Another nice review with some new insights. It actually is only 85W into 8Ω (see ASR). That's still quite powerful. And one important omission from your review: the opamp inside is upgradable, which makes a very big difference in sound quality. I agree that is has some strange choices concerning the 'bass frequency' knobs. I preordered it thinking it would have HP on the mains out which would make it unique. That was disappointing... However, yhe A70 mono performs much better with a discrete opamp, just like the Fosi ZA3 does. If I compare my Aiyima to my Fosi pair the price is the same, and the Fosi are definitely more powerful. The Aiyimas are a bit sweeter. I actually just watched Dune 2 with a friend 😄 He was very impressed with the sound. I pair them with the Laiv Harmony DAC + HP²A and powerful subwoofers with my own design tiny speakers (~MiniMon). I have several high priced highly regarded amps costing >4k but I prefer these little ones. They don't use nearly as much electricity while the sound is very comparable (even soundstage depth). And they match the Laiv color scheme perfectly. So IMO these really are giant 'killers' for economics and sound, only not for ergonomics.
Valid point of view and I'm glad you enjoy them. Opamp rolling can always bring interesting results but manufactures leaving that to us complicate choices, price comparisons, and reviews too. It makes for a huge amount of work and all sorts of added comparisons - quite a lot for one video. Especially if opamp is not easily accessible trough a lid, like on Aune X8 for example (that should become a norm in my opinion). So I decided to test them as they are and leave opamp tuning aside. Maybe a separate video sometimes... BTW, having powerful subs mitigate most of concerns about grunt and scale, because bass needs most drive and current from the amp. If integrated well, sub improves both punch and soundstage size by adding low frequency spatial cues. I turn off my sub when testing amps to let them carry all the weight.
The main benefit of GAN power supplies is supposed to be the low noise in audio applications because the frequency they operate at is around 800 kilohertz. I'm not sure this is true of all GAN power supplies but I would be surprised if they chose GAN just for a smaller power brick. Relatively cheap, low noise, low heat power supply. They should be using these everywhere.
Hello sir, would you be able to make a short video for your favorite albums. Could be an easy source of additional short clicks for your channel. I respect your opinions and think you have a great way of detailing and communicating.
@@davidrantala1741 Not familiar so can't comment. Using a Eastern Electric Minimax Preamp that is now discontinued. High praises in it's day. About a 1k and a tube rollers dream
I picked up a Yaquin SD-CD3 and put in Tung-Sol tubes, doubled the size of the PSU capacitors, replaced signal capacitors with Mundorf, and wired a toggle switch to control plate current independently from heater current (didn't need to buy any of these things, used leftover parts on my workbench). It does the trick wonderfully. Obviously it doesn't sound as good as my Harman-Kardon Citation but it's pretty darn good.
@@savagemuir9360 I was using a SucaAudio T1 Tube buffer initially and thought it did good things to the sound of the class D's. Didn't do any upgrades other than Sylvania 1953 NOS tubes. Revelation came when i stuck my much more expensive tube preamp in line. Had it in storage and just didn't bother. But WOW. The stage expanded in all directions doing so. So did the dynamics.
When I bought the Fosi Mono off Kickstart I bought 2 Gan-fet PSUs with them. It did cost a little more. Curious how they match against each other... Consider listening to the SMSL VMV A1 10+10 Class A biased Amp. It's actually a pretty neat amplifier!
Have you ever tried running your system on battery power? I tested it with mine and switched to using the batteries. I've used power conditioners in the past like the APC H15 which is no longer made but built like a piece of military gear. I loved my APC H15 but going battery power started me being surprised with all my better recorded music as to just how good it sounded after the switch.
look at the RSL ia255.1 amp, $110. With true 55wpc. HPF (90hz) and using MA12070 IC by Infineon. its not a copy paste Chinese amp. sounds amazing please check it out. id love to hear you thoughts!
It's again apples and oranges. Infineon is good but much of the sound quality is defined by the surrounding components. I see a lot of fixed opamps in there, and non-defeatable tone controls. That holds it back. I modified a similar SMSL with MA12070 that now sounds a lot clearer and cleaner by upgrading several caps. Yet it's not nearly in the league of the Ayima A70 mono's (with Sparkos opamps) that I use in my main system.
ciao....mi puoi indicare un piccolo ampli per far vibrare un bass shaker io ho un 5.1 collegato al tv col cavo ottico..sdoppio l uscita del mio ampli 5.1 sub woofer 8UN CAVO VA AL SUB WOOFER)L ALTRO CAVO LO METTO in un altro piccolo ampli al quale è attaccato il bass shaker...siccome questo piccolo ampli non va più..che ampli devo prendere??ne ho presi diversi ma nn fanno vibrare il bass shaker!
