Singxer SA-1 Review (Balanced Headphone Amp)

[thegratefuldad]

Is there any load with just the 3 adapters, NO HP, connector?

 

[Shane D]

Not sure if you still pop in here, but if so, could you please enlighten us about the V2 version of this amp?

Thank you.

The sensitivity of AKG K1000 is only 74db

 

[Roland68]

Not sure if you still pop in here, but if so, could you please enlighten us about the V2 version of this amp?

Thank you.

Unfortunately @tom.chen hasn’t been here for over a year.

 

[Shane D]

Unfortunately @tom.chen hasn’t been here for over a year.

I saw that he been absent for quite a while but I had hoped he might check it occasionally.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Lexxz]

Doesn't seem to be the case. Magna Hifi in the Netherlands is an official dealer and has these on stock as well.

Magna Hifi in the Netherlands and the product bears the CE mark

 

[Snoopy]

Magna Hifi in the Netherlands and the product bears the CE mark

Chinese Export or the real CE Mark ?

 

[Lexxz]

something like that

 

[Blew]

I've had this amp for a couple of years and have only just gotten around to measuring the power draw from the power socket. It appears to draw around 11.4 watts shortly after startup then drop to around 10.8. This is the same when set to PRE and HPA output and regardless of volume. All done with XLR balanced inputs, high gain, and Low-Z.

What's surprising is that when setting the off mode via the front switch, it still draws around 2.8-2.9 watts! When turning off via the back switch it draws none, as you'd expect. So, it appears that I've wasted 24.5 kWh and emitted about 16kg of Co2 each year by using the front power off switch instead of the back, costing me around $8 AU each year.

Can anyone think of a reason for this "feature"?

 

[Roland68]

I've had this amp for a couple of years and have only just gotten around to measuring the power draw from the power socket. It appears to draw around 11.4 watts shortly after startup then drop to around 10.8. This is the same when set to PRE and HPA output and regardless of volume. All done with XLR balanced inputs, high gain, and Low-Z.

What's surprising is that when setting the off mode via the front switch, it still draws around 2.8-2.9 watts! When turning off via the back switch it draws none, as you'd expect. So, it appears that I've wasted 24.5 kWh and emitted about 16kg of Co2 each year by using the front power off switch instead of the back, costing me around $8 AU each year.

Can anyone think of a reason for this "feature"?

On HPA and PRE, the 4 power amplifiers (Class A/B) and OPAmp are supplied with power. The lower Class A operation generates a certain amount of power consumption and heat emission (intentional).
On OFF, only the control and relays are supplied with power (standby).
But remember that most cheap power meters are very unreliable in the lower range.

 

[Monsieurétourdi]

On HPA and PRE, the 4 power amplifiers (Class A/B) and OPAmp are supplied with power. The lower Class A operation generates a certain amount of power consumption and heat emission (intentional).
On OFF, only the control and relays are supplied with power (standby).
But remember that most cheap power meters are very unreliable in the lower range.

Thanks for your answer, but this amplifier does not have a remote control, what is the point of leaving the relays on standby once off?

 

[Roland68]

This is simply due to the circuit design, which provides a certain separation of the power supply for audio and control. The front switch only activates different states in the control.
Of course, it would also be possible to switch off the control with a different switch or an additional power relay, but then you can just use the rear main switch, because that is exactly what it is there for.
Personally, I prefer this setup without any additional switches or relays in the power supply.

 

[Monsieurétourdi]

This is simply due to the circuit design, which provides a certain separation of the power supply for audio and control. The front switch only activates different states in the control.
Of course, it would also be possible to switch off the control with a different switch or an additional power relay, but then you can just use the rear main switch, because that is exactly what it is there for.
Personally, I prefer this setup without any additional switches or relays in the power supply.

Very precise, I understood, thank you.

 

[Snoopy]

Im using the XLR out of my SMSL D300 into my Amplifier and the RCA out into the Singxer SA-1 .. my headphones are connected Balanced to the XLR output.

Is there a problem by going unbalanced in and balanced out with the SA-1 ?

I could also switch the Singxer out for a SMSL SP400 from another setup.

 

[Roland68]

Im using the XLR out of my SMSL D300 into my Amplifier and the RCA out into the Singxer SA-1 .. my headphones are connected Balanced to the XLR output.

Is there a problem by going unbalanced in and balanced out with the SA-1 ?

I could also switch the Singxer out for a SMSL SP400 from another setup.

No, with the SA-1 the unbalanced signal is converted into a balanced signal directly at the input, i.e. before the potentiometer. That would also be the reason for supplying the SA-1 with a balanced input signal, as it is one of the few devices that is completely balanced throughout.

With the SP400 it doesn't matter because it always works SE until after the volume control.

 

[mediocrebutarrogant]

Okay, so I got the singer SA1-v2. Don't go nuts on me. I'm just asking a question: Can I keep this thing on all the time? What's the idle power consumption, considering class A and all? I know it's class A/B for higher power requirements, etc., but I'm not sure about the math. It does sound awesome now.

 

[Shane D]

Okay, so I got the singer SA1-v2. Don't go nuts on me. I'm just asking a question: Can I keep this thing on all the time? What's the idle power consumption, considering class A and all? I know it's class A/B for higher power requirements, etc., but I'm not sure about the math. It does sound awesome now.

I just turn it off on the front, which I think is stand-by. The power button in the back stays on. But I bought mine, used, a few months ago. It also sounds great to me.

PS: I think mine is a V1.

 

[mediocrebutarrogant]

Okay, so I got the singer SA1-v2. Don't go nuts on me. I'm just asking a question: Can I keep this thing on all the time? What's the idle power consumption, considering class A and all? I know it's class A/B for higher power requirements, etc., but I'm not sure about the math. It does sound awesome now.

ok sorry, already answered, $8 AUD a year

 

[Blew]

ok sorry, already answered, $8 AUD a year

That's when the front power switch is OFF and back switch is on, which draws just under 3 watts. I measured around 11 watts power draw when it's on fully.

I've had this amp for a couple of years and have only just gotten around to measuring the power draw from the power socket. It appears to draw around 11.4 watts shortly after startup then drop to around 10.8. This is the same when set to PRE and HPA output and regardless of volume. All done with XLR balanced inputs, high gain, and Low-Z.

What's surprising is that when setting the off mode via the front switch, it still draws around 2.8-2.9 watts! When turning off via the back switch it draws none, as you'd expect. So, it appears that I've wasted 24.5 kWh and emitted about 16kg of Co2 each year by using the front power off switch instead of the back, costing me around $8 AU each year.

Can anyone think of a reason for this "feature"?

 

[redeyes]

I tried this amplifier with IEMs and quite honestly it sounded blunted, warm and really bad. I don't know why exactly but it was an instant nopers.

 

[mediocrebutarrogant]

I tried this amplifier with IEMs and quite honestly it sounded blunted, warm and really bad. I don't know why exactly but it was an instant nopers.

Over time it started sounding better, as good as Topping A90D, I cant tell the difference.