While looks are subjective (and I really don't see it here), can you describe the sound more (subjectively of course)?
I don't have much experience with fancy amps. I've mostly been using 5+ year old AVRs and sub-$100 Chinese chip-type amps. So I understand what bad clipping sounds like, but that's about it.
I got to max volume and didn't hear any awful/obvious clipping on rock/electronica. At normal listening volumes (< 90 db) it seems totally clean. I'm usually listening between -23 db and -17 db on the volume display.
What do you mean the remote works fine? -does it work in any direction and does not have to be aimed directly at the device?
I have my amp just above the floor, and there is a table in the way most of the time, so I have to do some repositioning and aiming. What I'm trying to say is, I can't comment on aiming/sensitivity - my environment sucks.
I agree that the remote seems fine - very adequate.
-is it able to change the volume by one step (eg -1db, -2db) or only by eg 5db?
Good question.
Volume ranges from -60.0 db (min volume) to 0.0 db (max volume). It proceeds in 1 db steps from -60 to -24 db, after which it proceeds in 0.5 db steps until 0.0 db. Holding the volume buttons rolls the volume at a satisfactory pace. I don't have problems getting to a particular volume range quickly, or fine tuning once there.
The manual describes simpler behavior: "The DA-250NC’s volume attenuation can be adjusted over a range of -60dB to 0dB in 0.5dB steps." I just double checked, and what I described in the paragraph above is true, at least for the latest firmware.
The volume knob is solid and smooth.
Sound like a bad integration? And if there are no updates available, how does the manufacturer think to fix this problem or does he think that the buyers will send the devices to upgrade every time (lol)? Software is half of the device and if it is bad, then there is no point in starting programming. I haven't bought devices just because the google apps rating is low (I don't want to be nervous).
The software in the device is super minimal. As long as they don't go crazy adding things, they may be entirely OK without any future upgrades, at least not until they make new versions of this device (adding inputs like phono, etc.).
That said, it's definitely awkward to do firmware upgrades. I have found them perfectly reasonable to deal with, but I'm fairly technical.
If I understand correctly, there is no dynamic EQ when listening quiet, so the desire to add bass and treble?
This one sounds bad. I also don't see any documentation on the website for the product. You have to search in forums, guess in coffee grounds, it's easier to buy elsewhere.
There's no dynamic EQ or tone controls. You can change the PCM filter for how it cuts off high frequency noise. You can also add 2nd harmonic distortion, +3db, +6db, or +12db, if you want some tube flavor.
The documentation is readily available on the web site. I'm attaching it to this message.
I have another question, does the device remember the last state when it was turned on? (I turn the audio on/off with one button on the remote connected to the power relay and when I turn it on it plays music from spotify at the same volume, and the same button turns everything off. The whole life of the audio is one button
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Yes. The device will come on at the same volume setting and input as it was when turned off.
General comments:
What's in the device is minimal, but it's all done well as far as I can judge. What's there works. Fit and finish seems very good, although I don't have hardly any experience with expensive audio gear.
I bought this device because I've always somewhat irrationally lusted after a super-beefy amp, but couldn't bear the cost/size/heat of a pair of macho monoblocks. I also just could not get past the idea that I'd have to buy a $300+ DAC just to get a preamp function and a (likely dinky and unsatisfying) volume knob.
(Also, if I'm being honest, I was tired of the cat hitting a button on the ancient AVR I had at his nose level and putting me into some weird Dolby mode and corrupting the sound for an hour until I finally noticed something was wrong. Simpler was way better for me.)
I am assuming the device measures well (which is still to be proven). That aside, when I saw this amp satisfied all of my key requirements 100%, I ordered it. For me value is there, and real.
www.thomann.de
