What amp to go with SMSL RAW-MDA 1 for desktop use

[Nezil]

I recently got back in to audio now after a few things in my life have converged:

• My kids are a little older and don't go to bed super early
• My wife wouldn't let me buy a motorcycle
• My son is learning electric guitar, and audio interfaces for him lead me back to forums like this, and down the rabbit hole I've gone
• I tidied my office and now have space for a nice desktop setup

A have a reasonable CD collection and in the past have used EAC to rip most of these to FLAC files... but one of the USB keys that had these files has failed and I'm not sure if I have a means to get hold of these any more.

These days I mostly use Apple Music and AirPlay to the HomePods I have around the house, or the AirPlay Receivers (Belkin and Wiim) that drive other outdoor and underwater pool speakers in the back yard, and until recently, I didn't have a dedicated space for really 'listening'.

So as I said, researching audio interfaces for my son got me realising that Apple Music has a lot of Lossless and Hi-Res audio options, and with a suitable DAC and Amplifier, I could have a pretty decent listing setup in my office.

I dug a pair of Klipsch RB-41 IIs out of storage and connected these to an Aiyima A07 Premium that I was using elsewhere. I started by using the Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface, but its DAC and Headphone amplifier aren't that great. It's good for its intended purpose, but that purpose isn't HiFi. I then auditioned the SMSL DL200 and C200 Pro. I've written up my observations on the those in the appropriate forum section, but I've ended up going with the SMSL RAW-MDA 1 and this will serve as my DAC and Headphone amp (to Oppo PM-3 headphones).

So if you're still with me, you'll know that I do have a full setup now: Mac running Apple Music -> SMSL RAW-MDA 1 -> Aiyima A07 Premium -> Klipsch RB-41 IIs

But... I borrowed the Aiyima A07 Premium from another setup, so I do still need to buy an amp for my desktop setup, and that's what I'm soliciting advice for.

The Aiyima A07 sounds pretty good to me, but it doesn't have balanced inputs, and that feels like I'm not going to be getting the most from the DAC. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, with ~$200 as the limit, unless there is something seriously compelling about a solution that pushes me over that.

Amplifiers that appear to meet the requirements that I've seen so far, but not heard, are:

• Aiyima A70 - I don't love the form factor, on the expensive side if you include the 48v PSU
• Fosi ZA3 - Looks good, great price, not DFFB

Am I missing anything? Does DFFB matter? Any other thoughts?

 

[Nezil]

Oh, one thing I think worth mentioning is that the A07 Premium I'm using now does have some hiss when nothing is playing. This isn't coming from the DAC, because I can unplug the single ended inputs from the amp and it's still there. At night I hear this white noise, and I'd rather it not be there... but not at the expense of loosing details in audio that are supposed to be there!

This hiss is not affected by the volume control; it's the same level and min and at max volume.

 

[Brian Hall]

The Fosi ZA3 is a great desktop amp. It also has a subwoofer output if you decide to add an active subwoofer. No hiss at all from mine.

 

[Nezil]

The Fosi ZA3 is a great desktop amp. It also has a subwoofer output if you decide to add an active subwoofer. No hiss at all from mine.

Thanks for the response. I'm currently trialling a Topping PA5 II and it's pretty great. More expensive than the ZA3, but slightly better performing I think. The SMSL DAC has a second set of outputs that can be used to drive a sub, so I don't think I need an amp with that feature.

 

[Totemis]

Thanks for the response. I'm currently trialling a Topping PA5 II and it's pretty great. More expensive than the ZA3, but slightly better performing I think. The SMSL DAC has a second set of outputs that can be used to drive a sub, so I don't think I need an amp with that feature.

Hello Nezil, i think 3e audio A5 or A7 (more power) should be a great choice also...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/3e-audio-a5-stereo-amplifier-review.59870/

 

[jcarys]

You don't need balanced inputs to "get the most from the DAC" - the single ended inputs are just as capable. Balanced inputs are needed if you have issues with grounding. If you don't hear an obvious buzzing from your speakers, you can skip balanced, unless it gives you piece of mind. You could get a bit more voltage in and therefore volume out, but using Klipsch speakers, it's just going to waste. I'm going to predict that you stick with the Topping PA5.

 

[Nezil]

Hello Nezil, i think 3e audio A5 or A7 (more power) should be a great choice also...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/3e-audio-a5-stereo-amplifier-review.59870/

Yeah, I posted in the 3e A5 thread previously... difficult to get hold of that amp currently because of the Tariff uncertainties. It might be more possible now with the recent news of a 90 day reprieve, but that still leaves a 30% tariff that wasn't present previously.

I got hold of a PA5 II, and it's working well so far.

A little update on the whole desktop setup though... I set up the Klipsch RB-41 IIs and the sounded OK, but a little boomy because my desk is in the corner of the room. I got a copy of SoundSource and was able to EQ the speakers using Room EQ Wizard, and this helped a lot, but also showed two major issues:

1. The Klipsch speakers aren't very good; they have basically no bass, and some holes in their mid frequency response
2. So I need a sub to fill out the low end

I posted another thread asking for advice on subs and a suggestion was made to swap out the SMSL DAC with a miniDSP 2x4 so that I can EQ the sub and main speakers separately. I'm still considering this, but I tried a simpler approach that appears to be working so far, which is to use the SMSL as a digital pre-amp, with the SE outputs going to the sub, and the Balanced outputs going to the PA5 II. I then configured a sub with its crossover and gain controls to attempt to blend its output to fill in the low end holes of the Klipsch speakers, and then EQ'd the lot.

This worked 'OK' with the first sub I tried; a BIC F12 that I was using in our home theater setup, but is working way better now that I have a better sub - An ELAC Debut S10.2. So I think I've addressed the sub question, even though it cost more than I was intending to spend.

For the main speakers, I managed to get hold of a pair (actually 3?!?) of Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers with blown tweeters for next to nothing, and I'm doing the Dennis Murphy mod on these. The cabinets were not 100% either, so I'm also going to be veneering them. I'll be posting about that in this thread: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/affordable-accuracy-monitor-review.13624/

Overall, I'll have spent quite a bit more than I planned, but the project continues to be fun. I could probably have picked up some JBL monitors from eBay for the cost of the PA5 II alone, but hiss from the tweeter would have driven me mad.