Stereo amplifier, small, max ~350€ Buying advice

[aTg!s]

Hi Audio Community,

Unfortunately, my beloved Onkyo TX-SR508 has literally "broken down" after 9 years of ownership.

I only used the receiver to watch TV (IPTV and Netflix via Nvidia Shield). I connected a:
- (non-smart) Samsung TV UE50J5150 and a
- Nvidia Shield 2017 Android TV streaming box to the receiver.
The receiver powered my self-made speakers.

Technical data:
Principle: 2-way TQWT
Frequency range: 45Hz - 20000Hz
Sound pressure level: 81dB @ 2.83V
Impedance: 8Ω
Size (H x W x D): 40.8cm x 16.2cm x 24.3cm

I transmitted the sound from the TV with a jack->chinch cable. Everything was connected to a switchable power strip and all devices switched on when power was supplied (via HDMI Power Control). I was very satisfied! The sound was absolutely sufficient for me. I no longer needed an additional subwoofer!

Now (unfortunately) I need something new, preferably something smaller and more compact and therefore more W.A.F-compatible.

The new AMP should therefore have at least the following:
- Budget ~350€ or less
- Stereo amp with enough power for living room sound
- 8 Ohm
- Good and fine sound, like the Onkyo, control options, i.e. an equalizer (regardless of whether via remote control or APP)
- Smaller than the old Onkyo
- Device should switch on when "power on" via a switchable power strip and also remember the last selected "input".
- Simple remote control, if the device does not switch on automatically when power is supplied, I can do it from the sofa.
- Chinch input and optical input
- Preferably a new device with a guarantee and not from classified ads.

Nice-to-have - not absolutely necessary:
- HDMI ARC - currently we had the volume set once on the receiver and then only controlled the volume on the "input signal", i.e. on the TV or the Android box.
- Display
- Bluetooth

What I don't need:
- Streaming - I can do that via the Nvidia Shield.

I like the wiim amp! But I'm not sure if it's the best for the money since I don't need streaming (Nvidia Shield).

Any recommandation?

 

[Piere]

For that purpose I am very happy with a Topping MX5. It has no extensive parametric equaliser but the old way bass and treble controls. The headphone amp build in is very good too. For streaming and radio I use a RapsberryPi with Picoreplayer hooked to the MX5 by USB.

 

[aTg!s]

Thank you for the recommendation. I didn't know the amp. But the price difference seems too high compared to the features of the Wiim amp.

 

[V.b.]

SMSL AO300 could work.

New product - SMSL AO300

Well well, look at that! Apparently we have an interesting new product SMSL AO300 (aliexpress) . I am genuinely interested in this one, as unlike the AL200 it has a SUB-OUT! HDMI ARC is intriguing too!

www.audiosciencereview.com

https://www.amazon.de/AO300-Amplifier-CS43131-MA5332MS-Headphone-black/dp/B0CJRTCLXG

Or A50 pro if you may plan a subwoofer later.

SMSL A50 Pro 3-channel amp

Not sure if this amp has been discussed here before, if yes please delete this thread I have just come across with this new amp from SMSL, the SMSL A50 Pro It is a 3-channel amp with a full adjustable crossover (both LPF and HPF) using the MA12070P chipset. Also DAC and BT integrated, there is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

V

 

[aTg!s]

Thank you very much. The ao300 looks very stylish.

But do the devices switch on automatically as soon as they get power? I don't want to switch them on separately.

 

[V.b.]

I don't have it. It should.

Around that budget you can get a SMSL DO100 PRO and dual Fosi V3 mono. A higher quality setup and monoblocks have audio sensing on/off.

 

[aTg!s]

And what speaks against the Wiim Amp?

 

[V.b.]

Well... That is what I would get.

But, you would have only 60w max in 8ohms and some measurements show even lower on multitone.

Also 12db lower SINAD vs separates.

 

[Stiffmeister]

For that purpose I am very happy with a Topping MX5. It has no extensive parametric equaliser but the old way bass and treble controls. The headphone amp build in is very good too. For streaming and radio I use a RapsberryPi with Picoreplayer hooked to the MX5 by USB.

With the MX5 you never noticed the high pitch noise coming from the speakers when the headphone output is active?