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Sabaj A30a announced

Last week I received the Wiim Ultra as an upgrade from my Wiim Pro Plus. The Pro Plus was set to fixed volume and connected to the Sabaj via Toslink. In the new setup the Wiim Ultra acts as a preamp (variable volume), is connetcet to the Sabaj via Coax, and I keep the Sabaj volume fixed at 80 (as if it were a power amp). The subwoofer (a Martin Logan Dynamo 700w) is now driven by the Wiim Ultra which, compared to the Sabaj, has the ability to select a crossover frequency lower than 70Hz (down to 30Hz). This provides a more suitable setup when I want to use the sub with my Elac Carina FS 247.4 towers (40-50Hz crossover). When playing music with the other pair of speakers I have, the Elac Vela BS403, I find a crossover frequency of 70Hz to be ideal. Overall I am very happy with both the Sabaj A30a and the Wiim Ultra, obviously the Ultra being the new "toy" I think it sounds better than the Wiim Pro Plus but I am fully aware that is just my imagination (both streamer are fully transparent both when digitally connected to the amp or when using the analog output of their DACs). For around €/$ 800 the Sabaj A30a/Wiim Ultra combo is VERY hard to beat. My only concern is leaving the Sabaj with the volume set to 80, if something goes wrong with the Wiim volume when I turn it on I could risk blowing my speakers.

View attachment 388933
If you have connected the Wiim Ultra digitally (analog would be really disadvantageous and worse) why not leave the Ultra at 100% and control the volume via the Sabaj?
Doesn't the Ultra even have a USB output that you could connect the A30a to?
The Sabaj controls the volume via PWM, so there is no change in the digital signal or the resolution.
 
If you have connected the Wiim Ultra digitally (analog would be really disadvantageous and worse) why not leave the Ultra at 100% and control the volume via the Sabaj?
Doesn't the Ultra even have a USB output that you could connect the A30a to?
The Sabaj controls the volume via PWM, so there is no change in the digital signal or the resolution.
Right, that was my initial thought. However, if you want to control the subwoofer via the Wiim, you have to use the streamer as a preamp and let it control the volume. The sub is connected to an analog "sub out" of the Wiim, the Sabay to the "coax out". If you control the volume from the Sabaj you cannot vary the level of the subwoofer which would therefore remain fixed.

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Right, that was my initial thought. However, if you want to control the subwoofer via the Wiim, you have to use the streamer as a preamp and let it control the volume. The sub is connected to an analog "sub out" of the Wiim, the Sabay to the "coax out". If you control the volume from the Sabaj you cannot vary the level of the subwoofer which would therefore remain fixed.

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Then it's very simple.
You turn the Ultra up to full volume, turn the Sabaj up to the maximum volume you can hear. Then you might get a fright, but it can't be damaged.
 
I do not know why but people do afraid digital volume control :)

Same for me. 10 years I restricted my Devialet equipment max. volume. Silly. Nothing happened during those 10 years.
 
I do not know why but people do afraid digital volume control :)

Same for me. 10 years I restricted my Devialet equipment max. volume. Silly. Nothing happened during those 10 years.
The Wiim Ultra (like all the other Wiim devices) receives frequent firmware updates. If something goes wrong after a newly released firmware (let's say the Wiim device doesn't remember the last volume control setting) you may have problems if it's connected with an amplifier set to maximum volume.
 
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I do not know why but people do afraid digital volume control :)

Same for me. 10 years I restricted my Devialet equipment max. volume. Silly. Nothing happened during those 10 years.
The only thing you have to be afraid of is if the volume is reduced via the DAC chip.
For all other things, there is no difference to the analog volume control.
 
