AIYIMA A08 Pro Amplifier Review

[NoxMorbis]

I sure hope this isn't true, as my A08 Pro can hit 0db on that VU meter well before my volume knob even gets to noon. I'm of the belief that it's just a 'fun dancing needle' - if the 0 point comment is true I'm in trouble lol

I haven't turned mine up yet all the way, but I hardly see any movement up to about 1/4 then it starts moving and it moves about 1/4 of the sweep.

 

[NoxMorbis]

WOW, the Aiyima 08 Pro is down to $106.00 on Amazon.

 

[yoster]

They need an A08 v2 model. One that has a physical switch for that bluetooth. The amount of times someone in my area has accidentally connected to it.. and then I'm STUCK until I figure out what device it was so I can disconnect it. So irritating. Though I guess the A07 Pro is basically that..

 

[NoxMorbis]

Apologies if this has A) already been asked already or B) a stupid question, but does anyone know what DAC is in the A08 Pro? I'm referring to the DAC that would be coupled with the A08's bluetooth receiver (that part might be obvious but trying to get ahead of the 'there's no digital inputs on the A08' comments lol)

The BT DAC is integrated in the Qualcomm QCC5125 BT 5.2 Chip. I'm assuming the BT DAC is Qualcomm's.

"Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive audio
technologies are designed to deliver consistent, high-quality
audio streaming over Bluetooth. The internal 24-bit end-to-
end audio pipeline and high-performance DACs support high
resolution audio through the audio processing chain."

https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/qcc5100-series-product-brief_87-cf482-1-h.pdf

 

[NoxMorbis]

They need an A08 v2 model. One that has a physical switch for that bluetooth. The amount of times someone in my area has accidentally connected to it.. and then I'm STUCK until I figure out what device it was so I can disconnect it. So irritating. Though I guess the A07 Pro is basically that..

I have actually put a remote IoT power switch on my 08 and shut it off the same time I shut my computer off. So, yeah, it sucks. Also, try disconnecting the BT antenna next time. That should disconnect whomever is connected to you by greatly limiting the transmission distance.

Anyway, a stopgap is to shut the unit off when you no longer need it. Then turn it back on when you do. It remembers the last device and automatically connects to it if available.

It might even be better than a switch to have an auto sleep function to prevent the same thing where the amp just sleeps if the connected device is not sending it a signal, like 30 seconds, then it shuts off until the last device sends a signal again.

 

[yoster]

Yeah I've tried some of that but even with it 'remembering' it's previous device, that only seems to apply to BT devices. So for instance if it was looking at the RCA inputs the last time I used it (which is all I use), if a device in the house (one of my kid's ipads for instance) "accidentally" connects to it, then it overrides. It's confusing for my kids because I have Aiyima devices in their room that they DO use for bluetooth, but in the bluetooth search app on their tablets, all the aiyima devices look the same. So it's easy to choose the wrong one.

My temporary fix has been exactly what you described - I've removed the antenna lol.

 

[john11]

Apologies if this has A) already been asked already or B) a stupid question, but does anyone know what DAC is in the A08 Pro? I'm referring to the DAC that would be coupled with the A08's bluetooth receiver (that part might be obvious but trying to get ahead of the 'there's no digital inputs on the A08' comments lol)

No information given by aiyima. Best to pop the hood and have a look inside. Probaly not all that. Best to buy a decent dac

 

[TonyJZX]

you wont find anything as the DAC is built into the QCA BT chipset... the guy above linked the product sheet

 

[Dinesh Menon]

Nice brick, you have to wait years for "established" brands to adopt at least (non-HD) apt-X, wheres these chinese companies implement it charmingly easy, this time with modern BT v5.0 with both Apt-X HD and LDAC.
Seems like it goes through CS4344 24-bit, 192 kHz DAC chip while using BT as source.

Combo mentioned above, looks avant-garde
View attachment 240573

Sir, please clear my confusion:
About the benefit of connecting T8 pre amp with A08 pro amp.
Are they a good combo or just A08 Pro will be enough to power the speakers ?

 

[Kip]

Sir, please clear my confusion:
About the benefit of connecting T8 pre amp with A08 pro amp.
Are they a good combo or just A08 Pro will be enough to power the speakers ?

