Aiyima A80: DAC(ESS9038Q2M) + Amplifier(TPA3255 PFFB) - User Impressions | Owner's Thread

[Svend P]

I'm not alone in that opinion, and that's a good thing.

This is a site for science, not opinions.

 

[Casimir101]

Doesn't make it true, though. Lots of people believe in stuff that's probably incorrect.

Ask yourself the following questions:
1) Are you competent in designing electronic circuits?
2) Do you understand how the circuit you are modifying works in detail?
3) Did you simulate, calculate or measure the outcome of changing the components in question?

If your answer to any of these questions is "No", you almost certainly made the circuit work worse than without your alterations.

These device have been designed by very competent engineers with years of training and experience, using detailed calculations and specialized software and often guided by proven reference designs by chip manufacturers with decades of experience. Unless you match that level of knowledge, which chance do you think you've got to improve on such a design by essentially randomly grabbing parts from a bin and shoving them in there?

That has nothing to do with belief; I can hear the difference. Wow, try it yourself. I seriously doubt that you've ever tested a DAC with a Sparkaos against an ancient NE5532P. You're drawing your conclusions from just one video. I've tested it and I know what I'm talking about, since I listen to the sound every day.

 

[Guddu]

@Casimir101
Please continue opamp related discussions on dedicated opamp related threads, that would be perfect place for it.

Let’s please use this thread to share feedback specifically for Aiyima A80 only.

 

[Casimir101]

Doesn't make it true, though. Lots of people believe in stuff that's probably incorrect.

Ask yourself the following questions:
1) Are you competent in designing electronic circuits?
2) Do you understand how the circuit you are modifying works in detail?
3) Did you simulate, calculate or measure the outcome of changing the components in question?

If your answer to any of these questions is "No", you almost certainly made the circuit work worse than without your alterations.

These device have been designed by very competent engineers with years of training and experience, using detailed calculations and specialized software and often guided by proven reference designs by chip manufacturers with decades of experience. Unless you match that level of knowledge, which chance do you think you've got to improve on such a design by essentially randomly grabbing parts from a bin and shoving them in there?

Here's an example: The Micca RB42 (€160) has almost the same frequency response as the much more expensive KEFLS50 (€1400) and is also rated exactly the same. See photo. However, the two speakers don't sound identical. The measured frequency response is very similar. And yet, the two speakers don't sound the same. An example of why every OPA sounds different. The 627AU doesn't sound like the NE5532P, and the SX52B sounds like the Sparkos.
There is a difference even if it is not measurable. !

 

[RandomEar]

That has nothing to do with belief; I can hear the difference. Wow, try it yourself. I seriously doubt that you've ever tested a DAC with a Sparkaos against an ancient NE5532P. You're drawing your conclusions from just one video. I've tested it and I know what I'm talking about, since I listen to the sound every day.

You think you hear a difference. That's not the same as there being a difference. Read a bit about bias and try to understand why our sense of hearing is unreliable and deceptive.

You're also missing my second point: Even if there was any audible difference - which is unlikely with opamps - the device would perform worse with your alterations. Why make it worse for more money? That's just a waste.

Your tangential argument about speakers is irrelevant here. There are big differences in speaker performance, which are continuously demonstrated on ASR by multiple reviewers. The differences are easily measured and audible. Speakers are not electronic devices, it doesn't make sense to compare them to amps.

 

[Casimir101]

I'm the only one here who isn't biased. I can clearly say that for me, there's definitely a huge difference. You're just saying that theoretically it can't be...

who says it has to be that way? Your answer is completely baseless. I'm ending this ridiculous discussion here. I can only reiterate that the A80 with the DAC and a different op-amp than the standard NE5532 is two classes better. And audibly so. Period.

 

[RandomEar]

I'm the only one here who isn't biased.

That's literally impossible and if you read the linked article about bias, you would understand that. Please read more and argue less. There's a huge amount of knowledge on this forum. Use it to your advantage.

I can clearly say that for me, there's definitely a huge difference. You're just saying that theoretically it can't be...

I'm saying that your impression is biased, which it is because you're a human and not a robot. I'm also saying it's extremely unlikely, not impossible. Please read more carefully.

who says it has to be that way? Your answer is completely baseless.

Logic and science. My arguments are based in science and therefore the opposite of baseless. If you want to refute my point of view, you will need to provide objective evidence.

 

[ZeroInfinity]

For people who live in warmer countries and have issues with heat, I repasted the amp with great success. I used Honeywell's PTM 7950 phase change thermal pad. Now the case heats up more (which is a sign of better heat transfer). The heatsink of the tpa3255 chip makes contact with the bottom of the case, and the entire cased is used as a passive radiator. Lifting up the amp from its stock feet also improves temps.

 

[EddiM]

For people who live in warmer countries and have issues with heat, I repasted the amp with great success. I used Honeywell's PTM 7950 phase change thermal pad. Now the case heats up more (which is a sign of better heat transfer). The heatsink of the tpa3255 chip makes contact with the bottom of the case, and the entire cased is used as a passive radiator. Lifting up the amp from its stock feet also improves temps.

AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

The sound is there even if I unplug the USB and RCA jacks, so don't think it's actually coming from the computer. (It's plugged into a Macbook Pro M4) I will try and get a recording. That's a good idea.

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Guddu]

AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

The sound is there even if I unplug the USB and RCA jacks, so don't think it's actually coming from the computer. (It's plugged into a Macbook Pro M4) I will try and get a recording. That's a good idea.

www.audiosciencereview.com

I meant
I feel it might be unnecessary unless unit is years old, shouldn’t be happening.
#edit

 

[EddiM]

I feel it might be unnecessary unless unit is years old

What do you mean ? My unit was bought few months ago

 

[Guddu]

What do you mean ? My unit was bought few months ago

My bad, pls scratch that comment. I read later that you had that issue with it and meant something slightly different but autocorrect making things difficult.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Guddu]

Aiyima A80's re-birth with some changes/upgrades

Looks like some of the things I missed have been added..... good additions @AIYIMA
This is what I said in OP:

 

[Jeromeof]

Yes Aiyima have a YouTube video up on how to replace the board:

 

[Casimir101]

Thx ... I bought the new interface. It costs about €21 on AliExpress. I especially like that the auto standby is disabled. It makes the A80 absolutely perfect with the SX52B. Awesome piece of kit!

 

[Amiir]

Is the unit they are selling at Amazon right now an upgraded one?

 

[Guddu]

Is the unit they are selling at Amazon right now an upgraded one?

I think - YES.

 

[Ampuser]

Thx ... I bought the new interface. It costs about €21 on AliExpress. I especially like that the auto standby is disabled. It makes the A80 absolutely perfect with the SX52B. Awesome piece of kit!

Hi, Can you still switch the display off on the new version when the amplifier is playing music? I cant see any "lightbulb" button on the new version of remote control like ther was on the old one.

 

[Casimir101]

@Sowst Unfortunately, you can't completely turn off the display. You can adjust it in 10% increments from 10% to 100%.
The best thing is that you can turn the car standby off.

 

[Ampuser]

@Sowst Unfortunately, you can't completely turn off the display. You can adjust it in 10% increments from 10% to 100%.
The best thing is that you can turn the car standby off.

Thanks, that's a feature I will miss then. I am not sure I understand what the "turn off standby" feature would be useful for? Can you tell me if it still displays a message on the screen when it has auto switched itself to standby after 5 mins of no signal, like the old version does ?