Thanks for your lovely review, i have smsl class d amps with the same model tannoys but sometimes i feel the tannoys can be bright with these amplifier.
Thanks, for your great review, you are a youtuber. The journey to your "final setup" is never over. Batteries apparently make shipping more complicated...
Thanks for the detailed review. I was set on buying Cambridge audio cxa81 until I watched this. You should be on commission from smsl for your passionate review it was engaging and entertaining thanks 👍
Hi, first of all many thanks for your video. I am considering this amp with similar setup like you - Bluesound node (new version with HDMI) and I am wondering if the VMV A1 can be set as "power amplifier" ? So I could control the volume by the Node (via blueos app) and by TV via through eARC.
@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks a lot! Just one more question....Does the A1 stay in the poweramp mode also after the main power cord has been disconnected ?...I am planning to use this www.audiophonics.fr/en/diy-kits-and-boards/audiophonics-trigger-12v-230v-slave-power-supply-device-p-10661.html to control ON and OFF of the A1 via the Node as it has 12V trigger.
The A1 sounds like it has high current. Full and lively even at low volumes without loosing the midrange. That’s why I expected a bigger toroidal transformer.
Hi, Bin begeistert von SMSLs D300 DAC und bin am überlegen ihm den A1 dazuzustellen (auch wenn er leider keinen XLR Input hat)... Frage mich nur gerade ob man das Display wirklich nicht komplett abschalten kann? Konnte dazu im Manual nichts finden, bei den mir bekannten Komponenten von SMSL, M500mk2 und D300 gehts.
Cooles Review . Bist du nach wie vor zufrieden mit dem Verstärker? Wo hast du diesen bezogen? Ich überlege den VMV A2 zu kaufen. Da ich mir erhoffe Mir das der DAC brauchbar ist. Damit Fällt ganz viel. Der Analogausgang vom Bluesound ist bei mir damals durchgefallen. Nicht schlecht aber auch nicht wirklich gut.
With high sensitivity speakers it is not a day and night difference. In my experience speakers with a sensitivity of 87dB and below prefer tge Sugden a lot. Resulting in more bass quantity and quality (speed and texture). When it comes to tone the midrange sound close to each other. Soundstage: wider and deeper with better instrument separation and center image through the Sugden. High frequencies are sweet with both amps. Neither bright nor rolled off
Apparently if you turn up the volume to at least 68 it will 'switch' to power amp mode and fully class A. I read this somewhere else, maybe the reviewer can confirm this?
That is a hell of a question. With speakers who lack a bit of a natural tone I would always go with the A1. If the speakers like the Carinas already have that organic tone to them I could keep the Arcam for its plenty of features. If I had to keep one for the rest of my life I would probably play safe and keep the A1 cause those functions will be outdated at sometime but the soundquality of a pure class-A amp won’t.
Excellent review. Did you get a chance to listen to the headphone output? I've been curious about this amp and waiting for somebody to review it. I'm a little worried about how hot it gets and find the headphone output in the back an odd design choice.
I don't know about you, but it seems from the demos that while volume might be enough and there's some nice details there, most of the range sounds muddy. Well, might just be the compression and room acoustics and microphone capture though... One more thing, low volume seems when you start turning it up, you can hear that it's hiding some detail before a certain point. It's normal for batteries to not be included because it's not safe to transport. Also it's supposedly good practice to move the speakers further from the wall.
Hello, I was impatiently awaiting a test of this amp !! thank you very much, I had this output the smsl ad18 and I was amazed, I have been working my Sonus Faber Cremona with a Fxaudio d2160 for 2 years and I was waiting for the practical product to which I could add a denafrips ares 2 for some time! I think he's here, you've finished convincing me. How about him compared to the Roksan? Thanks again( From France) for your unboxing and your test
My good man, there are three youtube reviews out there showing that one could use a preamp with this amp by setting the amps volume to 66. Do a search on the internet. You'll find them. Thank you and be well.
Lautstärke bei 25 bedeutet nicht das nur 35,7% leistung abgegeben werden. das bezweifle ich das es linear ist. bei jedem verstärker passiert am anfang wenig, ab 1/6 dann sehr viel und am ende 2/3 fast nix mehr. Wenn man lauter dreht, dann kommt mehr Leistung aus dem amp, somit brauchen dann die LS mehr watt für gleiche Lautstärke. 10W ist wirklich wenig und man sollte da beim Lautpsrecher schon drauf achten das es passt. Vorallem im Bass wirds da schnell eng und es klippt. Es ist aber auch nur ein 650€ amp...da sollte man keine großen LS dran hängen...effektive Kompakte und dann läuft das bei moderaten Lautstärken einwandfrei und macht spaß.
