Texas Star DX-350 HD VS TNT 350-M HD

[Grogan]

Both amps have SSB and pre amp One uses DEI and the other uses PP100 ? both mobil and simular in price. The fan on the xforce is a plus. I can add a fan That I have for the Texas Star. What is the better amp at this Price range.I am also looking at the RM Italy KL 7505V . Make the mod and also a nice amp. What is the way to go.

 

[Big Kahuna]

For mostly SSB use I'd pick the Texas Star.

I used to be a big fan of the xforce magnaforce amps but after the switch to the TNT's I don't know if quality went down but I wasn't happy with them or their midnight special line. Just my opinion.

I do know the xforce generally pulled somewhat less amps than the Texas stars to achieve same output on my meters. That also may tell you something

The Texas Stars I've owned over the years have been pretty consistent in quality.

Also consider buying used, lots of ts 350hd I've gotten for $100-125 over the years.

 

[Grogan]

I do like the texas star and did own a DX-350 HD and sold it to buy other equipment. I like that the TNT line has a built in fan. But was considering the RM itally. Has to be converted, No problem there. They are use Macom MRF-455 4 of them.Was wondering if this amp would Have the cleanest output for SSB. when used properly and not drive it to hard.

 

[222DBFL]

The main thing with all the amps you have listed is exactly what you said in your last post Grogan. Don't overdrive them.
And from an amp tech that is very reliable, I've been told the bias scheme for both the Texas Star amps and the TNT amps were basically the same circuit design. I have an older TNT 600hd with Toshiba 2879's, which Xforce will install if you want to pay out the arse, but my amp has never had an issue and puts out what it says on it (600 watts) on SSB and it does a well on AM too.
I also own one of the Magnaforce 350hd amps and it a great little 2 transistor amp!!! I have made contacts all across the world with it while using it mobile. It really did the job well and never got hot or gave me any real issues.
I have not owned a Texas Star amp ever before so I can't truly speak on the quality or how well they work, but they are a class B bias amp, not an AB biased amp from what I have been told. So overdrive it and it will become a class C amp, just like the TNT amps as they don't have thermal tracking bias. Keeping them cool is key to keeping them working right. Also having a good antenna system and a good match is another thing. Keep the input low and let the aamp cruise along. No one will notice the extra watts anyways. And as far as the RM Italy amp, IDK enough about them to give an honest opinion. But I will say the TNT 350hd is not a bad amp. It's truly a matter of opinion to me. But I am not an amp tech or builder, but I do know clean in equals clean out. Also as for matching the amp to the radio or vice versa, you want a good impedance match and also keep the VSWR from changing as little as possible. This will not be as well done with a premade bought amp as one that has been built by just one person and has had the input/output tuned right and such. Just some food for thought.
You might want to ask around the forum here and see if there is someone here that can build you an amp. I know there are couple of guys here that do that, but they don't advertise it like a big company. You could then have a true thermally tracking class AB amp that would be very clean and not require much drive to make it work. Again, just some food for thought. Sorry for the text wall. I hope some of this info might help you decide what to do.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
73 and God Bless from
222 Daytona Bch., FL
Sean

 

[Grogan]

Thanks and Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

 

[psycho]

If you mostly talk AM then no question about it the TNT is the amp for you.
On SSB either one is OK but run the TNT on the low side.
RM or KLV amps are the Yugo of 11 meter amps.
Texas Star amps are way overpriced.