The AO200 comes with a USB A to USB A cable already. Why did you not state this in the review?
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I didn't see that in the box. I almost never use the cables from the boxes of products because I already have so many cables in my setup. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
@vinylmonster490710 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound he's not interested in what his viewers want to see, he pays no attention hence he doesn't see past himself. He only presents what he is interested in..... probably better to unsubscribe move on and find a channel that's interested in its subscribers...that leaves this woke snowflake out!
@seanb330311 ай бұрын
I know manufacturers hate it when their products are compared to cheap, but consumers want to know the differences so they can decide how deep they want to go.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I never worry about that, but the comparison wouldn't have been very helpful in this case because the gulf is too large. I'll aim to build up a bit more of a selection of comparison products as I do more reviews of amps. I'll be keeping the AL200 as a budget D-Class reference point for now so that will help in the future.
@aceofspades666711 ай бұрын
Loving the diversity of channel content; solid stuff
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
So glad you're liking it. I'm hoping to keep mixing it up. I've got some cool (I hope) ideas that I'd love to get to, but I'll need to get the channel earning more $$$ so I can ease back on the day job first.
@nixanthrope6 ай бұрын
I have to agree with @ProjectOverseer re: "budget". I bought the AO200mkII to drive my beloved old $50 Sony bookshelfs at my work station, but as a cute experiment tried swapping it in for my Accuphase in my main system. I was completely shocked how easily it could drive my 89 db efficient Wilsons and fill the 300 square foot space with oodles of headroom to spare. It brought some new flavors to the table all its own: fantastic detail, energy, dynamics, and slam, all with a surprising degree of transparency which made it easy to resolve differences in cables, tubes, and components upstream. It doesn't cost a lot, but can scale way up, making me think this is a great way to get in the game to free up cash for where it counts: DAC, preamplification, and cables. In the end, I missed the Accuphase for its more refined sound: better air, space, separation, smoothness, imaging, more body to the notes at the cost of some attack, more grunt. But the SMSL held its own and could hang. Hats off to these innovative products.
@PassionforSound6 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
@rm-mastering11 ай бұрын
Great video of these budget priced speaker amps, technology is progressing in leaps and bounds, soon these budget amps will indeed compete with higher priced amps if they are not already. Very useful indded. Thanks
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Glad you liked the video. I agree that the quality for the price is excellent!
@xray111xxx11 ай бұрын
These are wonderful solutions where you have some smaller speaker solutions, and a smaller budget. Pick the one that makes sense. The small foot print is a bonus too. Class D is very efficient and heat is not an issue too so placement is allot more flexible. I am glad these are here.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I agree. Like all products, there are pros and cons, but I think these are great at what they're aimed to do.
@Douglas_Blake_57910 ай бұрын
I use Class D with floor-standing speakers all the time. Small amp does not mean small speakers.
@PassionforSound10 ай бұрын
Absolutely. That's the whole benefit of Class D - all the power without the size or heat 🙂
@valkyrieorion720011 ай бұрын
The AO200 is a great little amp. I have it with a Bifrost 2/64 and have been very happy with the mk1 model over my old NAD D3045. Definitely a small room amp in my opinion or office.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Glad you're enjoying the AO200!
@FOH366311 ай бұрын
Although I really dont currently have an application for one of these, it's worth noting we're so damn fortunate ... ie., the current state of affairs in quality affordable hifi ... fffnnn off the charts! Just extraordinary. Individuals much younger than me, may not fully appreciate the context of how good we have it today. A wealth of offerings, and all the data and content to explore and consume when making buying decisions. I been buying gear since the 70's, the landscape today is a phenomenal buyers market. These are the good old times. Certainly... there's pitfalls to avoid, but there's also clear best practices to pursue.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I agree that we are very fortunate to have the affordable quality of gear that we have access to right now.
@mangs99405 ай бұрын
Speaker pairings are really important. I have Dali speakers that sound great with smsl , and small triangle speakers that sound great with topping. I have a REL sub attached to topping.
