SMSL A100 Review (Stereo Amplifier)

[Deleted member 46664]

Why is this amp discontinued tho? I've seen this amp being around for like 1 month and then it's already gone

Something to consider ... When you move the power supply inside the casing, like this amp, you have to get UL, CSA, CE and other approvals for line operated devices. But when you use an external supply, the amplifier no longer needs these approvals... the supply does. So you can purchase a pre-approved brick and only worry about the amplifier.

I'm guessing it didn't make the needed approvals.

 

[peanuts]

audiophonics claim to have incoming stock. might not be true though.

SMSL A100 Amplifier Class D Infineon MA12070 Bluetooth 5.0 2x80W 4 Ohm - Audiophonics

SMSL offers with the A100 a compact and affordable but nevertheless powerful Class D amplifier, based on an Infineon MA12070 chip allowing it to develop 2x80W under 4Ω. Simple and efficient, the A100 is simple to use and practical.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[asr1837373829w936q9]

Distortion on the other hand rises with frequency. I like to see perfection but we don't have such an example below $350 currently

What about Aiyima 07 (tpa3255) that is under $100? How far is this one from perfection in distortion area?

AIYIMA A07 TPA3255 Review (Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AIYIMA A07 desktop amplifier based on TPA3255 class D amplifier chip. It was kindly purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. The cost is US $72 on Amazon including prime shipping. And as of this shipping, it also included a 32 volt, 5...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thank you for fun to read reviews!
Alex

 

[Glitch]

Nice case and probably the elevated high frequency distortion isn't very audible if Amir recommends it but the Aiyima 07 remains the <$100 champ.

SMSL A100 + a pair of Pioneer SP-C22 standing upwards = perfect gift to relatives and friends so you don't have to be tortured with crappy sound when you go to their house?

 

[carsknivesbeer]

Thanks Amir!

Is it fair to assume that the distortion would not change with the USB input rather than the analog input? I was thinking of using this on a desktop with the USB input.

 

[Deleted member 46664]

Pioneer SP-C22 standing upwards

Please forgive the off topic question... But ... have you tried this and how good is it?

 

[Kachda]

My Hypex amp has gone kaput so might make sense to get something like this while it (hopefully) gets repaired.

 

[Glitch]

Please forgive the off topic question... But ... have you tried this and how good is it?

No, just going from the previous review.

 

[Keened]

I'm surprised there's any difference at all from the Loxjie A30, though I guess there you could test with digital input.


This is one of the most surprising things I've ever read on this forum.

He shouldn't since it's not within the USB spec and can theoretically damage something. All A-A connections that I know of are strictly proprietary.

 

[RHO]

I was looking at this one but couldn't find a review. Luckily I checked the site before ordering.
I went with the Aiyima A07 and 36V/6A supply for my temporary desk setup.

 

[DSJR]

I'm sorry about any confusion I caused as regards crossover distortion. I wasn't remotely suggesting that this little amp suffered from this, but that back in the day when THD figures were supposedly so low (at one frequency and power level), crossover effects were very real on some popular products at lower levels. The distortion spread on this little amp rises to a still (once) low level at high frequencies and all I wanted to know is what an amp with crossover effects would look like on a modern distortion display such as Amir uses (3rd/fifth order artefacts? I don't know).

Anyway, great that this baby will be hopefully back on stream in a couple of weeks. The main UK competition is the Amptastic Mini One which has no real output but people rave about it (it's popular predecessor shouted and screamed its way into any speaker of mid 80's sensitivity and anything above whisper volumes to me). Anyone with one of these willing to submit it to proper third party testing here?

Amptastic | The Small Audio Company

Amazing Tripath TA2020 based mini Hi-Fi audio amplifiers and high quality audio cables

www.amptastic.com

 

[CedarX]

… the class B notion of a crossover notch simply does not apply here.

Apologies for my ignorant question… If I’m not mistaken, the MA12070 chip is using Infineon multi-level switching technology with (?) 4 amp in a bridge configuration. Would slight differences in the characteristics of all these (integrated) switching transistors result in distortion? Different effect, but same root causes a crossover distortion in an AB amp?

 

[Deleted member 46664]

Apologies for my ignorant question… If I’m not mistaken, the MA12070 chip is using Infineon multi-level switching technology with (?) 4 amp in a bridge configuration. Would slight differences in the characteristics of all these (integrated) switching transistors result in distortion? Different effect, but same root causes a crossover distortion in an AB amp?

They might ... but one would hope that before producing a chip, that cannot be modified, they might have thought of that.

Crossover distortion happens in class B amps and broken class AB amps when the output transistors, crossing 0 volts output are both off at the same time. This would actually be above the power rail and below ground ... so not the same thing at all.

 

[Murkas]

What about the internal USB DAC? Anyone that can comment on its performance?

 

[Saponetto]

Why is this amp discontinued tho? I've seen this amp being around for like 1 month and then it's already gone

You're right... Audiophonics site gives an availability within one month, or less.
Maybe my colleagues will still be able to place any orders.

 

[dr0ss]

Is it fair to assume that the distortion would not change with the USB input rather than the analog input? I was thinking of using this on a desktop with the USB input.

If you look at his review of the Loxjie A30, which is based on the same amplification architecture, performance was substantially improved using the digital input. In that case he apparently had the appropriate cables.

 

[dr0ss]

He shouldn't since it's not within the USB spec and can theoretically damage something. All A-A connections that I know of are strictly proprietary.

What do you mean here? USB-A input for DACs is common, so you use an A-A cable to connect one to your computer. Do you have reason to believe that the SMSL is unusually out of spec?

 

[Presently42]

Is it just me, or is that the same case as the excellent JDS labs Atom line.?

 

[carsknivesbeer]

Is it just me, or is that the same case as the excellent JDS labs Atom line.?

They are very similar in quality and quite nice for a plastic case.

 

[Ajax]

I'm wondering why you would buy such a low powered mediocre amp, when there are so many excellent alternatives available for just a little more money. There is a sweet spot for good quality budget audio but it is not as low as $100.

e.g. Topping PA5 puts out close to 50W into 8 ohms and received a rave review from Amir. It costs US$350, so for another $250 you get reasonable power output with excellent performance.

When you consider the crazy cost of some "name" amplifiers, $350 is inexpensive for a quality amp, especially if you take a long term view and amortise it over say 10 years or longer. Sometimes paying a little more for quality just makes sense.

Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping PA5 stereo desktop amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $349. PA5 enclosure looks like their standard DACs and such: Hard to imagine that an amplifier can fit in the same size but here we are. There are large...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Just add a Wiim Mini (or chrome cast) streamer and a Topping E30 DAC and you have a SOTA front end that will produce an audibly transparent signal and enough power to make any decent bookshelf speaker sound good. All for little more than US$500.

Enjoy your weekend,

Ajax