🙏🙏 thanks for another great review for TPA amp. A question here. I always wonder if the Op Amp on these inexpensive Class D amp can be upgraded to something like Sparkos SS3602 and opposed to upgrading the op amp on a DAC, such as Fosi audio ZD3 DAC? Which one is the better route for better sound? I think you've mentioned it before that upgrading the DAC side would be the first to do.
People have been doing it. These manufacturers also advertise sparkos to pair with their amps. In my setup, changing opamp of amp made a bigger difference than the dac.
I build my passive subwoofers and something designed like this functionally would be nice Having said that, please review the new Topping DAC collaboration with the Holo R2R aka Topping discovers “warmth” their word not mine Also please get at the Topping 900 which is 1-Bit x 32 if possible I got D90 1-Bit x 16 which I bought after watching your video and I like it a lot As always thank you for the excellent content
Yes, the TPA3255 chip is stereo and examination of the circuit board layout appears it is bridged mono. They obviously took the normal A70, bridged it internally, and selling it as mono. The stereo power supply chokes, stereo PSU capacitors, and bridging op-amp are clearly visible. Too bad the bridge op-amp is surface mount, so you can't roll it.
@ this is a really bad idea unless a speaker doesn’t drop much below 8 ohms…and I think it might explain the reviewer’s conclusion that dynamics are compressed sounding. Bridged mono is going to torture the power supply.
This is a normal A70 permanently configured in bridged mono. It's not a true mono amp, if that matters to anybody. If it sounds good, why does it matter? The promotional images on the Amazon site for the A70 shows a simplified internal schematic clearly showing the two channels of the TPA3255 in bridging mode. They obviously took the normal A70, bridged it internally, and selling it as mono. The photos show dual power supply chokes, dual PSU capacitors, and the bridging op-amp are clearly visible. Too bad the bridge op-amp is surface mount, so you can't roll it. You can only roll the input op-amp.
I am a bit confused, I do have both amps (Fosi V3 and Aiyima A70). On my system the Aiyiima has better base control and extension. The V3 treble is forwarded projected compared to Aiyima A70. I took your advice and ordered the Topping B200, but lucky they didn’t have the colour I wanted and cancelled the order and got a refund back. Now you are saying the B200 are not that good compared to your reference system and only marginally better than these TPA amps, please make up your mind. Like the other Australian reviewer who thrashed the B200, probably you too don’t have a reveling system to base your reviews on. Please get your act together.
Where he is saying that B200 are not that good and only marginally better than TPA amps? You probably did not get that he said that about PA7 Plus... Another thing, why you expected that B200's will have any colour? These are extremely low distortion amps, very clean, smooth and liquid, very dark background, long tone dacays (everything stems from extremely low distorion in fact), and that was said in B200's iiwi review, he even warned ignorants that only in some situations that may be beneficial.
At best these chips give you good entry level class D fun-fi sound quality … for near field desktop listening or den audio setup … Hypex and Purifi are serious audiophile class D power amp implementations … real serious hi-fi … just saying
Excellent reviews. Real life dynamics are most difficult to achieve. Makes sense that cheaper amplifiers have limited dynamics
Another nice review with some new insights. It actually is only 85W into 8Ω (see ASR). That's still quite powerful.
And one important omission from your review: the opamp inside is upgradable, which makes a very big difference in sound quality.
I agree that is has some strange choices concerning the 'bass frequency' knobs. I preordered it thinking it would have HP on the mains out which would make it unique. That was disappointing...
However, yhe A70 mono performs much better with a discrete opamp, just like the Fosi ZA3 does. If I compare my Aiyima to my Fosi pair the price is the same, and the Fosi are definitely more powerful. The Aiyimas are a bit sweeter.
I actually just watched Dune 2 with a friend 😄 He was very impressed with the sound. I pair them with the Laiv Harmony DAC + HP²A and powerful subwoofers with my own design tiny speakers (~MiniMon).
I have several high priced highly regarded amps costing >4k but I prefer these little ones. They don't use nearly as much electricity while the sound is very comparable (even soundstage depth). And they match the Laiv color scheme perfectly.
