Help planning my setup

[isploit]

Hi,

so I wanna build a nice setup and am hoping to get some feedback.

I want to do a multi room setup for my PC/TV room and my living room.

Currently I only have equipment in my PC/TV room:
-Project DAC
-DT-1990 Headphones
-JBL 305p MKii

Planned for living room:
-Speakers: JaWil Heimdall 2 (active sub, passive broadband) (already ordered; amazing small german manufacturer; this speaker isn't publicly available yet but when I was there it just blew me away... best sound I ever heard from a speaker... )
-AMP: IOTAVX SA3 (maybe + PA3) https://www.hifipilot.de/IOTAVX-SA3-IOTAVX-PA3-IOTAVX-BT01-AperionAudio-Cinch-Audio-Kabel-Mono
-Pi2AES for streaming (with pi4 for wifi)
-Topping E30 DAC
-norstone stylum 2 stands
-no nonsense cables QED xt25 (https://www.dienadel.de/qed-performance-xt25-lautsprecherkabel-meterware/a-353637259)


Now I'm not sure if I get better sound by using the SA3 together with PA3 so each speaker gets a dedicated amp,.. I think I just order both and test it.

Then as far as multi room goes I was thinking of ordering another pi2aes for my PC/TV room and then I could use both for this? I mostly stream via spotify or tidal.. Not sure if I wanna bite the roon bullet or if I will use something opensource to build multiroom...

Appreciate any input from you guys! Thanks!

 

[isploit]

Anyone?^^

 

[sweetchaos]

1. Let's talk about amps...

IOTAVX SA3 INTEGRATED STEREO AMPLIFIER
https://www.iotaenterprises.co.uk/products/iotavx-audiophile-stereo-amplifier-sa3
Advertised specs:
90W (4Ω, 2 channels)
45W (8Ω, 2 channels)

IOTAVX PA3 POWER AMPLIFIER
https://www.iotaenterprises.co.uk/collections/amplifier/products/iotavx-audiophile-power-amplifier
Advertised specs:
90W (4Ω, 2 channels)
45W (8Ω, 2 channels)

Since power is the same, so choose depending on features, not power.

Amir reviewed SA3 here:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/iotavx-sa3-stereo-amplifier-review.13543/
Actual performance was:
73W (4Ω, 2 channels) at 71 dB SINAD
47W (8Ω, 2 channels) at 81 dB SINAD

How can you get state of the art amplifier?
Manufacturer: Purifi
Series: Eigentakt
Amplifier module code: 1ET400A
Buffer board code: EVAL-1

Here's the evaluation unit that Amir reviewed:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...easurements-of-purifi-1et400a-amplifier.7984/
1. This is 4 ohm, 257 watts at ~112 dB SINAD
2. This is 8 ohm, 131 watts at ~113 dB SINAD

Here's a unit put together by Nord:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-se-1et400a-dual-mono-stereo-amp-review.9938/
1. This is 4 ohm, 267 watts at ~105 dB SINAD
2. This is 8 ohm, 135 watts at ~108 dB SINAD

They're basically on par with each other.

Where are the Purifi 1ET400A sold?
1. Nord (UK)
2. Audiophonics (France)
3. March Audio (Australia)
4. NAD (Canada)
etc.

That should be your end-game amplifier in mind.

Of course, there's other modules that are less expensive and that give you 2nd-tier performance, like:
Hypex NC252MP
Review:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-measurements-of-iom-ncore-pro-pwr-amp.8979/
By IOM, but of course other manufacturers use the same Hypex module, so you can judge it's performance from this.
1. This is 4 ohm, 236 watts at 82 dB SINAD
2. This is 8 ohm, 125 watts at 91 dB SINAD

Where are the Hypex NC252MP sold?
1. Nord (UK)
2. Audiophonics (France)
3. March Audio (Australia)
4. IOM
5. Buckeye (USA)
etc.

Hypex NC502MP
Review:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dio-p502-stereo-amplifier-measurements.10909/
By March Audio, but of course manufacturers use the same Hypex module, so you can judge it's performance from this.
1. This is 4 ohm, 454 watts at 82 dB SINAD
2. This is 8 ohm, 238 watts at 89 dB SINAD

Where are the Hypex NC502MP sold?
1. Nord (UK)
2. Audiophonics (France)
3. March Audio (Australia)
4. Buckeye (USA)
etc.

If I was purchasing an amplifier today, I would choose:
- If I wasn't listening at the highest volume, but wanted the best SINAD possible. This is the most expensive $ option. =>Purifi 1ET400A
- If I wasn't listening at the highest volume, and wanted to save some $ (and was willing to sacrifice some SINAD for it) => Hypex NC252MP
- If I was listening at the highest volume (or never wanted the amplifier to clip the sound) => Hypex NC502MP

If I were you, I'd look at Audiophonics for the Hypex NC252MP:
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...reo-amplifier-ncore-2x250w-4-ohm-p-14185.html
Retails for 469,00 €tax incl.
Aka you'll get ~160% more power (and +10dB in SINAD) for probably less than the cost of IOTAVX SA3 or PA3.


2. Let's talk about DACs...
IOTAVX SA3 DAC performance?
82dB

Topping E30 DAC performance?
112dB (from review).
This is +30dB better than SA3....it's a worthily upgrade, IMO.

3. Let's talk about streaming services...
Can't help there. Perhaps others can help.

Hopefully I've given you some food for thought.

 

[isploit]

Thank you @sweetchaos for your feedback.

I will go with the Hypex NC252MP from audiophonics.

Since it has balanced inputs it makes only sense to get a balanced dac.
Since I'm going to use pi2aes as source it makes only sense to get a dac with i2s or aes input.

I'm currently tending to get the Gustard X16, seems best bang for buck?

 

[sweetchaos]

A balanced DAC would get you 6dB more output than an unbalanced one, and since your amp has balanced XLR inputs, it makes sense for the DAC to be as well.

Highly Recommended balanced DACs with remote, for around US$400:
1. SMSL SU-9 Review
2. Gustard X16 Review

Highly Recommended balanced DACs with remote, for around US$700:
1. Topping D70s MQA Review
2. Topping D90 Review

 

[isploit]

A balanced DAC would get you 6dB more output than an unbalanced one, and since your amp has balanced XLR inputs, it makes sense for the DAC to be as well.

Highly Recommended balanced DACs with remote, for around US$400:
1. SMSL SU-9 Review
2. Gustard X16 Review

Highly Recommended balanced DACs with remote, for around US$700:
1. Topping D70s MQA Review
2. Topping D90 Review

I did just spotted the sabaj D5 for about 100€ less than the X16.. Any reason to prefer the X16 over the D5?

 

[sweetchaos]

Don't know much about Sabaj D5, other than what Amir showed in this review.

But at that price point, I'd just skip the 100 EUR savings and just choose the better engineered product, X16.