Help me choose my amp

[Jmds123]

Hi! After some lurking in the second hand market of my country, I've managed to get a pair of KEF Q350 almost new for an amazing price and now I need to run them!
I've been looking at small class D amps since I'm on a tight budget and available space.
Currently I'm looking at Wiim amp, Aiyima A80, SMSL AO300 and Loxjie A40. Overall I'm looking for the "best sound" possible for the price because they all have more or less the features that I want (some trade offs in each model but I can live with all of them) but I can't listen to them so, I'm relying on your expertise!
I mainly listen to heavier music (metal, rock and all adjacent) and they will be placed in a small living room setup (no bigger than 11 square meter or 118 square feet), around 2m apart from each other.
I'm open to any other suggestions up until 400€.

Thanks for the help!

 

[DVDdoug]

Overall I'm looking for the "best sound" possible

Most amplifiers don't have a "sound" unless you over-drive them into clipping (distortion) or if they have tone controls/EQ. I've never heard distortion from ANYTHING that wasn't broken or overdriven... Except sometimes from viny records...

I'd look at the power, features, appearance and how the controls "feel" (if you can get your hands on it before you buy), and maybe the manufacturer's reputation.

Sometimes there is audible noise (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) but if it's audible or not depends on the sensitivity of your speakers, how close you are to the speakers, and other ambient noise in the room, etc. And since there are different ways to measure & specify noise you can't really compare the specs. You need independent standardized measurements like you find in Amir's reviews here.

Frequency response is almost always flat across the audio range.

I don't trust the manufacturer's power (wattage) claims either. From what I found, your speakers are rated for 125W so if you want to blast them at full power look for an amp around that power rating, or maybe 150W if you can't confirm or don't trust the published specs. ...The issue of amplifier power vs. speaker rating is complicated but speakers are supposed to be safe with an amplifier of the same rating as long as you aren't clipping. When the amplifier clips, the peak power is clipped-limited but the average power still goes up and it's the short-term average power that fries speakers.

 

[Svend P]

All amplifiers sound the same. Buy the one you like and has the features you need

Double Blind tests *did* show amplifiers to sound different

In many online debates, position taken by some that when amplifiers are used that have flat frequency response and low distortion that no double blind tests have shown them to sound different. Well, I managed to dig up a 32 year old test that says otherwise. What is fascinating is that one of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Jmds123]

All amplifiers sound the same. Buy the one you like and has the features you need

So all the reviews saying the “x amp” sounds “warm” or whatever are kinda bullshit?
I really do like the Wiim amp due to the streamer side of things but I’ve read that it sounds “flat” or whatever that means and that put me a bit on the fence

 

[Svend P]

So all the reviews saying the “x amp” sounds “warm” or whatever are kinda bullshit?

Yes. 100%

This thread might give you a better context.

Message to golden-eared audiophiles posting at ASR for the first time...

Hello friend. Hey, listen...we know how it is. Believe me, most of us have been there too. You've spent years toiling in the muck of audiophilia. You read ALL the reviews. You watched ALL the youtube videos. You visited ALL the other forums where everything always makes a difference. You...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[DVinylfan]

All amplifiers sound the same. Buy the one you like and has the features you need

Double Blind tests *did* show amplifiers to sound different

In many online debates, position taken by some that when amplifiers are used that have flat frequency response and low distortion that no double blind tests have shown them to sound different. Well, I managed to dig up a 32 year old test that says otherwise. What is fascinating is that one of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

This is correct.
I blind tested my Fosi Audio TPA3116 against my Pivetta Opera Only (really should have done this before purchasing) and couldn't tell the difference.
Now the Fosi is doing service in my main system, and I put the Pivetta out on the lawn at Halloween. You live and learn.

 

[Jmds123]

Thanks for the thorough answer!

From what I found, your speakers are rated for 125W so if you want to blast them at full power look for an amp around that power rating

I really don’t want to blast them at full level. Do you think the Wiim amp is enough to drive them to a comfortable level?

 

[AnalogSteph]

Easily. I'm getting about 104.7 dB SPL peak @ 1 m anechoic each, so probably a bit more than that @ 2 m the pair in your small space. Keep in mind that each doubling of amplifier power is only a 3 dB difference. At normal volumes you may only need a watt or two.

 

[scorlee]

It depends on the specifications of your speakers. As long as the rated power of the amplifier you bought is higher than that, it will be fine. Additionally, checking product reviews can also be very helpful for your choice.