At $260.00 there is a lot of competition out there from the likes of Yamaha, Onkyo and Sony that offer real wattage, lots of connections and well established customer service and proven reliability. If I needed 2 channel amplification on a sort of budget, that's where I'd be looking.
I think those are for a different market from a different century. Yamaha is still in the game, but for this price you're better off buying small class d amps like this, especially if you want the features.
If your limited to space they are great. I personally recommend a class AB receiver or amp of your choosing with multiple inputs and can run 4 speakers at once..
I have had my aiyima t9 for a while now, over 2 years and I listen to it daily, with no problems. sometimes I wish it had a lil more power so I can crank it up louder but it has been good. well worth the price.
I have an SMSL SA50 amplifier I bought in 2016. It's been on 24/7. I have an Amazon Echo Dot (the original). The Dot has an analog output. I split the analog output of the Dot to go to the SMSL and to a subwoofer. The SMSL speaker outputs are connected to a pair of JBL Studio 530 speakers. Using just my voice, I can play any song I like from Amazon and I can control the volume too. It's been a great system and I use it every day.
T9 Pro here....purchased based on your recommendation! Now about 9 months in service and it's fantastic! Plugged into Q acoustics 3030i and works particularly well in a smaller spaces. Have upgraded to GE5756 tubes for fun. Very, very happy.
Just ordered a pair of 3030i as it goes and will be hooking two Aiyima A07 Max in mono soon with a WiiM Pro Plus as the main source, job done me thinks. I have some Mullard EF95 in the draw and know fine well they will match the 3030i with their nice thick bass, treacle sweet vocals and mids and smooth highs too.
@@Durkhead less dynamics, details & impact compared to the Class A & AB counterparts (short answer). I don't hate them, just sorta see whey he said that
@@Zimmy_1981 i just dont understand i have a $30 nobsound class d amp and it sounds just as good as some of the class ab recievers iv played through the same speakers i do have it hooked up to pc with a good dac and thers no tone knobs just volume
To all those putting two meters on a small modern amp. Symmetrical layout on front panel with square meters on each end. Like Yamaha in the '70s or the Nagra round meters. It is just better design.
Randy, i love the channel. It's great seeing the HDMI input, hoping others follow. I'm a little gun shy of S.M.S.L. after my SU-1 purchase. Just ordered a Schitt Modi today to replace it. Keep up the good work!
3 years I guess. My T9 was in my tiny RV van for a year. It even got bounced around Wyoming and Montana gravel roads. Well, solidly mounted, the van bounced. Now it's my home main amp. Works good. I'm holding out for the next best thing on the cheap. I'm thinking V3 monos.
I’ve had an Aiyima T9 for almost exactly 2 years. I did upgrade the tubes for fun, both otherwise it is as supplied and still sounds great pushing a pair of SSCS5s. Has never given me any trouble. I bought the T9 plus the Sonys for $40 less than they are asking for the new SMSL (and I got a VU meter!). No thanks SMSL…
@@Zimmy_1981 I don’t have the A07, but I have heard it has more power and cleaner sound than the T9. I like the T9 for a small room with efficient speakers because it is plenty loud for me and I like the “mellowness” added by the tubes on the front end. I also like and use the optical in port. I use a WiiM mini as source for the T9
I have a pair of SMSL A300 and Fosi V3 Mono's... even with the RCA-in only "handicap" - in my system (2000+ pair speakers) , as of now, the SMSL A300's (bridged with volume set around 38) would be my preference for overall sound satisfaction.
The Subwoofer rating was for the A50 Pro\ They messed up the specs for the A200 because the stereo channels are exactly the same as the A200 BUT, for $180 LESS, you could own the 3 channel A50Pro with the 3rd channel for Subwoofer Output
I have a Douke ST01 pro with the VU meter, it started life with me as my main AMP for my Q-acoustic 3010i's. It had the Tick sound (known issue) but it's stopped now after a years operation (only a couple of months real time) as that tick came from the VU meter and it just needed some wear in time, I had that tick issue from an Amp I owned in the late 70's. The Douke is now being used as a DAC for bluetooth and digital Hi-Res media (because I love Tubes) with my Yamaha 701 AMP as the Yamaha has only a basic DAC without bluetooth. I got the Yamaha Amp cause I wanted to run a second set of speakers the Q-acoustic 3020i's "A" mode switch is the 3010i's for quiet listening while "B" is for day listening and "A+B" when I want to disturb my neighbour. I've added a Denon DCD700ne for my CD's. I'm a CD fan as always useful for offline listening. All my HiRes digital streaming and downloaded FLAC's are handled by my dolby certified android tablet.
Always love some VU meters.😂 The decisions on midlevel amps these days is becoming very challenging. Fosi mono's, Loxjie, Aiyima, etc, all providing units at a value for price point. I personally do like the external power supply choices offered, but they do add clutter. Thanks for sharing this with us all. All the best, Sir.
