was used as this gave a better subjective impression than when set flat or with the tone-control defeat switch engaged.

All in all, highly recommended (within its power-output limitations which appear to be surprisingly generous).

Even as an 'electronics-person' I just can't begin to imagine how a burn-in procedure can affect a solid-state device, but with the LP2020A+ it certainly appears to have done, to the great credit and advantage of the product's performance. I'd read elsewhere of its penchant for burn-in (100 hours was mentioned) so I've had it playing round-the-clock for two full days, and its audio quality is nothing short of delightful... so much so that I've now ordered another.

At the price, and with Tripath (the chip manufacturer) apparently no longer in business, go for it while you can!

I was a bit doubtful at first, but after building an excellent amplifier around a single IC myself,a few years ago,
I gave it a go. A good move, I am very pleased with the great sound output and its compact size. Amazing for the price.

Bought this to drive some bookshelf speakers from a computer in a home office. Came with an external PSU with US (two flat) pins, easily used with a UK shaver adaptor. Tiny case with cheap-looking but adequate controls, a minimalist home for the remarkable IC that makes it work. Very pleased with the sound - I don't know how it measures, but quality is well up to average domestic kit in the sub-audiophile/MoneyNoObject bracket. Runs cold and evidently needs minimal power judging by the puny PSU. There's lots of stuff on the web about how to 'improve' them (or blow them up and otherwise break them) but unless you are the music equivalent of an overclocker and demand 'music' at deafening levels you will probably be pleasantly surprised, as I was. As long as it keeps going I'll be well pleased.