Singxer SA-1 Review (Balanced Headphone Amp)

[IAmAgainst]

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 turned it on and off from the front switch for a while until I got sick of moving that thing up and down two positions every time so I implemented a relay switching activated by a push button. It feels much nicer to push a button than to move a lever.

 

[archerious]

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.

It's all in your mind. I did blind tests and couldn't tell a SA-1, A20, friends SMSL, or H16 apart. We did use the Ifi Iematch though as it attenuates to remove the annoying hiss the H16 has with IEMs and improved the channel balance with the Singxer. Even without it though I don't see "warmth" or "blunted" (whatever blunted audio means) being a real thing.

I feel like we are approaching audiofool territory with the "blunted" claims.

Can you try using something to attenuate the amp like ear buddy or iematch? It's best to do that for most powerful headphone amps when using IEMs.

 

[redeyes]

No it's not all in my mind. I carefully tested it with IEMs, not headphones. You can enjoy it all you want. I hate it.

 

[JerryKeyz]

No it's not all in my mind. I carefully tested it with IEMs, not headphones. You can enjoy it all you want. I hate it.

It seems the amp sounds a lot better when it's connected via XLR at 5V, which some DACs are capable of.

 

[JoostE]

Hi!

Maybe a weird question but i am going to give it a go!

I am using the singxer as a headphone amp in my home office, but also as a pre-amp for my kef ls50 on my desk.

Now I want to add a subwoofer, and would like to connect that also to the singxer, so I have a shared volume know between the ls50 and active subwoofer.

Do you guys know if it is possible to output to both xlr and rca at the same time in the singxer?

P.s. I use a SMSL SU9 as Dac, so if the singxer cannot provide in this, maybe the DAC can output to both xlr and rca at the same time?

Thank you for your help, I am a bit confused on how I could set this up. The backup solution could be a minidsp 4x4 but that adds quite a bit of money

 

[Snoopy]

Hi!

Maybe a weird question but i am going to give it a go!

I am using the singxer as a headphone amp in my home office, but also as a pre-amp for my kef ls50 on my desk.

Now I want to add a subwoofer, and would like to connect that also to the singxer, so I have a shared volume know between the ls50 and active subwoofer.

Do you guys know if it is possible to output to both xlr and rca at the same time in the singxer?

P.s. I use a SMSL SU9 as Dac, so if the singxer cannot provide in this, maybe the DAC can output to both xlr and rca at the same time?

Thank you for your help, I am a bit confused on how I could set this up. The backup solution could be a minidsp 4x4 but that adds quite a bit of money

The Singxer supports only either RCA or XLR out but not both.

If you use the dac for that duty the rca out will have half of the volume of the XLR out.

 

[Roland68]

Hi!

Maybe a weird question but i am going to give it a go!

I am using the singxer as a headphone amp in my home office, but also as a pre-amp for my kef ls50 on my desk.

Now I want to add a subwoofer, and would like to connect that also to the singxer, so I have a shared volume know between the ls50 and active subwoofer.

Do you guys know if it is possible to output to both xlr and rca at the same time in the singxer?

P.s. I use a SMSL SU9 as Dac, so if the singxer cannot provide in this, maybe the DAC can output to both xlr and rca at the same time?

Thank you for your help, I am a bit confused on how I could set this up. The backup solution could be a minidsp 4x4 but that adds quite a bit of money

Where did you get the high-pass filter for the LS50?
I would advise against operating the LS50 without a high-pass filter.
The sound quality is significantly worse, and the LS50s will continue to receive low frequencies that they cannot reproduce.

This also means the LS50s will continue to be overloaded when listening at higher volumes or watching movies. You can find plenty of examples of KEF drivers destroyed by such scenarios online.

 

[JoostE]

Thank you guys for the responses.

Sad to hear it is not possible with the singxer, but maybe the su9 is an option then. I am now debating getting a subwoofer with a high level in, that might be easier in my situation. Forgot about that option

I use my ls50 in near field on my desk, and only for music or video calls, so I am not worried about destroying the drivers. I used them for 2 years without sub already.

I agree a high-pass might improve the sound, but i am going to try without one at first.

 

[Roland68]

I use my ls50 in near field on my desk, and only for music or video calls, so I am not worried about destroying the drivers. I used them for 2 years without sub already.

Sorry, but you don't understand that without a high-pass filter, even with an additional subwoofer, nothing changes.
On the contrary, the audible warnings about the LS50 being overloaded would be drowned out by an additional subwoofer.

