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Topic: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier (Read 7714 times) previous topic - next topic
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SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Hi,

A need to replace an old amplifier and I'm looking for a small one with digital input to drive mainly my Sennheiser headphone and sometimes my 100W Wharfedale desktop speakers (never very high volume).

Denon PMA50 is nice, but is too expensive for not daily use.

What do you think of SMSL AD18:

Specification
Model Number: AD18
Signal to noise ratio: 90dB
Power amplifier output power (4ohm): 80W * 2
Headphone output (32 ohms): 53mW@THD = 0.04%
THD + N: 0.04%
EQ Quantity: 7 kinds
Treble adjustment range: ± 8dB
Bass adjustment range: ± 8dB
Bluetooth specification: BT4.2
Input interface: USB, coaxial, 3.5mm analog, Bluetooth, optical fiber * 2
Output interface: amplifier output port, headphone port
Chip: TAS5508C, TAS5342A, CS8422, VT1620A, MAX97220A, CS5341, BT4.2 Bluetooth module, NE5532
USB sampling rate: 16bit 44.1kHz-48kHz-96kHz-192kHz; 24bit 44.1kHz-48kHz-96kHz
USB Compatibility: USB2.0
Optical fiber sampling rate: 16bit44.1kHz-48kHz-96kHz-192kHz
Coaxial sampling rate: 16bit44.1kHz-48kHz-96kHz-192kHz
Power amplifier power consumption: 50W
Amp consumption: 4W
Standby power: 0.8W
Supply voltage: 24V
Total weight: 1.55Kg
(source)

There is now also a 100W version with same characteristics, but I can't find this one to buy online.

Thanks in advance.
Alexxander

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #1 –
The only thing I see "missing" is an HDMI input which is replacing S/PDIF (optical & coax) in the marketplace (and S/PDIF doesn't support the high definition Blu-ray formats).

Quote
There is now also a 100W version with same characteristics, but I can't find this one to buy online.
The difference between 80W and 100W is slightly less than -1dB which is barely noticeable, if  its noticeable at all.    

And assuming your speakers are 8-Ohms, the amplifier probably  puts-out about the same voltage  at 8-Ohms as it puts-out at 4-Ohms and that puts you another -3dB down at 40W.   (You should still  have more than enough power.)

Quote
(never very high volume)...

...
In that case you don't need 100W.    The difference between 100W and 80W

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #2 –
Hi,

You're right, power is enough. My PC has no HDMI, just optical and coax.

Any idea on sound quality?

Thx!
 

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #3 –
I'd be concerned that the manufacturer claims 320% efficiency.

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Slipstreem on
I'd be concerned that the manufacturer claims 320% efficiency.

I've noticed that on a lot of amplifier spec sheets. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of average power usage figure. Dunno why they wouldn't put the maximum power draw on there, for clarity.

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Slipstreem on
I'd be concerned that the manufacturer claims 320% efficiency.

The way that power usage is defined by testing and regulatory agencies promotes that.  It's based on operation at an average of only a fraction of full power.

I take this apparent contradiction as a reminder that audio waveforms are constantly varying and composed of multitones so they are in some sense not comparable to power line waveforms which are relatively pure tones and primarily composed of just one frequency.

As soon as you introduce a second signal at a second frequency, the average power of the combined  signal starts falling into a hole.  And, since pure tones are generally thought of to be less interesting to listen to than music....

The signal on the music side of the amp has a non-unity crest factor, while the one on the power supply side typically has a crest factor that is typically only incidentally different than unity.

The improbable efficiencies come from not comparing apples to apples.

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #6 –
I just ordered Denon PMA-50 (400 euro) after having read several reviews. I'm picky on quality and didn't want to risk buying the SMSL. The Denon has 3 impedance settings for headphones so that will help to drive my Sennheiser HD598 which I use 80% of the time I'm at the desk.

Thanks all!

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Alexxander on
I just ordered Denon PMA-50 (400 euro) after having read several reviews. I'm picky on quality and didn't want to risk buying the SMSL. The Denon has 3 impedance settings for headphones so that will help to drive my Sennheiser HD598 which I use 80% of the time I'm at the desk.

This post takes the cake!

It is a stunning exposure of audiophile (il)logic.

A $20-40 amp is too big of a risk, but a $450 amp with questionable benefits is not.

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #8 –
Arnold, I got your point  ;)

The SMSL AD18 is 130 € vs 400 € for the Denon PMA-50, indeed a price difference. I could not find much reviews in non-asiatic language for the SMSL.

What small audiphile amplifier with built-in DAC can you recommend costing less than 400€? I haven't found much options. I don't want those 42-44 cm wide ones and I don't care about 5/6/7.1 audio.

I have 15 days for trying the Denon and can return it without reasoning.

Thanks!

Re: SMSL AD18 80W2 Bluetooth 4.2 HIFI USB DSP Digital Decoding Power Amplifier

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Alexxander on
I could not find much reviews in non-asiatic language for the SMSL.

Given that it is probable that all of the reviews that you can find in any language are written in golden ear language and are therefore useless or worse...