AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

[SoySalsaPicante]

Hello! Is this an integrated stereo amp (preamp + amp) or simply a DAC with a power amp? It is not clear from the documentation. Cheers!

There is no actual preamplification/added gain or analog volume attenuator before the power amplification stage, so it is essentially a power amp with an integrated DAC that performs digital volume attenuation.

 

[Casimir101]

I think a case fan is needed for this level of performance. Since the case gets quite hot, 50 to 60 degrees Celsius, the very good DAC transfers enough heat to the chassis. I have a fan under my A80 and the temperature stays lukewarm, I'd estimate around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Even with my SX52B op-amps, the temperature doesn't change. So far, I can't find any fault except for the temperature... but something can be done about that if you want. The sound, in any case, is amazing. The A80 with the new op-amps sounds fantastic.

 

[Balinus]

There is no actual preamplification/added gain or analog volume attenuator before the power amplification stage, so it is essentially a power amp with an integrated DAC that performs digital volume attenuation.

oh... I see. If I have an external DAC which outputs to RCA, I should bypass it and use the (optical) digital input of the A80? (sorry, not an expert, but learning!)

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

oh... I see. If I have an external DAC which outputs to RCA, I should bypass it and use the (optical) digital input of the A80? (sorry, not an expert, but learning!)

I believe that this might be the better implementation for A80, yes. But I think there might have been a grounding issue in the test affecting the analog input, so perhaps the analog input is better than we might think. Unless I'm confusing the testing of this amp with the testing of Vibelink.

 

[nirurin]

Can the screen be turned off entirely, or dimmed?
Also something I've seen asked but not answered (and I haven't seen any reviews that show an option for it) but can the output volumes be balanced independantly? as in left/right be different volumes? What about the sub-out?

Thanks

 

[Balinus]

Can the screen be turned off entirely, or dimmed?
Also something I've seen asked but not answered (and I haven't seen any reviews that show an option for it) but can the output volumes be balanced independantly? as in left/right be different volumes? What about the sub-out?

Thanks

I have it since today. I can't turn off the screen sadly (I was hoping I could, and I thought "sure, there is an option to turn it off, say after 5 seconds of inactivity", but no). There is no balance setting between the speakers.

 

[wintrmute]

70-140W max output at 90% efficiency would require dissipating 7-14W worst case.

The thing I don't understand is why this amp runs so hot, even when it's running at very low outputs!
I can have it at a very low volume, late at night, and it's probably outputting 5W - which should mean 0.5W wasted as heat. Yet the case will still be very hot.

 

[thm_jpl]

The thing I don't understand is why this amp runs so hot, even when it's running at very low outputs!
I can have it at a very low volume, late at night, and it's probably outputting 5W - which should mean 0.5W wasted as heat. Yet the case will still be very hot.

I'm using 20V input so may be a bit higher at 48V but this is what I see:
- Shut down - <1W
- No signal - 4.3W
- Active no music 10%-100% backlight - 6W to 6.5W
- Playing music, not very loud - same 6W

Something must be wrong/different if your case is getting hot. Do you have a power meter that can measure how much it takes from the wall?

 

[Balinus]

I do feel mine is also hot, but nothing unexpected imho. I mean, there's a lot of power in a small enclosure.

 

[Scrutable]

Just got one of these and it works great. I am using it only on Bluetooth so far and it pairs easily.

My unit does not run hot at all. This apparently newer rev level has holes in the case not only on the side but also the bottom (fully vented) and the top (a row of vents). Perhaps that change was in response to reports of extra heat.

I also saw a very similar unit branded as "Ampapa". It has a glass top, an internal LED to illuminate the view, a slightly different remote, and a couple of extra virtual VU meters. Otherwise looks exactly the same. Does anyone know if this is the same unit under the skin (seems so), and if so, who is the actual manufacturer?

 

[Balinus]

Just got one of these and it works great. I am using it only on Bluetooth so far and it pairs easily.