The real issue is this; Do you go for this little chinese made integrated with its garish display and questionable long term serviceability (and associated hassle of having to return it for this) or save up and get something like a Sugden A1 new or one second hand ...? That would be something for life, built almost entirely with discreet components so easily serviced anywhere.
Just an FYI, HP gain is only for headphones. Glad you are enjoying it, I can't wait to make my video on it.
Thank you for this information!
Looking forward to your review Thomas.
I'm waiting for your review as well. 😁
Nice to see you here!!
Thanks you are the first to show this.
Thanks for your lovely review, i have smsl class d amps with the same model tannoys but sometimes i feel the tannoys can be bright with these amplifier.
Thomas
Enjoyed the review, so much, I just had to place my order this weekend!
I’ll report back, excited!
Frank
Thanks, for your great review, you are a youtuber. The journey to your "final setup" is never over.
Batteries apparently make shipping more complicated...
Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏼
Awesome Find !!
Thanks for the detailed review. I was set on buying Cambridge audio cxa81 until I watched this. You should be on commission from smsl for your passionate review it was engaging and entertaining thanks 👍
Thank you
@@DigitalPhilosophers by the way did you ever listen to the Cambridge Audio Cxa81, just curious to hear your thoughts if you did. Thanks 🙏
@@FrameClick I‘ve got the Cambridge 851a at home. It’s great
@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks, and may I ask how would you rate or compare it with the little smsl a1?
Thanks for sharing. I put it on my wish list.
Can you check power consumption? Spec on Amazon says 30W, and Standby power:
I will!
I'm using this amp with an ADI-2 DAC and unfortunately the remote control signals mix-up and control both units... Not sure how to solve this...
How about your opinion about this amplifier.
Hi, first of all many thanks for your video. I am considering this amp with similar setup like you - Bluesound node (new version with HDMI) and I am wondering if the VMV A1 can be set as "power amplifier" ? So I could control the volume by the Node (via blueos app) and by TV via through eARC.
Yes. Thomas Stereo explained it. At the highest volume the A1 turns into poweramp mode
@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks a lot! Just one more question....Does the A1 stay in the poweramp mode also after the main power cord has been disconnected ?...I am planning to use this www.audiophonics.fr/en/diy-kits-and-boards/audiophonics-trigger-12v-230v-slave-power-supply-device-p-10661.html to control ON and OFF of the A1 via the Node as it has 12V trigger.
@@jakubkytka3975 I am sorry. I don’t know if it resets in some way. I sold my unit to upgrade to the Sugden. Otherwise I would try it and tell you
pls, could you meter the max. vol. with the app "sound meter" on your phone and tell me the how much db reached. thk u.
Class A is the way to go…Thanks!
Absolutely!
Hey mate, just wondering if this amp is enough to drive Kef Q150? I'm using this for near-field / desktop setup
More than enough.
Pretty new to audio. How good would this be for some micca rb42?
I assume it will perform great but trying is always better than assuming.
It is using toroidal transfomer..they manage to squeeze it in
The A1 sounds like it has high current. Full and lively even at low volumes without loosing the midrange. That’s why I expected a bigger toroidal transformer.
Hi,
Bin begeistert von SMSLs D300 DAC und bin am überlegen ihm den A1 dazuzustellen (auch wenn er leider keinen XLR Input hat)...
Frage mich nur gerade ob man das Display wirklich nicht komplett abschalten kann?
Konnte dazu im Manual nichts finden, bei den mir bekannten Komponenten von SMSL, M500mk2 und D300 gehts.
Depending on your speaker, room size and of course taste you might love the A1
Cooles Review . Bist du nach wie vor zufrieden mit dem Verstärker?
Wo hast du diesen bezogen?
Ich überlege den VMV A2 zu kaufen.
Da ich mir erhoffe Mir das der DAC brauchbar ist. Damit Fällt ganz viel.
Der Analogausgang vom Bluesound ist bei mir damals durchgefallen. Nicht schlecht aber auch nicht wirklich gut.
I bought it on Amazon. I moved on to Sugden (A21 SE) and now I enjoy my Arcam SA20
What artists/ songs did you play the a1 with in the video? Nice taste in music!