@PassionforSound5 ай бұрын
Yes. System synergy is important. 🙂
@freekfaro56069 ай бұрын
I happen to have both the SMSL DO300 and the AO200 mkII. Because they look very good, stacked on top of each other, I like simplicity. But also because of the positive reviews I found. Now, to explain, in a sense it's a step down for me, compared to the system I had 25 years ago. But I have moved to another country, smaller house, different climate. Couldn't keep the Thiel CS2.3 anymore! But I did keep the Marantz SR14 and the DV8300. For CDs. First I got the SMSL DAC because, living in 2023, I have to use Bluetooth (not just for music) and the 15 gb mp3 files of music I have on a notebook. With the SR14 was the idea. But that beast gave up after a month (something in the power protection circuit I believe) so I quickly purchased the SMSL amp, which had positive reviews too. So now I'm playing CDs with the DV8300, and I can choose between the internal, 20 year old, DAC (CS4392 Cirrus Logic) and the new, a ESS Sabre DAC. Well, the new DAC is clearly better, more transparent, without becoming harsh. Not at all. Bass is good, but like 15 years ago, you find out good or excellent recordings, and not so good recordings. I use the balanced connection between the two SMSL units. I hope to get the SR14 repaired soon, and then I can compare two amps! The tank and that small class D one, the old and the new. The Marantz will probably sound a bit warmer. Now, for loudspeakers. I still have my also 20 years old Sony SS LA300ED, on stands. Seems to work pretty good!
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
@freekfaro56069 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound my favorite 'test' CDs: Oliver Nelson, The blues and the abstract truth. Mark Murphy, Sings the Nat King Cole Songbook. Jennifer Warnes, Famous Blue Raincoat. All superior recordings.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
Thank yoy
@EricRosenfield11 ай бұрын
Seems like you should be comparing them to the budget stuff like the Fosi and Aiyima offerings
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Yes. I can only compare with what I have on hand though and I'm still new to speaker amp reviews so I don't have the library of comparison gear in this category like I do for DACs, headphone amps, headphones and IEMs.
@jjjilani96345 ай бұрын
SMSL AL200 vs SMSL AD18 which sounds better? Which one will you recommend?
@PassionforSound5 ай бұрын
I haven't tried the AD18. Sorry!
@lwdp749 ай бұрын
I have an original PA5 that doesn’t have the bass resolution of my LA90 but it’s very lush and listenable, not fatiguing at all. The treble is quite detailed. I ordered Topping TRS and RCA cables and they are pricey but excellent. Did you use the amp fully balanced?
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
No, I didn't think I ran it balanced due to the need for a TRS connection. The DACs I use for testing are at a higher level than the E50 which is my only TRS output DAC.
@lisar39447 ай бұрын
I soooooooo need that tshirt. Great review and comparison - thank you!
@PassionforSound7 ай бұрын
It's a good one, isn't it!? Glad you liked the video. 🙂🙂
@filofilo812710 ай бұрын
I have a Douk amp. Volume,treble,bass banana speaker connection and Bluetooth driving a pair of Qacoustics 2020i speakers. For $85 it's exceptional. Not my main system which has Exposure / vienna acoustics combo but the Douk is unbelievable for amp that fits in the palm of your hand and is dirt cheap.
@PassionforSound10 ай бұрын
There's some great stuff around at the moment 🙂
@stevechang423511 ай бұрын
Hi Passion, I just came from watching your meze elite and focal clear videos. I trust your descriptions of the sound and I think I share your preferences. I'm looking for the foot tapping head bobbing grooving set of headphones. Would you say that Meze Elite are the best for this? Thanks in advance!
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Meze Elite are definitely a good option, but check out the ZMF Caldera too. 🙂
@iikatinggangsengii24719 ай бұрын
you can opt for dac/dap w good bass control too
@iikatinggangsengii24719 ай бұрын
although sure wont be as good as factory tuned phones
@asan105011 ай бұрын
Passion for Sound!, Thanks Much !.......
@goodsound47569 ай бұрын
I had the original AO200 And while it was good enough in bass and treble for me, the mids were dry and voices were thin. I thought I could address this with the tone controls. And while it had plenty of tone controls, all of them would change bass or treble, but never mids, which was a shame and finally the reason I got rid of it. It doesn’t seem like this has changed on the MK2. On top, you never seem to have talked about midrange reproduction, which is also important in amplifier reviews.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
The midrange reproduction all comes down to synergy with the speakers so unless there's a significant tonal colouration from an amp (which there isn't on any of these three) then it's more about how it works with your specific setup and I can't comment on that.
@goodsound47569 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound I politely disagree. There is a reason audiophiles all over the world dislike cheap class D amps.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
Based on my experience with just these three amps, they definitely aren't as good as a nice Class A or AB, but the issue isn't in the midrange specifically which was my point above.
