AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

[rsbroer]

Lovely little unit for the money.
As it uses the NJW1194 tone control, I hoped the menu would provide a BYPASS mode like my Loxjie A40 has.
This does make quite a difference on the Loxjie A40 (for the better) when bypassing the tone controls altogether.
Hope AIYIMA can add that in a future firmware release

 

[nice-sound]

I bought this amp in China for 140 USD.
I also bought the Oatlon M10 G4 speakers for 1000 USD.

I think it’s a really good set especially considering the low price. (I also own B&W802N and Magnepan 1.6QR)

 

[noguerol]

Purchased a month ago. Let me share my first impressions and a problem, in case someone has any clue:

1. The external build quality is very good (except for the remote, which is quite cheap). Mine runs only slightly warm on touch, contrary to most reviews.
2. As others have noted, the firmware has room for improvement; for example, with better screen control and auto-off functionality.

Now, the problem I've encountered: I'm sure my unit has suffered a sudden and significant power loss some days after purchase. Same setup, when I first plugged it I couldn't go past 50 before without it being uncomfortable, and now I can easily max it. I didn't make any changes in the system, I've tried different sources, both channels seem to be working correctly, and I don't hear any distortion or noise. Unfortunately I don't have an alternative power supply to check if thats the problem. Do you have any idea what might be broken?

I'll contact the manufacturer and post their response here.

 

[nice-sound]

Purchased a month ago. Let me share my first impressions and a problem, in case someone has any clue:

1. The external build quality is very good (except for the remote, which is quite cheap). Mine runs only slightly warm on touch, contrary to most reviews.
2. As others have noted, the firmware has room for improvement; for example, with better screen control and auto-off functionality.

Now, the problem I've encountered: I'm sure my unit has suffered a sudden and significant power loss some days after purchase. Same setup, when I first plugged it I couldn't go past 50 before without it being uncomfortable, and now I can easily max it. I didn't make any changes in the system, I've tried different sources, both channels seem to be working correctly, and I don't hear any distortion or noise. Unfortunately I don't have an alternative power supply to check if thats the problem. Do you have any idea what might be broken?

I'll contact the manufacturer and post their response here.

Measure the power supply voltage. Is it 48V or does it decrease when you increase the volume? In that case it’s broken. I assume you use the same input source and level as before when 50 was very loud.

 

[Dilis]

Hi
I have an A80 + 48/5 PSU since 1 year, coming after a D05 and feel really better.

I'm waiting for the new one with a 48/10 PSU from a cheaper alternative brand ( not Aiyiama, double price). I 'll can compare both PSU on 3 different speakers

Which PSU should be better ( I mean, regarding tests)? What about heat?

 

[Dilis]

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

From a Ampapa customer advice :"It does run a little warm with most heat coming from the output coils (60 degrees C!) but there is good ventilation through the amplifier. I own a number of class D amplifiers from other brands and this one is my favourite for a desktop system."
Works with

• DC 48V5A GaN Power Adapter ×1

https://doukaudio.com/products/ampa...-digital-vu-meters-hpf?variant=47672444616936

 

[RandomEar]

Hi
I have an A80 + 48/5 PSU since 1 year, coming after a D05 and feel really better.

I'm waiting for the new one with a 48/10 PSU from a cheaper alternative brand ( not Aiyiama, double price). I 'll can compare both PSU on 3 different speakers

Which PSU should be better ( I mean, regarding tests)? What about heat?

There will be no sound difference but naturally, the 10 A PSU will have slightly more headroom for short power spikes. The limiting factor will then be the amplifier chip. Regarding temperature, the PSU itself might be slightly warmer in standby. But for normal listening (around 0.1 to 1 W), there should be no difference in the amp temperature as there is no difference in voltage and speaker power consumption. If you manage to continously push more than 240 W through your system, it will of course get hotter than what the 5 A supply could push. However, at that level, you will have different problems (blown eardrums, blown speakers, angry neighbours...).

 

[Dilis]

There will be no sound difference but naturally, the 10 A PSU will have slightly more headroom for short power spikes. The limiting factor will then be the amplifier chip. Regarding temperature, the PSU itself might be slightly warmer in standby. But for normal listening (around 0.1 to 1 W), there should be no difference in the amp temperature as there is no difference in voltage and speaker power consumption. If you manage to continously push more than 240 W through your system, it will of course get hotter than what the 5 A supply could push. However, at that level, you will have different problems (blown eardrums, blown speakers, angry neighbours...).

