So after sending in my Tantrum 1200.1 to PG, I started to think about the possibilities of finding this chip online. After hours of searching, I came across this place:
http://www.electrospec.com/electronic/p ... -0103.html
Has anyone ever tried to send a request to one of these clearinghouse/chiphouse places? It seems like a ridiculously complicated process, and who knows if this info is actually current on their site. I think if they really did have 2,600 odd tri-paths laying around, that could make quite a few people (including me) very happy.
Speaking of this chip, does anyone know of a replacement for it that'll actually perform as good or better than the TA0103A, and that will fit in the casing of a Tantrum 1200.1 without modification to the chip or amp housing?
The Tantrum has seriously been the best amp for me over the years and I'd hate to have to redo my entire amp setup just because of some lousy chip.
The Notorious TA0103A Tri-Path Chip...Does It Exist?
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fuzzysnuggleduck
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Think I'll e-mail those guys tomorrow just for the hell of it. I was talking to my Dad who work in thins films and LCD engineering and he said the main failure point of those back in the day was internal oxidization between contact points. Hell, if that's the case, maybe ordering $250 worth of them would be a sound investment. 
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ferrariboy150
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If I find out good news tomorrow, perhaps a group buy could be in order? I know I'm not the only bummer ta1200.1 owner out there trying to hunt these suckers down. I know they're also used in home amps here and there too. I just hope it's not one of those "Dood! We haven't updated our site since 2001@!!1" kind of things.
I have found various leads to them as well. One interesting thing I found alluded to the fact that when tripath was auctioned off, another semiconductor manufacturer bought all of the intellectual property and was planning to make the chips again. I don't recall off hand what company bought it, but I checked at the time, and they didn't have anything remotely resembling the tripath stuff.
One thing I did find was this company: www.profusionplc.com who sells a inhouse brand pin for pin replacement, but it is based on the Ta105. They claim it is compatible with all of the tripath chip amps, but requires some additional components. I have considered ordering some to fool around with.
From my research, it seems that the tripath chips are not built on one continuous mold like a processor, but rather are based on one of their small IC amps like 41Hz.com has specialized in. The IC amp and supporting components are all mounted on a small PCB in the 38 pin quad package. Supposedly, the plastic cover on the ta10xx chips can be removed. If that is the case, then it is likely that it can be serviced from more readily available tripath ICs and discrete components. I have never gotten ballsy enough to try to remove the cover to verify this though.
As for the tripath module actually failing, how common is it really? I have worked on a few seriously fuckered up tripath based amps and all the tripath chips have survived unscathed.
I really want some 105's just because they can take an unreal rail voltage, +/-200Vdc. That makes them capable of some serious power!
Later,
Jason
One thing I did find was this company: www.profusionplc.com who sells a inhouse brand pin for pin replacement, but it is based on the Ta105. They claim it is compatible with all of the tripath chip amps, but requires some additional components. I have considered ordering some to fool around with.
From my research, it seems that the tripath chips are not built on one continuous mold like a processor, but rather are based on one of their small IC amps like 41Hz.com has specialized in. The IC amp and supporting components are all mounted on a small PCB in the 38 pin quad package. Supposedly, the plastic cover on the ta10xx chips can be removed. If that is the case, then it is likely that it can be serviced from more readily available tripath ICs and discrete components. I have never gotten ballsy enough to try to remove the cover to verify this though.
As for the tripath module actually failing, how common is it really? I have worked on a few seriously fuckered up tripath based amps and all the tripath chips have survived unscathed.
I really want some 105's just because they can take an unreal rail voltage, +/-200Vdc. That makes them capable of some serious power!
Later,
Jason
M: M100, M44 for a custom amp project
Zx: Zx500, Zx450, Black Zx350
ZxTi: 4 Zx600Ti's, 1 Zx400Ti
Ti: 5 800.1's & 900.7 for a custom amp project. 1 1200.1, 1 1000.2
Tantrum: 2 1200.1's, 1 600.4, 1 500.2
XS: XS6600
Zx: Zx500, Zx450, Black Zx350
ZxTi: 4 Zx600Ti's, 1 Zx400Ti
Ti: 5 800.1's & 900.7 for a custom amp project. 1 1200.1, 1 1000.2
Tantrum: 2 1200.1's, 1 600.4, 1 500.2
XS: XS6600
I'd love to be able to do some kind of power mod to my Tantrum 1200.1, but knowing my limited background with detailed electronics work, I'd most-likely be electrocuted on day one in a freak accident involving a stray power wire and a black cat walking down the street...
I'll have to look into the 105 series and hopefully I can track one down. My baby is at PG right now for what I hope is repair, so it should be interesting to see if the chip is what died out. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed it's something else that's easily repairable. My checking account is hoping for that outcome too.
I'll have to look into the 105 series and hopefully I can track one down. My baby is at PG right now for what I hope is repair, so it should be interesting to see if the chip is what died out. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed it's something else that's easily repairable. My checking account is hoping for that outcome too.