@ProjectOverseer9 ай бұрын
I've been involved in mid to high end audio since the early 80s. In this time I've collected a fair bit of kit. In the last few years I have collected a lot of SMSL amps and DACS ... Like I said, I have some lovely high end kit, i even own a pro home recording studio. So why SMSL? Number one. SMSL kick way above their price, and the first lesson I learnt was "Don't Treat Them Like Cheap Amps or DACS" ... Your bland "play it safe" review missed the potental possible by a mile. The AL200 is a mind blowing Amp and Dac combo ... Treat it like high end in regards to cables used and what you connect the digital input to. Also speakers ... I actually enjoyed the SMSL driving £3500 speakers. It did it with ease, and sounded as good as my mid range pre/power also costing £3500 Did you bin the supplied USB cable and replace with a quality sudio grade USB? The difference is very marked. Did you try the MQA feature? I've always been critical of MQA - until now. Bare wire speaker cable is best on these Amps and SMSL Amps and DACS with XLR is also very good. You didn't mention your reference kit or the room used to listen or even examples of your listening experience.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
I agree that the SMSL gear is great for the money. Having compared it to higher end gear like the Burson Timekeeper GT monoblocks and Linear Tube Audio MZ3, I'm also confident that it doesn't deliver the same level of performance as higher end amplification when paired up with a high end DAC like a TT2, May, Yggdrasil, etc. It also shouldn't be expected to compare because it's far cheaper. For the money you spend, these two SMSL amps are exactly as I said: good, safe options
@ProjectOverseer9 ай бұрын
Thanks for your reply. I own a stupid amount of equipment - much of it mid to high end, but these days I seem to impulse buy SMSL Amps and DAC'S for the amazing value and sound quality possible from these little ground breaking products. I'm also lucky enough to own a pretty good small pro recording studio that can master high sample/bit rate multi tracked recordings to two track DSD masters. So I have the cool opportunity to hear the whole process from live instruments to recording - though not all acoustic. The SMSL DACS and Amps (or combo) come into their own when fed a high quality digital signal. If you haven't already, download some free DSD masters from a good studio to hear what I mean. I'm retired now, but still enjoy the art - my ears are still trained to listen into mixes. Of course, if I use my Krell KSA 250 it will blow the socks off of the SMSL in terms of power and err, power. But in terms of sound quality, I'm not necessarily hearing more or better - though I know plenty who think "pin you to the wall" bass and volume is better. If you get a chance, try the SMSL AO300. I think it's another ground breaking product for the money. I've stopped treating these Amps and DACs as budget Components. I used the AO300 this morning on speakers costing considerably more and was pleasantly surprised.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
I'll see if I can get my hands on the AO300. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
@TheVeganVicar11 ай бұрын
There are STILL no long vowels in "Sundara".
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Did I refer to the Sundara in this video
@TheVeganVicar11 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound, yes.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Lucky that I've placed an apology at the beginning of my upcoming Ananda/Arya review. I'm stuck with these pronunciations for now and it's too hard to change while also thinking about what I'm trying to describe in the reviews.
@TheVeganVicar11 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound, that’s understandable. 🤓
@xyanide19867 ай бұрын
The future of class D and GaN technology in amps is pretty exciting if you ask me.
@PassionforSound7 ай бұрын
I'm yet to hear one that has me properly excited, but it's early days for me with them...
@xyanide19867 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound instrument amps are getting up there with class D! GaN not yet, but you see the tech in RF applications a lot too. It is taking a while as you said.
@Poludioskroz7 ай бұрын
Would you recommend smsl al200 over ifi zen dac or fiio k7 at same price?
@PassionforSound7 ай бұрын
They are very different products. The AL200 is a DAC and speaker amp with a headphone output. The others are DAC and headphone amps without speaker capability. If you're not needing speaker amplification, the AL200 doesn't make much sense.
@Poludioskroz7 ай бұрын
Thanks,very helpful @@PassionforSound
@jcisme4 ай бұрын
I believe the Topping used the TPA3255 chip.
@marekkordzik75176 ай бұрын
Can ao200 mk 2 drive Usher x719 speakers ? With lower model denon receiver Ushers sound like crap but they sing with anthem mrx 720 . I wonder if something like so200 mk 2 is worth considering for Ushers ?
@PassionforSound6 ай бұрын
It will have enough power (any of these will), but I don't think it will make them sing. These amps don't really have that quality to their sound. I'd recommend investing a bit more into something like a Burson Funk or other Class-AB or similar type amp.
@adrianbarac30632 ай бұрын
A truly excellent review. Thank you!
@PassionforSound2 ай бұрын
I'm so glad I could help!
