AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

[SoySalsaPicante]

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.

This is what I’d do, so I agree. Buy once, cry once.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

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

You already have the A80. Just enjoy that for now, and if you really want an objective performance improvement, keep saving up for something with Hypex or Purifi inside instead of TPA3255.

 

[Arktez]

You already have the A80. Just enjoy that for now, and if you really want an objective performance improvement, keep saving up for something with Hypex or Purifi inside instead of TPA3255.

Yes i have it, but still i can return it for full money and get cheaper A70 for 40EUR less, and get for that better PSU or better opamps.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Yes i have it, but still i can return it for full money and get cheaper A70 for 40EUR less, and get for that better PSU or better opamps.

Given that, yeah, return it for the A70 with the upgraded power supply. Don't bother messing with the op-amps.

 

[Arktez]

Yes i have it, but still i can return it for full money and get cheaper A70 for 40EUR less, and get for that better PSU or better opamps.

Changing opamps will not change the sound? I heared that SX35B opamps are very good to this amps.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Changing opamps will not change the sound? I heared that SX35B opamps are very good to this amps.

Please see this:

'Op-amp Rolling Using Sparkos on Fosi V3 Mono'

Apr 2, 2025

This is a study of measured differences if one swaps up the TI NE5532p dual IC op-amp in a Fosi V3 Mono amplifier with a "discrete" opamp from Sparkos. It is a test requested in the youtube comments of my video test of the same using Douk A5 and Sonic Imagery op-amp. The Sparkos SS3602 retails for US $79.80 but I found a discount coupon that brought the cost down to $74.33 with shipping included.

Per Fosi documentation, there are three op-amps. The one at the bottom is only for unbalanced/balanced conversion. That leaves two op-amps to swap. Company says if you...

• amirm
• Replies: 358
• Forum: Stereo and Multichannel Amplifier Reviews

• 

And this:

'Sparkos SS3602 Opamp Rolling In Fosi P4'

Apr 3, 2025

This is a detailed measurements of effect of swapping the stock NE5532P op-amp in Fosi P4 preamplifier with Sparkos SS3602 "discrete" opamp. The SS3602 costs US $79.80 and the NE5532P, US $0.47.

Swapping opamps in P4 is more challenging due to back connectors/switches that need to be disconnected. I am not sure how successful I will be putting it back together as some of the tiny screws are almost stripped now. I looked and there was no obvious mention of swapping opamps in P4 from Fosi so I suggest not trying it regardless of what you are about to see.

So far, we have...

• amirm
• Replies: 347
• Forum: Stereo and Multichannel Amplifier Reviews

• 

And this:

'Amplifier Op-amp Rolling Part 2 [Video]'

Apr 24, 2025

Follow up video I did on op-amp rolling, covering the latest two tests:

[And subscribe to the channel ]

• amirm
• Replies: 102
• Forum: Audio Science Review Video Channel

• 

 

[Guddu]

Yes i have it, but still i can return it for full money and get cheaper A70 for 40EUR less, and get for that better PSU or better opamps.

Given that you have a DAC you already prefer, I would softly suggest to go with A70. If anything, you will have an amplifier from best of TPA3255 category to keep the urge down. I would also softly suggest to use balanced connection if your DAC has.

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

I do have both A70 as well as A80 (in fact many more other TPA3255 amps), here are 2 threads I started for owners/users to share their feedback/opinions. Hope you might find some good info:

'Aiyima A70 [TPA3255 PFFB Stereo] - User Impressions | Owner's Thread'

Jun 6, 2024

Dear FMs, [<< If you haven't seen Amir's review yet (which is super unlikely): Amir's Measurements & Review of Aiyima A70>>]

I am hoping that it will keep other measurement & review thread limited to its purpose and rest could get a place here in this thread.

I mean to summarize:
> what I get as a buyer or user of Aiyima A70 Stereo Amplifier
> aspects other than measurements that you might be interested in
> testing features & functions to see if there are any issues and how could get around those, if any
> I also hope that this...

• Guddu
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Stereo and Multichannel Amplifier Reviews

• 

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

Jan 31, 2025

Dear FMs,

Putting up this thread Aiyima's new A80 DAC + Amplifier - User Impressions, feedback/issues & observations.
Product Details: AIYIMA's Portal

Quick Summary technical components inside Aiyima A80:
- Amplifier: TPA3255D2 with PFFB ckt
- DAC used: ESS9038Q2M
- Digital volume control, input control and tone control: NJW1194
- Bluetooth: QCC3040 - supports AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX-LL, APTX-HD
- USB Controller: SA9137L - supports 32bit/384KHz transmission
- OPAmps onboard: OPA1656+NE5532

I have been using A80 unit from about 2 weeks now, Here I mean to...

