Dayton APA150

[HexiBase]

So I just noticed the Dayton APA150 as a new addition to Parts Express inventory (one of my favorite toy stores) and I was just wondering if anyone has given this thing a try yet, more to the point, how does it's fidelity compare to that of a T-Amp. By the way, Sonic Impact has just released the 2nd generation T-Amp which I may try as well. Right now, I'm just really interested in the APA150 for it's format and versatility.

 

[Seth=L]

The amplifier shown is basically the same amplifier inside as the Emotiva BPA-1. It is a Class A/B amplifier unlike the T-amp which is Class T (tripath). It is arguable that the T-amps have the same fidelity as Class A/B but the APA150 offers much more power and flexability.

If you look at the overall design and specifications for the Dayton APA150 and the Emotiva BPA-1 you will find they are pretty much exactly alike outside some very small cosmetic differences. The Dayton is cheaper and I like the look of it from the picture. I say go for it.

http://emotiva.com/bpa1.html

 

[Adam]

Seth=L is right...they are basically the same product. The one thing that I've noticed is that the Dayton has a user-selectable voltage input, whereas the pictures of the Emotiva do not show that switch. The Emotiva is on sale this month (actually, it's on sale fairly often).

Adam

 

[Seth=L]

Seth=L is right...they are basically the same product. The one thing that I've noticed is that the Dayton has a user-selectable voltage input, whereas the pictures of the Emotiva do not show that switch. The Emotiva is on sale this month (actually, it's on sale fairly often).

Adam

It is still $10 more than the Dayton, I think I like the overall look of the Dayton as well.

 

[Adam]

It is still $10 more than the Dayton, I think I like the overall look of the Dayton as well.

As for me, I'd spend the $10 for the Emotiva because I like the way it looks. It's great that we have choices!

HexiBase, if you search the forum for either amp name, you should come up with some posts about them. I know that they have been discussed before. Matt34 has the BPA-1, if I recall correctly.

 

[GlocksRock]

who offers the better warranty?

 

[HexiBase]

The Emotiva appears to come with a 5 year warranty (quite impressive for any piece of electronics) where as the Dayton amp is only covered for a year. Still, has anyone had any hands-on experience with either of these two products? Again, I'm using the T-Amp as my reference here since I've been listening to them for quite some time now. Power aside, if I can expect the same fidelity out of the Emotiva / Dayton amps as I can out of a T-Amp, I aught to be satisfied.

 

[GlocksRock]

If PE is making amps similar to the Emotiva line amps, I hope they make a 200x7 amp real soon, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[Seth=L]

The Emotiva appears to come with a 5 year warranty (quite impressive for any piece of electronics) where as the Dayton amp is only covered for a year. Still, has anyone had any hands-on experience with either of these two products? Again, I'm using the T-Amp as my reference here since I've been listening to them for quite some time now. Power aside, if I can expect the same fidelity out of the Emotiva / Dayton amps as I can out of a T-Amp, I aught to be satisfied.

The Dayton or Emotiva amp should perform equal to or better than the T-amp for sure. You won't realize you are losing dynamics until you switch amplifiers.

 

[HexiBase]

Well, there's really no question as to whether or not I'm getting one of the two (probably the Emotiva). And, when I do, I'll be happy to offer a bit of a review.

 

[WmAx]

The Dayton or Emotiva amp should perform equal to or better than the T-amp for sure. You won't realize you are losing dynamics until you switch amplifiers.

Equal to? I think not. 10 watts(claimed power for the 2nd Gen T-Amp at 8 ohms and 10% THD(!!!)) and under simply is not enough for average sensitivity speakers in mid-field or far-field placement unless one only plays highly dynamically compressed music at low to medium low volume levels. At least the Dayton/Emotiva unit here will have some practical use for normal sensitivity speakers.

