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New SMSL PA40 Integrated Amplifier Stereo Class D Infineon MA5332MS

daniboun

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Hi guys,

Another new addition to SMSL at a really nice price! It seems to be the light version of the AO300 (it cuts out the Bluetooth function in particular)

SMSL PA40 link

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The AO300 has a sub-woofer out - looking at the images, this seems to be omitting that?

Also, only line-in for inputs? The AO300 has coax and optical, along with HDMI ARC in addition to line in.

I am very much a newbie - so I could be confusing something, but is this because the SMSL AO300 is also a DAC, and the coaxial / optical are used to transport a digital signal to the SMSL DAC? Since the PA40 is a pure amp, it cannot process a digital input that would require the coaxial / optical inputs?


Thanks :)

(Image of SMSL AO300 inputs / outputs from the SMSL site)
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it cannot process a digital input that would require the coaxial / optical inputs?

Only via a DAC or preamp with unbalanced outputs ) this new SMSL is a pure amp.
 
I'm wondering is it hard or expensive from technical perspective to add Trigger or signal sensing. I have not seen any MA5332MS Amp with aby od those functionalities.
 
I listened to the AO300 for two weeks but didn't like its sound on audiophile CDs when compared to my Panasonic DVDA player, so I returned it. Trouble is I'm unsure which of the devices in the signal chain (or PSU) caused the issue? The A300 is a perfect fit for me & is liked by its owners but gets a bad review by Amir, that's confusing?
The AO300/A300 & PA40 use slightly different JRC chips, I wonder why? This PA40 is similar to the Topping PA3S & PA5 ii, I wonder what the sound differences are, has there been a shootout? I notice AO300/A300 use a single PCB & PA40 uses two, I wonder why, did SMSL discover a problem?
More questions than answers. I wondering if I should try the Fosi V3 stereo next, it's universally liked & considerably cheaper?
 
another box

i think this one is pretty ok given they seem to be around $120 usd?

and if you're ok with basically a single input integrated with about 50w and the usual Infineon built in silicon QOL stuff then what else is there?

I think when people say you can get another higher grade SMSL with DAC and all that...

YES you can but do you want to pay $230 instead of $120? this is especially stark if you live in a country with a weaker currency

and then ask yourself if you want to locked into dated technology with whatever is included in the A0300 for example?

to me you're kind of better off with a two box solution but i mean you are forced into this with the PA40 anyway

BUT also i'd look into PFFB TPA3255 solutions?
 
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