@adrianbarac30632 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound Hi again:) I have 2 x PSB Imagine Surround S bipoles (Presonus actives for all other channels). They'll be 1.8m on either side of the MLP in a 3.5m x 5.5m room. Pre-pro will be an Anthem AVM70, balanced cables to the amp. The Topping PA5 is probably looking like the best contender... (was also considering the new Fosi F3 monoblocks, but probably not now, given their infancy...?) Any thoughts, pray tell? Thanks in advance!
@PassionforSound2 ай бұрын
I wasn't a fan of the Topping Class-D amp I tried a while back and think the SMSL ones sounded better. I've got the Fosi monos here now, but haven't tried them yet. I've also got the ZA3 from Fosi. Even without listening, I'd probably choose one of the Fosi options because you can swap op-amps (I think in both models) which allows for some significant upgrade options
@adrianbarac30632 ай бұрын
Thanks. Keen to hear what you think of the ZA3 vs Mono vs SMSL 🙏 Sorry - what do you mean by swap op amps?
@PassionforSound2 ай бұрын
Each amp uses either discrete components (transistors, resistors, etc.) to amplify the sound or a little chip referred to as an op-amp. In the Fosi amps, they use those chips and you can swap them out for other, better quality ones. I've done videos about op-amps here on the channel if you're interested: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Zstpl5Z5y5bZoWg.htmlsi=1efG-PyhtINN95c7
@JoseFerreira-zb7wh11 ай бұрын
It'd be great if you could review the sabaj a30a digital amp! Seems excellent for the price and there aren't Many reviews on it.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I'll see if the opportunity arises 🙂
@rhwinner10 ай бұрын
I have always felt that the crossover distortion is the most annoying aspect of the sound of these cheap amps. But glad to hear your take.
@PassionforSound10 ай бұрын
I was certainly pleasantly surprised by these, but they haven't yet replaced more expensive Class A or AB amps for me in terms of sound quality.
@Daniel-Robison26 күн бұрын
@PaixãopeloSom seria melhor em qualidade de som eles ou um yamaha ax-1050 ? books Paradigm Studio 20v5 obrigado
@PassionforSound25 күн бұрын
I haven't tried those so can't compare them - sorry
@kiskez86404 ай бұрын
I wil like to pair the Smsl ao200mkii with a pair of kefq150
@dougieshizzle7 ай бұрын
Can the cross over for the sub preout be adjusted on the SMSL AO200 MKII?
@PassionforSound7 ай бұрын
No, unfortunately not. It's pretty basic
@shaunyweaver114411 ай бұрын
Your showing topping pa5 ii Plus . which is higher power than the pa5 ii Am i been to picky .
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
The amp I have here is the PA5 II (not Plus version). Are you saying that I showed the specs for the Plus? I hope that's not what I've done! 😳
@shaunyweaver114411 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound In the vid it shows plus .
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Bugger! That's not good because I can't go back and edit it now.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Just went and double checked. Both the PA5 II and the Plus output the same 85W into 8 ohms. It's only the 4 ohm output that's higher from the Plus.
@danisold11 ай бұрын
Can anyone let me know if the volume pot on the smsl ao200 controls the volume on the subwoofer out. Im confused by the added caption "The sub output is not adjustable and just follows the main volume."
@spamcan920811 ай бұрын
It means you need to use your subwoofer's volume knob for all tuning adjustments. You can't do any fine tuning using the amplifier to do something like compensate for a specific album. Subwoofers are usually difficult to access and once you get it adjusted, you really don't want to mess with the settings after taking the time to figure them out.
@danisold11 ай бұрын
@@spamcan9208 Thanks for the response. I have the aiyima a08 pro with a powered jamo 808 sub. I set the volume and frequency on the sub, but when I adjust the volume on the aiyima, the volume on the sub goes up and down with it. I'm not left listening to sub bass only, lol. I bought the fosi v3 and although described as a sub out, it wasn't. I was considering the pa5 ii, but I am now thinking smsl. I just want to make sure the sub volume stays in line with the amplifier volume when I adjust volume on the amp, if that makes sense.
@spamcan920811 ай бұрын
@@danisold Yes, of course it makes sense! If you turn up the volume to your speakers, you need the subwoofer to proportionally increase as well. I don't know who told you the fosi v3 had a sub out but it doesn't. It's got a 3.5mm out which you can technically hook up a sub to but it doesn't vary output with volume. You would need a preamp with volume control to use the Fosi V3 with a subwoofer or use the subwoofer's speaker level inputs/outputs if it's equipped with them. Unfortunately it appears yours does not.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Just confirming what spamcan had already said: the AO200 MK2 sub out will increase and decrease the sub volume in line with the speaker volume so you just set your sub up once using its onboard adjustments and then everything else is done with the speaker amp.
