Topping PA5 Review (Amplifier)

[JakeJang]

Tone2

I took a look at the khadas page and found that the Tone2 Pro's RCA output was complicated.
Even if you take measures, the result may be different from usual...

Balanced RCA | Khadas

Design and deliver futuristic mini Hi-Fi DACs with balanced audio, made possible with Khadas' diminutive balanced RCA connectors.

www.khadas.com

View attachment 176960

Yeah, it's because they kinda made a semi-balanced RCA output. Khadas sells their own Balanced RCA to XLR cable, which costs at least $75....
I actually ordered it yesterday, and try with this cable this weekend.
I hope I can distinguish the difference between using XLR to TRS and TRS to TS if not that would be a waste of money.
Maybe it's just an additional note to this thread.

 

[sarumbear]

Okay so I bought the PA5 without doing my research. For some reason I thought it had both balanced and unbalanced inputs. Now I have a PA5 that I can't use. So I'm looking for recommendations for either a preamp (I have a DAC) or a DAC. I need a volume control with a remote. Any ideas would be appreciated? I'd hate to return it given all of the great feedback here. I also don't want to spend a fortune.

You can use the PA5 with unbalanced inputs. Just use an adapter.

 

[mario_rouge]

Replaying quite late, I just tested with TS-RCA gender, and it works out very great.
All the issues are gone, and now I realize the difference between a Beefy amp and a normal one.
This amp is so good.
Thank you for your recommendation.

PA5 is not a Beefy amp, it has just 48 watt.

 

[tvrgeek]

PA5 is not a Beefy amp, it has just 48 watt.

To compare to a comparable amp with reasonable overhead, consider the PA5 to be more like a 20W amp. Maybe the Aegir is a good comparison. Maybe a First Watt F8. Wouldn't that be something if it can surpass the small class A amps.

 

[BoredErica]

Are there any class ab amps under $800 with similar or more power compared to pa5 with 20db gain or less? If not I really see pa5 as my only option. $3k for ahb2 is just not in the cards right now. I can't justify paying that much more for that little increase in performance real world.

 

[JakeJang]

PA5 is not a Beefy amp, it has just 48 watt.

My old amp was SA300, so I thought PA5 had more power than SA300.

 

[antcollinet]

To compare to a comparable amp with reasonable overhead, consider the PA5 to be more like a 20W amp. Maybe the Aegir is a good comparison. Maybe a First Watt F8. Wouldn't that be something if it can surpass the small class A amps.

What are you saying is a comparable amp with overhead? At a similar price?

50W is into 8Ω and 0.0003% THD. It can do 60W at 0.05%, and 75W at 1%THD

 

[tvrgeek]

Are there any class ab amps under $800 with similar or more power compared to pa5 with 20db gain or less? If not I really see pa5 as my only option. $3k for ahb2 is just not in the cards right now. I can't justify paying that much more for that little increase in performance real world.

March P122, Schiit Vidar, and Atoll MA100 are my short list for amplifiers I can afford that may reach the" no sound of their own" If I could justify a Benchmark, I too would have one, but my own MOSFET I really can't fault. I am trying to justify a PA5 for my desk but really want an all in one. DAC/Phones/speakers/crossover for sub.

How much gain is dependent on the output. This is why we have volume controls. So buying an amp based on the gain may be an unwise spec.

 

[DHT 845]

Are there any class ab amps under $800 with similar or more power compared to pa5 with 20db gain or less? If not I really see pa5 as my only option. $3k for ahb2 is just not in the cards right now. I can't justify paying that much more for that little increase in performance real world.

How about Outlaw Audio Model 2220 Monoblock Power Amplifier?
Price $798 / pair!

Model 2220

You've been looking for a rugged monoblock, at home with both music and movies. Maybe you've been looking for an amp that can be stacked and runs as cool as the other side of your pillow; look no further. 200W into an 8Ω load / 300W into a 4Ω load Choose the right number of amps for...

outlawaudio.com

 

[tvrgeek]

Forgot them. Yes, decent amps. Made by ATI I think. Not quite in the "no sound of their own" class I don't think. Close. They have put to shame some rather ego priced amps.

But a different market. They are legit "big" amps.

 

[pkane]

To compare to a comparable amp with reasonable overhead, consider the PA5 to be more like a 20W amp.

How did you come up with that number?

 

[tvrgeek]

Look at the performance chart where it turns the corner. Pick at least 2 or 3 dB overhead to make a comparison with a well executed AB amp.
I am not saying this amp is small. 20W into 8 Ohms is a bunch of power and transients clean over 40. Go ask the tube and class A guys who consider 12W a great amp. It should be more than enough for any apartment dweller to get serious hi-fi. I suspect that and high end desktops is their market. Poor choice of speakers of course hurts. The trend to very high power amplifiers has more to do with cheap design and advertising that actual playing music in a home.