My unit does not run hot at all. This apparently newer rev level has holes in the case not only on the side but also the bottom (fully vented) and the top (a row of vents). Perhaps that change was in response to reports of extra heat.

I also saw a very similar unit branded as "Ampapa". It has a glass top, an internal LED to illuminate the view, a slightly different remote, and a couple of extra virtual VU meters. Otherwise looks exactly the same. Does anyone know if this is the same unit under the skin (seems so), and if so, who is the actual manufacturer?

This would be this amp? Looks nicer than the Aiyama

Ampapa D1 HIFI TPA3255 Amplifier with Digital VU Meter

Features Ampapa × Douk Audio Collaboration: Built on the acclaimed Douk Audio A5 amp, the D1 retains core features like TPA3255 chip, HPF, PRE-OUT, socketed op-amps—now upgraded with digital VU display, TRS balanced input, Bluetooth 5.2, treble/bass control, remote and more for next-gen HiFi...

doukaudio.com

 

[Scrutable]

Yes, that's the one. If those are the same amps then they should presumably test the same also. Seems like maybe there is an upstream contract designer/manufacturer that is wholesaling to marketing firms.

 

[Balinus]

Yes, that's the one. If those are the same amps then they should presumably test the same also. Seems like maybe there is an upstream contract designer/manufacturer that is wholesaling to marketing firms.

The inputs are not the same though

 

[Scrutable]

Whoops you are correct. Pretty close though. The software at least for the display is also different.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Got one last week for my bedroom system. Its predecessor lost one of its inputs. I'm happy with it overall. To my ears it works like a wire with a volume control. I have relatively efficient speakers and listen at low to moderate volumes. My average volume control setting is in the mid to high 20s. The vu meters rarely get above -40. It's not a big deal. The spectrum meter does respond at my listening levels. I have an odd problem with my Raspberry Pis that I get also with other DACs. I have 3 plus a Window$ mini computer connected to the USB input through a USB switch. The Raspberry Pis are running CamillaDSP. The volume level is often very low when I turn it on. If I switch the DSP off and then back on the volume level returns to normal. Sometimes I have to unplug the switch from the amp. The Window$ machine works normally. A minor annoyance is having to cycle through the inputs rather than pick one directly. One thing that crosses my mind is 1970 dollars. In 1970 The $190 I spent would have bought me a low end 20-30 wpc amp. Of course 190 1970 dollars is, by the BLS inflation calculator, a bit over $1600 today. The price I paid today is about $22 in 1970, the price of an OK but not high end table radio. Audio equipment is one of the few things I've seen get better and cheaper in my lifetime.

 

[damjov]

hello,
i was using smsl raw ha1 with monitor audio bronze 100 speakers. it die after one year of use and now i would like to replace it with AIYIMA A80. someone with more experience can tell me... would this AIYIMA sound similar in terms of power and quality? if i can expect same sound quality i will be happy to give a chance to the A80 thanks for your feedback

 

[carsonpoland]

Its just work like that. I would love to see 4th screen without UV meteres but with bigger infos like selected input. From 2-3m its unreadable and UV barely moves.

@AIYIMA can you add 4th screen?

What a customer service! top notch. @AIYIMA just send me a free upgrade kit for A80. I bought A80 3 months ago. They even include screwdrivers. Finally ill be able to see what input im choosing

 

[Balinus]

What a customer service! top notch. @AIYIMA just send me a free upgrade kit for A80. I bought A80 3 months ago. They even include screwdrivers. Finally ill be able to see what input im choosing

You wrote to them?? I wish I had the updated version. Bought it 2 weeks ago... @AIYIMA

 

[carsonpoland]

You wrote to them?? I wish I had the updated version. Bought it 2 weeks ago... @AIYIMA

yes, u have to contact with aiyima

 

[Balinus]

They also agreed to send me the updated panel for free (waiting for the part). They mentioned though that the Bluetooth reset would not work with the updated panel.