Yep, short power spikes was the goal.
A80 power speakers from 80w max to 250w in 30m2; neighbours are angry since a long time , even living at 150m. so...that could be between 1w and short time 200w !

 

[Axel Endriss]

Purchased a month ago. Let me share my first impressions and a problem, in case someone has any clue:

1. The external build quality is very good (except for the remote, which is quite cheap). Mine runs only slightly warm on touch, contrary to most reviews.
2. As others have noted, the firmware has room for improvement; for example, with better screen control and auto-off functionality.

Now, the problem I've encountered: I'm sure my unit has suffered a sudden and significant power loss some days after purchase. Same setup, when I first plugged it I couldn't go past 50 before without it being uncomfortable, and now I can easily max it. I didn't make any changes in the system, I've tried different sources, both channels seem to be working correctly, and I don't hear any distortion or noise. Unfortunately I don't have an alternative power supply to check if thats the problem. Do you have any idea what might be broken?

I'll contact the manufacturer and post their response here.

Have you figured out what caused the drop in power?

I bought one 2 weeks ago. I haven't experienced the same, but I was a little bit surprised because I had expected the device to be a little more powerful (my Allo Volt+D has less power on paper, but you don't notice that). I'm also a little disappointed with the sound quality. Here too, the Allo Volt+D is clearly ahead.

 

[Dilis]

Have you figured out what caused the drop in power?

I bought one 2 weeks ago. I haven't experienced the same, but I was a little bit surprised because I had expected the device to be a little more powerful (my Allo Volt+D has less power on paper, but you don't notice that). I'm also a little disappointed with the sound quality. Here too, the Allo Volt+D is clearly ahead.

Comparing with Audio Analogue 70w / 8 ohm - 100w/ 4ohm , it is equal.
No feeling of power loss since 1y for me

 

[Axel Endriss]

Comparing with Audio Analogue 70w / 8 ohm - 100w/ 4ohm , it is equal.
No feeling of power loss since 1y for me

Yes, okay, but you initially reported a drop in performance, right?

What I find strange is that the Allo Volt+D delivers 74W at 1% THD with a 31V/3A power supply at 4 ohms, while Aiyima's A80 delivered 142W with a 48V/5A power supply.

I run the Volt+D with a 24V/5A power supply, and the A80 with a 48V/10A, yet the Volt+D is just as loud as the A80.

And it sounds noticeably better on top of that (which I don't quite understand considering the measurements).

 

[RandomEar]

Yes, okay, but you initially reported a drop in performance, right?

What I find strange is that the Allo Volt+D delivers 74W at 1% THD with a 31V/3A power supply at 4 ohms, while Aiyima's A80 delivered 142W with a 48V/5A power supply.

I run the Volt+D with a 24V/5A power supply, and the A80 with a 48V/10A, yet the Volt+D is just as loud as the A80.

And it sounds noticeably better on top of that (which I don't quite understand considering the measurements).

There's no reason the Volt+ shouldn't be just as loud as the A80, unless you are pushing the Volt+ into the power limit and cause clipping. Normal listening levels are in the hundred milliwatts to single digit watts range, both amps easily manage that.

If you set both amps to max volume and turn down the volume on your DAC (which I assume is feeding both amps using RCA), the A80 should play louder than the Volt+, because it has the higher input sensitivity. In Amir's tests, the A80 delivered 5W into 4 Ω at 0.25 V while the Volt+ required 0.46 V for the same power output.

A difference in sound seems unlikely, unless one of your amps is broken. For a valid comparison, you would need to level match them within 0.2 dB (louder almost always sounds better) and switch instantly while playing the same source material. That's usually not easy to do. Sighted testing would also be subject to bias.

 

[Axel Endriss]

There's no reason the Volt+ shouldn't be just as loud as the A80, unless you are pushing the Volt+ into the power limit and cause clipping. Normal listening levels are in the hundred milliwatts to single digit watts range, both amps easily manage that.

