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Aiyima A07 Max - Aiyima's new TPA3255 amplifier with mono/stereo output

I might give a try with the fosi ZA3.
If not satisfactory, I will end up by using a audiophonics MPA-M250NC (a bit overkill for a central channel).
i will be trying a aiyima max i got cheap in aliexpress as monoblock for a sub while the ZA3 doesn't become available and "settle" a bit. I agree, functionally, the ZA3 seems much better for the task because of the trigger (+balanced input in my case). I will try to make the aiyima work with a smart plug or something similar, i am hoping for no pops when using it like this. In any case, unless something unexpected happens, the plan is to sell it and get a ZA3 down the line.
 
i will be trying a aiyima max i got cheap in aliexpress as monoblock for a sub while the ZA3 doesn't become available and "settle" a bit. I agree, functionally, the ZA3 seems much better for the task because of the trigger (+balanced input in my case). I will try to make the aiyima work with a smart plug or something similar, i am hoping for no pops when using it like this. In any case, unless something unexpected happens, the plan is to sell it and get a ZA3 down the line.
The issue with a smart plug is that you do not control the sequence and cannot make sure the amp is powered on after the preamp.
That is why I discarded the A07 max.
With a device that as a trigger in, then you can make sure the preamp is powered on before as it is the preamp that will trigger the power amp to switch on.
That's why I will prefer the ZA3 option.
 
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The issue with a smart plug is that you do not control the sequence and cannot make sure the amp is powered on after the preamp.
That is why I discarded the A07 max.
With a device that as a trigger in, then you can make sure the preamp is powered on before as it is the preamp that will trigger the power amp to switch on.
That's why I will prefer the ZA3 option.
Agree. I can sort out the switching on sequence via software, that is no problem. But still the ZA3 seems so much adequate to the task.
Also, seeing the power table, it seems that in mono mode, the Aimiya is voltage limited with 36VDC supply. The 48V PDU will provide so much power, but then there is all this drama about the 50V rated caps, grrrr.
Anyways, most likely it will go to ebaykleineanzeige as soon as i can get the ZA3 with some confidence, i like it, but don't want to be a super early adopter.
 
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Received 2 A07 Max's with 48V 5A PS today.

The included PS is tiny compared to Fosi's 48V 5A.

Binding posts on the A07 Max are able to accept bare 10 AWG speaker cable, much better than the Fossi V3. Have them on top of my Kef R3's with about a foot of speaker cable. Nice plus with these tiny amps.

The A07 max does get warmer than the Fosi V3, but it stays warm to the touch. PS stays room temp.

Right now I have the Kef R3's crossed at 90hz. Minidsp flex rca feeding the A07 Max's. Measured with REW and Dirac. Got similar FR graphs with the Fosi V3. No rise in treble.

I'm liking the A07's. Very similar sound to the V3. Clean sounding, nothing sounds off, or stressed at high volume levels. Would gather a guess these will measure well.
 
Received 2 A07 Max's with 48V 5A PS today.

The included PS is tiny compared to Fosi's 48V 5A.

Binding posts on the A07 Max are able to accept bare 10 AWG speaker cable, much better than the Fossi V3. Have them on top of my Kef R3's with about a foot of speaker cable. Nice plus with these tiny amps.

The A07 max does get warmer than the Fosi V3, but it stays warm to the touch. PS stays room temp.

Right now I have the Kef R3's crossed at 90hz. Minidsp flex rca feeding the A07 Max's. Measured with REW and Dirac. Got similar FR graphs with the Fosi V3. No rise in treble.

I'm liking the A07's. Very similar sound to the V3. Clean sounding, nothing sounds off, or stressed at high volume levels. Would gather a guess these will measure well.
If you have both A07 Max and Fosi v3, is it possible for you to do a blind test with the help of someone who could simply switch between amplifiers?
It doesn’t have to be super critical and crazy, but just to simply see if you really hear anything different at all with your very familiar tracks.
 
