Advice on new setup. From Audiolab 8200a to Aiyima A07 MAX

[PstrfZ]

Hi!

TL;DR
any decent passive preamps with remote?

Since yesterday, I’ve replaced my old Audiolab 8200a with the Aiyima A07 MAX.

Current Setup:

• Source: Digital music. Raspberry Pi 4 running Moode Audio OS, with a collection of lossless (FLAC) files served via NFS share from a home server over gigabit ethernet.
• DAC: Objective DAC (ODAC) - RCA Version by NwAvGuy. Bought in 2013, still working great.
• Amplifier: Until yesterday, Audiolab 8200a; now Aiyima A07 MAX.
• Speakers: A pair of vintage Dahlquist DQ-18 (200W RMS per channel at 4 ohms, 91dB efficiency at 1 watt, 1 meter).

Quick side note on Class D amps: I'm not new to them. I owned the first iconic T-Amp back in 2009, and then a Dayton Audio DTA-100a a few years later. The Aiyima is the first recent Class D amp I've tried, and I’m genuinely impressed. I can’t really compare it to those older Class Ds I had (but one thing is certain: unlike my old Class D amps, which were considered "toys" that sounded surprisingly good, this one has the fullness of a "grown-up" amplifier), but I can compare it to the Audiolab: the Aiyima is completely transparent, in the best way possible. You forget the system is even there; it doesn’t add anything extra, unlike the Audiolab, which had a reputation for a "cold" sound with a pronounced punch. That distinct sound can get tiresome and distracting over time. With the Aiyima, I only found myself focused on the music itself. I don't think I could hope for a better result in the hifi realm!

Now, back to the point: the Audiolab had a huge advantage with its ability to handle multiple inputs and be controlled with a remote. I’d like to be able to do the same with this new setup. Any recommendations? Do you know of a good passive preamp? Preferably not too expensive!

Any other advice or tips on my current setup are very welcome!

Thank you very much.

 

[antcollinet]

I'm not sure you want a passive preamp - passive generally means no active electronics. You're not going to get a passive pre-amp with remote. If I'm worng - please explain exactly what you are looking for with "passive"

To answer we really need to know what sources you want to be able to select. You only mention the Pi.

Most likely your needs can be met by replacing the ODADC with another DAC incorporating pre-amp functionality with remote.


Do you also want to implement room correction/DSP?

 

[PstrfZ]

I'm not sure you want a passive preamp - passive generally means no active electronics. You're not going to get a passive pre-amp with remote. If I'm worng - please explain exactly what you are looking for with "passive"

To answer we really need to know what sources you want to be able to select. You only mention the Pi.

You're right, I didn't explain myself: I also managed an RCA input coming from the TV (an old and glorious Pioneer Kuro 50'' plasma), for when I wanted to watch movies or series in the best possible way.

The really convenient thing is that I had programmed the smart power strip, HDMI switch and the Audiolab input channels all driven by a BroadLink RM4 Mini, by doing so I did without the various remote controls and could switch from one scenario to another with a simple voice command. "Turn off everything", "Move to hifi", "Turn on cinema" etc.

To my wife's delight, all this is enclosed inside the door of a vintage living room furniture with minimal lines. No exposed hardware or cables. Always to the delight of my wife.

Now, clearly I would like to maintain this convenience of use, but with the A07 Max I only have one input. This is why I would need a solution that provides me with at least one more input, and which is possibly remote controlled.
Something like that? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005671735341.html

My fear is that it will alter the signal, which is why you asked if there was something similar, but more "properly hifi".

Most likely your needs can be met by replacing the ODADC with another DAC incorporating pre-amp functionality with remote.


Do you also want to implement room correction/DSP?

This fascinates me a lot, but I know *nothing* about it. I know Moode Audio should be able to handle something, but really, I'm totally ignorant. Do you know of any forum threads that might help me get started?

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, this is actually a tricky one, although there should be members here who have seen solutions ...