If you set both amps to max volume and turn down the volume on your DAC (which I assume is feeding both amps using RCA), the A80 should play louder than the Volt+, because it has the higher input sensitivity. In Amir's tests, the A80 delivered 5W into 4 Ω at 0.25 V while the Volt+ required 0.46 V for the same power output.

A difference in sound seems unlikely, unless one of your amps is broken. For a valid comparison, you would need to level match them within 0.2 dB (louder almost always sounds better) and switch instantly while playing the same source material. That's usually not easy to do. Sighted testing would also be subject to bias.

Thx RandomEar,
you're probably right, because I didn't compare both amplifiers at maximum volume (and with the DAC output turned down).
And when it comes to the difference in sound, I'm comparing a little bit apples and oranges, because with the Volt+D, the analogue signal comes from an Allo Piano 2.1/Kali, while with the A80, I'm using the ESS9038Q2M built into it. Since the latter is probably at least on par with the Piano 2.1/Kali, I would have assumed that this would be negligible. And yes, an A/B comparison as a blind test is no easy feat, but maybe I'll do that at some point.

 

[Dilis]

Yes, okay, but you initially reported a drop in performance, right?

What I find strange is that the Allo Volt+D delivers 74W at 1% THD with a 31V/3A power supply at 4 ohms, while Aiyima's A80 delivered 142W with a 48V/5A power supply.

I run the Volt+D with a 24V/5A power supply, and the A80 with a 48V/10A, yet the Volt+D is just as loud as the A80.

And it sounds noticeably better on top of that (which I don't quite understand considering the measurements).

Perf are good, it is different comparing to Puccini 70, close regarding power; I also listened on 3 different speakers and that was different but good. A80 currently drives well the Oran 4305 wich are quite tricky to do breathe.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Hello Dillis

Do you have a measuring device that can confirm your statement ?

That said, the power available at the output will depend on the gain provided by the amplification pre-stage, not only on the power of the power supply used...

 

[Bryguy]

Has anyone done any measurements of the updated A80? I messaged Aiyima awhile ago asking about its load dependency, and they said something along the lines of "I will pass this along to the engineering team"

Would be pretty neato if they made silent improvements to the performance

 

[Scrutable]

I agree and hope they make it ruler flat. I asked about the uodate and they said there is no change to the frequency dependency.

However: There is really nothing wrong with this amp. The tiny inaccuracy above 10kHz is practically inaudible on program material, there is little musical sound so high in the spectrum, and many of us can barely hear anything at those levels anyway. It is astoundingly powerful and accurate and has an amazing array of preamp functions, all for less than $200 in a miniature footprint. I am listening to mine right now and it continues to amaze.

 

[Bryguy]

Also noticed the A80 page on Aiyima site states "2.1" with its mention of aux out.

I agree and hope they make it ruler flat. I asked about the uodate and they said there is no change to the frequency dependency.

However: There is really nothing wrong with this amp. The tiny inaccuracy above 10kHz is practically inaudible on program material, there is little musical sound so high in the spectrum, and many of us can barely hear anything at those levels anyway. It is astoundingly powerful and accurate and has an amazing array of preamp functions, all for less than $200 in a miniature footprint. I am listening to mine right now and it continues to amaze.

It does seem like a wonderful amp. Thanks for your impressions.

The load dependence should be fairly benign with most decent speakers, but if you're running something with high impedance in the top end, the issue can become more pronounced. My ears can still eek out 15KHz for now, but it's really more about peace of mind for me. Especially when I'm chasing gremlins in my system, I like to know it's not my amp lol

 

[Petike1376]

HHello!
I'm thinking about buying such a device. I haven't seen much experience with the built-in DAC here in the forum. Are there any of you who use it connected to a PC? I currently use a Fiio JM21 DAP connected to an Edifier MR5. If I were to switch to an Aiyima A80 with a good quality speaker, would that make a noticeable difference compared to my current setup? Obviously in terms of volume, yes, but right now I'm mainly thinking about the quality. Or, until I buy the bigger speakers, I would connect the AUX output to the Edifier MR5 and use a PC as the input. Is this a viable option? Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[Bryguy]

Depends on which speakers you use. Is this a desk setup? If so, there's not much of a reason to use passive speakers imo (I say that, though I have passive speakers at my desk lol)