Last week I received the Wiim Ultra as an upgrade from my Wiim Pro Plus. The Pro Plus was set to fixed volume and connected to the Sabaj via Toslink. In the new setup the Wiim Ultra acts as a preamp (variable volume), is connetcet to the Sabaj via Coax, and I keep the Sabaj volume fixed at 80 (as if it were a power amp). The subwoofer (a Martin Logan Dynamo 700w) is now driven by the Wiim Ultra which, compared to the Sabaj, has the ability to select a crossover frequency lower than 70Hz (down to 30Hz). This provides a more suitable setup when I want to use the sub with my Elac Carina FS 247.4 towers (40-50Hz crossover). When playing music with the other pair of speakers I have, the Elac Vela BS403, I find a crossover frequency of 70Hz to be ideal. Overall I am very happy with both the Sabaj A30a and the Wiim Ultra, obviously the Ultra being the new "toy" I think it sounds better than the Wiim Pro Plus but I am fully aware that is just my imagination (both streamer are fully transparent both when digitally connected to the amp or when using the analog output of their DACs). For around €/$ 800 the Sabaj A30a/Wiim Ultra combo is VERY hard to beat. My only concern is leaving the Sabaj with the volume set to 80, if something goes wrong with the Wiim volume when I turn it on I could risk blowing my speakers.

View attachment 388933

Hey G, I have read almost the entire thread and you seem to be one of the most experienced with the A30a. I hope you can help with a question that I still can't figure out 100% that I need confirmed before I buy it:

When the A30a has a pair of speakers AND a subwoofer connected, do the main speakers work at full range (i.e., without any high pass cut off)?

Newbie member here.

Thanks!

Kind regards
 
Hey G, I have read almost the entire thread and you seem to be one of the most experienced with the A30a. I hope you can help with a question that I still can't figure out 100% that I need confirmed before I buy it:

When the A30a has a pair of speakers AND a subwoofer connected, do the main speakers work at full range (i.e., without any high pass cut off)?

Newbie member here.

Thanks!

Kind regards
As mentioned by @Toku in his post, with a subwoofer connected the main speakers DO NOT work at full range:
"...low-pass and high-pass are now combined.
SUB Cut Off Frequency: OFF, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 140, 160 (Hz)
When SUB is set to OFF, the SW output stops and the speaker output outputs the entire band.
When the SUB frequency is set to 70 to 160Hz, the speaker output will be in high-pass mode linked to the SUB setting frequency and will be low-cut. It feels like the SUB setting frequency is the crossover point".
Some A30a owners complain that the volume of the stereo speakers and subwoofer does not increase or decrease linearly. In my setup I can't say I have this problem. However since I have the Wiim Ultra streamer I leave the management of the subwoofer to it only because I can select a lower SUB cutoff frequency (down to 30 Hz) which is more appropriate for my Elac FS247.4 Carinas floorstanding speakers (around 45-50 Hz).
It should be noted that a (for now limited) number of Wiim Ultra users also complain (here on ASR and on the Wiim forum) about the lack of volume linearity between the subwoofer and the stereo speakers. Again, I can't say I have this problem.
 
As mentioned by @Toku in his post, with a subwoofer connected the main speakers DO NOT work at full range:
"...low-pass and high-pass are now combined.
SUB Cut Off Frequency: OFF, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 140, 160 (Hz)
When SUB is set to OFF, the SW output stops and the speaker output outputs the entire band.
When the SUB frequency is set to 70 to 160Hz, the speaker output will be in high-pass mode linked to the SUB setting frequency and will be low-cut. It feels like the SUB setting frequency is the crossover point".
Some A30a owners complain that the volume of the stereo speakers and subwoofer does not increase or decrease linearly. In my setup I can't say I have this problem. However since I have the Wiim Ultra streamer I leave the management of the subwoofer to it only because I can select a lower SUB cutoff frequency (down to 30 Hz) which is more appropriate for my Elac FS247.4 Carinas floorstanding speakers (around 45-50 Hz).
It should be noted that a (for now limited) number of Wiim Ultra users also complain (here on ASR and on the Wiim forum) about the lack of volume linearity between the subwoofer and the stereo speakers. Again, I can't say I have this problem.

Hi G, thanks kindly for your detailed reply. I trust you and the other owners more than Hifi-express support who actually answered in the opposite when I wrote them 2 days ago - i.e., that the main speakers still play at full range with a subwoofer connected (I actually prefer to run my Zu Omen speakers that way). I have a Wiim Ultra enroute to me and thus am looking for a digital amp to match it with. Thus your shared experience with the A30A with the Wiim Ultra with a sub is extremely valuable for me as I will be using these components in much the same way. Many thanks for your kind advice!!!
 