As I understand it, you want to have two analogue RCA inputs - your DAC and your TV - into your Amp with a remote control. I assume that you need volume control too.
Do you have a budget in mind, and would you mind replacing some of your existing equipment?

There are simple passive preamps - the Schiit Sys https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-of-schiit-sys-passive-pre-amp-switcher.2335/ - but no remote

There are RCA switches with remote control - https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/sour...ol-3-rca-to-1-rca-1-rca-to-3-rca-p-13494.html - nut no volume control

There are plenty of new DACs with a volume control and remote, but not with an analogue input. Some headphone amps also act as good preamplifiers but they don't have multiple analogue inputs until you spend a bit more - the Topping L70 is around 300EUR

I'm sure that there is a simple 'old school' solution that escapes me!

What do you think about a WiiM Pro Plus - https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-pro-plus-streamer-review.50254/
This would replace your Pi streamer and your DAC but would allow you to include the TV and give you remote control over all of it.
That's probably more change than you wanted, although it also gives you options for room correction / DSP if you would like to experiment.

 

[antcollinet]

What do you think about a WiiM Pro Plus

I was just about to suggest that.

Other options at an even high price - the Mini DSP Flex.

Or just the pro version rather than the pro plus. Slightly worse performing DAC, but not audibly so, and probably still better than the ODAC.


Finally something like this from Ali express.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004416044993.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.65.5c0b7f6cIGmfxl&algo_pvid=92372997-50b8-4e1f-b29c-dc16da10bf77&algo_exp_id=92372997-50b8-4e1f-b29c-dc16da10bf77-32&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%21143.02%2165.79%21%21%21177.07%2181.45%21%40211b876e17315061015863928e6063%2112000029107036711%21sea%21UK%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=Jw9kCdpt5PgH&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

 

[Joe Smith]

If you only need RCA inputs and no phono input/preamp, you might look at the new Schiit Saga 2 preamp. Has three modes: passive, low gain, high gain. Four RCA inputs. Compact remote control. Headphone jack. All Class A. About $330 shipped. Available in black, or silver for a bit more money. I like mine, am planning to pair with one of their little Gjallarhorn 10w amps soon.

There is also some scuttlebutt that Fosi may release a multi-input preamp (with remote?) too in the form factor of their V3 series, but I have not yet seen this officially confirmed.

So with this, you could just set the Aiyima to near max level, and then do all of your volume control via the preamp.

 

[danielha]

PstrfZ,​

It seems your amp is given 2 Preamp outputs.... And as far as I understand, you have configured your system to easily switch from one usage to another....
So why not just use one Preamp output from your amp ?

Daniel

 

[PstrfZ]

I was just about to suggest that.

Other options at an even high price - the Mini DSP Flex.

Or just the pro version rather than the pro plus. Slightly worse performing DAC, but not audibly so, and probably still better than the ODAC.

About the ODAC, this wast my first and only contribution on audiosciencereview.com before this thread:

Review and Measurements of JDSLabs ODAC Rev. B Compared to Fiio E10K

I have a revision B from 2015 in my desktop system. I think yours and mine are both better than human hearing, even though they are not as good as what is possible now. So I am not planning on replacing mine. My desktop system only uses a PC via usb as a source and I can do equalization on the...

audiosciencereview.com

IMHO it would be really nice if Amir would correct the thread by removing the mention of Nwavguy!

Finally something like this from Ali express.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004416044993.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.65.5c0b7f6cIGmfxl&algo_pvid=92372997-50b8-4e1f-b29c-dc16da10bf77&algo_exp_id=92372997-50b8-4e1f-b29c-dc16da10bf77-32&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21GBP%21143.02%2165.79%21%21%21177.07%2181.45%21%40211b876e17315061015863928e6063%2112000029107036711%21sea%21UK%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=Jw9kCdpt5PgH&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

I had my eye on it and was hoping someone had already tried it or reviewed it

 

[PstrfZ]

PstrfZ,​

It seems your amp is given 2 Preamp outputs.... And as far as I understand, you have configured your system to easily switch from one usage to another....
So why not just use one Preamp output from your amp ?

