Aiyima A20 Mono - New Comer

[StefanC]

Not at all.

I've swapped it out for a pair of e3 A7 monos as the darn things kept switching off while the wife and i watched TV ( volume kept low cos the kid is asleep ).

Highly annoying.

A 12V trigger won't work to keep it awake as well - it turns it on but the low level auto-shut off still goes into effect after 20 minutes. A fundamental design flaw if you ask me.

How do the A20 monos sound compared to the 3e A7?

 

[CPTX]

Wow, that signal sensing shut off issue is not good.

Wonder if a line level booster would be a potential remedy?

 

[Wooferhead]

Is a pair of A20 Mono better than one A20 Stereo in sound quality?

 

[DaaDaa]

The A20 MONO was originally designed with a standby detection threshold of 6 mV, which is already a very low level.

Based on user feedback, we will further optimize the detection threshold to 1 mV to better accommodate extremely low-volume listening scenarios, such as quiet passages in music or late-night listening.

At the same time, the threshold cannot simply be lowered indefinitely. The noise floor of some older tube preamps may exceed 500 μV, which could potentially be detected as an audio signal and prevent the A20 MONO from entering standby mode.

We believe that 1 mV provides a better balance between reliable standby operation and sensitivity to extremely low-level audio signals.

Thank you all for your valuable feedback and suggestions!

It’s not just about the amplitude of the input signal, a correct implementation has a timer that shuts the unit off after 10minutes or some other pre set duration of silence. The unit should not turn off immediately upon detecting silence. That’s obviously wrong as a movie may have a long period of silence or a use may mute the e as signal to have a conversation or phone call

 

[AIYIMA]

Not at all.

I've swapped it out for a pair of e3 A7 monos as the darn things kept switching off while the wife and i watched TV ( volume kept low cos the kid is asleep ).

Highly annoying.

A 12V trigger won't work to keep it awake as well - it turns it on but the low level auto-shut off still goes into effect after 20 minutes. A fundamental design flaw if you ask me.

The A20 MONO was originally designed with a standby detection threshold of 6 mV, which is already a very low level.

Based on user feedback, we will further optimize the detection threshold to 1 mV to better accommodate extremely low-volume listening scenarios, such as quiet passages in music or late-night listening.

At the same time, the threshold cannot simply be lowered indefinitely. The noise floor of some older tube preamps may exceed 500 μV, which could potentially be detected as an audio signal and prevent the A20 MONO from entering standby mode.

We believe that 1 mV provides a better balance between reliable standby operation and sensitivity to extremely low-level audio signals.

Thank you all for your valuable feedback and suggestions!

 

[AIYIMA]

It’s not just about the amplitude of the input signal, a correct implementation has a timer that shuts the unit off after 10minutes or some other pre set duration of silence. The unit should not turn off immediately upon detecting silence. That’s obviously wrong as a movie may have a long period of silence or a use may mute the e as signal to have a conversation or phone call

Thank you for your feedback. Just to clarify, the A20 MONO does not enter standby immediately when the input signal drops below the detection threshold.

Its current standby logic requires 20 consecutive minutes without a detected audio signal before entering standby mode. Therefore, a brief silent passage in a movie, muting the system for a conversation or phone call, etc., will not cause the amplifier to enter standby immediately.

We appreciate your feedback on the standby behavior and will continue to optimize the detection threshold to ensure reliable operation in different listening scenarios.

 

[phoberus]

Based on user feedback, we will further optimize the detection threshold to 1 mV to better accommodate extremely low-volume listening scenarios, such as quiet passages in music or late-night listening.

So will there be an updated version? How will we know when it’s available, and from when will it be available?

 

[eswa86]

Hej! New user hear just having bought a pair powering my Triangle Br04's nicely so far. But I think the light behind the VU meter is quite bright. Does anyone know for some protector/film that can darken the glass a bit? Don't really known what to look for, my Google results give me mainly (car)windowshading film.


Sorry if it has been asked a lot before.

 

[CPTX]

Small piece of car window tint is likely the best option…I’d start with the lightest tint

 

[Mark185]

How do the A20 monos sound compared to the 3e A7?

Look at difference in output inductor size between A20 mono and 3E Audio A7.

The 3E Audio amp's inductors are physically larger and wound with flat wire which usually means lower resistance and better thermal properties. The quality and size of the inductors has an effect on the power level when saturation sets in leading to increased distortion. If price is comparable between the A7 and a pair of A20 mono amps, The A7 should win hands down. FWIW I own a 3E A7 and an Aiyima A20 stereo amplifier. At normal listening levels (not cranked to max volume) both sound quite good and I doubt many people could hear a difference. I also doubt there is a significant sonic difference between the A20 mono and A20 stereo amplifiers. The internal parts are mostly the same. A20 mono may have a better op amp but I am in the camp that says op amp rolling does not change the sound.

 

[eswa86]

Thank you for your feedback (...) different listening scenarios.

Now I have these for a couple of days and have encountered that low-volume-shut-off issue. I listen often to low volume background music and it does indeed turn off after 20min. For me, low volume is already if you have it playing lower than calmly talking human voices, so this kinda makes the amps unusable for me. I use the 12v trigger (with a y-splitter) since they live higher up on a shelf and I don't want to turn on 2 devices all the time. Only connecting 1 to the 12vtrigger doesn't fix it btw.

There is no way to disable that shut off? I want them to shut off whenever my source device (Wiim Ultra) shuts off. If not, then unfortunately I have to return them and others be warned! Hoping a MK2 doesn't have this feature, or at least an option to switch it off.

 

[MGJ]

Thanks for your observations of the amp eswa86. I have read that the trigger input does not override the standby timer and that the meter light stays on when the amp is in standby mode. Some have said that the meter itself is a bit disappointing (its movements don't always reflect what is being heard).

 

[geol]

Why this trend of fake XLR connectors?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Why this trend of fake XLR connectors?

 

[Sonyman]

Recived two and they go standby after 20 min, with music on low volume . useless

 

[john61ct]

Why this trend of fake XLR connectors?

Sorry, can you explain?

 

[Mark185]

Why this trend of fake XLR connectors?

Are you saying the XLR inputs are fake because they work with 3 pin XLR and with 1/4" TRS plugs? That is not fake. That is flexibility to use 2 different types of cables/connectors land have balanced input no matter what you use.

 

[geol]

I prefer standard XLR.

 

[john61ct]

Aha. No, 3-pin XLR vs 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS jacks are both standard for balanced connections.

This type of balanced input is called a "combo port", and its ability to accept either jack type is a pro feature, no disadvantage at all, neither mechanical / electrical nor any SQ downside.

On pro gear, another type of 1/4"-only "combo" port auto-switches level/impedance, accepting both TR SE and TRS balanced inputs, but in this case if you have the former, just use passive RCA barrel adapters.

There is nothing "fake" about any of this, and no rational reasons afaik to have such a preference

 

[eswa86]

Thanks for your observations of the amp eswa86. I have read that the trigger input does not override the standby timer and that the meter light stays on when the amp is in standby mode. Some have said that the meter itself is a bit disappointing (its movements don't always reflect what is being heard).

Myea the VU's are more of a visual gimmick than that they actually display the actual music. They swing out to max even at low/moderate volume, so more of a nice characterfull visual addition than something that gives information.