Sweet 16 VS TNT 1500

They both have some positive points. The Texas Star is AB and a solid performance history. The TnT is class B hand built and fan cooled. The TnT would probably take the higher drive levels from the N2 better.

It's very close, I would lean towards the TnT but you won't go wrong if you like the TS.

The real important difference between the two is how they bias the transistors. As this changes the character of how each one operates. The TNT amps have B class bias while the TS have AB class bias.

AB class is best because it closely regulates the bias current. So long as you feed the amp with just enough watts and don't attempt to overdrive it, the output should be close to linear. After all; that is what really counts in the long run.

Now if you want to have a station that sounds nasty and hard to understand because you must overdrive the amp because everyone around does this and are mesmerized with big, inflated watt numbers; who cares about biasing and linearity?

The N2 has an AB class bias that controls its output transistors; most AM/only radios have B class bias. Be wise to mix apples with apples and oranges with oranges; wouldn't it?

Better off with doing it right if you are going to do it at all - IMO.
The TS wins.

Remember though the Texas Star AB bias scheme is passive, not regulated. If it was regulated AB it would win hands down. Joker amplifiers are an example of regulated AB.

Never owned a TNT, but would like to chime in. When I started back in the hobby last year, my research lead me to buy a 2970n2 and a TS 1600DX. Never regreted it, and received kudos and good reports from contacts on SSB. However, if you are interested in 'key down' competitions, this combination may not be ideal. If you are pursuing a fairly clean output, then the TS is the match for the n2. Both pieces were amp-hogs (think no less than 120 for the TS)

the texas star amps claim to be AB bias but i betcha a hamburger after it warms up then its gone into class C
so dont just go buy something that it says it biased a certain way
now which to choose the TnT would play along better with the N2
you would see better numbers on your watt meter other would not see it on their end though with the TNT and the TS is one heck of a Amp Hog

and each and every amplifier is going to only amplify what you put into the amp
so trash in gets more trash out

9C1Driver said:

Remember though the Texas Star AB bias scheme is passive, not regulated. If it was regulated AB it would win hands down. Joker amplifiers are an example of regulated AB.

Click to expand...

Yes; passive. But so long as the input watts aren't exceeding TS's specifications, it is still AB biased. Still - far better than no AB bias or going with B bias. It is still better off to have an amp that is quasi-linear than no linearity at all.

Over-heating the input of an amp by using too much input power is the fault of the operator; not the mfr . . .

^^ ab v c^^

I have a better idea... get a good antenna...

102 whip and something center loader if you must, best to keep it at least 50% of 1/4 wave in this case around 50-60 inches

try to avoid base loaded setups, bond everything

cheaper and WAY way better than an amp, you will get better receive and transmit...

AMP IS THE LAST THING YOU SHOULD EVER GET