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In Reply to: "giant killing" class D amps? posted by thump on December 29, 2017 at 15:46:26:
OK... now that i'm home, and not rushed for time on a library computer, i can add SOMETHING to the discussion, even if it's 2nd hand rumors.the NOW DELETED review at:
http://www.valuehifi.net/best-buy-recommendations.html#indeedtda
claimed that the indeed TDA7498E @ $140 ($100ish street, i think) is
"the best" amp and claimed 160wpc (or was it total?) according to an old bookmark i saved.somewhere, someone claimed it's "the same" as a fiaxing (aka FX audio) FX1002A which apperently is a favorite for modding and op amp swaps by the DIY crowd, but it looks nothing like one, though it does look like the SMSL. like S.M.S.L., FX audio has a lot of amp variants. my notes mention the FX502A at 50wpc for some reason along with saving a pic of a TDA7498 which looks identical to the 1002A. all i know is there was SOME forum buzz over fiaxings a year or so ago. (there's so much spam trying to get to decent reviews in forums, and far to few users that can be bothered to post reviews with more than 2-3 adjectives) if nothing else... i like the nagra style "slotted" power switches that are probably more practical than spring loaded push buttons on tiny amps.
in trying to keyword search "best cheap class D amps", i stumbled on a page i don't particularly trust as it chose two amps with tone controls, though it did bring the fosi audio "brand" to my attention and after seeing the TDA3116 getting a 4.5@74 reviews on amazon, i keyword searched THAT, and stumbled on a forum shootout review that claimed the TPA 3116 (a re-branded nobsound variant? looks identical & has same number in its name) bested a sure TK2050, a topping, a meanwell (?), and a lepai.
i don't know how much weight to give that review as it was done on cheap dayton & pioneer speakers, but the reviewer seems committed to cheap gear. i'm only looking for a temporary starter amp until i upgrade, either to a high end amp, or a parasound Z amp intermediary depending on how well the SEALED miniphilharmonitors i have my heart set on mate with class D.
my original "final system" plan was to DIY a "super rogue sphinx" using nCores, slagle autoformers and either hotrodding a grounded grid or building an aikido tube preamp or buffer, and testing the concept with a cheap class D amp with an upgrade to a little dot MkII tube preamp, unless the system sounds so good i don't feel the need to upgrade.
as far as the 3116s go, nobsound is a $20 better deal than fosi if the two amps are really the same.
S.M.S.L. (amp has same styling as the indeed) seems to becoming the "hot underground value brand" for amps and DACs in particular. i've seen gear that looks just like that brand under other names like douk maybe and imagine half a dozen "brands" might be the same thing in different packaging. i think i made a note about the SA50 after it was recommended along with the two amps that had tone controls, but it's a looker at the very least with its nice pushbutton power switch.
finally... a questionable contender is the micca origain which is rated 4.5 at amazon, but with only 6 reviews. it looks kind of brit high end in a naim nait/cyrus sorta way even if the volume control is the power switch apparently.i didn't have the time to copy nobsound & fosi 3116 reviews today (as i'm writing this) but intend to and for now, the $40 nobsound is at the top of my list for its price, decent looks (i like the titanium grey) and at 50wpc... will tell me if it's worth looking into a 45wpc parasound as a next step amp while considering a rogue sphinx, R1 preamp (for vinyl) & odyssey khartago, or the nCore DIY integrated.
hopefully this fuzzy info helps the discussion. i'm HOPING there's a cheap amp at least as good sounding as a sonic impact or topping if not a $500 TBI millenia that's not in my future with low 80dB minis.
for anyone looking for a 45wpc integrated "final amp" under $300, the class A/B emotiva A100 at just $230 is supposed to be really nice sounding, if a roadblock to incremental amp/preamp upgrades, or mono bridgeable like "bulletproof" parasound 45wpc/90w bridged Z amps which hover close to $100 used, and supposedly are both detailed AND sweet sounding at the same time. it's POSSIBLE i might skip past cheap class D and get a Z amp to see if i want to bridge a pair, try an odyssey, or go back to class D which i like on more forgiving speakers if not clinical ones, but the JBL outdoor speakers i got a deal on and am starting my next system with really could use a damping factor detail boost over the maximum forgiveness old technics driving them now.
Edits: 12/30/17
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- here's what i found (before reading your replies) - thump 14:30:04 12/30/17 (0)
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