Why the hype for VU meters? Do the offer sonic improvement? Does anyone know what they're measuring? Am I missing anything because I don't have VU meters?
Randy, I thought you were done reviewing cheap audio and switching to high end. Don’t let them change you. Do both and keep All your followers informed and happy. We value your opinions man. Thanks
Randy, thanks a lot for another great entertaining video. However, what did not come out so clear to me, did you run it through the internal DAC, or did you test it through one of your reference DACs.... Since two weeks, I'm testing the SMSL A50 Pro, which should vome in for around USD 90. It does not bring the VU meters to the table ...but it does have the subwoofer amp integrated, and yes it also can do base management on both sides. Connected to a better DAC than the internal one, the A50 Pro looks like the much better offer from SMSL.
Bought one at ebay last month at a discount, it’s not bad, paired it with Kef q150 and it sounds good. Keep your expectations low, will pair it with a wiim ultra which will arrive next week.
Great , impartial thoughts , thankyou. Interesting to hear your take on the subdivisions within the chifi realm. I always just grouped the brands you mentioned together...didnt realise there was a pecking order. Would it be safe to say SMSL's finest work is done with stand alone dacs rather than amplification?
You can hide and silence the 48vdc supplies and extend the supply cord. They are not that big considering the output of the monoblocks. When will the China amps get the ganfet transistors????
I want to like these chi-fi amps. I really do. But, nope. Only RLS has made one of these small class d amps that doesn’t sound horrible. For me, Schiit provides great value and a decent listening experience. I try to put my money in amps and speakers, with a little more emphasis on speakers. Speakers, I think q acoustic makes incredible good products at reasonable cost.
The chi-fi amps are starting to be really good. Spend the money on speakers, as there is alot more to gain. I've done blind tests having my wife switch different amps and only one i've been able to reliably pick is one onkyo avr that has weird smooth sound even in direct mode. I have several receivers, few different class D amps and couple of class AB, including a NAD with tons of power, and they all sound the same apart from the onkyo.
Any idea on what similar small integrated amp with remote could be used to power a TV and speakers to use in the back yard / porch for TV - Game watching etc? Looking at using a pair of Emotiva outdoor speakers..
Hi randy i have the aiyima t9 pro on your recommendation and i cannot fault it, it's amazing pared with my polk es15 speakers and wiiam streamer 😀😀 Thanks randy!
What purpose does a vu meter serve? It doesn't improve sound quality, due to more breaks in the signal path. It only increases production costs, and appeals to those who would rather be transfixed with a widget, than listening to the music.
You should have put black tape over the vue meters and after reviewing the mediocre specs and no sub out, ripped off the tape in a "tadaaa" reveal as some kind of consolation prize for getting visuals on the bass that cannot be heard. You're welcome;)
SVS only puts speaker level connections on their baby subs. The big bois are RCA/XLR only. However speaker-to-line adapters and active crossover/level boxes can still be used to send speaker signal to any line-level sub. On my SB16, I personally send speaker signal through an adapter and crossover to fill out my mains (for unprocessed direct 2-channel listening), and use the second line input for LFE. That way the sub does double-duty for 2 channel and surround without having to rely on the fidelity-destroying forced 48khz resampling and processing of receivers that is otherwise unavoidable if you need bass management.
I think these things are not for music, just good to attach to a tv, but if you want to enjoy some music, don´t mess with them, even if class D circuitry has grown better and better than years ago, they are still far away from an hi-fi point of view, unless you could spend a lot, like some high end amplifiers that uses class D but at another level and with high level components. As usual, is not just the class that matters, but the project, the design and the components used, and for 200 or few more bucks, you can´t have nothing good in my opinion.
Agreed. Maybe TV support, but not for long term music listening. Very thin. Class d just doesn’t do it for me. I’ve seen some new class d offerings in some high dollar examples, but I haven’t had any personal experiences.
Disagree. They are hifi. They would have been 5 years ago anyway, compared to name brand low and mid tier stereo and more so, home theater amps. With just slight care with inputs and speaker pairing and placement, it's all the hifi many need to enjoy music.
@@rapier5 I could use one of these for all day for some background music, indeed they are cool (meaning cool in temperature) and low consumption, but when I sit on the sofa in the center spot of my hifi, there is no way I can declare these things hi-fi. And oh, my gear is 30 years old, totally analog of course, just using an external DAC attached to a Daphile fanless tiny machine to listen to my collection ripped from cd, so at 44.1KHz 16bit
Indeed, Infineon is a German manufacturer that split from its parent company Siemens in 1999. It's one of the 10 biggest manufacturers of semiconductors in the world.
Just connect to a sub with speaker level inputs. Problem solved. I have two subs just lying around that have speaker level input. Granted bass management would be nice but at the price???
