• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Budget Amp for KEF R3? Halp!

which amp do you recommend?

  • SMSL A300

    Votes: 5 35.7%
  • Aiyima D03

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • Aiyima A07 + topping D10?

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • other

    Votes: 4 28.6%

  • Total voters
    14

regan

Active Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2022
Messages
196
Likes
83
Until i can save some money for a proper hypex amp and dac i need a decent budget solution.

Which amp (preferably with dac included) would be better for an R3?

Budget around $200 or so
 
Last edited:
OP
regan

regan

Active Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2022
Messages
196
Likes
83
How about Topping D10s + Aiyima A07
Sure, i guess...

My chosing for D03 for R3 was based on previous threads.
Thanks a lot for your suggestion, looks good
 

maverickronin

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 19, 2018
Messages
2,527
Likes
3,308
Location
Midwest, USA
I think any of the Aiyimas should be fine as a temporary amp as long as you're not too far field.

I used to use a A07 while I was waiting on my Buckeye order.
 
OP
regan

regan

Active Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2022
Messages
196
Likes
83
I think any of the Aiyimas should be fine as a temporary amp as long as you're not too far field.

I used to use a A07 while I was waiting on my Buckeye order.
How did you feel the difference between the two? Was it really significant? I mean in terms of audio quality not high volume.

Did you get the 252 or the 502?
 

maverickronin

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 19, 2018
Messages
2,527
Likes
3,308
Location
Midwest, USA
How did you feel the difference between the two? Was it really significant? I mean in terms of audio quality not high volume.

Did you get the 252 or the 502?

I got the 252 and honestly I didn't really notice a difference at all. I use my R3's near field, so not even clipping was issue with the Aiyima.

My reasons for getting the Buckeye 252 were a slight bit of OCD about the numbers and primarily to keep everything balanced and keep ground loops at bay.
 

abdo123

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 15, 2020
Messages
7,423
Likes
7,940
Location
Brussels, Belgium
The SMSL A300 really looks like an amazing all-in-one package. It's not something that you could consider a placeholder like the A07.
 
OP
regan

regan

Active Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2022
Messages
196
Likes
83
The SMSL A300 really looks like an amazing all-in-one package. It's not something that you could consider a placeholder like the A07.
Sure, the member above sugestet Topping D10s + Aiyima A07 as a combo. The final price is about the same.

What do you think about Aiyima D03 vs SMSL A300? They're both all in on package
 

dwkdnvr

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
418
Likes
698
The SMSL A300 really looks like an amazing all-in-one package. It's not something that you could consider a placeholder like the A07.
This is an interesting take. What about the A300 makes you think it's less of a stopgap? The Infineon class-D amps we've seen have lower power and worse measured performance than the TAP3255 in the A07. I think either is fine as far as it goes, but for a similar price the combo of the D10s and A07 gives you separates which are easier to upgrade incrementally than a single all-in-one.
 
OP
regan

regan

Active Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2022
Messages
196
Likes
83
SMSL A300 is much more powerful than Aiyima A07 and also of the D03
On the contrary, the specs seem to show aiyima as being much more powerful. Or am i missing something?

Aiyima A07 - 2x225W 4 Ohm
SMSL A300 - 2x165W 4 Ohm
 

robertospeed

Active Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2020
Messages
261
Likes
248
Location
Italia
Aiyima A07 with a 48v 7.3a power supply perhaps reaches 55 or 60 watts rms into 8 ohms, I have it and then by ear I made the comparison with my Marantz PM7000N which is 60 watts rms into 8 ohms
 

ROOSKIE

Major Contributor
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
1,915
Likes
3,394
Location
Minneapolis
On the contrary, the specs seem to show aiyima as being much more powerful. Or am i missing something?

Aiyima A07 - 2x225W 4 Ohm
SMSL A300 - 2x165W 4 Ohm
Specs? Why quote specs...

Bear in mind though that evey 3db of SPL requires 2x the amp power. So if 95db takes 25 watts 98 will require 100, 101 will require 200. So power goes fast high volumes or at large listening distances. Doubling the listening distance drops SPL about 6db. I say that as in room things are not always exact.
So you can see how much juice you might require if in far field and listening loudly with loud peaks.
For near field and moderate levels much less power is required.

And just as an example if the specs above were correct the difference between 225watts and 165watts is just barely over 1db.
 

Steven Holt

Senior Member
Forum Donor
Joined
May 8, 2022
Messages
425
Likes
557
I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend, but you bought an $1800 pair of speakers before u took care of your front end? I question the wisdom in this, but it is your money. If you bought those speakers, I daresay you're not new to this hobby, why don't you just use the previous amp u had with your old gear till u can get what u want?
 
Top Bottom