• Guddu
• Replies: 102
• Forum: Digital Audio Player Reviews and Discussions (DAP)

• 

 

[carsonpoland]

Anyone using aux as sub output on A80? im hearing quiet buzzing from sub after turning off A80. I have also aiyima D03 which doesnt have such a problem with sub.

 

[Laisseez]

Am I doing something wrong because the VU meter doesn't move at all at lower volume levels?

 

[carsonpoland]

Am I doing something wrong because the VU meter doesn't move at all at lower volume levels?

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?

 

[wintrmute]

I'm surprised at how hot the Aiyama A80 runs. I thought Class D amps were like 99% efficient? This one gets quite hot (over 40 degrees) even at low volumes.
I came from a Topping PA3s which ran very cool, by comparison.

I've also noticed a very slight audible hiss coming through my speakers with the Aiyama. I don't notice it really, until the amp goes into standby mode and suddenly I'm aware of the _lack_ of the hiss.

I wondered if these issues are normal or did I get a defective unit?

 

[Casimir101]

I'm surprised at how hot the Aiyama A80 runs. I thought Class D amps were like 99% efficient? This one gets quite hot (over 40 degrees) even at low volumes.
I came from a Topping PA3s which ran very cool, by comparison.

I've also noticed a very slight audible hiss coming through my speakers with the Aiyama. I don't notice it really, until the amp goes into standby mode and suddenly I'm aware of the _lack_ of the hiss.

I wondered if these issues are normal or did I get a defective unit?

There's no hissing on my device, even when I turn the volume control all the way up. However, I swapped the NE5532P OPC for a very good SX52B. There shouldn't be any noise or hissing via the USB-C (digital) connection. To test, connect it to another PC, such as a laptop.

 

[wintrmute]

There's no hissing on my device, even when I turn the volume control all the way up. However, I swapped the NE5532P OPC for a very good SX52B. There shouldn't be any noise or hissing via the USB-C (digital) connection. To test, connect it to another PC, such as a laptop.

Yeah, there's definitely a (very small) amount of noise that plays when it's turned on, regardless of whether it's on RCA inputs or USB-C.

It's very high frequency, and very quiet, but it is audible. Swapping back to the Topping PA3s, I get actual dead silence.

 

[Casimir101]

Yeah, there's definitely a (very small) amount of noise that plays when it's turned on, regardless of whether it's on RCA inputs or USB-C.

It's very high frequency, and very quiet, but it is audible. Swapping back to the Topping PA3s, I get actual dead silence.

Since no other review confirms this error, I suspect that your device might not be OK. Exchange the device. There are now several versions of the A80. Mine is version 2, the old one was only version 1.

Version 1 = old

Version 2 = New

 

[Scrivs]

That Op Amp sandwich has a humorous countenance.
I'm sure they have an equally humorous price tag.
Chuckle heads gonna chuckle.

 

[Casimir101]

That Op Amp sandwich has a humorous countenance.
I'm sure they have an equally humorous price tag.
Chuckle heads gonna chuckle.

Hi Schreiber, no, the two together cost only about €28 on Ali. And I rated the A80 sound from 7.5 to about 9. Highly recommended.

 

[wintrmute]

Since no other review confirms this error, I suspect that your device might not be OK. Exchange the device. There are now several versions of the A80. Mine is version 2, the old one was only version 1.

What's the difference between version 1 and 2?

I bought my unit on Aliexpress, so based on my previous experiences, it's not cost effective to return/exchange things.

 

[Casimir101]

I can't say because I don't know. But I can say that there's no background noise on my a80, and I have version 2.There should be no background noise via the USB C as it is controlled digitally.

 

[wintrmute]

I asked Google AI Search what the difference is, and it said:
The difference between the Aiyima A80 version 1 and version 2 is version 2 uses the newer ESS ES9038Q2M instead of the ES9038Q2M in version 1.

Classic AI rubbish.

 

[Casimir101]

I asked Google AI Search what the difference is, and it said:
The difference between the Aiyima A80 version 1 and version 2 is version 2 uses the newer ESS ES9038Q2M instead of the ES9038Q2M in version 1.

Classic AI rubbish.

Record the noise and upload it to me on YouTube. ... How old is your motherboard? Older than 3-5 years?