And if you want to use an external DAC then How you supposed to connect yur Turntable. Most yous got turntables right!? And their higher end stuff has nice digital displays so I’d rather have digital VU meters or audio spectrum visualizer than a mech VU
Huh?!?!?!!! HUH??!!! Did I hear ... Fosi sounds better than SMSL??!! I upgraded from Fosi to a SMSL DA-9, and absolutely love it. HUGE IMPROVEMENT! Is there a Fosi product that can touch it? If so, I'd be interested in hearing which Fosi amp that is.
@or1on89 Yes I'm sure, when I play the same music on the even more powerful 100 wpc Yamaha AX-596 integrated I just bought his ears don't twitch he doesn't mind a bit 😂
The older or the cheaper D class amps have a load impedance dependency especially in treble with 8 Ohm speakers. Your dog could detect that above 20KHz. Most people don't like class D amps, because of the more neutral "cold" sound. They surely don't match well with treble heavy speakers. If you like warm sound then Class D isn't for you. I have an old diy kit AB class amp that I love, as well as *Topping TP20 mk2 Tripath chip early class D *Topping PA5 II Plus - 3251 - modern class D. (This has by design no impedance dependency.) They all sound nice with quality recordings and a good source. A warmer sounding preamp, with the right opamps or tubes might change your mind when used with class D amps. I have a cheap buffer/preamp with GE5670 5star NOS valves. It sounds warm and lovely with both my Toppings! So it's more of a synergy thing.
@natnanatna100 I believe you are correct as I do have Klipsch RB5 speakers that can definitely be on the bright side! I've already replaced the SMSL with a Yamaha class AB integrated amp producing 100 wpc and .003 distortion that also has pre out main in connections to contour the sound with an external eq that I much prefer and couldn't do with the SMSL and most other available amplifiers. I know most audiophiles frown upon external sources in the sound path, but a music engineer who mixes the original recordings said, without an eq your not hearing the true quality of the music as it's mixed to sound good on budget gear not for hifi! Thanks for the info it's always a learning experience and have a good day 😊
This sounds like a pass. Outside of the WIIM Pro, one could get a decent receiver or integrated amp on the used market that sounds better. I sometimes wonder why the Chi-fi companies make so many superfluous models.
I think alot of people get the size correlation the wrong way. Big boxes and drivers tend to be more sensitive and thus easier to drive than smaller speakers. It's just one of those things that you won't get right if you are not told.
On an unrelated note Randy, is it just me or does Tidal sound better than Amazon. I tried it out yesterday with your affiliate link and it sounds better to me. Maybe it is just placebo. I tried Tidal because the music suggestions on Amazon stink.
Almost all “cheap audio” products are made in China, so what’s your point? If this isn’t your jam there’s plenty others that review more expensive gear on YT. And speaking of, nowadays lots of high end audio products costing thousands from reputable companies are made in China. Welcome to 21st century.
There are plenty of class D amps in 2024 that would qualify as audiophile worth. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just take a look at the amps being reviewed by reputable mags nowadays. Many, if not most, are class D. I myself own two Audio Research class AB amps and they are great. But there’s no reason why both can’t coexist. Being dogmatic, as you seem to be, is only doing yourself a disservice.
Personally I won't buy electronics unless they are serviced in N. America. I boycott Amazon cuz of his business practices plus I personally do not like him. He is not alone
“Topping and SMSL have always been the upper level of Chinese companies“ I don’t know if you’re new to hifi? I know you’re into budget gear, but they’re must * easily be a dozen Chinese companies higher priced than those that you apparently haven’t heard of.
Looking at the meters, the needles at rest don't line up with each other, which can affect the accuracy higher up the scale. But who are we kidding here? Those meters serve no real purpose other than to look cool with the needles bouncing around while the music plays. I highly doubt these are true VU meters with the correct ballistics or accurate calibration to be considered as such.. They certainly don't have the resolution necessary for e.g. setting channel balance...(does this amp even have a balance control?). Such things were quite expensive in their day, and were really only useful for tape recording and professional applications.
No balance control, nor should there be imo. Should never drive one of your speakers more than the other - fix your placement and listening position first. The amp should already be perfectly balanced.
>No line out/sub out. For this kind of money, I'd expect that. Very disappointed. I have a Douk M100 integrated amp for my desk setup and love the little thing. I bet you post or at least lurk on /g/, don't you?
Oh, I like the face design. I really like it. Love the infra receiver. Don't know where your dislike is coming from. Probably from the failure to function well.
"Fosi sounds better then the SMSL stuff...." Dude opinions I guess, seems like sell out trash talk.. Maybe they will continue sending u stuff for that fake comment. The A300 sounds better then any fosi junk ever produced
My brand-new SMSL AO-300 sounds fantastic, cost $260, and *has* a subwoofer output. But also, can we please start noticing that the guy whose entire brand is that he wants us to feel better about buying less expensive stuff, STILL can't review an affordable product without the review script saying "THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA." Would we tolerate that from a reviewer of another product? If the host of a YT channel about car reviews said, "This is a pretty impressive car, considering that it CAME FROM JAPAN"??? I am *so* sick and tired of this. The guy's whole thing is that we're supposed to have fun enjoying value-priced products, and he spends whole chunks of every review trying to make us feel exactly the opposite, *AND* slur an entire manufacturing-industrial economy, and with the confident expectation that nobody is going to notice how it sounds.