So IMO these really are giant 'killers' for economics and sound, only not for ergonomics.
Valid point of view and I'm glad you enjoy them. Opamp rolling can always bring interesting results but manufactures leaving that to us complicate choices, price comparisons, and reviews too. It makes for a huge amount of work and all sorts of added comparisons - quite a lot for one video. Especially if opamp is not easily accessible trough a lid, like on Aune X8 for example (that should become a norm in my opinion). So I decided to test them as they are and leave opamp tuning aside. Maybe a separate video sometimes...
BTW, having powerful subs mitigate most of concerns about grunt and scale, because bass needs most drive and current from the amp. If integrated well, sub improves both punch and soundstage size by adding low frequency spatial cues. I turn off my sub when testing amps to let them carry all the weight.
Greatly explained!
The main benefit of GAN power supplies is supposed to be the low noise in audio applications because the frequency they operate at is around 800 kilohertz. I'm not sure this is true of all GAN power supplies but I would be surprised if they chose GAN just for a smaller power brick. Relatively cheap, low noise, low heat power supply. They should be using these everywhere.
Hello sir, would you be able to make a short video for your favorite albums. Could be an easy source of additional short clicks for your channel. I respect your opinions and think you have a great way of detailing and communicating.
Ahhhhhh,my audio vampire!
Thank you for review and overall information about the amps. Is it possible to get review of TOPPING B100 Mono Power Amplifier? Keep up the good work!
He already did one months ago, b200 as well
These Aiyima mono blocks are perfect for the DIY open baffle folk...then havig an a07max on each of the bass drivers.
yes , iam making one , rockford fosgate p2 d4 .. 12 inches . 😊
If you can afford it, I highly recommend putting a good tube preamp in front of these Class D amps. Revelation
Bellari comes to mind.
@@davidrantala1741 Not familiar so can't comment. Using a Eastern Electric Minimax Preamp that is now discontinued. High praises in it's day. About a 1k and a tube rollers dream
Yup. I have an Audio Research tube preamp and paired it with a Fosi ZA3 for kicks and the combo is very nice - class D amp is the future, no doubt.
I picked up a Yaquin SD-CD3 and put in Tung-Sol tubes, doubled the size of the PSU capacitors, replaced signal capacitors with Mundorf, and wired a toggle switch to control plate current independently from heater current (didn't need to buy any of these things, used leftover parts on my workbench). It does the trick wonderfully. Obviously it doesn't sound as good as my Harman-Kardon Citation but it's pretty darn good.
@@savagemuir9360 I was using a SucaAudio T1 Tube buffer initially and thought it did good things to the sound of the class D's. Didn't do any upgrades other than Sylvania 1953 NOS tubes. Revelation came when i stuck my much more expensive tube preamp in line. Had it in storage and just didn't bother. But WOW. The stage expanded in all directions doing so. So did the dynamics.
Always. Cool runnings.
When I bought the Fosi Mono off Kickstart I bought 2 Gan-fet PSUs with them. It did cost a little more. Curious how they match against each other... Consider listening to the SMSL VMV A1 10+10 Class A biased Amp. It's actually a pretty neat amplifier!
These little class d amps don't have enough current to really drive speakers esp focals dipping to well under 3 ohms.
for the price of 2 of those your getting close to A/B territory with which you'll be better served
You should put some of the chifi stuff yu got to keep on yur book shelf. Ha! Also you can roll the OPAs on these as well.
Have you ever tried running your system on battery power? I tested it with mine and switched to using the batteries. I've used power conditioners in the past like the APC H15 which is no longer made but built like a piece of military gear. I loved my APC H15 but going battery power started me being surprised with all my better recorded music as to just how good it sounded after the switch.
Opamp rolling? I have OPA1656s in my 'mono' A07 Maxes which sound great!
hi, whats the rms for the mono ?
Just attach an Onix Alpha Xi 1 as a preamp. Great Musicality and very nice flowing PRaT.
look at the RSL ia255.1 amp, $110. With true 55wpc. HPF (90hz) and using MA12070 IC by Infineon. its not a copy paste Chinese amp. sounds amazing please check it out. id love to hear you thoughts!
It's again apples and oranges. Infineon is good but much of the sound quality is defined by the surrounding components. I see a lot of fixed opamps in there, and non-defeatable tone controls. That holds it back.
