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NSMT A100 First Impressions (of a very small amplifier)

Posted by svisner on March 23, 2017 at 19:55:25:
While awaiting repairs on our house (and reconstitution of its various sound systems), I am living with a desktop system comprised of PC, Schitt Modi DAC (Toslink), Hsu HB1 Mk2 bookshelf speakers. And Dayton Sub-800 subwoofer. For no particularly good reason, I've been playing with compact (and inexpensive) amps. I started with a TubeCube 7, which I found lacking in the high end, a Dayton DTA 120, and now a NSMT A100. https://nsmt-loudspeakers.com/content/nsmt-model-a100-amplifier

For the money, I the Dayton is fine piece of kit. However, the NSMT A100 seems to be in a different class altogether. While it costs more than the Dayton, at $160, it's not particularly expensive. The NSMT has excellent frequency extension, including well controlled base, and images so well that I was, in fact, quite surprised. Noise floor is low (to my ears) and channel to channel separation is excellent. Of course, I've no means of measuring the amp; my impressions are subjective. The amplifier seems powerful (the Website says 100 WPC, but the basis for that claim (peak; RMS both channels driven; etc.). It uses a 5 amp, 24 VDC switching power supply. Music sounds like, well, music, neither grainy nor clinical. I tend to like tube amplifiers, so I am surprised by how much enjoyment I am getting from this little Class D amplifier. Oh, yes, I purchased the Baltic white birch plywood version. (No doubt the little amplifier's cabinet contributes to its audio qualities ...)