I wish people who review items like these would at least read the manual and let us know what the specs are in a RUclips comparison - otherwise, if I need to do all the research, I'm not going to bother watching your channel. I don't know about you, but I prefer my amps to NOT add color to the sound. I would like to be able to control that with proper EQ. If I want warmth, a bit of boost in the 700-2K region will bring the magic. If I want more "presence" or "air", I'll boost the midrange and/or the 4K-10K region by 2-3 dB. You could do a wonderful thing for beginner audiophiles looking to purchase their first piece of equipment by comparing the specs. Apples to apples comparisons usually start with testing the way the manufacturers do it - 1K into 8 - 4 - 2 ohm loads, connect a scope and look for clipping and distortion. The cost of test equipment has come way down and you could really assist newbies to make proper choices beyond saying things like "sounds OK" or "pretty good". Compared to what? One more thing - please try to break the habit of pushing your glasses up on your nose. I counted 40 times you did this in your 14 minute video here - it's kinda distracting. Maybe use an elastic sport strap on the back, or always make sure both hands are busy with the presentation. Thanks for bringing these inexpensive units to our attention.
I have a first gen Ayima T9 hooked up to my basement TV for 2 years, working on a daily basis and it's still going strong....
I recently resold an A07 I had owned from new. New owner has 0 issues. Best $80 US I spent lol
At $260.00 there is a lot of competition out there from the likes of Yamaha, Onkyo and Sony that offer real wattage, lots of connections and well established customer service and proven reliability. If I needed 2 channel amplification on a sort of budget, that's where I'd be looking.
I think those are for a different market from a different century. Yamaha is still in the game, but for this price you're better off buying small class d amps like this, especially if you want the features.
Class D sucks.
or a used Receiver running in 2 channel from someone on marketplace that upgraded to a 4k tv. Range from 25-50 bucks
If your limited to space they are great. I personally recommend a class AB receiver or amp of your choosing with multiple inputs and can run 4 speakers at once..
@@remarkable224bet you couldnt tell a class d from other classes in a blind test. Keep spouting bs.
I have had my aiyima t9 for a while now, over 2 years and I listen to it daily, with no problems. sometimes I wish it had a lil more power so I can crank it up louder but it has been good. well worth the price.
I have an SMSL SA50 amplifier I bought in 2016. It's been on 24/7. I have an Amazon Echo Dot (the original). The Dot has an analog output. I split the analog output of the Dot to go to the SMSL and to a subwoofer. The SMSL speaker outputs are connected to a pair of JBL Studio 530 speakers. Using just my voice, I can play any song I like from Amazon and I can control the volume too. It's been a great system and I use it every day.
@Randy, yesterday was the 49th anniversary of my first day in the Navy! Man, I am old!
Congrats 👏
Thanks for your service, brother!
@@cheapaudioman Thank you as well!
Thanks for choosing to serve back in the day.
@@michaelrossmaessler200 Thank you!
T9 Pro here....purchased based on your recommendation! Now about 9 months in service and it's fantastic! Plugged into Q acoustics 3030i and works particularly well in a smaller spaces. Have upgraded to GE5756 tubes for fun. Very, very happy.
Do u have a link for these please??? Thanks
Just ordered a pair of 3030i as it goes and will be hooking two Aiyima A07 Max in mono soon with a WiiM Pro Plus as the main source, job done me thinks. I have some Mullard EF95 in the draw and know fine well they will match the 3030i with their nice thick bass, treacle sweet vocals and mids and smooth highs too.
@@Panslapper pardon my ignorance but wiim pro as a source for what? movies? tv? (not trying to be disrespectful)
Excellent. Brilliant, concise and witty! Answers all questions and nuggets on all competing amps. Thank you.
I have had the Aiyima T9 for over 2 years no tube replacements still sounds great!
‘It sounds……….OK’. 😆I don’t know why that made me chuckle.
Class D sucks.
@@remarkable224y?
@@Durkhead less dynamics, details & impact compared to the Class A & AB counterparts (short answer). I don't hate them, just sorta see whey he said that
@@Zimmy_1981 i just dont understand i have a $30 nobsound class d amp and it sounds just as good as some of the class ab recievers iv played through the same speakers i do have it hooked up to pc with a good dac and thers no tone knobs just volume
@@Durkhead AVR ain't really high end (no offense).Also what speakers u use?
To all those putting two meters on a small modern amp. Symmetrical layout on front panel with square meters on each end. Like Yamaha in the '70s or the Nagra round meters. It is just better design.