Daniel

You are absolutely right, but unfortunately I replaced the Audiolab due to the impossibility of solving a technical problem.

 

[PstrfZ]

If you only need RCA inputs and no phono input/preamp, you might look at the new Schiit Saga 2 preamp. Has three modes: passive, low gain, high gain. Four RCA inputs. Compact remote control. Headphone jack. All Class A. About $330 shipped. Available in black, or silver for a bit more money. I like mine, am planning to pair with one of their little Gjallarhorn 10w amps soon.

There is also some scuttlebutt that Fosi may release a multi-input preamp (with remote?) too in the form factor of their V3 series, but I have not yet seen this officially confirmed.

So with this, you could just set the Aiyima to near max level, and then do all of your volume control via the preamp.

Thank you very much, it seems like a very good product, I will definitely consider it.

 

[Soniclife]

You're right, I didn't explain myself: I also managed an RCA input coming from the TV (an old and glorious Pioneer Kuro 50'' plasma), for when I wanted to watch movies or series in the best possible way.

The really convenient thing is that I had programmed the smart power strip, HDMI switch and the Audiolab input channels all driven by a BroadLink RM4 Mini, by doing so I did without the various remote controls and could switch from one scenario to another with a simple voice command. "Turn off everything", "Move to hifi", "Turn on cinema" etc.

To my wife's delight, all this is enclosed inside the door of a vintage living room furniture with minimal lines. No exposed hardware or cables. Always to the delight of my wife.

Now, clearly I would like to maintain this convenience of use, but with the A07 Max I only have one input. This is why I would need a solution that provides me with at least one more input, and which is possibly remote controlled.
Something like that? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005671735341.html

My fear is that it will alter the signal, which is why you asked if there was something similar, but more "properly hifi".






This fascinates me a lot, but I know *nothing* about it. I know Moode Audio should be able to handle something, but really, I'm totally ignorant. Do you know of any forum threads that might help me get started?

Does you TV have an optical output, or other digital output?

 

[PstrfZ]

Hi, this is actually a tricky one, although there should be members here who have seen solutions ...

As I understand it, you want to have two analogue RCA inputs - your DAC and your TV - into your Amp with a remote control. I assume that you need volume control too.
Do you have a budget in mind, and would you mind replacing some of your existing equipment?

There are simple passive preamps - the Schiit Sys https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-of-schiit-sys-passive-pre-amp-switcher.2335/ - but no remote

There are RCA switches with remote control - https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/sour...ol-3-rca-to-1-rca-1-rca-to-3-rca-p-13494.html - nut no volume control

There are plenty of new DACs with a volume control and remote, but not with an analogue input. Some headphone amps also act as good preamplifiers but they don't have multiple analogue inputs until you spend a bit more - the Topping L70 is around 300EUR

I'm sure that there is a simple 'old school' solution that escapes me!

What do you think about a WiiM Pro Plus - https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiim-pro-plus-streamer-review.50254/
This would replace your Pi streamer and your DAC but would allow you to include the TV and give you remote control over all of it.
That's probably more change than you wanted, although it also gives you options for room correction / DSP if you would like to experiment.

The idea of changing DAC makes my head spin... too many options available! I really wouldn't know which to choose. But for sure I would definitely keep my Raspberry Pi managed mpd server setup, that's for sure. I've been using mpd for over ten years and I'm very happy with it.

 

[lini]

I'm not sure you want a passive preamp - passive generally means no active electronics. You're not going to get a passive pre-amp with remote. (...)

Not really. Passive in this case just means no active electronics in the signal path. That doesn't mean, that a passive pre-amp couldn't sport a motorised volume control or for example relay-based input switching, though. An example for such a passive pre-amp with extra convenience would be the Creek OBH-22.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini