wasabijim 699 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 hello looking for a small stereo power amp for my bedroom system that will use some JBL in wall speakers (link) and to feed it I have a Yamaha WXC-50 pre-amp, streamer, DAC, for mostly digital sources (Spotify Premium, net radio, etc) 15-30 watts for evening listening, morning news, business time, etc. $300 max (if justified) D-class or tubes are OK, new or 2nd hand, or even (first project) kit builds I see plenty of class-d units but they look geared more towards bung for buck wattage (some up to 150+ watts ) or there's gimmicky looking tube options from China on ebay. Also online options need to consider any addition kit to work on AU power. Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,800 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 I think one of the smaller class-D units would work quite well. A very quick search turns up examples like https://www.amazon.com.au/Douk-Audio-Bluetooth-Amplifier-Wireless/dp/B07X93W1PM/ref=pd_lpo_23_img_2/357-0078710-7876872?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07X93W1PM&pd_rd_r=a005a8ae-80af-4688-8a7d-8b98ce866d36&pd_rd_w=vU9zs&pd_rd_wg=wnYGO&pf_rd_p=ad2d1e6e-bc60-4795-b4c0-2dbd35f6678d&pf_rd_r=RQ3GYNQEGXK0R9MXB9C9&psc=1&refRID=RQ3GYNQEGXK0R9MXB9C9 Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 yeah I've seen similar but tbh I don't need the bluetooth and would like to think you could get a better sound paying more, say 3 -4 times that listed asking amount thanks for suggestion Link to post Share on other sites
gibbo9000 289 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 First generation NAD 3020D is a great (and little) Class D amp - come up in classifieds every now and then - usually slightly over the $300 mark. I use one on my desk. Gibbo 2 Link to post Share on other sites
blakey72 1,421 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 This little fella is 23w/ch into 8 ohms or 40 into 4 ohms. https://www.melbournehifi.com.au/collections/power-amplifiers/products/pro-ject-amp-box-s2 This is 40w/ch but well over budget (probably a better amp though). https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/collections/burson-audio/products/burson-audio-bang-stereo-power-amplifier 1 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,800 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 1 hour ago, wasabijim said: yeah I've seen similar but tbh I don't need the bluetooth and would like to think you could get a better sound paying more, say 3 -4 times that listed asking amount thanks for suggestion They come without bluetooth, that's just the first one I found. As for sound, I have my doubts that something at $300 will necessarily sound a lot better. Some of the buzz around these amps is that they sound pretty damn good. I think more money might buy better support, and maybe reliability, but not sound. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 thanks for suggestions i came across this unit https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/accento-ada-120-60w-channel-t-amp Link to post Share on other sites
misternavi 1,231 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 8 hours ago, wasabijim said: hello looking for a small stereo power amp for my bedroom system that will use some JBL in wall speakers (link) and to feed it I have a Yamaha WXC-50 pre-amp, streamer, DAC, for mostly digital sources (Spotify Premium, net radio, etc) 15-30 watts for evening listening, morning news, business time, etc. $300 max (if justified) D-class or tubes are OK, new or 2nd hand, or even (first project) kit builds I see plenty of class-d units but they look geared more towards bung for buck wattage (some up to 150+ watts ) or there's gimmicky looking tube options from China on ebay. Also online options need to consider any addition kit to work on AU power. There is a IcePower 50ASX2 power amp in the classifieds for $250 - IcePower is used on the integrated Yamaha Streamer amp (but it uses the 125ASX2) Small and minimal heat. Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 21 hours ago, misternavi said: There is a IcePower 50ASX2 power amp in the classifieds for $250 - IcePower is used on the integrated Yamaha Streamer amp (but it uses the 125ASX2) Small and minimal heat. yes i saw that then i got to thinking I'd almost be better off trying to grab a WXA-50 2nd hand and then sell on my WXC-50 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Graywulf 109 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I recently grabbed one of these for a bedroom amplifier https://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-HIFI-NAP250-MOD-Stereo-Power-amplifier-80W-80W-desktop-Audio-amp/ also available in a 2 box (separate power supply) https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIFI-Split-NAP250-MOD-Stereo-Power-amplifier-80W-80W-desktop-amp-PSU-L8-8/113256459488?hash=item1a5e9c6ce0:g:iOkAAOSwz2JbYwrr speakers are KEF concerto's and using a small (ECC95 tube) pre amp ( I upgraded with NOS tubes) Link to post Share on other sites
