SMSL VMV A2 Review (Stereo Amplifier & DAC)

[ppataki]

I really love the idea of Full Digital Amps - no need for a DAC, fully digital signal path, etc....
What would be even more awesome is if the next generation of this amp would have multichannel....like 2-4-6-8 channel versions to choose from
That would be a huge hit amongst people who build multiway systems and home theater also
Just an idea.... @SMSL-Mandy @SMSL_Liu - Thank you

 

[Farenheit]

I don't know if it's already posted, but see the ASR review on the SMSL official website:

SMSL VMV A2 Review (Stereo Amplifier & DAC)

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

 

[Eruditarian]

I don't know if it's already posted, but see the ASR review on the SMSL official website:

SMSL VMV A2 Review (Stereo Amplifier & DAC)

Foshan ShuangMuSanLin electronics Co., LTD. founded in 2009 which located in Shenzhen, China. And our branch company VMV Technology(HK) Company Limited registered in HK in 2013. Our company is specialized in the audio DAC, stereo headphone amplifier, power amplifier, and with own R&D...

www.smsl-audio.com

I appreciate that they kept @amirm 's caution statement at the end. They could have omitted that...

 

[jmillar]

...and its price $999??

At around the 1000€ mark it's a hard sell in the EU. (I know. It has a DAC, but still).
There are quite a few tried and tested class D units with an acceptable level of support.
Ultrasonics cutoff doesn't bother me at all. Why should we care about what happens beyond 22 kHz as long as it gets there linearly and cleanly? (Ok, make it 24 (48 kHz samp rate) if you must, but it's not absolutely needed)
But analog input issues must be resolved.
As is, this iteration is an unfinished product. Instead of a fan it might need bigger heatsinks/dissipators. A fan can be there for extreme contingencies, but not as part of standard use protocol.

 

[jmillar]

Right, but who is a class a amp for? Oppose to class d. What type of audiophile

A class A amp would be ideal for headphone use. The constant power draw is not so much of a problem.

Others are purists with big pockets and big, expensive, high sensitivity speakers. Get ready for about 50 kilos per each single channel monobloc, power draw, heat, and a stiff pricetag.

 

[Jaanedo Dost]

The VMV A2 has finally arrived from hifi-express in perfect condition and without any duties due. It is an amazing amp. I am mesmerized with its performance.

Do you still find its performance mesmerizing?

 

[HARMAN]

Is there any difference in sound between a2 to smsl sa400 ?analog only

 

[Toku]

Is there any difference in sound between a2 to smsl sa400 ?analog only

The power amp sections of the VMV A2 and SA400 are probably the same. However, the SA400 does not use the digital input, which is the main input.

The VMV A2 analog input signal uses the PCM1804's dedicated ADC chip, while the SA400 uses the ADC built into the Axign AX5689 chip for A-D conversion. This built-in ADC is also used for A-D conversion of digital feedback signals.
I haven't bought these two yet, so I don't know how much this difference in A-D conversion will affect the sound quality.
But I think there is a difference that is worth the price difference.

 

[SMSL-Mandy]

The power amp sections of the VMV A2 and SA400 are probably the same. However, the SA400 does not use the digital input, which is the main input.

The VMV A2 analog input signal uses the PCM1804's dedicated ADC chip, while the SA400 uses the ADC built into the Axign AX5689 chip for A-D conversion. This built-in ADC is also used for A-D conversion of digital feedback signals.
I haven't bought these two yet, so I don't know how much this difference in A-D conversion will affect the sound quality.
But I think there is a difference that is worth the price difference.

Thanks for the explanation of Toku. The best different of the A2 and SA400 is the A2 is the digital amplifier but the Sa400.

 

[Toku]

Thanks for the explanation of Toku. The best different of the A2 and SA400 is the A2 is the digital amplifier but the Sa400.

The VMV A2 and SA400 are interesting products, but they are never bought because of their expensive pricing and almost hidden internal structure. I think it's a very disappointing product.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Thanks for the review!

I find it interesting from cost perspective to compare this unit to Deonon AVR3600H since the price is similar. It's DAC and Amp measures slightly better and It puts out extra ~40w per channel into 4 ohms compared to the Denon. Similar figures into 8 ohms. I doubt the difference is really audible.

However the Denon has ..8 amplifiers, it doesn't have DC problem messing up the RCA inputs. It has greater selection of inputs and extra 7 HDMI inputs should you need them. It has HEOS streaming capabilities for your favourite music streaming service and internet radio you can control via app - wired or wireless. Multi room setups. Audyssey ext32 DSP dohiggery for room correction and decent eq, bluetooth for your headphones or streaming from phone. Two subwooofer outputs you can configure at your heart desire. Headphone output, power savings mode and bunch of other features few of us will ever use and I don't recall while writing this.

Sure, the Denon is bigger if you are short on space.

Yes and you get a remote that will last more then a year and no fan.I hate noise during quiet passages of music. And I just use audyssey with the app on my cheaper Denon 960 with some fairly noticeable improvements over my Topping pa5 alone. I am hoping if I can get act 32 audyssey and the app it could be even better.