Tiny Giant amp issue

[alltrax74]

I built this amp following my own layout :

Tagboard layout : http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.fr/2014/06/tiny-giant-amp.html

I'm using a 12V power supply so I removed the regulator and its surrounding components
The amp works, but with the volume pot maxed, it seems that the chip is being overloaded (it's not easy to explain, th attack of the note saturates at lower volume, then if I let ring after something like 1s the sound becames normal).
I reduced to pot course and it seems to sound normal until 5k at the output. But, at lower volume and I do want full volume.
Chip is mounted on a heatsink which becomes hot quickly, but the problem appears from the first note when the chip is still cold.
Do anyone have any idea of the issue ?
Here are pics of the board, chip, heatsink and the power supply I use.
Thanks !

[Neil mcNasty]

The amp will distort and fart like hell at the highest levels.
And that is as expected, as far as my experience tells me... Been using it for about 3 years now.

My guess will be that it does not perform very well when maxed out at 12v.
I run mine with the regulator, and I do not have that of an extreme issue.

The distortion can sound quite harsh and nasty at higher levels.
But when paired by a good preamp/drive circuit, the distortion can give a nice edge when you dial it in.
But the Tiny Giant never sounds good when maxed out!
6-7 on the volume sounds good, but above that...

How to get it louder:
If you are using a 8-Ohm speaker... switch to 4-Ohm.
That will give you almost twice the volume output!
8-Ohm = 12W
4-Ohm = 20W
There is a lot to gain there.

Not loud enough for band practice, but very nice in my humble home, running of a solar charged car-battery.
Super Silent Power Supply!

[alltrax74]

Thanks Neil, so it seems normal.
What is your power supply output voltage ?
I use it in a 1x10" cab loaded with a 8 ohms celestion G10 vintage, I have a 4 ohms 8" speaker in a small combo I'll try on that speaker.
And yes, with a good overdrive in front, it sounds great even at full volume
I guess everything is normal on my build then, maybe I'll replace the volume pot with a 5k