t_mike 8,250 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Cyrus. Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted November 12, 2020 Author Share Posted November 12, 2020 I managed to locally pick up one a SMSL SA-98e for just under $80, the external PS is bigger than the unit itself. I've had to run it in my main system with the Yamaha WXC-50 streamer/pre-amp and its doing a great job. volume set at 9 o'clock / 20% and its clean with plenty of volume for arvo listening levels, as loud as i dare to go. it does have poor THD at high levels - Output power: (DC 32V) 160 W/4Ω；THD = 10%) but there's no need to get anywhere near that level. the grip on the bass is dynamic and agile. sound stage doesn't have the width and depth of the other amp (Classe Sigman 2200i) nor the finesse and engagement. very happy thanks for inputs https://www.audiophile-store.com.au/collections/stereo-amplifiers-power-amplifiers-receivers/products/smsl-sa-98e-80wpc-tda7498e-power-adapter Link to post Share on other sites
Batty 5,074 Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Great result, well done. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted December 4, 2020 Author Share Posted December 4, 2020 quick question to the brains trust ref volume on the unit. I am i right that some people recommend that your amp (I assume they mean the separate power stage) should be set and left at full gain/volume and the pre-amp input used to set listening levels accordingly?? the specs for this state - 160W/ 4 ΩTHD = 10%; so far from fantastic as you move towards its red line currently I've got it set at about 20% / 9 o'clock as per the pic below. should i a) set it at max, b) leave it as is, or c) set it somewhere in between (say 12 o'clock) ?? cheers Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 3,800 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 28 minutes ago, wasabijim said: quick question to the brains trust ref volume on the unit. I am i right that some people recommend that your amp (I assume they mean the separate power stage) should be set and left at full gain/volume and the pre-amp input used to set listening levels accordingly?? the specs for this state - 160W/ 4 ΩTHD = 10%; so far from fantastic as you move towards its red line currently I've got it set at about 20% / 9 o'clock as per the pic below. should i a) set it at max, b) leave it as is, or c) set it somewhere in between (say 12 o'clock) ?? cheers From the point of view of convenience, setting it at maximum allows you to control it completely via the preamp. The downside is that any mistakes, like pulling an interconnect out accidentally, will hit your speakers at full volume. In practice I have my power amp set at the loudest volume I need to use for normal listening, then just set it below that using the preamp control. Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted December 4, 2020 Author Share Posted December 4, 2020 3 minutes ago, aussievintage said: In practice I have my power amp set at the loudest volume I need to use for normal listening, then just set it below that using the preamp control. pretty much what I'm doing now cheers Link to post Share on other sites
Batty 5,074 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 1 hour ago, wasabijim said: quick question to the brains trust ref volume on the unit. I am i right that some people recommend that your amp (I assume they mean the separate power stage) should be set and left at full gain/volume and the pre-amp input used to set listening levels accordingly?? the specs for this state - 160W/ 4 ΩTHD = 10%; so far from fantastic as you move towards its red line currently I've got it set at about 20% / 9 o'clock as per the pic below. should i a) set it at max, b) leave it as is, or c) set it somewhere in between (say 12 o'clock) ?? cheers Experiment and see what you like best. Link to post Share on other sites
wasabijim 699 Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 On 04/12/2020 at 2:25 PM, Batty said: Experiment and see what you like best. this week I've re-set amp volume to about 10.30. it seems to have made synching the subwoofer easier / less fickle so that's a worthwhile plus if any. I'll up it a bit more but I'll need to knock back a few of the inputs coming into the pre-amp now as the level differences are more emphasised. Link to post Share on other sites
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