Aiyima A80: TPA3255 Stereo Amplifier with ESS9038Q2M DAC: First Look

[zeluxao]

I think the problem is while PEQ itself might be a feature of many DAC chipsets - you need ways of configuring PEQ - a mobile app or a web UI and that is fairly complicated Software, so for a Hardware companies like Aiyima - they would need to hire developers and almost create a separate engineering section of their company (I am saying this as a Software Architect and Engineer).

Arylic has it.

 

[zeluxao]

Why release something like this without a PEQ in 2024? Extremely weird imo!

If your main worry is peq maybe you can try something like this https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005..._main.416.7f6bcaa4hFNaNa&gatewayAdapt=glo2bra Wondom also has some cheap options with dsp that allow for peq with several options. https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005004895645420.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2bra https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rable-tpa-3255-300w-x-2-mini-amplifier.45395/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/new-wondom-adau1701-dsp-unit.46656/

 

[robbiekhan]

Had a week or so with mine now and upgraded from topping MX3S which in turn was an upgrade from my NAD D 3045 and NAD D 7050. IMO this A80 beats all of them, the Topping is exceptional but doesn't have the power of the A80 and also has a weird USB bug where Windows will unrecognised it until I power it off and on again or disconnect and reconnect the USB cable. None of my other DACs do this so it's specific to the MX3S it seems on my mobo (Gigabytre Z690) and it only happens like once a month maybe twice.

I'm powering a pair of KEF Q300s which I have had for ~12 years and on Tuesday will be having delivered a pair of B&W 707 S3 as I auditioned them today and felt seriously impressed with their stereo imaging and power, finally a more compact speaker than my Q300s that I can call an upgrade in every way for mid-field listening as this is my workstation setup.

I tried OPA828 OpAmps on the A80 too but felt they reduced the sound quality, introduced harshness in the highs with female vocals and reduced the soundstage. Not a good pairing with this amp for sure, meanwhile I find the stock NE5532 to be very good, really well balanced, wide soundstage, nice imaging and balanced highs and lows with no obvious harshness up top so will just use those and call it a day. The tone controls work well too, no complaints.

Only gripe is no numerical volume display, only the volume bar which I've started to accept.

The display does have a coil-whine type high frequency noise I can hear only when it's set to low or medium brightness. It goes away at max brightness or if the display is in the off mode. This seems fairly common with many devices these days with RGB or displays to my ears as they are very sensitive to high frequency coil whine.

The casing gets hot to the touch during long sessions, I measured 49 degrees C on the top of the casing, that's nearly twice as hot as the Toppings and FiiOs I have get. Not sure how this impacts longevity but I do know it can be fairly normal for amps to run hot anyway.

 

[Mario_Primo]

Do you think it's worth replacing my SMSL AO300 with an AIYIMA A80?

 

[JSmith]

ASR review is up;

AIYIMA A80 Stereo Amplifier & DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AIYIMA A80 stereo amplifier and DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $199. As you can see, the A80 sports a nice sized graphical display showing one of the prettiest "VU" meters I have seen. It works well too by auto-ranging...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[Home_135]

Is it possible to make the AIYIMA A80 so that standby mode does not turn on?

 

[Guddu]

Is it possible to make the AIYIMA A80 so that standby mode does not turn on?

There isn't any option to disable it.