SMSL A50 Pro Amplifier Review

[Jimster480]

Wow this is very poor performance, pretty surprising for SMSL.... but they do designs from lots of contractors so I guess not all of them can be good... as evidenced by this disaster here.

 

[pablolie]

I voted "not terrible", the mix of functionality/performance vs cost seems actually decent-ish for the very aggressive price point. I think we're expecting way too much from a $90 product here. Also, the weakness is more on the analog input front, which seems just suited for emergency situations. The performance through digital seems OK for the price.

Back as a student many moons ago, I would have killed for this performance at this price point.

 

[A Surfer]

I don't think that the A0300 was that bad. I own it, but haven't really used it much. I know that it measured as not broken, but not anywhere near SOTA for it's market segment either.

Given the feature set and decent power output, and build quality seems solid, I think that the A0300 is at least acceptable. Maybe I'm not remembering the reviews so accurately?

 

[dannut]

I actually conditionally like this product, just to encourage manufacturers that this is the correct path to take in low-cost audio system design:

• Variable highpass filter on the mains, lowpass on the subs. (And a sub amplifier instead line-level out... ok. But why?)
• HDMI(ARC)/optical/analog input - perfect for a TV-based streaming system.
• bass/treble adjustment - for rudimentary loudness-compensation

But it needs work SMSL! Reference implementation of MA12070P has 0.007% THD+N, your own datasheet lists 0.013% THD+N and 102dB SNR. WTH happened here? Did you use a 'wrong' power mode profile? Botched the PCB implementation?
Also 'musical style' eq presets need to be replaced with proper manual PEQ, at least for the sub channel. Please try again with a more modern IC, it will be a success, IF correctly implemented.

 

[xanalog]

hah, i wondered where topping hides all of it's noise..

I wonder more about where @amirm stores all the skulls from these headless Panthers that have been awarded!

Thank you for the review, @amirm.

 

[eddantes]

I use a SMSL A50 Pro in by bedroom as a soundbar (two DIY speaker 7"+1") for my TV and as a radio player (Radio Paradise ).
No problems, can't hear noise. Most amplifier with HDMI-ARC are much more expensive.

Me too. Cheapest HDMI ARC amp I can find to my DIY speakers. Built for may aging parents with the speakers voiced to bring the highs up a bit for their aging ears. I can't say I heard anything that would bring attention to itself. Mebbe I'm deaf!

 

[Rick63]

 

[pablolie]

View attachment 504542

I'd reserve that for expensive equipment that doesn't deliver anywhere near its price point... and there's plenty evidence for those in ASR reviews. I could have used this in many non-critical environments... cabin in the woods, garden system, garage gym... not every place justifies 120dB SINAD, people...

 

[testp]

I wonder more about where @amirm stores all the skulls from these headless Panthers that have been awarded!

Thank you for the review, @amirm.

and deamn it, i mixed something up, i thought this was topping's review for some reason, this is SMSL, deamn it old age..

 

[HalSF]

I know I’m becoming a predictable curmudgeon on this point, but when a reviewed product has been on the market for several years like this one, IMO the review should mention when the product was originally released. It’s easy to include and it provides significant context. I don’t understand excluding this information.

 

[Cote Dazur]

It is tempting to buy one of these and listen to it for comparison with some of the very high performing electronics that I have on hand. I would learn just how much of a real improvement the better stuff affords.

On one hand it is great to have the measurement showing it is not transparent, but at the same time, measuring as non transparent and being able to hear a difference with an other item measured to be totally transparent is not the same thing.
A proper listening test would also be interesting to me.
It is great to have high standards, but it is also great to have flexible inexpensive options which might perform just fine even if not to highest standards.

 

[xanalog]

...not every place justifies 120dB SINAD, people...

My 'RedLine' is at the RedBook level: What is yours?

 

[Hart]

Well I guess not all soap on a rope electronics are great. (Separate transfomer)

 

[JSmith]

I wonder more about where @amirm stores all the skulls from these headless Panthers that have been awarded!

The cupboard is full, another is likely needed by now;

@Amir, if you ever needed new or replacements;

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JSmith

 

[PristineSound]

Keep in mind SMSL

Thanks Amir.
And there I was, anticipating another rubber-stamped, glowing endorsement of SMSL. What a shock.
What's next - Topping?

But this is a SMSL amp not a SMSL DAC nor a Topping amp. If this was a Topping amp, or a SMSL DAC and measured like this then it would be an exception.

SMSL are not known for their amps.

 

[Mnyb]

The weirdest part is the amplifier level sub out ? Why ? Most folks buy typical subwoofers at this low price point, it could have been even cheaper with just two channels of amplification and a line level sub out ? Then I could have been useful as a garage system or something ?

 

[Rick63]

The weirdest part is the amplifier level sub out ? Why ? Most folks buy typical subwoofers at this low price point, it could have been even cheaper with just two channels of amplification and a line level sub out ? Then I could have been useful as a garage system or something ?

Good point. Most people looking at this would have a powered subwoofer.

 

[shuppatsu]

Limited bandwidth to 20kHz aside, this little box is the equal of many highly regarded high end amps, so what are you lot complaining about???

I'm being sarcastic above, by the way... Would it cost loads to refine it into better performance?

This but unironically. Assuming that I’m using speakers without esoteric sensitivity levels I very much doubt I’d hear any differences up to 42W. 1% THD is fine, y’all.

I’m not sure what setups use a low-power, passive subwoofer but if I needed something like this, I would not let the SINAD scare me away. Three channels, DAC, active crossover, EQ, all for less than $100? Crazy good deal.

 

[Mnyb]

The only cheap passive subs are usually diy ? Is this product for low cost diy enthusiasts ?

The passive subs I’m aware of are usually quite massive ones in a more expensive diy category ? People who have pa crossovers or mini DSP and separate power amps anyway ?

Makes sense as an amp inside a low cost soundbar mated with a cheap passive sub ? Not as an amp

 

[amirm]

I know I’m becoming a predictable curmudgeon on this point, but when a reviewed product has been on the market for several years like this one, IMO the review should mention when the product was originally released. It’s easy to include and it provides significant context. I don’t understand excluding this information.

It is not my job to be an audio historian. The product is on sale right now on major sites such as Amazon. I don't care if it was released a month ago or 5 years. If it is for sale, then it is a current product and to be reviewed as such.

And no, it is not easy to figure out when a product was released. It requires research and is not something I am going to waste my time on. You on the other hand, could have post that info, and explain why a solid state amplifier would have been fine to have a SINAD in the 50s in that time.