Singxer SA-1 Review (Balanced Headphone Amp)

[JohnYang1997]

I had weird experiment recently.
I tired 2 DAC to power SA-1, SMSL M500 & Singxer SDA-6.

The M500 should output 6.8V and SDA-6 only 4.6V, however the sound volume is much higher with SDA-6 even it output less voltage .
I recorded a video and I will upload it later to show the volume change when I switch manually input ( only XLR ).

What could be the explanation?

Then M500 is outputting 4V I guess.

 

[w1000i]

Then M500 is outputting 4V I guess.

As per amir review it is 6.8v and as per their website they show 5.6v on the measurement graph

 

[godmax]

Today I switched on the SA-1, but the led remains red and produces no sound in headphone or per-amp mode (should be blue) regardless if load connected or not.
Anyone experienced this yet? According to the „manual“ its the overload protection.
Does this indicate a defect or could the fuse be blown?

 

[EddieFreak]

Got my Topping D70s and I thought this would be my next amp but it's not class A. I love the sound of MOSFETs but it's class AB. Maybe it's biased enough into class A that it doesn't matter? But so are many other amps.
@JohnYang1997 when are you going to make an amp for the D70s that matches its style?

 

[rjacko01]

Decided to order the SA1 and the SMSL SU9. They are both highly regarded by the "subjective" audiophiles and the "objective" audiophiles. Since I am still not completely sure where I sit in all of this, seemed like a very safe choice

Thnx for all the replies to make my choice easier (or sometimes harder )

I'm running this combo with the HE6se & after a couple of months loving it..
They are hard to drive hp's, running fully balanced all the way, tried the same with my Shure 1540's & there was no need to go high gain.
the HE6se need the high gain, but the sound is sweet, definitely think it's more about what hp you are going to pair with it..
I know there are those that say you can run the HE6se off your phone, but in my opinion they are mistaken, then again there are those that claim
anything less than a pair of bridged Pass Labs monoblocks are not even hearing the HE's
I would say that the SA1 will serve you well...

 

[C0B-1D3-9]

Decided to order the SA1 and the SMSL SU9. They are both highly regarded by the "subjective" audiophiles and the "objective" audiophiles. Since I am still not completely sure where I sit in all of this, seemed like a very safe choice

Thnx for all the replies to make my choice easier (or sometimes harder )

To me, I tried some objectivist offerings and do not really like them. Hopefully, you will like your purchase and explore more.

 

[JoostE]

To me, I tried some objectivist offerings and do not really like them. Hopefully, you will like your purchase and explore more.

Yeah it sounds very good imho. Nothing to explore left, I am happy with my system. Only addition that is needed is a speaker amp one day to set up some small DIY desktop speakers.

 

[raif71]

As per amir review it is 6.8v and as per their website they show 5.6v on the measurement graph

I bought a used M500 V2 expecting this to have 6.8V but I don't think the V2 output 6.8V anymore. My fw is HW 1.3 SW 1.7. Please check yours. I came to this conclusion as my volume position of Singxer SA-1 with Gustard X16 (output voltage 4V) is the same with M500 V2, so the newer updated version somehow "fixed" the high voltage output and made it standard 4V. Still, the m500 sounds good

 

[w1000i]

I bought a used M500 V2 expecting this to have 6.8V but I don't think the V2 output 6.8V anymore. My fw is HW 1.3 SW 1.7. Please check yours. I came to this conclusion as my volume position of Singxer SA-1 with Gustard X16 (output voltage 4V) is the same with M500 V2, so the newer updated version somehow "fixed" the high voltage output and made it standard 4V. Still, the m500 sounds good

Yah, maybe they fixed it to 4V this will explain why SDA-6 having higher volume than m500.

I have multimeter, can this help me measure the output voltage ?!

 

[raif71]

Yah, maybe they fixed it to 4V this will explain why SDA-6 having higher volume than m500.

I have multimeter, can this help me measure the output voltage ?!

