NEW BRZHifi PAD-30 : Dual TPA3255 +PFFB @ $99

[daniboun]

@daniboun I will share some subjective impressions no problem, but how do I quantify its performance? I want to test it properly to see if it is doing better/worse/same than the usual suspects, the 3E-Fosi-Aiyima-Douk-Ampapa lot. As I mentioned before, I've only used high quality vintage AB amps thus far - I don't even know what to look for in class D.

Ideally you would have an E1DA Cosmos, but I imagine you don't have an audio analyzer at home?
In any case, I'm still open to a subjective opinion.

 

[krisdeak]

Ideally you would have an E1DA Cosmos, but I imagine you don't have an audio analyzer at home?
In any case, I'm still open to a subjective opinion.

No audio analyzer I'm afraid, only my subjective opinion. I managed to listen to it finally - it's a pretty impressive little piece of gear!
With the 48V 5A power supply, I didn't manage to turn it up past 12 o'clock (half volume) at all, and even then the input was reduced to about 60-70% of the full line level.
(Coming out of a Wiim Mini and into a pair of fairly sensitive Canton CT 800s)
It plays clean especially in the bass region. Mids are quite pure, highs are crispy.
No background noise at all to speak of.
I managed to set up my system quickly and achieved a nice soundstage.
I think there's probably some sort of bias in me regarding my trusty Teac A-H500i, but the PAD-30 is somehow still a bit less exciting, less refined - might just be some sort of brain bias though.
The unit got a little bit warm, still touchable but definitely above 40C.
I'd love to try it with the lower voltage but higher current PSU sold on Audiophonics:
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...adapter-100-240vac-to-42v-dc-85a-p-17308.html

 

[daniboun]

No audio analyzer I'm afraid, only my subjective opinion. I managed to listen to it finally - it's a pretty impressive little piece of gear!
With the 48V 5A power supply, I didn't manage to turn it up past 12 o'clock (half volume) at all, and even then the input was reduced to about 60-70% of the full line level.
(Coming out of a Wiim Mini and into a pair of fairly sensitive Canton CT 800s)
It plays clean especially in the bass region. Mids are quite pure, highs are crispy.
No background noise at all to speak of.
I managed to set up my system quickly and achieved a nice soundstage.
I think there's probably some sort of bias in me regarding my trusty Teac A-H500i, but the PAD-30 is somehow still a bit less exciting, less refined - might just be some sort of brain bias though.
The unit got a little bit warm, still touchable but definitely above 40C.
I'd love to try it with the lower voltage but higher current PSU sold on Audiophonics:
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...adapter-100-240vac-to-42v-dc-85a-p-17308.html

Thanks for these impressions. It already gives an interesting idea of the product. In my humble opinion, we'll have trouble finding measurements, unless an enthusiast takes the time to do it. )))) In any case, it inspires confidence, especially considering its price.

 

[Aimarketingbot]

Hello,

I just received this. Sorry I do not have any measurements.
Disclaimer: I am a 20+ year audiophile and in past used to hate early digital amp implementations, especially in budget pro audio, yikes.

Currently running from a Meanwell LRS-350 48V 7.3A PSU (tuned to 48.5V resting/open circuit, I will measure later under load), just made a plug for it for now. In future I might join 2x300W 24V PSUs I have for 48V 25A or so, but I don't think it's necessary for an extra ~20WPC at 8 ohms lol.

She's driving big old UK-made B&W DM604 S2, 200W 8ohms, 89db/W, 2x6" ported bass, 6" mid, 1" tweeters, not the lightest amp load around lol.

Amp is absolutely tiny. Probably 1/10th of the size of a single Arcam amp it is replacing (is a bi-amped setup, A80 and P80 power amps, 60WPC x4 @8 ohms, owned since new).
Compared to the Arcams, it has basically no noise. You have to have your ear right up to the tweeter to hear any. Old Arcams you could hear from 1-2ft or more, and were much more susceptible to ground noise with big AB design and the rest.

The sound is incredible. The bass control is superior to the Arcams in every way, the instantaneous current it delivers to the speakers is impressive to say the least, it makes the cones hit peaks far more controlled (and with greater impulse) than the Arcams could. I would say the damping factor is likely quite a lot higher on this amp as well but need some really big cones to test that properly.
Slightly clearer/more analytical due to noise floor already, it has no 'downside'. It is an overall improvement over the Arcams, except connectivity/remote function.
Very clear, very nice across the spectrum, it's a pleasure to listen to, nirvana-like, relaxing, everything you want from an amp, but you'd never expect it from one this size and price. It definitely requires one to swallow their pride and I have a far more capable 500wpc AB Aussie audio 8ohm monoblock kit sitting around to build that I probably have no need for now lol.

In blind A-B testing vs 20k+ amps I am entirely confident this would cause some major butthurt. I have heard some very high end and esoteric professional audio (not just audiophile) equipment in my time, being exposed to it for decades in industry. Stuff you never see at normal gigs.