Randy, i love the channel. It's great seeing the HDMI input, hoping others follow. I'm a little gun shy of S.M.S.L. after my SU-1 purchase. Just ordered a Schitt Modi today to replace it. Keep up the good work!
3 years I guess. My T9 was in my tiny RV van for a year. It even got bounced around Wyoming and Montana gravel roads. Well, solidly mounted, the van bounced. Now it's my home main amp. Works good. I'm holding out for the next best thing on the cheap. I'm thinking V3 monos.
I’ve had an Aiyima T9 for almost exactly 2 years. I did upgrade the tubes for fun, both otherwise it is as supplied and still sounds great pushing a pair of SSCS5s. Has never given me any trouble. I bought the T9 plus the Sonys for $40 less than they are asking for the new SMSL (and I got a VU meter!). No thanks SMSL…
is it a lot better than the A07?
@@Zimmy_1981 I don’t have the A07, but I have heard it has more power and cleaner sound than the T9. I like the T9 for a small room with efficient speakers because it is plenty loud for me and I like the “mellowness” added by the tubes on the front end. I also like and use the optical in port. I use a WiiM mini as source for the T9
It's nice to see your standard video again. More down to earth and less distracting.
Now, now Randy I am more than happy to "baste" my speakers...for richer Bass.
I have a pair of SMSL A300 and Fosi V3 Mono's... even with the RCA-in only "handicap" - in my system (2000+ pair speakers) , as of now, the SMSL A300's (bridged with volume set around 38) would be my preference for overall sound satisfaction.
My Aiyima T9Pro has been pulling plows daily in my living room setup for well over a year so far. No issues ...
I've had my Ayima t9 pro for 18months. No problems so far.
What do you get when you add 2 analog meters to an A50Pro and charge an additional $180?
The A200
Check the specs if you doubt me
The Subwoofer rating was for the A50 Pro\
They messed up the specs for the A200 because the stereo channels are exactly the same as the A200
BUT, for $180 LESS, you could own the 3 channel A50Pro with the 3rd channel for Subwoofer Output
Sorry, I meant A200 stereo specs are exactly the same as the A50Pro
A50Pro for the WIN!
3 channels for $80
Appreciate your obvious honest review. 👍
There is no separate DAC chip because it is a power DAC which means there is probably an ADC on the analog input.
For a sub you can always use speaker level output if your sub supports it
T9 Pro - use it daily for over a year, but it is the second one I've had. The first one had microphonic issues.
Isn't the A200 an older SMSL product? The SMSL AO300 appears to be newer and a little higher up the food chain.
AO300 is a great little integrated amp. Using for desktop usage!!
Cool thanks Randy! Another good choice among a sea of good choices, what a time to be alive!
I have a Douke ST01 pro with the VU meter, it started life with me as my main AMP for my Q-acoustic 3010i's. It had the Tick sound (known issue) but it's stopped now after a years operation (only a couple of months real time) as that tick came from the VU meter and it just needed some wear in time, I had that tick issue from an Amp I owned in the late 70's. The Douke is now being used as a DAC for bluetooth and digital Hi-Res media (because I love Tubes) with my Yamaha 701 AMP as the Yamaha has only a basic DAC without bluetooth. I got the Yamaha Amp cause I wanted to run a second set of speakers the Q-acoustic 3020i's "A" mode switch is the 3010i's for quiet listening while "B" is for day listening and "A+B" when I want to disturb my neighbour. I've added a Denon DCD700ne for my CD's. I'm a CD fan as always useful for offline listening. All my HiRes digital streaming and downloaded FLAC's are handled by my dolby certified android tablet.
No D.A.C, the Infineon Chip is a fully digital amplifier. Similar to how my sabaj A30a works.
Always love some VU meters.😂 The decisions on midlevel amps these days is becoming very challenging. Fosi mono's, Loxjie, Aiyima, etc, all providing units at a value for price point. I personally do like the external power supply choices offered, but they do add clutter. Thanks for sharing this with us all. All the best, Sir.
This amp or a s/h Cambridge Audio 840A XD amp in excellent condition with box, manual and remote? 🤔🤔
Sounds like you’re more forward and concise with your feelings about the sound of your products lately you’ve been receiving.
Still rocking the T9 after about 18 months. Rolled the tubes and it does regular duty in my desk setup. No issues!
Why the hype for VU meters? Do the offer sonic improvement? Does anyone know what they're measuring? Am I missing anything because I don't have VU meters?
Randy, I thought you were done reviewing cheap audio and switching to high end. Don’t let them change you. Do both and keep All your followers informed and happy. We value your opinions man. Thanks
Thanks Randy
To quote Bob from @UnitedStatesofAnalog Fun-Fi not Chi-Fi...
I love VU meters. It needs a heat sink on back.
The wiim mini is $78 on Amazon right now
Randy, thanks a lot for another great entertaining video. However, what did not come out so clear to me, did you run it through the internal DAC, or did you test it through one of your reference DACs....