If you have both A07 Max and Fosi v3, is it possible for you to do a blind test with the help of someone who could simply switch between amplifiers?
It doesn’t have to be super critical and crazy, but just to simply see if you really hear anything different at all with your very familiar tracks.
Aiyima more bright sound. In the treble frequencies it has more resolution. I tested it.
 

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There is a pretty long review about 07 Max on Amazon which worth to read. It is third review on the list written by Bernd W. Herrmann.

it seems you only posted in this thread. if you are an employee of AIYAMA, it's best to disclose it.
 
user reviews are mostly useless... yes if you spot a lot of reliability issues in reviews it might be a warning sign, but I would take 5* reviews with a pinch of salt
Buy it and report your impressions. Or make measurements and post it here. We are curious to get more info about unit. Without it we can rely only on 07 MAX owners experiences.
 
For me, main difference that matters is that I think the Fosi V3 volume control taper is better at the lower volume range than the MAX...so for the main place I'm going to use one of the class D amps this winter, my bedroom system, I will probably use the Fosi to have the most control over quieter sound levels.

I found the sound and utility of the V3 and the MAX to be very, very similar. I do hope Amir gets a MAX to put through his formal testing, but Aiyima does not seem as interested in sending out review units to him than Fosi...I think they should rethink that. Fosi is doing well by embracing the review and comment process.

Aiyima did respond to my email where I copied my review comments, the points I brought up they were going to share with the engineering team...I also restated interest in seeing someone develop either monoblock or a stereo "just an amp" amp with a separate multi-input preamp.
 
Yes, I am beginner who owns Max 07 and do not have anything with Ayima. Just share positive things about unit. Is that problem for you?
No, i have no problem with enthusiasm but it would be better to disclose before hand if it was the case.

Buy it and report your impressions. Or make measurements and post it here. We are curious to get more info about unit. Without it we can rely only on 07 MAX owners experiences.
Without measurements any "sound impressions" are useless. What I said is that take any user reviews with a pinch of salt. Don't get carried away with those positive user exp because they means very little
I would not buy this amp as I has no use for it, and even if I do I would wait for review by Amir. There are plenty of other good amps if I am in a hurry.
 
No, i have no problem with enthusiasm but it would be better to disclose before hand if it was the case.


Without measurements any "sound impressions" are useless. What I said is that take any user reviews with a pinch of salt. Don't get carried away with those positive user exp because they means very little
I would not buy this amp as I has no use for it, and even if I do I would wait for review by Amir. There are plenty of other good amps if I am in a hurry.
I will stop this "debate" with this: I always put science as only relevant but talking about audio "sound impressions" are crucial point and main purpose of this hobby. With or without perfect measuring numbers of any audio gears at the end of the day our ears and our rooms are weakest points in the chain. That is why impressions and subjective perception of the sound (and music) is important to me. One more time, I do not have anything with Aiyima brand.
 
Aiyima more bright sound. In the treble frequencies it has more resolution. I tested it.
R3 are generally on the the brighter side, did you EQ with minidsp?

I would not buy this amp as I has no use for it, and even if I do I would wait for review by Amir. There are plenty of other good amps if I am in a hurry.
That's correct, there are plenty of good amplifiers to choose from but further developments also must keep going.
I also wanted to have it measured (because I can not do that myself), and I still do, not just A07 Max but others like ZA3 etc. too. But in reality, I also know that these amplifiers won't be much different in terms of measurements than their predecessor.
I think its more about features now, rather than design as they are more or less similar on design side.

If I am in need, I would either not wait for a review and buy the product or buy another one which was already reviewed.
If I am a hobbyist then there is no fun like try it yourself, and I do that. Worst case if the product is absolutely crap, I would send it back with in return period.
 
