Trends Audio TA-10 Amplifier Modifications

The Fully Modified Amp

"The Shep-1"*

Here you see the fully modified amp. At least the top part.

* This amp is called the "Shep-1" named for an audiophile friend "Shep" in the South of France who has been encouraging me to modify this amp. He was wise to do so. =)

What's been done? Clockwise from the lower left:

New volume pot
New input signal connection point
New input caps
Rerouted input lines
Upgraded RCA connectors
Grounded copper shields around filter inductors
Larger tank caps

The stock volume control was of unknown quality. I replaced it with a nice little Panasonic 50K pot. The front panel hole needed to be enlarged slightly. You might able to get a larger, better pot in here. See more on this page.
The input signal is now connected to the jumper pins. From here it goes to the input caps, then to the chip. See more on this page.
New input caps. The stock caps are inexpensive metalized foil types. A good start, but we can do better. I've used the inexpensive but good quality Jantzen 1.5uF caps. A perfect fit! Use whatever flavor cap you like. For reference, the Jantzens shown are 25mm x 13mm. You have a long series of hole into which you can solder, allowing you a range of sizes and styles. See here and here for a better view.
The input signal path was rerouted via shielded cable. I don't like the way the input traces on the board run so close to the noisy output filters. Learn more about that here.
The Stock RCA connectors are OK, but not great. I chose to replace them. You can easily desolder the center pin and unscrew the connectors. My replacement RCAs were a little fatter, so I needed to drill out the hole a tiny bit. The stock were 8mm, I think. That should help if you are shopping for new connectors.
Fancy hand made copper RFI shields. Aircore inductors have a nice top end and smooth sound, but they radiate RF like great little antennas. See more here. And here.
New, bigger power caps. These tank caps have a lot of influence on the sound of the amp. Big high qualify caps give the amp a fuller bass, more dynamics, better channel separation and a wider soundstage. See more here. And here.
 

All these modifications are copyright 2006 by Michael Mardis.
For DIY/Home use only. No commercial use without written permission from michael.mardis.com

You can find kits to do these mods at: www.audio-magus.com

overview
MODS OVERVIEW

amp bottom
BOARD BOTTOM
input mods
INPUT MODS
 
INPUT PATH
INPUT PATH
side view
SIDE VIEW
coil shields
COIL SHIELDS
modified amp
FINISHED BOARD
HOME
NEW SITE
MEASUREMENTS
WAVEFORMS
FAQ

Looking for a T-AMP a lot better than the Trends?
You can read more on my new website - www.michaelmardis.com

 
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