@RoyFJ659 ай бұрын
Please test SMSL SA400 or its DAC added version namely the WMV A2.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
I will if I can get a demo unit, but it all comes down to availability or review units because the channel can't afford to buy everything that I'd like to review.
@RoyFJ659 ай бұрын
true that, the SA400 is my first foray into class D, having heard the Yamaha MX-D1 I was quite impressed and decided to step into the realm of class D. I was mightly skeptical seeing the size of the amp and its ability to drive my NS1000M speakers. Suffice to say, it drives them well to 90db with clarity that compliments the speakers.@@PassionforSound
@IHearEverythingDude11 ай бұрын
Was Topping used with its balanced inputs? btw. Topping is probably using something from TPA ps. Topping pa5 has almost completly flat frequency response even though its class D. I assume other two smsl has some load dependency, so you might end up hearing more highs that why topping feel "darker" or whatever you want to call it.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
It wasn't about more high-end. There was just a better sense of definition and clarity in the transients and that translates to the imaging and separation too. If they're using different chips, I think the Infineon in the two SMSLs is just better.
@IHearEverythingDude11 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound higher frequencies can cause exactly that effect.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
They can do, but what I'm saying is that the difference is more than that based on what I'm hearing and my experience of other darker and brighter sounding devices that sometimes do and sometimes don't produce these effects. I expect a measurement of the SMSLs would show a flat frequency response too. Also IIRC, the PA5II showed some significant non-linear distortion on the ASR measurements so that could play a part also. I haven't seen measurements for either SMSL amp to know how they compare.
@elialguillen66345 ай бұрын
For few months I’ve been running a pair of ELAC Unifi 2.0 with the AO200MK2 and I’m absolutely pleased, wouldn’t change it unless I may go to the high end tier. WiiM Pro - Ifi Zen One Signature - SMSL AO200MK2 - ELAC Unifi 2.0 UB52 / Yamaha NS SW50 subwoofer
@PassionforSound5 ай бұрын
I'm so glad you're enjoying your setup. Thanks for sharing!
@bearded_wolverine35035 ай бұрын
Does the SMSL A200 MK have a pre amp or do I need to run a separate preamp for my SL1200 MKII
@elialguillen66345 ай бұрын
@@bearded_wolverine3503no need for external pre, it’s an integrated amp, means that it has volume control (therefore internal preamp). My DAC is directly connected through a fixed output.
@elialguillen66345 ай бұрын
@@bearded_wolverine3503 it’s an integrated amplifier, means it has a built in pre, absolutely no need for external one. I’m currently looking for another amp to run a different pair of speakers and most likely will buy the same again, it’s that good.
@bearded_wolverine35035 ай бұрын
@elialguillen6634 nice I can get the mkii delivered tomorrow with a $30 off coupon too. The only thing I don't see is a grounding post for the turntable. So not sure where I would ground my 1200. I'll be running the amp with a pair of klipsch rp600m and klipsch r120sw sub
@CinemaDemocratica10 ай бұрын
I absolutely *devour* your reviews -- and I know it would be way, way, way too soon after this one to be thinking about another SMSL product, but the AO-300 (confusing because of the similar name) has both a headphone amp *and* a subwoofer output, so if it's sonically comparable it might be the solution people have been waiting for from this company. Again, I know it's crazy to think you'd be willing to put another SMSL on the bench this soon, but I'd be grateful to know any industry-inside info that you may have, such as whether or not all the key chips are the same. The company literature is a bit vague about whether they are, or aren't.
@PassionforSound10 ай бұрын
I don't mind doing the same brand again soon (I've got heaps of Hifiman stuff coming at the moment), but it often comes down to what gear I am sent by manufacturers/distributors/retailers. I'll see about getting the AO300 in. And, I agree that things get confusing with all the similar model numbers and subtle feature differences. Glad I've been able to help with my reviews!
@user-ip8fk3ik2b9 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound I just bought an AO300 so I'll keep you posted.
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
Great news. Hope you love it!