-Chris

 

[Seth=L]

Equal to? I think not. 10 watts(claimed power for the 2nd Gen T-Amp at 8 ohms and 10% THD(!!!)) and under simply is not enough for average sensitivity speakers in mid-field or far-field placement unless one only plays highly dynamically compressed music at low to medium low volume levels. At least the Dayton/Emotiva unit here will have some practical use for normal sensitivity speakers.

-Chris

I didn't want to say anything to bold. Within normal operating range, blah, blah, blah...

I completely agree that the Dayton or Emotiva would sound much better, based on power alone you could infer that.

 

[HexiBase]

In this instance, I'm not certain if near/mid/far-field speaker positioning is based on any set distance range. For the moment, my reference monitors are these single driver mini-transmission lines that i've designed as my new front stage:

http://www.hexibase.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1808

I listen to them at an on-axis distance of 7 feet and I power them with the original T-Amp with no equalization or crossovers and the sound is beautiful. Granted, that's subjective but am I to understand that, in terms of sound quality, higher wattage output takes precedence over the amplifier's "tonality"?

 

[Seth=L]

In this instance, I'm not certain if near/mid/far-field speaker positioning is based on any set distance range. For the moment, my reference monitors are these single driver mini-transmission lines that i've designed as my new front stage:

http://www.hexibase.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1808

I listen to them at an on-axis distance of 7 feet and I power them with the original T-Amp with no equalization or crossovers and the sound is beautiful. Granted, that's subjective but am I to understand that, in terms of sound quality, higher wattage output takes precedence over the amplifier's "tonality"?

The Tonality of the T-amp is supposed to be near that of Class A/B amplifiers. Trust me, the dayton or Emotiva are going to outperform the T-amp. The tonality may not be any different until dynamics are required, then the T-amp is going to fall flat on its face.

 

[j_garcia]

If PE is making amps similar to the Emotiva line amps, I hope they make a 200x7 amp real soon, but I won't hold my breath.

PE doesn't make them. Both are made by the same (presumably Chinese) OEM manufacturer. I asked one person who has the BPA and he said he was very pleased with it. I have been considering the APA simply because it is on sale right now too, though I don't have an immediate need for one.

 

[HexiBase]

The Tonality of the T-amp is supposed to be near that of Class A/B amplifiers. Trust me, the dayton or Emotiva are going to outperform the T-amp. The tonality may not be any different until dynamics are required, then the T-amp is going to fall flat on its face.

That's good news as I am in the process of designing a set of significantly less efficient monitors and I was worried about the T-amp's ability to maintain accurate control at higher volume levels. If I like what I'm hearing from the Emotiva / Dayton amp (most likely the Emotiva), in the end, I'm looking to get 3 more that way one amp runs my front left/right, one amp runs my rear left/right, one amp runs my front/rear center, and one amp runs my sub.

I think, above all else, I appreciate the modular approach that amps such as these bring into the picture. That is, in fact what first turned me onto the T-Amp.

 

[GlocksRock]

PE doesn't make them. Both are made by the same (presumably Chinese) OEM manufacturer. I asked one person who has the BPA and he said he was very pleased with it. I have been considering the APA simply because it is on sale right now too, though I don't have an immediate need for one.

I didn't mean making, I meant offering... I should have been more clear. However, I just ordered 2 BPA-1 amps yesterday, and I was only charged $149 plus $12 shipping for each, so they are the same price as the APA. Even if they are the same amps from the same mfg. I would still prefer to buy from Emotiva just because of their warranty and customer service, even though I have had good experiences with PE. So don't hesitate to go with the Emotiva.

 

[j_garcia]

The APAs were $109 ea at PE at one point, but looks like they went back up.

 

[HexiBase]

Yeah... And with Emotiva's price drop, both units look to be about the same price... Yep, might just have to go with the BPA.

 

[GlocksRock]

They ship super fast, I ordered mine yesterday, and they are going to be delivered tommorrow. Of course they are in TN and I'm in NC so I'm sure that helps too.