SA30 from JAPAN

[japan MAX]

I live in Japan.

Last month, the price dropped to 165,000 yen, so I bought the SA30.

When playing music on the SA30 alone via streaming, the sound quality was very high and the bass was powerful, which was a good impression.

However, when playing music on the MUISIC LIFE/AMAZON MUSIC app, songs skipped and I couldn't play it stably.

So I tried a few different methods.

The best way to do it was to output analog from the EVERSOLO/A6ME, turn on analog direct mode, and bypass the DSP.

The sound pressure was about 5db higher than in normal mode.

I also listened in analog direct mode after turning on the processor mode and fixing the volume, but this is a format where the volume is controlled on the preamplifier.

However, if you restart the power with analog direct mode on, the display remains the same, but it seems that the settings are reset.

I checked with the manufacturer's support, and they told me that this was due to the specifications and asked me to return the product.

The quality of the SA30's amplifier is good, but the software is low quality and there are no plans to update it, so I'm considering whether to keep using it or return it.

Please share if you have the same problem.

The version is 1542.

 

[nerdstrike]

I've never used the musiclife part, but I have used airplay successfully. I think your summary about the SA30 is correct. I'm getting the benefit of dirac and it sounds great, but the software is unreliable. I'm happy enough to keep it, but I don't need the flakey functionality as long as Dirac keeps working.

My unit does remember analogue direct settings between sessions. I'll check firmware if I get a chance.

 

[japan MAX]

I've never used the musiclife part, but I have used airplay successfully. I think your summary about the SA30 is correct. I'm getting the benefit of dirac and it sounds great, but the software is unreliable. I'm happy enough to keep it, but I don't need the flakey functionality as long as Dirac keeps working.

My unit does remember analogue direct settings between sessions. I'll check firmware if I get a chance.

Thank you for your reply.

The Analog Direct Mode icon will remain even after restarting the power, but the sound pressure will return to standard.

When Analog Direct Mode is functioning normally, the ADC, DSP, and DAC are bypassed, so the sound pressure will increase by about 5db.

I think the selling point of this product is DIRAC LIVE, so if you use this function, I don't think there will be any problems.

Also, I think it will work without any problems if you can play in high resolution/bit perfect on qobuz via UPNP, but the qobuz service has not yet started in Japan.

The pre-opening is scheduled for late October, so I will test it as soon as it is available.

The SA30 is a minor product in Japan and there is a lack of information about it, so I would appreciate it if you could provide as much information as possible.

 

[voodooless]

When Analog Direct Mode is functioning normally, the ADC, DSP, and DAC are bypassed, so the sound pressure will increase by about 5db.

I think the selling point of this product is DIRAC LIVE, so if you use this function, I don't think there will be any problems.

That isn't very surprising if you compare the direct mode with Dirac Live enabled: Dirac will lower its gain if it needs to boost so it doesn't digitally clip.

 

[japan MAX]

That isn't very surprising if you compare the direct mode with Dirac Live enabled: Dirac will lower its gain if it needs to boost so it doesn't digitally clip.

Thank you for your reply.

I will let you know the results of the experiment at the audio shop where I purchased the SA30.

■Sound source

Mariah Carey/CD

■System 1

SA-12OSE>E700>SA30>702S3

Fixed E700 volume to -40db

SA30/Processor mode/Fixed volume to 50

■Result

Maximum sound pressure 83db

■System 2

SA-12OSE>E700>SA30>702S3

Fixed E700 volume to -40db

SA30/Processor mode/Fixed volume to 50/Analog direct mode on

■Result

Maximum sound pressure 88db

Sound pressure increased by 5db.

It has increased to the same level as listening at home.

■System 3

SA-12OSE>E700>702S3

E700 volume fixed at -40db

■Results

Maximum sound pressure 88db

The E700 volume remained at -40db, and the same sound pressure was obtained as when the E700 was used as an integrated amplifier.

■Summary

The same phenomenon occurred at home, so it seems to be normal for the sound pressure to be about 5db higher when using the SA30 as a power amplifier in processor mode/analog direct mode.

However, the sound quality seemed slightly better when used with the E700 and integrated amplifier.

This is probably due to the overall higher volume control performance and amplifier performance.

The problem is that when the SA30 is turned off and turned on again, the sound pressure in analog direct mode returns to its original state, so the settings are reset.

I think this is a design issue with the SA30, but there are no plans to update it.

In other words, it seems that ARCAM does not plan to update the SA30, but I would like to know if the situation is similar overseas.