Since two weeks, I'm testing the SMSL A50 Pro, which should vome in for around USD 90. It does not bring the VU meters to the table ...but it does have the subwoofer amp integrated, and yes it also can do base management on both sides.
Connected to a better DAC than the internal one, the A50 Pro looks like the much better offer from SMSL.
Bought one at ebay last month at a discount, it’s not bad, paired it with Kef q150 and it sounds good. Keep your expectations low, will pair it with a wiim ultra which will arrive next week.
I still love my SMSL AO300!
Just got one, it's on my way right now. Have you tested again the likes of fosi v3 or aiyima 07 max?
Great , impartial thoughts , thankyou.
Interesting to hear your take on the subdivisions within the chifi realm. I always just grouped the brands you mentioned together...didnt realise there was a pecking order.
Would it be safe to say SMSL's finest work is done with stand alone dacs rather than amplification?
You can hide and silence the 48vdc supplies and extend the supply cord. They are not that big considering the output of the monoblocks. When will the China amps get the ganfet transistors????
4:14 that whole thing is an ir receiver window?! I thought a display ... 🤣
Yeah, their web site shows it as a display. Did Randy even turn this thing on? lol.
@@riffraff9000 maybe he got one of those ER IR sensors. Extended range. Extra remote shipped to his neighbour free of cost. 😂
@@riffraff9000 he did not. If he did, he would have showed it.
I want to like these chi-fi amps. I really do. But, nope. Only RLS has made one of these small class d amps that doesn’t sound horrible. For me, Schiit provides great value and a decent listening experience. I try to put my money in amps and speakers, with a little more emphasis on speakers. Speakers, I think q acoustic makes incredible good products at reasonable cost.
The chi-fi amps are starting to be really good. Spend the money on speakers, as there is alot more to gain. I've done blind tests having my wife switch different amps and only one i've been able to reliably pick is one onkyo avr that has weird smooth sound even in direct mode. I have several receivers, few different class D amps and couple of class AB, including a NAD with tons of power, and they all sound the same apart from the onkyo.
The VU meter always attracts my attention. Good or bad it is what it is.
Any idea on what similar small integrated amp with remote could be used to power a TV and speakers to use in the back yard / porch for TV - Game watching etc?
Looking at using a pair of Emotiva outdoor speakers..
Hi randy i have the aiyima t9 pro on your recommendation and i cannot fault it, it's amazing pared with my polk es15 speakers and wiiam streamer 😀😀
Thanks randy!
What is this one you took out to put the Cambridge and the dayzee on? It looks great!
how does it sound compared to a50 pro and AO300?
What purpose does a vu meter serve? It doesn't improve sound quality, due to more breaks in the signal path. It only increases production costs, and appeals to those who would rather be transfixed with a widget, than listening to the music.
You should have put black tape over the vue meters and after reviewing the mediocre specs and no sub out, ripped off the tape in a "tadaaa" reveal as some kind of consolation prize for getting visuals on the bass that cannot be heard. You're welcome;)
SVS, Emotiva, Martin Logan and many other sub manufacturers put high level inputs on there subs. Just daisy chain from amp to speaker, then to sub.
SVS only puts speaker level connections on their baby subs. The big bois are RCA/XLR only. However speaker-to-line adapters and active crossover/level boxes can still be used to send speaker signal to any line-level sub. On my SB16, I personally send speaker signal through an adapter and crossover to fill out my mains (for unprocessed direct 2-channel listening), and use the second line input for LFE. That way the sub does double-duty for 2 channel and surround without having to rely on the fidelity-destroying forced 48khz resampling and processing of receivers that is otherwise unavoidable if you need bass management.
yeah, but it has VU meters man. gotta have that.
It’s great that Chinese companies come up with a new amp the other day, but I feel like “let’s wait for tomorrow”, which will never end 🫠
How to does it compare to the Loxjie A40?
Cheap audio again 👍
I think these things are not for music, just good to attach to a tv, but if you want to enjoy some music, don´t mess with them, even if class D circuitry has grown better and better than years ago, they are still far away from an hi-fi point of view, unless you could spend a lot, like some high end amplifiers that uses class D but at another level and with high level components. As usual, is not just the class that matters, but the project, the design and the components used, and for 200 or few more bucks, you can´t have nothing good in my opinion.
Agreed. Maybe TV support, but not for long term music listening. Very thin. Class d just doesn’t do it for me. I’ve seen some new class d offerings in some high dollar examples, but I haven’t had any personal experiences.
@@s.daniel9224 indeed, for tv experience, these things are way better than a soundbar, maybe in a 2.1 system too
Disagree. They are hifi. They would have been 5 years ago anyway, compared to name brand low and mid tier stereo and more so, home theater amps. With just slight care with inputs and speaker pairing and placement, it's all the hifi many need to enjoy music.