@CinemaDemocratica7 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound I haven't heard my AO300 yet because the speakers got bogged down in a shipping snafu in the UK and I'm still waiting on them (a month later). But in the meantime, Wiim is out with a $300 all-in-one that (obviously?) includes a streamer and the highly regarded Wiim streaming app. So it's a selfish request, but another A/B comparison between the AO300 and the Wiim would be greatly appreciated. I can return the AO300 unopened if the Wiim is a clear upgrade for what amounts to the same money.
@PassionforSound7 ай бұрын
I will be reviewing the WiiM Amp, but not for a little while yet because stock is in high demand and the retailer in working with can't spare a demo unit for me at the moment.
@danisold8 ай бұрын
I did not like thr ao200 mkii. Sounded tinny regardless of eq.
@PassionforSound8 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that. I haven't tried that one, but neither SMSL model here had that issue IMO.
@jasonhilliker226611 ай бұрын
Try the Topping LA90
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I certainly will if the opportunity arises.
@leo118775 ай бұрын
I think the real comparison would be with A/B 100W amps :)
@PassionforSound5 ай бұрын
If I had one here, I could have done that, but I don't.
@crate7183 ай бұрын
no one ever does smsl vs Fosi speaker amps
@PassionforSound3 ай бұрын
I've got some Fosi inbound. Stay tuned... 🙂
@Douglas_Blake_57910 ай бұрын
If you really want to know what these Class-D chip-amps can do, cut them loose on a pair of workhorse speakers like the Heresy or L-100 ... you won't be disappointed.
@silkhead4410 ай бұрын
A300 is better sonically than the Ao200
@PassionforSound10 ай бұрын
In what areas do you find it improved?
@thatchinaboi111 ай бұрын
Didn't you say this channel was dedicated to headphone audio?
@aceofspades666711 ай бұрын
No he’s perhaps 99% focused on headphones and iems but recently he started reviewing 2 channel speakers in a desktop or nearfield chain. Harbeth p3esr to be specific.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I used to be 100% headphones, but that's gradually shifting to maybe 20-30% speakers and amps too.
@DougMen19 ай бұрын
They're called Class D, not D Class! DUH! Do you call other stereo amps A Class and AB Class? No, they're called Class A and Class AB. Jeez!
@PassionforSound9 ай бұрын
I'm sorry if my turn of phrase confused you
@user-xg6zz8qs3q11 ай бұрын
These amps are dangerously approaching $300. Why are they always reviewed in complete isolation to tried & true entry-level A/B amplifiers? For crying out loud, just buy a refurbished Cambridge Audio amp for $300.
@danisold11 ай бұрын
I did. It didn't last 15 minutes. Also, not sure if I liked the sound, but I didn't get a chance to live with it. Still have the aiyima a08 pro.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
I can only compare products with what I have on hand. I would love to do a D vs A/AB comparison and hope to in the future. Having only recently added speakers and amps to the products I review, my library of comparison devices isn't established like it is for DACs, headphone amps, etc.
@villageroma11 ай бұрын
Class D 😂.
@sjqideez662611 ай бұрын
Class E 🤣
@villageroma11 ай бұрын
@@sjqideez6626 class whatever with a switching power amplifier implied is commonly referred as class S where S stand for💩
@TriAmpHiFi11 ай бұрын
Ahem, pardon me...................... Who told you the rule-of-thumb that 85Wpc is pretty much able to drive any speaker? That's ridiculous. The noobs hear that nonsense & start regurgitating it as gospel. Reggae, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
@TheVeganVicar11 ай бұрын
There is a difference between being ABLE to drive a speaker and driving it brilliantly. EDIT: And Lachlan said as much, if you had listened carefully.
@aceofspades666711 ай бұрын
For inefficient speakers the watts a far less important you want amps that stable down to 4 ohms or even 2 ohms as well as high current. Think of a sports car with high horsepower trying to tow a boat trailer. Now then compare a diesel truck with low hp but gobs or torque no pulling the same boat.
@PassionforSound11 ай бұрын
Yep. There aren't too many speakers on the planet that need much more than what these can deliver in terms of power quantity. Quality and stability are different discussions, but anyone working with truly difficult and picky speakers probably isn't (or shouldn't be) looking at $250 D-Class amps.
@TriAmpHiFi11 ай бұрын
@@TheVeganVicar So the "85 watt rule" means exactly what? Why say these words? What's the reason to be associating 85 watts with a "driving" force minimum?
@TriAmpHiFi11 ай бұрын
@@PassionforSound Did you just pick 85 watts out of a hat?
@LostVillageIdiot5 ай бұрын
It was silly to hear reference being made to a $5,000 unit rather than a $500 AB integrated amp, ruined the presentation.