If you want, but for me ear-balling what I heard from the singxer sa-1 connected to gustard x16 and then to the smsl m500 v2 is enough for me to suspect that the max voltage for the m500 is circa 4V which to me is quite disappointing as I was hoping for 6.8V

 

[JoostE]

Question:

Has anyone used the Singxer as a pre-amp for their desktop speakers? I am planning to buy a power amp to pair with it over XLR. Does it make the speakers "pop" if you switch from "OFF" to "PRE" to "HPA"?

Does it function well as a pre amp, or should I let my DAC handle that (SMSL SU9). Suggestions for a power amp? Was thinking of a second hand NCore.

 

[raif71]

Question:

Has anyone used the Singxer as a pre-amp for their desktop speakers? I am planning to buy a power amp to pair with it over XLR. Does it make the speakers "pop" if you switch from "OFF" to "PRE" to "HPA"?

Does it function well as a pre amp, or should I let my DAC handle that (SMSL SU9). Suggestions for a power amp? Was thinking of a second hand NCore.

I connect the Singxer SA-1 to my Presonus E5 XT but what I do is from off to pre or hpa to pre, I make sure the presonus is off before making the switch so I've never on the speakers before making the switch. So far no pop sound (which shouldn't be the case)

 

[JoostE]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Have you ever tried with the monitors powered on, to switch from "OFF" to "HPA"? Because I know myself, that is going to happen sooner or later... If it results in a full volume pop that is going to be a problem.

 

[Awdeyo]

Just did the jumper mod and wow! This takes the Sa1 to next level. Definitely sounds like a bottleneck is removed, more power more lively . Must try folks.

 

[Veri]

Just did the jumper mod and wow! This takes the Sa1 to next level. Definitely sounds like a bottleneck is removed, more power more lively . Must try folks.

Singxer will remove it in future products though since it comes with a risk, no DC protection. I find all these statements of it sounding better pretty implausible. Singxer, the guys making this product, should know what's best.

 

[Roland68]

Singxer will remove it in future products though since it comes with a risk, no DC protection. I find all these statements of it sounding better pretty implausible. Singxer, the guys making this product, should know what's best.

It would be a shame if you removed the jumpers. Like other manufacturers, you should simply point out the dangers and that you are responsible for the change yourself.

And to the statements, just test it yourself.
In my experience there is only one perfect coupling capacitor for audio purposes on the market:
None!

 

[thegratefuldad]

Just did the jumper mod and wow! This takes the SA to next level. Definitely sounds like a bottleneck is removed, more power more lively . Must try folks.

More power? Do you mean more gain?
Did you undo the jumper mod and notice change back less power less lively?
I'm having a hard time believing that after reading most posts about jumper mod.
Has anyone actually tried to 'measure' a difference between mod?
Can someone measure, so we might put this to rest?

 

[Awdeyo]

More power? Do you mean more gain?
Did you undo the jumper mod and notice change back less power less lively?
I'm having a hard time believing that after reading most posts about jumper mod.
Has anyone actually tried to 'measure' a difference between mod?
Can someone measure, so we might put this to rest?

I have not reverted back, will do after some time. You don't trust your ears?

 

[raif71]

More power? Do you mean more gain?
Did you undo the jumper mod and notice change back less power less lively?
I'm having a hard time believing that after reading most posts about jumper mod.
Has anyone actually tried to 'measure' a difference between mod?
Can someone measure, so we might put this to rest?

Whether it measures good or bad is not the real issue... I believe after the mod, the reliability of the amp will be in question.

 

[Roland68]

Whether it measures good or bad is not the real issue... I believe after the mod, the reliability of the amp will be in question.

Only the coupling capacitors that filter the inputs of the Singxer SA-1 DC are bridged.
This has nothing to do with the DC protection circuit of the device and does not affect it.
The possibility of bridging coupling capacitors existed in amplifiers more than 20 years ago, and is nothing new and a common practice. If DC filtering already exists in the outputs of the device before, the inputs of the next device do not have to be filtered again.
But every user is responsible for ensuring that no DC components are fed into a device.