A08 pro is plenty to power the speakers. While the Bluetooth on both of them becomes redundant, there are other inputs made available with adding the T8.
Even if this is not needed there are occasions when the output of a device doesn't offer a lot of pre-level, like a cell phone. That is were a pre-amp helps. Even with no added benefit of the T8 you will still gain a means of using the pre-level with a remote controlling the volume level and some tube like sound.
I have ordered one for the headphone amp capability and also some volume of control usage via remote. It will be interesting to see if it adds some significant tube-like sound when feeding my Sansui 4000.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Sir, please clear my confusion:
About the benefit of connecting T8 pre amp with A08 pro amp.
Are they a good combo or just A08 Pro will be enough to power the speakers ?

Adding the T8 to the A08 pro will allow you to control EQ and volume via remote control. You might find that it will smooth the digital nature of the A08 Pro because of the tube. I would try just the A08 Pro first (it has plenty of power to drive most speakers) then later maybe add the T8 if you want more control…

 

[Dinesh Menon]

Adding the T8 to the A08 pro will allow you to control EQ and volume via remote control. You might find that it will smooth the digital nature of the A08 Pro because of the tube. I would try just the A08 Pro first (it has plenty of power to drive most speakers) then later maybe add the T8 if you want more control…

Thanks for making it so clear.
Happy weekend Sir

 

[Dinesh Menon]

A08 pro is plenty to power the speakers. While the Bluetooth on both of them becomes redundant, there are other inputs made available with adding the T8.
Even if this is not needed there are occasions when the output of a device doesn't offer a lot of pre-level, like a cell phone. That is were a pre-amp helps. Even with no added benefit of the T8 you will still gain a means of using the pre-level with a remote controlling the volume level and some tube like sound.
I have ordered one for the headphone amp capability and also some volume of control usage via remote. It will be interesting to see if it adds some significant tube-like sound when feeding my Sansui 4000.

So kind of you Sir, for the specific information. Eagerly waiting for your experience with the A08 Pro + T8 combination.
Have a great weekend

 

[Repdetect]

A08 is available at Walmart today for $79, used. I got one, like new, no issues. Returnable
I don't know for how long.

 

[Kip]

So kind of you Sir, for the specific information. Eagerly waiting for your experience with the A08 Pro + T8 combination.
Have a great weekend

I have tested this as my input to my other system, but not the A08 pro. Do you have specifics that you are interested in that I might investigate.
My phone has enough output to the headphone jack to drive the A08 pro just fine. I have tested the USB and optical input to the T8. The T8 sounds a little more tube like and what I would say, most would find warmer when compared to the SMSL M300E. I think the M300E has a better sounding DAC but that is the M300E's biggest purpose.
The volume control remote capability is very useful for anything you connect it to. I realize I haven't verified the Coaxial SPDIF input on it yet.
I would recommend you first determine if you absolutely want the remote capability since you have the option to buy A08 pro first then can add the T8 later. So much will be determined by if you need more pre-output level.
T8 does add a headphone output, USB, Optical, Coax inputs which aren't available on the A08 pro.

Following up: Test setup. An RCA switching unit feeding the RCA's of the A08 pro
Upstream of one input was a split RCA signal from my phone with one going to the switch box, the other to the T8.
T8 Output going to a DIFFERENT input of the switch box.
Findings on Levels.
With the T8 at 80 of 99 the T8's bass and treble had to be maxed out to match the sound level as the input from the phone with no inline T8
With the T8 bass and treble set to 0 neutral on a scale of -9 to 9 the T8 volume had to be at 96 to sound level match the phone by itself.
T8 is NOT putting much boost on the signal.
T8 does seem to add some nice dynamics in the music, I do think it sounds better with it.
If you don't need the input additions offered by the T8, nor the remote, I think you should start with the A08 pro only.
I am a bit disappointed the T8 didn't add more to the signal, but I didn't need much boost, and wanted remote enablement.
I almost forgot to add. ALL of this was with the A08 pro maxed out on Bass and Treble.
I suspect putting those at neutral would further emphasize how the T8 doesn't add much.
Every increase of upstream level, I suspect, would produce more gain on the overall output with the A08's Bass and Treble maxed.
I want to note. I was using a simple inline RCA volume knob that is passive and can only reduce the level. Some CD players put a pretty good amount of signal level on the RCA so the passive knob helped. Replacing that with the T8 enabled me to ADD to that level so for my usage, it's great.