@@rapier5 I could use one of these for all day for some background music, indeed they are cool (meaning cool in temperature) and low consumption, but when I sit on the sofa in the center spot of my hifi, there is no way I can declare these things hi-fi. And oh, my gear is 30 years old, totally analog of course, just using an external DAC attached to a Daphile fanless tiny machine to listen to my collection ripped from cd, so at 44.1KHz 16bit
Indeed, Infineon is a German manufacturer that split from its parent company Siemens in 1999. It's one of the 10 biggest manufacturers of semiconductors in the world.
Just connect to a sub with speaker level inputs. Problem solved. I have two subs just lying around that have speaker level input. Granted bass management would be nice but at the price???
Back with a Java - Folger"s Black Silk👍
Oops Randy you lost me at no sub out. What are they smoking at SMSL? Hmmm VU meters vs Sub Out? 🇦🇺☮️
“I think they should’ve gone bigger with it.”
I literally had a guttural laugh at that comment.
On the SMSL site there’s no mention of the DAC that’s inside that amp. Why? It has digital inputs so it gotta have a DAC right??
And if you want to use an external DAC then How you supposed to connect yur Turntable. Most yous got turntables right!? And their higher end stuff has nice digital displays so I’d rather have digital VU meters or audio spectrum visualizer than a mech VU
Huh?!?!?!!! HUH??!!! Did I hear ... Fosi sounds better than SMSL??!! I upgraded from Fosi to a SMSL DA-9, and absolutely love it. HUGE IMPROVEMENT! Is there a Fosi product that can touch it? If so, I'd be interested in hearing which Fosi amp that is.
If you rub a little sandpaper against the bridge of your glasses, you won't need to keep pushing them back up your nose.
No streamer. I go with wiim😅
Wiim for the win!
I am considering the LAiV Harmony dac. Higher than most of your reviews for sure. Singapore design and Chinese made.
instead of those VU meters, why not include a switchable high pass filter?
can't show that off to your friends
Wow it looks nice !
I had (key word) an SMSL that made my dog leave the room at high volume, Fail! 😅
Are you sure it wasn't the music you were putting on? 😂
@or1on89 Yes I'm sure, when I play the same music on the even more powerful 100 wpc Yamaha AX-596 integrated I just bought his ears don't twitch he doesn't mind a bit 😂
The older or the cheaper D class amps have a load impedance dependency especially in treble with 8 Ohm speakers. Your dog could detect that above 20KHz.
Most people don't like class D amps, because of the more neutral "cold" sound. They surely don't match well with treble heavy speakers. If you like warm sound then Class D isn't for you.
I have an old diy kit AB class amp that I love, as well as
*Topping TP20 mk2 Tripath chip early class D
*Topping PA5 II Plus - 3251 - modern class D. (This has by design no impedance dependency.)
They all sound nice with quality recordings and a good source.
A warmer sounding preamp, with the right opamps or tubes might change your mind when used with class D amps.
I have a cheap buffer/preamp with GE5670 5star NOS valves. It sounds warm and lovely with both my Toppings!
So it's more of a synergy thing.
@natnanatna100
I believe you are correct as I do have Klipsch RB5 speakers that can definitely be on the bright side! I've already replaced the SMSL with a Yamaha class AB integrated amp producing 100 wpc and .003 distortion that also has pre out main in connections to contour the sound with an external eq that I much prefer and couldn't do with the SMSL and most other available amplifiers.
I know most audiophiles frown upon external sources in the sound path, but a music engineer who mixes the original recordings said, without an eq your not hearing the true quality of the music as it's mixed to sound good on budget gear not for hifi!
Thanks for the info it's always a learning experience and have a good day 😊
This sounds like a pass. Outside of the WIIM Pro, one could get a decent receiver or integrated amp on the used market that sounds better. I sometimes wonder why the Chi-fi companies make so many superfluous models.
Class D or not, the SMSL SA400 sounds quite good after regular use and is comparable to my high end Yamaha and Accuphase amps.
Are your amps really hi end
And.. since it’s been a long time and lots of new products are in market, why not have a Tier List video 😊
There probably was not a lot of thought put into this... LMAO!!!!
LS50 Meta hasn't got huge drivers but it's a hard to drive speaker so size doesn't matter.
I think alot of people get the size correlation the wrong way. Big boxes and drivers tend to be more sensitive and thus easier to drive than smaller speakers. It's just one of those things that you won't get right if you are not told.
@@MikkoRantamo Exactly!
hdmi, usb, opt, I'm in.
What watch do you have on here?
Tudor black bay ceramic
On an unrelated note Randy, is it just me or does Tidal sound better than Amazon. I tried it out yesterday with your affiliate link and it sounds better to me. Maybe it is just placebo. I tried Tidal because the music suggestions on Amazon stink.
Chinese Cheapaudio man.
Almost all “cheap audio” products are made in China, so what’s your point? If this isn’t your jam there’s plenty others that review more expensive gear on YT. And speaking of, nowadays lots of high end audio products costing thousands from reputable companies are made in China. Welcome to 21st century.