It is Jay Young.
www.youngsamples.com
open.spotify.com/track/0ZJ8xhHme8F9EcrUuLnYg0?si=ScTNIiIMQsy3Hc1wZPbqjw
How does this compare with the Sugden A21 you recently showcased? Is it like day and night difference? Thanks
With high sensitivity speakers it is not a day and night difference. In my experience speakers with a sensitivity of 87dB and below prefer tge Sugden a lot. Resulting in more bass quantity and quality (speed and texture). When it comes to tone the midrange sound close to each other. Soundstage: wider and deeper with better instrument separation and center image through the Sugden. High frequencies are sweet with both amps. Neither bright nor rolled off
@@DigitalPhilosophers Thanks mate. Your content is great and you are awesome. Cheers from Melbourne, Australia :)
@@grungemax Thanks a lot
I wish they woul do just power amp option.
Apparently if you turn up the volume to at least 68 it will 'switch' to power amp mode and fully class A. I read this somewhere else, maybe the reviewer can confirm this?
Do you like the sound quality better than your main amp, which I guess is the Arcam?
That is a hell of a question. With speakers who lack a bit of a natural tone I would always go with the A1. If the speakers like the Carinas already have that organic tone to them I could keep the Arcam for its plenty of features. If I had to keep one for the rest of my life I would probably play safe and keep the A1 cause those functions will be outdated at sometime but the soundquality of a pure class-A amp won’t.
Excellent review. Did you get a chance to listen to the headphone output? I've been curious about this amp and waiting for somebody to review it. I'm a little worried about how hot it gets and find the headphone output in the back an odd design choice.
I don't know about you, but it seems from the demos that while volume might be enough and there's some nice details there, most of the range sounds muddy. Well, might just be the compression and room acoustics and microphone capture though...
One more thing, low volume seems when you start turning it up, you can hear that it's hiding some detail before a certain point.
It's normal for batteries to not be included because it's not safe to transport.
Also it's supposedly good practice to move the speakers further from the wall.
Do you hear a hiss sound in your speaker when you put 100% volume?
No. Zero.
have you tried the class D A2 model ??
Unfortunately not
Hello,
I was impatiently awaiting a test of this amp !! thank you very much, I had this output the smsl ad18 and I was amazed, I have been working my Sonus Faber Cremona with a Fxaudio d2160 for 2 years and I was waiting for the practical product to which I could add a denafrips ares 2 for some time! I think he's here, you've finished convincing me. How about him compared to the Roksan? Thanks again( From France) for your unboxing and your test
I will compare it to my Roksan Caspian M Series-1
@@DigitalPhilosophers I would wait impatiently 😁
How you write the name of this artist? Can't find it
He will be on Spotify and Tidal soon. For now it’s youngsamples.com
yeah that cr 2032 battery... must have been 2 AAAs
My good man, there are three youtube reviews out there showing that one could use a preamp with this amp by setting the amps volume to 66. Do a search on the internet. You'll find them.
Thank you and be well.
Lautstärke bei 25 bedeutet nicht das nur 35,7% leistung abgegeben werden. das bezweifle ich das es linear ist. bei jedem verstärker passiert am anfang wenig, ab 1/6 dann sehr viel und am ende 2/3 fast nix mehr.
Wenn man lauter dreht, dann kommt mehr Leistung aus dem amp, somit brauchen dann die LS mehr watt für gleiche Lautstärke. 10W ist wirklich wenig und man sollte da beim Lautpsrecher schon drauf achten das es passt. Vorallem im Bass wirds da schnell eng und es klippt.
Es ist aber auch nur ein 650€ amp...da sollte man keine großen LS dran hängen...effektive Kompakte und dann läuft das bei moderaten Lautstärken einwandfrei und macht spaß.
Or big high sensitivity towers as recommended by jays iyagi
Edit: ruclips.net/video/HmY0HrWxhao/видео.html
The real issue is this; Do you go for this little chinese made integrated with its garish display and questionable long term serviceability (and associated hassle of having to return it for this) or save up and get something like a Sugden A1 new or one second hand ...? That would be something for life, built almost entirely with discreet components so easily serviced anywhere.
There is no doubt that Sugden is on a higher tier
You sound anxious. Those overpriced Brit audio gear days are numbered. Exciting times ahead.
Music ➡️ youngsamples.com
Was für ein Kasten ist denn das? 🤔
Edit: das Hifi-Möbel meine ich! 😅
Ikea Besta
how loud SNR is this amp on its 100%?
I will look that up
I think the Smsl VMV-A2 would drive the Elacs better than VMV-A1
You might be right. It has more watts but both have a tiny power supply