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SMSL VMV A1

10 watts will be enough in most cases.


I wouldn't wanna use a single ma12070 chip less than 20 watt pr channel in 8 ohm im fine with around 25 watt in 8 ohm with high 80's sensitive speakers
 
I wouldn't wanna use a single ma12070 chip less than 20 watt pr channel in 8 ohm im fine with around 25 watt in 8 ohm with high 80's sensitive speakers
It heavily depends on room and listening conditions.
In my living room I have Audiolab 9000a + Kef R3. And in general situation amp draws about 30-40w total (according to current meter). So talking into accout efficiency, you can imagine power drawn per channel.
 
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I liked mine so much that I got another one, so now I have one for each channel. I am using these to drive Dynaudio bookshelf speakers, and believe me, there is plenty of power.
Another thing worth mentioning, these can be used as headphone amplifiers. They work very well indeed as such.
 
It heavily depends on room and listening conditions.
In my living room I have Audiolab 9000a + Kef R3. And in general situation amp draws about 30-40w total (according to current meter). So talking into accout efficiency, you can imagine power drawn per channel.
Hello! How A1 sound quality comparing to 9000a? A1 it s a good match for r3?
 
Really curious about this little guy, I’m fighting very hard my subjective double to not buy one to try.
I know there will probably not sound different than my current amps, but the idea is stuck.
What helps my objective side is that I would need two of them, so the price is hard to swallow.
I am also debating with myself....objectively I would never ever buy this amp (based on its horrid measurements) however, subjectively speaking I am extremely curious about how it sounds....
Power (I think) would not be an issue for me since I would drive full range drivers with it + I am using two subs crossed at 80Hz so the A1 would be relieved from handling low bass (which it cannot do properly anyway I guess)
I am trying to buy a used one at a very good price; if I succeed, I will share my experience here

In the meantime, if anybody else wants to share some experience please do not hesitate
Thank you
 
I am also debating with myself....objectively I would never ever buy this amp (based on its horrid measurements) however, subjectively speaking I am extremely curious about how it sounds....
Power (I think) would not be an issue for me since I would drive full range drivers with it + I am using two subs crossed at 80Hz so the A1 would be relieved from handling low bass (which it cannot do properly anyway I guess)
I am trying to buy a used one at a very good price; if I succeed, I will share my experience here

In the meantime, if anybody else wants to share some experience please do not hesitate
Thank you

As far as I am concerned the bass of the A1 is the star of the show. I think it may be a bit pointless if you are using subs. I have 2 and use 1 per channel. I am pleased and the system can play loud enough for me. My room is fairly large and my speakers are not efficient.

If your speakers are less efficient than 89 dB per watt and you have a medium or larger room I think once A1 is not enough. If you have speakers that are efficient and your room is not too big, then one A1 should do fine.
 
As far as I am concerned the bass of the A1 is the star of the show. I think it may be a bit pointless if you are using subs. I have 2 and use 1 per channel. I am pleased and the system can play loud enough for me. My room is fairly large and my speakers are not efficient.

If your speakers are less efficient than 89 dB per watt and you have a medium or larger room I think once A1 is not enough. If you have speakers that are efficient and your room is not too big, then one A1 should do fine.

Sensitivity is 89dB and listening distance is 2.5m
And the signal will have a 24dB/oct. high-pass at 80Hz (because of the subs taking over from there)

When it comes to the mids and highs, stage, separation, etc. what is your experience? Is it not that much better(?) or different vs. a normal let's say class D amp?
 
Sensitivity is 89dB and listening distance is 2.5m
And the signal will have a 24dB/oct. high-pass at 80Hz (because of the subs taking over from there)

When it comes to the mids and highs, stage, separation, etc. what is your experience? Is it not that much better(?) or different vs. a normal let's say class D amp?

You will be just fine. The A1 is much more refined than a class D amp, depth, mids and highs should all be much better. I think you will just find it more musically enjoyable. I believe it will be worth it for you to get an A1. If your speakers are 89dB you could even experiment with using your system without subs and running the A1 full range. No harm in giving it a try.
 
I am also debating with myself....objectively I would never ever buy this amp (based on its horrid measurements) however, subjectively speaking I am extremely curious about how it sounds....
Power (I think) would not be an issue for me since I would drive full range drivers with it + I am using two subs crossed at 80Hz so the A1 would be relieved from handling low bass (which it cannot do properly anyway I guess)
I am trying to buy a used one at a very good price; if I succeed, I will share my experience here

In the meantime, if anybody else wants to share some experience please do not hesitate
Thank you


Ppataki I enjoy reading your build threads so please let us know if you try.
Me I'm done switching and testing amps, I have retried a pass at that for the last 2 years and the result is that I'm back with the simplest amps (Rekkr on highs and fosi on lows now).
Tried a bunch of high and low power class A/AB/D, PA, tubes and SET tubes and I think I'm done for few years (because we never know, in 10 years I might fall for it again).
The only ones that sounded different were the SET, but I can't say it was better, just different, beautifully built and to look at but a pain to use everyday.
For all others, differences existed on the user experience, hiss & hum, gain/power, but not the "musicality".

But to compare apples to apples, my system is a high efficiency 4 way active with dsp, retuned at every change so the amps had minimal chance to impact anything.
With a simpler passive system, I could understand the thinking around tweaking the global result with amps pairing etc. But even in this case I think it's a waste of time and money, better tune the room or the speakers.
Well that's where I am now.
 
Sensitivity is 89dB and listening distance is 2.5m
And the signal will have a 24dB/oct. high-pass at 80Hz (because of the subs taking over from there)

When it comes to the mids and highs, stage, separation, etc. what is your experience? Is it not that much better(?) or different vs. a normal let's say class D amp?

Ok, have you got it yet and how is it working out for you?
 
Ok, have you got it yet and how is it working out for you?

No, unfortunately the guy has changed his mind about selling it...
I am now busy with this project and after that, probably around April I will order a brand new A1 and see how it will perform. I will report back with my findings
 
Just one more thing about the A1. It is a kick ass headphone amplifier. I have had a few of those. It is a cut above the Aune A17 for example as far as I am concerned.
 
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Just one more thing about the A1. It is a kick ass headphone amplifier. I have had a few of those. It is a cut above the Aune A17 for example as far as I am concerned.
Hi! You said that you use 2 VMV A1… in bridge mono? How do you do that? I use one with my Lintons and I love it :). For headphone amp you meant Aune S17 I guess…?
 
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Hi! You said that you use 2 VMV A1… in bridge mono? How do you do that? I use one with my Lintons and I love it :). For headphone amp you meant Aune S17 I guess…?

The VMV A1 is a headphone amp. The headphone socket is on the back. There is no bridge mono option. The advantage by using it in mono is that the power supply only needs to power one channel.
 
The VMV A1 is a headphone amp. The headphone socket is on the back. There is no bridge mono option. The advantage by using it in mono is that the power supply only needs to power one channel.
Thanks for your answer! How would you describe the difference in sound using two units instead of one?
 
Thanks for your answer! How would you describe the difference in sound using two units instead of one?

A bit more solid bass, better 3d imaging and it sounds a bit more confident when you want to play a bit loud. I have inefficient speakers and one unit struggles with loud bass heavy music. 2 on the other hand handle it in a way that I feel satisfied with.
I think it just depends on how efficient your speakers are and how large your room is. With efficient speakers I think one unit should do just fine.
 
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