Hi G, thanks kindly for your detailed reply. I trust you and the other owners more than Hifi-express support who actually answered in the opposite when I wrote them 2 days ago - i.e., that the main speakers still play at full range with a subwoofer connected (I actually prefer to run my Zu Omen speakers that way). I have a Wiim Ultra enroute to me and thus am looking for a digital amp to match it with. Thus your shared experience with the A30A with the Wiim Ultra with a sub is extremely valuable for me as I will be using these components in much the same way. Many thanks for your kind advice!!!
Unfortunately, the support from the SMSL/Sabaj/Loxjie group has little technical or detailed knowledge of what they sell.

The Sabaj A30a uses a simple pre-configured AV DSP chip for subwoofer control (the kind that is installed in soundbars and subwoofers with roaring cubes), which, when set to one of the predetermined crossover frequencies of 70-160Hz, automatically sets the crossover frequency for the SUB and speakers sets. Likewise, the SUB is automatically switched off when it is set to OFF. So there is no way to change this point via firmware.
However, the chip does have the option of changing the volume ratio between the SUB and speaker. For an experienced programmer, it takes 15-20 minutes of work to make this point accessible in the firmware.
But we know that firmware updates are not one of the core competencies of the SMSL/Sabaj/Loxjie group... :facepalm: So don't get your hopes up.
 
Hello, could the Sabaj A30A be a good upgrade? I have a pair of Klipsch RF7 MK3 speakers and a Parasound IN6 amp and a Wiim Pro streamer
 
Hello, could the Sabaj A30A be a good upgrade? I have a pair of Klipsch RF7 MK3 speakers and a Parasound IN6 amp and a Wiim Pro streamer
I can't find anything about a Parasound IN6 amp, only HINT6.
Could you please post a picture or a link?
 
I would be very interested to see how the A30a compares to the HINT6, but I don't think it would be an upgrade, maybe the same.
But of course you could sell the Parasound for a much higher price and the Sabaj is smaller and cooler.
Maybe you have the opportunity to get one for comparison.
May I ask in which country you live?
 
I'm from France, I can always order it on Amazon and compare it to the parasound, if it sounds the same or better, I could always sell the parasound and keep the sabaj. If I don't like it, I'll send it back to Amazon. I'll test it and come back to the forum to give news
 
I agree with Roland68, I doubt that the Parasound HINT6 amplifier will be an improvement over the Sabaj A30a.
The HINT6 seems to be an extremely versatile and complete integrated amplifier with high level specifications that costs the equivalent of 6-8 Sabaj A30a units.
My guess is that in terms of instrumental measurements, apart from power output, the Sabaj could compete and in some areas do better than the Parasound. Said that, if 200W into 4 Ohms is enough for you, I guess it would be extremely difficult to discriminate one from the other in a blind listening test.
 
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I'm from France, I can always order it on Amazon and compare it to the parasound, if it sounds the same or better, I could always sell the parasound and keep the sabaj. If I don't like it, I'll send it back to Amazon. I'll test it and come back to the forum to give news
The big advantage of the A30a is that it can be fed directly digitally and does not require a DAC.

I would be very interested in such a comparison and can also help you with it if you want.
 
The big advantage of the A30a is that it can be fed directly digitally and does not require a DAC.

I would be very interested in such a comparison and can also help you with it if you want.
His Parasound has good internal dac, balanced input and output, 180 Watts per channel on 8 ohm from a very respected manufacturer, I'm very satisfied with my Sabaj a30a but I use It only because I cannot afford a 3000 dollars amp...
 
His Parasound has good internal dac, balanced input and output, 180 Watts per channel on 8 ohm from a very respected manufacturer.
That's one of the reasons why the comparison would be so interesting.
The A30a doesn't have a DAC and doesn't need one for digital signals.
 
That's one of the reasons why the comparison would be so interesting.
The A30a doesn't have a DAC and doesn't need one for digital signals.
My opinion Is that Sabaj is a wonderful way to enjoy music when space and money are limited, I use a wiim streamer and a pair of tiny Spendor bookshelf in my home office and I'm really impressed. Anyway, when you have a large room and a Parasound Hint there's no need to spend 500 bucks on Sabaj, even if I'm convinced there's no day/night difference in sound quality.
 
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