I am about ready to get one to compare to my 60W amp. For comfortable listening, I bet it may be close as my preamp volume has never been past 12:00. Then move it to my desk where my 10W Tripath is way more than needed. Unless it blows away my old amp, which would be disappointing to my ego, hence I would leave it in place as the music is what counts, not my design skills. Actually, if it does sound better but is not big enough, I would buy the March P221 in a heartbeat as I see it as a serious contender to the Benchmark at 1/3 the price.

 

[mdsimon2]

Are there any class ab amps under $800 with similar or more power compared to pa5 with 20db gain or less? If not I really see pa5 as my only option. $3k for ahb2 is just not in the cards right now. I can't justify paying that much more for that little increase in performance real world.

DIY option but Neurochrome Modulus 86 -> https://neurochrome.com/products/modulus-86.

As a dirt cheap but low power DIY class D option the Icepower 50ASX2SE has 20.5 dB gain and pretty good residual noise specs. I just bought one of these from Parts Express and am curious to try it out.

Michael

 

[tvrgeek]

Add in the cost of a power supply and case of some sort so the actual cost can be compared. It may be hard to beat $350, but close. $150 for two boards, $100 for parts ( they say), power supply, get an old amp off e-bay for $20 for the case and heat sink. ( Maybe even the linear supply?) Could be a gem for DIY.

I have not been impressed with any ICEPOWER amp. They are why I until recently totally dismissed class D. Let us know how it sounds.

 

[bsas]

Are there any class ab amps under $800 with similar or more power compared to pa5 with 20db gain or less? If not I really see pa5 as my only option. $3k for ahb2 is just not in the cards right now. I can't justify paying that much more for that little increase in performance real world.

GT-102 Stereo Power Amplifier

Akitika's GT-102 power amplifier kit delivers 50 Watts per channel into an 8 ohm load with low noise and low distortion. The kit supplies everything you need to build great sound.

www.akitika.com

$370 DIY or $549 assembled. And there is a try out period that you can return if you don’t like it.

 

[pkane]

Look at the performance chart where it turns the corner. Pick at least 2 or 3 dB overhead to make a comparison with a well executed AB amp.

PA5 distortion stays below -100dB until just above 50W into 8 ohms, and stays under 1% THD until about 70W. I don't see a turning point at 20W.

 

[antcollinet]

Look at the performance chart where it turns the corner. Pick at least 2 or 3 dB overhead to make a comparison with a well executed AB amp.
I am not saying this amp is small. 20W into 8 Ohms is a bunch of power and transients clean over 40. Go ask the tube and class A guys who consider 12W a great amp. It should be more than enough for any apartment dweller to get serious hi-fi. I suspect that and high end desktops is their market. Poor choice of speakers of course hurts. The trend to very high power amplifiers has more to do with cheap design and advertising that actual playing music in a home.

I am about ready to get one to compare to my 60W amp. For comfortable listening, I bet it may be close as my preamp volume has never been past 12:00. Then move it to my desk where my 10W Tripath is way more than needed. Unless it blows away my old amp, which would be disappointing to my ego, hence I would leave it in place as the music is what counts, not my design skills. Actually, if it does sound better but is not big enough, I would buy the March P221 in a heartbeat as I see it as a serious contender to the Benchmark at 1/3 the price.

Again - please point to a well executed AB amp we can make a comparison with. Either 20W rated that is doing 50W with 0.0005%THD, or a 50W rated that can actually do +3dB (100W) with low distortion. Or *anything* similar that justifies you stating it only performs as a 20W class AB.

The Vidar you mention for example is rated at 100W (at more than double the price) and can do just over that, but at 0.01% THD - and definitely cannot go +3dB, so do we have to state that is really only a 40W amp?

 

[tvrgeek]

I pointed to COMPETATIVE market well executed amps. Not playing number games. Yes, the numbers on the PA5 are superb.
I stand by this little gem looks to be comparable IN USE to well executed 20W or so amps. GOOD amps. Ones listed for a lot more money.
I don't know why you think this is offensive. Do you know how much power you actually use for comfortable listening? Do you understand why Nelson Pass is so adamite about "the first watt"? Would I choose it to drive an Alexa V in a 500 sq ft room to concert levels? No. I might think the Benchmark marginal. Might it drive my Seas bookshelf's in my 200 sq ft living room for the constant pleasant music? Just maybe. If I was in an apartment where you can't drive to concert levels ( most of the world), it may be great. I ran a 10W Kenwood class A in my office for years. It could play louder than I could stand. Built a 6W tube, Again, fine.

 

[voodooless]

I pointed to COMPETATIVE market well executed amps.

Can you define this?

 

[pkane]

I don't know why you think this is offensive.

Not offensive, just factually incorrect:

To compare to a comparable amp with reasonable overhead, consider the PA5 to be more like a 20W amp