AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

[Casimir101]

Hello, I have a question. The included USB stick contains the ASIO driver. When I install this driver, I encounter problems under Windows 11 with the sound lagging and stuttering. I've now uninstalled the ASIO driver and am using the Windows internal USB-C driver. Will this limit me in any way, or will the A80 also work without issues with the Windows internal driver? One more small question: Is it true that the A80 converts everything via the internal jack except for the RCA input? Thanks for your answers.

 

[robbiekhan]

You don't need any ASIO driver as Windows supports WASAPI Exclusive mode internally for any app that would otherwise use ASIO, should you desire to use exclusive mode. Otherwise just use the default WASAPI Shared mode. WASAPI Exclusive and ASIO do the same thing, ASIO is just third party.

You are not losing anything by not installing the driver, which is only giving ASIO anyway.

Don't know about the conversion bit though.

 

[Casimir101]

That means the Bravo-HD driver is the ASIO driver, right? If not, what kind of driver is it? It's on the A80's stick.

 

[robbiekhan]

Bravo HD is like a universal driver used by a bunch of vendors, yeah it's just ASIO. Sometimes you get an ASIO control panel applet that runs in the system tray to view ASIO status and stuff but none of that is needed.

 

[Hare Hare]

Got one for driving Elac DBR62. It does that fine, but runs hot. I saw some threads on Reddit, but I am not sure how worried should I be. Is this normal? I don’t have temperature reader, but I world guess about 50 C/122F.

 

[Casimir101]

Got one for driving Elac DBR62. It does that fine, but runs hot. I saw some threads on Reddit, but I am not sure how worried should I be. Is this normal? I don’t have temperature reader, but I world guess about 50 C/122F.

Hi Hare, yes, the A80 gets around 50 degrees Celsius, and that's not healthy without cooling. For that reason, you can easily place a fan under the A80 and the temperature will drop to around 25 degrees Celsius. I bought this one from eAmazon myself, but installed an even quieter fan.

It costs €12, or about $10. It's worth it!

I have a post here that bypasses the standby mode of the A80!

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

Has anyone else tried the 1612 OPAs on the A80 and swapped them for the NE5532, and are they recommended as an upgrade? Thanks for any answers. ;) Carsten Hi Cas. Reportedly, rolling op amps doesn't make a difference. I don't understand why, but there is no measurable difference. See video. Doug

audiosciencereview.com

 

[Hare Hare]

Hi Hare, yes, the A80 gets around 50 degrees Celsius, and that's not healthy without cooling. For that reason, you can easily place a fan under the A80 and the temperature will drop to around 25 degrees Celsius. I bought this one from eAmazon myself, but installed an even quieter fan.

Thank you but… no that is out of the question. That looks like fantastic clutter. I bought a80 precisely because it is small and unobtrusive. Guess I will take my chances.

 

[robbiekhan]

It's not going to be an issue, mine remained fine until I upgraded it.

 

[Hare Hare]

Thank you for reply. Being idle (with screen on) it is still remaining warm. Is this normal?
Did you replace your A80?

 

[robbiekhan]

I upgraded it with a Topping PA7 which runs just as hot. This is fairly normal.

 

[Guddu]

Got one for driving Elac DBR62. It does that fine, but runs hot. I saw some threads on Reddit, but I am not sure how worried should I be. Is this normal? I don’t have temperature reader, but I world guess about 50 C/122F.

I can say it runs probably lower in temp. than many other similar ones with 48v PSU. If you have a 32 or 36v psu then give it a try, it would barely run warm with those, unless you need additional power that comes by 48v.

 

[Hare Hare]

Another question. Can i connect amp to only one speaker? Can I damage the amp if only one output is used?

 

[Arktez]

If you compare A80 to Aiyima A70 which is better in terms of sound quality only?

 

[Guddu]

If you compare A80 to Aiyima A70 which is better in terms of sound quality only?

Don't know what parameter you want for SQ but A70 has better measurements and transparent to pair with any decent DAC.
If you already have a DAC then go for A70.
If not then A80 is Do it all. Use digital input directly and you won't miss anything.

 

[Guddu]

Another question. Can i connect amp to only one speaker?

Yes, no problem. But why not just get something that can be switched to mono/stereo (like A07 max) or simply get a mono amp.

Can I damage the amp if only one output is used?

Most likely you won't.

 

[Arktez]

Don't know what parameter you want for SQ but A70 has better measurements and transparent to pair with any decent DAC.
If you already have a DAC then go for A70.
If not then A80 is Do it all. Use digital input directly and you won't miss anything.

I want to get Laiv uDAC, after that built in DAC in A80 will be useless. Also it is worth to purchase better 10A PSU to A70? It will bring any noticeable improvements in sound or just more power to bigger, more power hungry speakers?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I want to get Laiv uDAC, after that built in DAC in A80 will be useless. Also it is worth to purchase better 10A PSU to A70? It will bring any noticeable improvements in sound or just more power to bigger, more power hungry speakers?

The bigger power supply only gives more headroom if you actually need it for less sensitive/efficient speakers.

 

[Arktez]

The bigger power supply only gives more headroom if you actually need it for less sensitive/efficient speakers.

If i get Elac Debut Reference b6, Elac Debut b6.3 or Elac Carina bs243.4 i don't need this bigger power suply?

 

[Guddu]

I want to get Laiv uDAC, after that built in DAC in A80 will be useless. Also it is worth to purchase better 10A PSU to A70? It will bring any noticeable improvements in sound or just more power to bigger, more power hungry speakers?

If i get Elac Debut Reference b6, Elac Debut b6.3 or Elac Carina bs243.4 i don't need this bigger power suply?

I would buy 48v 10a psu and be done with it, trust me this feeling or curiosity isn't good even though you may not be able to max out power on a 48v 5a psu.
Any extra power isn't bad even if you don't use it, unless the price difference is bothering you.
And its just not about the purchase you are making now (i.e., A70 or any other for that matter), that 10a could be used with your next amplifier if these manufacturers come up with something optimized in their future iterations of these amplifiers that could use 10a even in better way.

 

[Arktez]

Ok, good idea, price doesn't bother me that much. I still don't know which amp is better, do i have to test and listen both? Now i have A80, very good sound with Fiio k11 r2r dac+ Elac Debut Reference b6. But this review of A70 which it looks better on mearusements... I can't stop thinking about it