SMSL Q50 Power Spec?

[Tony3d]

I am very interested in this Digital Amp. I currently own a Topping TP21 driving a pair of AudioEngine P4's, and a Dayton 8" powered sub. Looking for something with a bit more headroom, and thought this fit the now that all the bugs are worked out.

So I wrote them in China asking what the output per channel just below the clipping point was and the rated distortion at that point. They wrote back, and said it was truly 50 watts at the clipping point at 0.1 distortion. Now I find this very hard to believe, and asked them again, and again they said this is correct.

What do you guys make of this? Really don't know enough about Digital amps to make an educated decision. At any rate this should be an improvement in headroom over my TP21. Hoping the sound quality is a bit less strident! Would buy the Emotiva a100 MiniX, but it's simply to big. Thoughts?

 

[slipperybidness]

Did they quote that spec at 1kHz? or 20Hz to 20kHz?

Was that 4ohm load? 6? 8?

You see what I'm getting at here? There are all sorts of ways to quote that number and make it look better on paper.

 

[Tony3d]

Actually they quoted it into 4Ohms, but did not specify a frequency range.

 

[markw]

There's not really a heckuva lot of internet buzz on this thing. You may be a pioneer here.

 

[slipperybidness]

Actually they quoted it into 4Ohms, but did not specify a frequency range.

If they quoted 4ohms, then almost certainly it's at 1kHz.

In other words, they are "padding the numbers" or "cooking the books".

My gut tells me that this thing is not significantly more powerful than the Topping that you mentioned.

 

[Tony3d]

Kinda what I thought! How about Topping's TP60? Looks like a solid 45 watts per channel. From the look of the power supply (dual toroidal transformers), I think it may actually reach that power level.

http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp60-t-amp-tripath-ta2022-50wpc-(80wpc-4-ohm)-mini-amplifier--310-326

 

[markw]

Are you hung up on tiny amps? If not, you can find a full sized Sherwood RX-4105 receiver with more real power and all the bells and whistles for about half the price of that TP60. These I know are quite good. Several friends have them, and have had 'em for many years.

 

[agarwalro]

What speakers do you have and what's the budget?

 

[slipperybidness]

Do you have any interest in DIY?

I have been pleased with this little amp--
https://www.boxedkitamps.com/gobo-stereo-audio-amp-kit

 

[Tony3d]

What speakers do you have and what's the budget?

I have Audioengine P4's
http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Passive-Speaker-Systems/P4W-Passive-Bookshelf-Speakers

 

[Tony3d]

What speakers do you have and what's the budget?

I have Audioengine P4's
http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Passive-Speaker-Systems/P4W-Passive-Bookshelf-Speakers
I'd like to go no higher than $225.00

 

[slipperybidness]

The Crown XLS v1 has been replaced with v2. So, the v1 is going for silly cheap!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Crown-DriveCore-XLS1500-Power-Amplifier/dp/B003HZV2JS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438369183&sr=8-2&keywords=crown+xls

This amp will kill any of those little T class amps that you are suggesting! This thing will likely drive most any speakers that you would ever want to throw on it.

 

[agarwalro]

I'd pick the (refurb) Denon X1100 $250 shipped from A4L.

Gives you proper bass management, EQ and Dynamic EQ.

 

[fuzz092888]

SMSL amps rate at 1khz and 10% thd, assuming they rate the same way they are presented on ebay. Now I know to the folks around here, that's sacrilege and a good enough reason to never take a chance on these little amps.

However, GranteedEV and I have both had amps from this company that we purchased from ebay and they have performed admirably. As long as you go into the purchase with the right expectations, I think that you can be pretty happy with these amps. FWIW mine is rated at 65w/channel at 10% THD. So realistically, I'm probably getting around 40w/channel or so with acceptable THD. With whatever power it's supplying I've been able to drive the SVS Ultra Bookshelves (87db/2.83v/1m), Jeff Bagby Mandolins (85db/2.83v/1m), and the Phil 3's to pretty satisfying levels in medium sized rooms from about 14ft away.

 

[Tony3d]

The Crown XLS v1 has been replaced with v2. So, the v1 is going for silly cheap!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Crown-DriveCore-XLS1500-Power-Amplifier/dp/B003HZV2JS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438369183&sr=8-2&keywords=crown+xls

This amp will kill any of those little T class amps that you are suggesting! This thing will likely drive most any speakers that you would ever want to throw on it.

Yes, I'm very familiar with crown International amps. Been using them in my main stereo for many years! Back in the 70's I had their excellent DC300a power amp, and IC-150 Preamp. Still have the IC-150, but it's retired now. I replaced it with an Emotive RSP-2 about 5 years ago! It still works, and the phono section is actually quieter than the RSP-2!
I now have a Crown XTI 2000 power amp driving my BW 802 diamonds, and the sound is absolutely riveting! Nothing I have ever heard can match the Crowns for rock solid tight bass! The amps have an excellent dampening factor that commands total control over the cones at low frequencies! Unfortunately this is a desktop computer system I'm putting together here, and can't afford that kind of space that a Crown would take up. I think it's between the Topping TP60, and the Emotiva a100, although that is rather large as well. I'm really impressed with the Topping sound, and I'm leaning in that direction.

 

[slipperybidness]

Nice gear!
Maybe check out Lepai too.

If u don't mind going over budget, consider Nad
http://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier-Asynchronous-Input/dp/B00EZB23LE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438458423&sr=8-1&keywords=nad+digital+amplifier

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