This is the closest you can get to a wire with gain, plug in 48V PSU and you ready to go, for under 120USD... this performance is incredible. I bought a cheap CX31933 dac and this amp, all up under 120USD and you have sound that would have cost 5-10k USD+ two decades ago. My Arcams cost me ~2.5-3k USD back then, with 33% less inflation than today. What this amp does to affordability of hifi is incredible, pick up some good used old speakers, a cheap USB-C DAC and this amp and you will have a phenominal system for a few weeks saving on a lower paying job, enough said.

Also you *really* need to beat on it to warm it up. Even at high volumes (not blasting it) it's basically cold. Efficient and mindblowingly so.

Only downsides, a very tiny blemish on the front, and the volume control button is very thin and cheap feeling after a fancy ALPS Arcam knob lol. But you can just run external volume control to fix that, which is what I do.

 

[harkpabst]

Hello

Nothing beats a well chosen user name ... welcome.

 

[Aimarketingbot]

Nothing beats a well chosen user name ... welcome.

Haha, glad you liked it. Had to use different name to usual online, as with more unusual audio setups/combos, it is easy to dox people.

 

[Bleib]

I soon have 3e A7 so should be able to compare a bit subjectively but no objective tools so I guess I won't take it too seriously

 

[harkpabst]

Haha, glad you liked it. Had to use different name to usual online, as with more unusual audio setups/combos, it is easy to dox people.

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.

 

[Aimarketingbot]

I soon have 3e A7 so should be able to compare a bit subjectively but no objective tools so I guess I won't take it too seriously

Very interested to hear if you notice anything. Don't expect you'll really hear any difference if they have implemented this properly, it appears so from hardware componentry; fully caged inductors, using decent caps, PCB looks pretty well made, fittings/auxiliary components aren't bottom of the barrel etc, heatsinked properly etc, there isn't anywhere that I can see egregious shortcuts, so doubt their topology/implementation will be poor either. Their past amps have been given good reviews as well. I will keep trying it over the week on different content and report back.

So far, blown away, bang/buck turn key king 2026?

 

[Bleib]

Very interested to hear if you notice anything. Don't expect you'll really hear any difference if they have implemented this properly, it appears so from hardware componentry; fully caged inductors, using decent caps, PCB looks pretty well made, fittings/auxiliary components aren't bottom of the barrel etc, heatsinked properly etc, there isn't anywhere that I can see egregious shortcuts, so doubt their topology/implementation will be poor either. Their past amps have been given good reviews as well. I will keep trying it over the week on different content and report back.

So far, blown away, bang/buck turn key king 2026?

At least I've used the BRZ enough to recommend it for the price, and not just as previously said for the garage or so.
If I was 20 still I could possibly hear difference in the upper treble, so at in that case i have nothing of value to add

 

[Aimarketingbot]

At least I've used the BRZ enough to recommend it for the price, and not just as previously said for the garage or so.
If I was 20 still I could possibly hear difference in the upper treble, so at in that case i have nothing of value to add

Appreciate that! Speaks volumes too, you'll hear a major issue or outstanding problem pretty quickly that way.
Had this rig since that age (I started in audio tomfoolery much prior too) and that BRZ is my new daily. It steps up to the plate and delivers.

 

[Bleib]

Appreciate that! Speaks volumes too, you'll hear a major issue or outstanding problem pretty quickly that way.
Had this rig since that age (I started in audio tomfoolery much prior too) and that BRZ is my new daily. It steps up to the plate and delivers.

I'm mainly sensitive to any noise in the signal when no music is playing. Any electronics which does this is either returned or sold.

 

[Aimarketingbot]

I'm mainly sensitive to any noise in the signal when no music is playing. Any electronics which does this is either returned or sold.

Returned a GPU for this once. Drives me nuts.

 

[Aimarketingbot]

I have let BRZ know about this website and told them to send a sample in for testing. The CS person I was talking to is on a business trip, but will dig into here in a few days. Will update thread if any news.

 

[shorodei]

Torn between this (no volume bypass but has 12v trigger) and the 3E audio A7 (has volume bypass but no 12v trigger)

 

[Bernard23]

Torn between this (no volume bypass but has 12v trigger) and the 3E audio A7 (has volume bypass but no 12v trigger)

A7 has auto power on/off so the trigger is not needed? It works well.

 

[Bernard23]

I just followed one of the links and it takes me to a different brand creadvent but still pad 30

 

[Bleib]

I just followed one of the links and it takes me to a different brand creadvent but still pad 30



View attachment 538324

It still says BRZhifi on the unit though

 

[Bernard23]

My bad. I got quickly distracted looking at 48V 10A GaN PSUs....

 

[Ruediger]

Torn between this (no volume bypass but has 12v trigger) and the 3E audio A7 (has volume bypass but no 12v trigger)

Auto-sensing in the A7, needs no trigger.