Small Amp - what to choose?

[Rellyc]

Hello,
I have read many reviews but I don't know what to choose.
I have Dali Spektor 2 and I them. I also have an older Yamaha subwoofer from a 5.1 system. I use them with a Yamaha HTR 2071 AVR, input - TV, Sonos Connect 2 DAC and a Teac amplified turntable. I would like to drop the big and heavy things (Yamaha receiver together with a central speaker) and switch to a small amp. I was thinking about an Aiyima D03 or Loxjie A30 as I already have Sonos DAC. Does it worth it? Would it provide at least the same sound quality as my Yamaha AVR? (Burr Brown DAC).
Thank you!

 

[Steven Holt]

Take a hard look at Schitt Audio.

 

[Rellyc]

Thank you for your suggestion, but I wouldn't pay more than 350 euros (the price of Wiim amp), Schit has no amp with at least optical input at this price. Already having DACs (Wiim mini and Sonos Connect 2), I was thinking about an Amp with Sub out. An Aiyima D03 would offer at least the same sound quality (music listening) as my entry level AVR?

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, if I understand it you want to keep your speakers, integrate a sub and have a small form factor in a budget if 350 EUR.
WiiM amp makes a lot of sense, and includes PEQ / room correction. Because you can high pass your Dalis (don't send the low frequencies that need most of the amps power ) then the amp has an easier time and may well be loud enough for occasional stupid volume.
If your Sonos DAC has a sub out, or line out that you can use, then Aiyima and Fosi have some very nice neat amps under budget but you wouldn't get any DSP. Just look at the review index here.
You are unlikely to hear any sound difference though, unless the Yamaha is really terrible (unlikely).
DSP / room correction could make a huge difference - my preference would be to go for the WiiM amp just because of that.

 

[Petrushka]

Hi, if I understand it you want to keep your speakers, integrate a sub and have a small form factor in a budget if 350 EUR.
WiiM amp makes a lot of sense, and includes PEQ / room correction. Because you can high pass your Dalis (don't send the low frequencies that need most of the amps power ) then the amp has an easier time and may well be loud enough for occasional stupid volume.
If your Sonos DAC has a sub out, or line out that you can use, then Aiyima and Fosi have some very nice neat amps under budget but you wouldn't get any DSP. Just look at the review index here.
You are unlikely to hear any sound difference though, unless the Yamaha is really terrible (unlikely).
DSP / room correction could make a huge difference - my preference would be to go for the WiiM amp just because of that.

The WIIM Amp Pro is announced, for a few dollars more.

 

[DVDdoug]

Note that without a surround decoder you'll lose the "point one" LFE channel in movies. It's not included in the downmix. (With a crossover you scan still use the subwoofer for the "regular bass".)

 

[Rellyc]

Hi, if I understand it you want to keep your speakers, integrate a sub and have a small form factor in a budget if 350 EUR.

WiiM amp makes a lot of sense, and includes PEQ / room correction. Because you can high pass your Dalis (don't send the low frequencies that need most of the amps power ) then the amp has an easier time and may well be loud enough for occasional stupid volume.
If your Sonos DAC has a sub out, or line out that you can use, then Aiyima and Fosi have some very nice neat amps under budget but you wouldn't get any DSP. Just look at the review index here.
You are unlikely to hear any sound difference though, unless the Yamaha is really terrible (unlikely).
DSP / room correction could make a huge difference - my preference would be to go for the WiiM amp just because of that.

Yes, I would like to integrate the sub in a 2.1 setup. For music, I use Yamaha in straight mode with crossover set at 80 Hz. The receiver is in my living room and I use it only for music and regular TV (PCM). For movies in the bedroom I have a Sonos Beam with 2 One SLs.
So a good small 2.1 amp would do it, no need to decode surround, crossover would do just fine. For the DAC, I find Sonos just fine, nothing to complain about (I have the latest Connect 2, made in 2019 - supports high res).

 

[Rellyc]

SMSL AO300? Found one used for 1/2 the price of Wiim amp.

 

[Roland68]

SMSL AO300? Found one used for 1/2 the price of Wiim amp.

I can recommend it from my own experience and would have suggested it now.
Works perfectly and sounds good.