The issue with a smart plug is that you do not control the sequence and cannot make sure the amp is powered on after the preamp.
Only if your smart plug setup isn't smart enough ;) Although if you don't already have a setup that can do this the triggers are probably easier.
 
I have tried A07 Max in stereo to Yamaha TSR700 front pre-out, and it has worked fine without any concerns.
Which front speakers you have? I would say any 8ohm speakers with 86+ sensitivity should be absolutely fine.
And later you can convert mono setup adding another one, if you feel the need.
While integrating with AVR, I would say keep volume at max on A07 Max.

I would day its more like 50-60wpc with 32-36v psu, probably around 80-100wpc with 48v psu, for 8ohm load.
Hi guddu,

Please comment on the differences or improvements in SQ you hear when comparing the Aiyima A07 Max with the amplifier section of the TSR700. I'm very interested in your subjective opinion, but if you prefer, please share your notes on the comparisons you and your group have made in your listening sessions.
 
So, just curious, on the MAX, what is the process to get into the case to change Op-Amps? I loosened the back plate screws, removed volume knob but then could not figure out next step. The screws on the bottom of the case near the bottom vent were very very tight and I did not want to strip the screws.
 
So, just curious, on the MAX, what is the process to get into the case to change Op-Amps? I loosened the back plate screws, removed volume knob but then could not figure out next step. The screws on the bottom of the case near the bottom vent were very very tight and I did not want to strip the screws.

Hi Joe, you will have to remove those 2 screws somehow to unmount and separate the case from the amplifier board. There isn't any other option.
 
Hi guddu,

Please comment on the differences or improvements in SQ you hear when comparing the Aiyima A07 Max with the amplifier section of the TSR700. I'm very interested in your subjective opinion, but if you prefer, please share your notes on the comparisons you and your group have made in your listening sessions.

Hi @Brash54
Yamaha TSR700 and external amplifier for fronts
I mostly use XTZ Edge 300 for fronts with TSR700 but changed to A07 Max after getting it.
SQ wise, after room calibration, I really doubt there is much benefit adding external amplifier to fronts. However, now I don't have to turn it up to 85% or more as before. I have checked many times and AVR top plate isn't also as hot as without amplifier probably. Overall, it has very positive impact if you have more like entry level AVR with pre-outs.
With TSR700, the main issue is with DAC/surround decoder section itself, its very difficult to digest a song after listening the same song on dedicated stereo amplifier setup.
But for movies or video content, where you are already distracted with video, its all fine I guess.

I have sent you A07 Max Stereo listening impressions on PM as its not much useful for all in this forum.
 
This is my first post and is perhaps a little tangential to the new unit but please bear with me!

I use two sources, from an MM phono preamp and from a Topping E30 DAC (used both for CD and streaming). I feed these to the preamp section of a NAD amplifier. From there they go to a miniDSP HD. The outputs from the miniDSP go to a pair of Aiyima A07 amps, one for each channel. The left/right sides of each amp are split into bass and mid/treble sections. Each amp feeds one of my my DIY hybrid open baffle bass distributed mode panel speakers. I have the volume maxed out on each of the A07s and use the NAD to control volume.

I've configured it this way to effectively bypass the volume pots on the A07s. However, it also means that the miniDSP has less signal to work with due to attenuation from the NAD.

Therefore, would it make more sense to replace the NAD (on long term loan from my son anyway) with e decent source switching box (I'll make it myself) and simply use the volume control on the A07s? Alternatively, would it be better to still max out the volume control on the A07s and put a passive preamp between the miniDSP and the A07s? I've already nailed together a passive preamp with twin stereo pots, but the DACT type pots are a bit unsubtle with small volume changes as they have too few steps.

In summary, what I'm essentially asking is whether a good passive preamp volume control pot and an effectively bypassed A07 volume pot is going to be better than simply using the A07 volume control? I'm thinking ALPS Blue Beauty log pots as a bare minimum and possibly a TKD four channel job to keep things neater.
 
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