Singxer SA-1 Review (Balanced Headphone Amp)

[Snoopy]

I've noticed yesterday that with some Albums I can really crank the Volume up. The New Rammstein Album "Zeit" For example.

I'm using a 4 band Equilizer in roon and -5db headroom management while upsampling to 768Khz.

Headphones are Aeon 2 Noire and Im in High Gain. DAC has fixed output (SMSL D300, Topping XLR cables) and I can go to 5-6PM on the Volume wheel. But with older Music like the Beatles or David Bowie I'm most of the time at 1PM , maybe 2PM.

 

[Blew]

But with older Music like the Beatles or David Bowie I'm most of the time at 1PM , maybe 2PM.

Are they remasters? They're often remastered as low dynamic range brickwalled messes.

 

[Snoopy]

Are they remasters? They're often remastered as low dynamic range brickwalled messes.

The stuff that's on qobuz and Tidal

 

[Blew]

The stuff that's on qobuz and Tidal

Looks like Zeit is a brickwalled mess too, meaning it's probably not a difference in the mastering.

Album details - Dynamic Range DB

I'd guess it's your headphones demanding more power for the heavier music.

 

[kenshone]

Listening to my Singxer SA-1 right now and getting a strong ground loop noise from the unbalanced output. Not a dealbreaker if this is only an unbalanced issue. Will be testing will balanced in a few hours...

 

[kenshone]

When using the 4-pin XLR headphone jack, the ground loop noise is still present from approximately 1:00 on the dial, increasing until the knob almost reaches its clockwise limit, where it becomes extremely audible. Then, just as the knob reaches its maximum clockwise position, the noise vanishes.

I don't think this is a ground loop, even though it sounds like it has the frequency of a ground loop. It makes no sense that a "ground loop" would be extinguished by turning the volume knob all the way clockwise, right? Any explanations welcome.

Perhaps I just got a faulty unit, but I'll be returning this and not looking back.

 

[Snoopy]

Faulty unit. No ground loop on mine at low gain, high gain. Doesn't matter where the volume dial is

 

[Blew]

Perhaps I just got a faulty unit, but I'll be returning this and not looking back.

Sounds like it. I was only testing mine yesterday by switching between the RCA and balanced XLR interfaces that were attached to the same DAC that was connected to my PC via USB. I can't hear any noise on either. They both sound exactly the same when switching between them.
I use high gain and low-Z on the SA-1, balanced headphones out, with the DAC at 100% output.

 

[kenshone]

Sounds like it. I was only testing mine yesterday by switching between the RCA and balanced XLR interfaces that were attached to the same DAC that was connected to my PC via USB. I can't hear any noise on either. They both sound exactly the same when switching between them.
I use high gain and low-Z on the SA-1, balanced headphones out, with the DAC at 100% output.

Hm that's unfortunate. I really wanted to experience the class A difference to the extent that it is audible, but I'm not getting a chance. When I swap out the Singxer SA-1 for an SMSL SH-9, all ground-loop-like noise goes away: whisper quiet.

 

[Extreme_Boky]

yes,you are right.

Hi Tom,

Can you please tell me which serial numbers are going to ensure that, If I buy an SA-1, I will get a unit with the additional power rails' decoupling SMD caps (placed around those blue coloured 10ohm SMD resistors)?

 

[Veri]

Hi Tom,

Can you please tell me which serial numbers are going to ensure that, If I buy an SA-1, I will get a unit with the additional power rails' decoupling SMD caps (placed around those blue coloured 10ohm SMD resistors)?

View attachment 210013

Just curious but what's it matter to you?

 

[wric01]

Hm that's unfortunate. I really wanted to experience the class A difference to the extent that it is audible, but I'm not getting a chance. When I swap out the Singxer SA-1 for an SMSL SH-9, all ground-loop-like noise goes away: whisper quiet.

Had that issue with cheap xlr cables. After better cables it work fine.

 

[kenshone]

Had that issue with cheap xlr cables. After better cables it work fine.

My xlr cables aren't cheap and as I said, the hum went away when I plugged into an smsl sh-9.

 

[192kbps]

The SA-2 will be released this year.

 

[Extreme_Boky]

When using the 4-pin XLR headphone jack, the ground loop noise is still present from approximately 1:00 on the dial, increasing until the knob almost reaches its clockwise limit, where it becomes extremely audible. Then, just as the knob reaches its maximum clockwise position, the noise vanishes.

Can you short the inputs (hot to ground), and then repeat the above?

Did you bypass (with the little shunt shorting links) the sound coupling caps?

 

[kenshone]

Can you short the inputs (hot to ground), and then repeat the above?

Did you bypass (with the little shunt shorting links) the sound coupling caps?

I don't have the experience to short anything, and would be afraid of accidentally damaging a unit that I'm going to return.

I used the headphone amp in its default configuration -- no bypass.

 

[mrjayviper]

suggestion for DAC combo for this amp? thanks

 

[Mark_A]

Was the sample tested modified by the owner? I mean the common practice of installing jumpers to bypass the capacitors on the SA-1. I found the sound to be "veiled" without the jumpers.

 

[Roland68]

Was the sample tested modified by the owner? I mean the common practice of installing jumpers to bypass the capacitors on the SA-1. I found the sound to be "veiled" without the jumpers.

It was tested without the Jumper Mod.

 

[Veri]

I mean the common practice of installing jumpers to bypass the capacitors on the SA-1. I found the sound to be "veiled" without the jumpers.

-Common on popular "Hi-Fi" forums?
-It is DC protection, how could it possibly "veil" anything :/