@@2501mandala NO audiophile would buy that class D garbage. That is simple desktop computer amplifier. Just good to watch youtube.
There are plenty of class D amps in 2024 that would qualify as audiophile worth. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just take a look at the amps being reviewed by reputable mags nowadays. Many, if not most, are class D. I myself own two Audio Research class AB amps and they are great. But there’s no reason why both can’t coexist. Being dogmatic, as you seem to be, is only doing yourself a disservice.
Personally I won't buy electronics unless they are serviced in N. America. I boycott Amazon cuz of his business practices plus I personally do not like him. He is not alone
THE LOXJIE A40 BLOWS THIS INTO THE DUST
“Topping and SMSL have always been the upper level of Chinese companies“
I don’t know if you’re new to hifi?
I know you’re into budget gear, but they’re must * easily be a dozen Chinese companies higher priced than those that you apparently haven’t heard of.
Uv meters seem all the rage today
I’d rather the money be spent to upgrade the power supply
Wiim for me
For $260 I want a sub out with a high pass filter. Why is this so hard?
Looking at the meters, the needles at rest don't line up with each other, which can affect the accuracy higher up the scale. But who are we kidding here? Those meters serve no real purpose other than to look cool with the needles bouncing around while the music plays. I highly doubt these are true VU meters with the correct ballistics or accurate calibration to be considered as such.. They certainly don't have the resolution necessary for e.g. setting channel balance...(does this amp even have a balance control?). Such things were quite expensive in their day, and were really only useful for tape recording and professional applications.
No balance control, nor should there be imo. Should never drive one of your speakers more than the other - fix your placement and listening position first. The amp should already be perfectly balanced.
>No line out/sub out.
For this kind of money, I'd expect that. Very disappointed. I have a Douk M100 integrated amp for my desk setup and love the little thing. I bet you post or at least lurk on /g/, don't you?
Yawn, another me too product. SMSL needs to find its own niche.
No Sub out. Why? It's dead to me without Sub out. Why is this so difficult...
Bluetooth 5.0??? Just means wank codec I guess no LDAC no APTX HD
NO SUB! Heresy.
FINISH HIM@!
Oh, I like the face design. I really like it. Love the infra receiver. Don't know where your dislike is coming from. Probably from the failure to function well.
CheapAudioMan looks tired of these cheap HW emerging every of weeks.. :P
Why do your glasses keep falling off your nose, it should be a simple fix?
He needs Steve Martin to fix those....
Are you also quitting to be an audiophile reviewer?😅
"Fosi sounds better then the SMSL stuff...." Dude opinions I guess, seems like sell out trash talk.. Maybe they will continue sending u stuff for that fake comment. The A300 sounds better then any fosi junk ever produced
My brand-new SMSL AO-300 sounds fantastic, cost $260, and *has* a subwoofer output.
But also, can we please start noticing that the guy whose entire brand is that he wants us to feel better about buying less expensive stuff, STILL can't review an affordable product without the review script saying "THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA THIS WAS MADE IN CHINA."
Would we tolerate that from a reviewer of another product? If the host of a YT channel about car reviews said, "This is a pretty impressive car, considering that it CAME FROM JAPAN"???
I am *so* sick and tired of this. The guy's whole thing is that we're supposed to have fun enjoying value-priced products, and he spends whole chunks of every review trying to make us feel exactly the opposite, *AND* slur an entire manufacturing-industrial economy, and with the confident expectation that nobody is going to notice how it sounds.
Thx Randy, let’s be honest this is cheaply made Chinese amp. No idea why anyone would purchase this
Most affordable home audio is from China.
I wish people who review items like these would at least read the manual and let us know what the specs are in a RUclips comparison - otherwise, if I need to do all the research, I'm not going to bother watching your channel. I don't know about you, but I prefer my amps to NOT add color to the sound. I would like to be able to control that with proper EQ. If I want warmth, a bit of boost in the 700-2K region will bring the magic. If I want more "presence" or "air", I'll boost the midrange and/or the 4K-10K region by 2-3 dB.
You could do a wonderful thing for beginner audiophiles looking to purchase their first piece of equipment by comparing the specs. Apples to apples comparisons usually start with testing the way the manufacturers do it - 1K into 8 - 4 - 2 ohm loads, connect a scope and look for clipping and distortion.
The cost of test equipment has come way down and you could really assist newbies to make proper choices beyond saying things like "sounds OK" or "pretty good". Compared to what?
One more thing - please try to break the habit of pushing your glasses up on your nose. I counted 40 times you did this in your 14 minute video here - it's kinda distracting. Maybe use an elastic sport strap on the back, or always make sure both hands are busy with the presentation.
Thanks for bringing these inexpensive units to our attention.
Failure product really. Anything might be better at it's price point.
Too expensive and low power.
You consider Texas a country?