A high-pass filter significantly reduces the load on the LS50.

 

[JoostE]

I do understand that just fine, I think you dont understand I never play these speakers loudly, because I am 60cm away from them .

I am not looking to protect my speakers. I am looking to improve my sound.

Like I said, I do agree a high-pass would improve sound further, but I will be taking it one step at a time.

 

[Teroz]

My Sinxer just died on me. 2 years and now right channel is basically gone... About 70% less power than left channel.

 

[Blew]

The Singxer supports only either RCA or XLR out but not both.

No that's not correct. The SA-1 will *output* both XLR and RCA at the same time. The XLR/RCA toggle is for the *input*.
I currently output XLR to active speakers and RCA to subwoofer.

 

[dped90]

I currently output XLR to active speakers and RCA to subwoofer.

Do you mean that two of these headphone amps could be safely used to power a pair of B&C DE250 driver in a bi-amped system if average peak listening level is 82.2 dB at 10 ft? And in the same system a pair of GPA Altec 416-8B midwoofers? https://audio-database.com/ALTEC/unit/416-8b.html

 

[Roland68]

Do you mean that two of these headphone amps could be safely used to power a pair of B&C DE250 driver in a bi-amped system if average peak listening level is 82.2 dB at 10 ft? And in the same system a pair of GPA Altec 416-8B midwoofers? https://audio-database.com/ALTEC/unit/416-8b.html

No, that makes absolutely no sense.
The Singxer SA-1 cannot drive impedances that low.

@Blew was talking about active speakers, whereas you are talking about passive ones; that won't work. And it wouldn't make any sense, either.
Why not go with the proven Fosi V3 stereo amplifier, the 3E Audio A5 or A7, or the new multi-channel amplifiers?

 

[Chanur]

Does anyone have experience with the SA-2? It seems like some solid improvements were made over the original.

 

[Chanur]

Bumping, does anyone know why reviewers seem to be down on the SA-1/SA-2? They seem to think it's a mediocre amplifier, that has low resolution and bad timbre and other blah blah. I didn't think amplifiers normally has any affect on those kinds of things?

 

[Roland68]

Bumping, does anyone know why reviewers seem to be down on the SA-1/SA-2? They seem to think it's a mediocre amplifier, that has low resolution and bad timbre and other blah blah. I didn't think amplifiers normally has any affect on those kinds of things?

What makes you say that, and where did you get this information?

The SA-1 is one of the best headphone amplifiers tested on ASR, and its measurements are on par with top-tier devices.
I have also conducted blind comparisons between it and several much more expensive headphone amps—including with the LCD-5, which is considered one of the most transparent headphones available. The SA-1 remains a staple in my setup.

The measurements for the SA-2 have barely changed compared to the SA-1, but the power output has roughly doubled.

 

[Blew]

Were they mixing single ended and balanced input/output?

 

[Chanur]

What makes you say that, and where did you get this information?

The SA-1 is one of the best headphone amplifiers tested on ASR, and its measurements are on par with top-tier devices.
I have also conducted blind comparisons between it and several much more expensive headphone amps—including with the LCD-5, which is considered one of the most transparent headphones available. The SA-1 remains a staple in my setup.

The measurements for the SA-2 have barely changed compared to the SA-1, but the power output has roughly doubled.

Thanks, that's kind of what I had been thinking but watched many reviews on it. That's why I was wondering as it didn't make sense. I have been wanting one but holding off because of all the "meh" feedback.

Just to be clear, buying a way more expensive amplifier than the Singxer, which as you mentioned measured incredibly, will not provide any of that "bigger soundstage, better dynamics, more natural timbre," etc nonsense correct?

@Blew not sure , but that could be it.

 

[Cyranodb]

I just received it 3 days ago, I could recognize a few small changes on the circuit board but the jumpers still exist. Rest assured.
However I don't understand what the use of DC jumpers mean? What will happen in the circuit when plugging the jumpers? I also want to try this but some people say it might ruin my headphones. So what do I have to do to avoid broken headphones? Can it be used with low impedance IEM or not?
View attachment 150872

Question for happy owners of the SA-2. Someone could confirm what caps they used instead of Pana FM in a new verson? Including capacity/voltage please.
They got rid of Epcos (TDK) 1uF bypass what is met. polyester cap responsile for adding some clarity to Pana FM ( blue things). I guess from the color Nippon Chemi-con.
Thanx a lot for looking

Andrew