I modified a similar SMSL with MA12070 that now sounds a lot clearer and cleaner by upgrading several caps. Yet it's not nearly in the league of the Ayima A70 mono's (with Sparkos opamps) that I use in my main system.
ciao....mi puoi indicare un piccolo ampli per far vibrare un bass shaker io ho un 5.1 collegato al tv col cavo ottico..sdoppio l uscita del mio ampli 5.1 sub woofer 8UN CAVO VA AL SUB WOOFER)L ALTRO CAVO LO METTO in un altro piccolo ampli al quale è attaccato il bass shaker...siccome questo piccolo ampli non va più..che ampli devo prendere??ne ho presi diversi ma nn fanno vibrare il bass shaker!
🙏🙏 thanks for another great review for TPA amp.
A question here. I always wonder if the Op Amp on these inexpensive Class D amp can be upgraded to something like Sparkos SS3602 and opposed to upgrading the op amp on a DAC, such as Fosi audio ZD3 DAC? Which one is the better route for better sound? I think you've mentioned it before that upgrading the DAC side would be the first to do.
People have been doing it. These manufacturers also advertise sparkos to pair with their amps. In my setup, changing opamp of amp made a bigger difference than the dac.
Do these subwoofer controls highpass the output from the A70 main speaker outs ?
No, it's either full range or low pass (for passive woofers).
I build my passive subwoofers and something designed like this functionally would be nice
Having said that, please review the new Topping DAC collaboration with the Holo R2R aka Topping discovers “warmth” their word not mine
Also please get at the Topping 900 which is 1-Bit x 32 if possible
I got D90 1-Bit x 16 which I bought after watching your video and I like it a lot
As always thank you for the excellent content
Hopefully these are true monoblocks and not bridged mono like Topping is doing
Yes, the TPA3255 chip is stereo and examination of the circuit board layout appears it is bridged mono. They obviously took the normal A70, bridged it internally, and selling it as mono. The stereo power supply chokes, stereo PSU capacitors, and bridging op-amp are clearly visible. Too bad the bridge op-amp is surface mount, so you can't roll it.
@ this is a really bad idea unless a speaker doesn’t drop much below 8 ohms…and I think it might explain the reviewer’s conclusion that dynamics are compressed sounding. Bridged mono is going to torture the power supply.
I tried to skip to the vs V3 Mono part but don’t see it?
It's basically in ZA3 section because I didn't have them for a direct comparison but still wanted to mention them.
This is a normal A70 permanently configured in bridged mono. It's not a true mono amp, if that matters to anybody. If it sounds good, why does it matter? The promotional images on the Amazon site for the A70 shows a simplified internal schematic clearly showing the two channels of the TPA3255 in bridging mode. They obviously took the normal A70, bridged it internally, and selling it as mono. The photos show dual power supply chokes, dual PSU capacitors, and the bridging op-amp are clearly visible. Too bad the bridge op-amp is surface mount, so you can't roll it. You can only roll the input op-amp.
I am a bit confused, I do have both amps (Fosi V3 and Aiyima A70). On my system the Aiyiima has better base control and extension. The V3 treble is forwarded projected compared to Aiyima A70. I took your advice and ordered the Topping B200, but lucky they didn’t have the colour I wanted and cancelled the order and got a refund back. Now you are saying the B200 are not that good compared to your reference system and only marginally better than these TPA amps, please make up your mind. Like the other Australian reviewer who thrashed the B200, probably you too don’t have a reveling system to base your reviews on. Please get your act together.
Where he is saying that B200 are not that good and only marginally better than TPA amps? You probably did not get that he said that about PA7 Plus... Another thing, why you expected that B200's will have any colour? These are extremely low distortion amps, very clean, smooth and liquid, very dark background, long tone dacays (everything stems from extremely low distorion in fact), and that was said in B200's iiwi review, he even warned ignorants that only in some situations that may be beneficial.
the more interesting device is the aiyima A80
At best these chips give you good entry level class D fun-fi sound quality … for near field desktop listening or den audio setup … Hypex and Purifi are serious audiophile class D power amp implementations … real serious hi-fi … just saying
They are not 300W not even close.
too bad, google is translating it to German, awfull
It's some kind of new automatic dubbing feature on RUclips. It should be possible for you to turn it off somewhere in the settings.
300 watts at 300 milliseconds at 300% distortion 😅😅😅😅