 

[Dinesh Menon]

I have tested this as my input to my other system, but not the A08 pro. Do you have specifics that you are interested in that I might investigate.
My phone has enough output to the headphone jack to drive the A08 pro just fine. I have tested the USB and optical input to the T8. The T8 sounds a little more tube like and what I would say, most would find warmer when compared to the SMSL M300E. I think the M300E has a better sounding DAC but that is the M300E's biggest purpose.
The volume control remote capability is very useful for anything you connect it to. I realize I haven't verified the Coaxial SPDIF input on it yet.
I would recommend you first determine if you absolutely want the remote capability since you have the option to buy A08 pro first then can add the T8 later. So much will be determined by if you need more pre-output level.
T8 does add a headphone output, USB, Optical, Coax inputs which aren't available on the A08 pro.

Following up: Test setup. An RCA switching unit feeding the RCA's of the A08 pro
Upstream of one input was a split RCA signal from my phone with one going to the switch box, the other to the T8.
T8 Output going to a DIFFERENT input of the switch box.
Findings on Levels.
With the T8 at 80 of 99 the T8's bass and treble had to be maxed out to match the sound level as the input from the phone with no inline T8
With the T8 bass and treble set to 0 neutral on a scale of -9 to 9 the T8 volume had to be at 96 to sound level match the phone by itself.
T8 is NOT putting much boost on the signal.
T8 does seem to add some nice dynamics in the music, I do think it sounds better with it.
If you don't need the input additions offered by the T8, nor the remote, I think you should start with the A08 pro only.
I am a bit disappointed the T8 didn't add more to the signal, but I didn't need much boost, and wanted remote enablement.
I almost forgot to add. ALL of this was with the A08 pro maxed out on Bass and Treble.
I suspect putting those at neutral would further emphasize how the T8 doesn't add much.
Every increase of upstream level, I suspect, would produce more gain on the overall output with the A08's Bass and Treble maxed.
I want to note. I was using a simple inline RCA volume knob that is passive and can only reduce the level. Some CD players put a pretty good amount of signal level on the RCA so the passive knob helped. Replacing that with the T8 enabled me to ADD to that level so for my usage, it's great.

I highly appreciate your precise review.
It took me sometime to fully grasp the finer details, as I am here to learn the basics and you showed me the clear differences.
So A08 Pro is enough as a solo source.
As for specifics, is it a good buy for the long run?
Thanks again, have a great day Sir

 

[Kip]

I highly appreciate your precise review.
It took me sometime to fully grasp the finer details, as I am here to learn the basics and you showed me the clear differences.
So A08 Pro is enough as a solo source.
As for specifics, is it a good buy for the long run?
Thanks again, have a great day Sir

I wouldn't call it a source. Unless you mean a source of amplification for the passive speakers. The source is what you are feeding it with. All you need is a cell phone. A 3.5 mm to 2 male RCA cables the A08 pro and some speakers and speaker wire.
I think you should try that first before adding the T8 if you don't need the additions it brings.
You could also omit the 3.5mm and use the bluetooth included on the A08

Amazon.com

 

[Dinesh Menon]

I wouldn't call it a source. Unless you mean a source of amplification for the passive speakers. The source is what you are feeding it with. All you need is a cell phone. A 3.5 mm to 2 male RCA cables the A08 pro and some speakers and speaker wire.
I think you should try that first before adding the T8 if you don't need the additions it brings.
You could also omit the 3.5mm and use the bluetooth included on the A08

Amazon.com

Yes, as a source of amplification.
I would be using RCA cables
to connect it with TV & CD player.
Thanks again, Sir

 

[Repdetect]

Just picked up an A08 pro and really like it. Tone controls are very smooth sounding. I don't care that there is no disengage or flat indent. I am 74 yrs old and don't ever listen to any music flat. I must have tone controls.
Has anyone disengaged the meter or it's LED/Lamp? I listen and watch in a darkened room and dislike the meter light and the useless meter. Instructions would be a big help. I'm not technical but have assembled a couple of Hafler kits ( now you see how old I am), so I can follow good instructions. Thanks much in advance.

 

[Zek]

Has anyone disengaged the meter or it's LED/Lamp?...I'm not technical but have assembled a couple of Hafler kits

If you can open it, simply cut the LED legs and connections from the VU meter.