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SMSL SA-98E Stereo Amplifier
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SMSL SA-98E Stereo Amplifier
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Product Description
A compact power amplifier, the SMSL SA-98E is ideal for driving bookshelf speakers as part of a desk setup. It’s built with a TDA7498E class-D audio amplifier chip, a strong output short circuit, and thermal overload protection Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downhiilari
70
Jan 2, 2020
Has anyone tried to bridge these into mono amps? There's no switch so I believe it would require some tinkering and special cables. But for home theter use it might be a good option and should provide enough low-THD power for a single speaker.
GUTB
239
Dec 30, 2019
Some ultra low-end chip amp, avoid if you care even a little bit about sound quality.
elarrecostao
24
Dec 30, 2019
I got the sa-50 and it can move any 8 ohm bookshelf spkr, especially for desk duty, but I have used it in home theater duty in a medium size living room and it is enough. if the 98 can produce twice the power it's a better deal for the money but I wouldn't upgrade from my sa-50.
SpaceCadet24
626
Nov 19, 2019
A854Douk Audio makes a few units that have Bluetooth that would make a nice add-on to any amp lacking that ability.
Check out the Nobsound preamps and selectors:
http://doukaudio.com/little-bear-4-in-3-out-audio-selector-box-bluetooth-receiver-passive-preamp-p0076.html
http://doukaudio.com/nobsound-hifi-bluetooth-50-stereo-preamp-home-audio-preamplifier-128-level-relay-aptx-ll-p0195.html
http://doukaudio.com/nobsound-hifi-bluetooth-50-stereo-preamp-home-audio-preamplifier-128-level-relay-aptx-ll-p0195.html
snaggletoothed
16
Jan 2, 2020
A854SMSL makes a Bluetooth adapter/DAC/headphone amp that goes for about $60 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VVL4WHL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I've had mine for about 8 months and it is awesome. Extremely quiet, pretty good DAC and the headphone amp is even very nice sounding. Definitely consider it.
lemon07r
55
Nov 17, 2019
Since there are a lot of questions about the 10% THD (which did alarm me too at first glance), I'll share what I know and think since I was interested in this amp because it was only a couple bucks more than the SMSL SA-36A Pro (or even cheaper depending where you buy from).
The 10% THD is at the amp's rated max load, and will be much lower at lower loads. From my reading around and research, I've learned that these TDA chips are usually rated at around 1% THD at >78% loads, which would be 2 x >125 watts @ 4 ohms.
My thoughts? These are perfect for driving 120 watt @ 4 ohm or lower speakers at very low THD, especially at this price. SMSL is usually good quality and have a pretty decent reputation within the online community, so I don't see there being a better amp at this price, especially since at a couple bucks lower the next best thing is the SMSL SA-36A Pro (0.01% THD at 2 x 25 watts @ 4 ohms).
The TDA7492PE chip SMSL SA-36A Pro uses is rated at 10% THD at 2 x 57 watts @ 4 ohms. My basic math here tells me that the SA-36A Pro will not get even close to similar levels of THD as the SA-98E at the same load levels. If the TDA7492PE is >0.01% THD at 2 x 25 watts @ 4 ohms (this is roughly 44% of the TDA7492PE max wattage), maybe this amp's TDA7498E will have a >0.01% THD at around 2 x 70 watts @ 4 ohms.
This is just my opinion so feel free to take it with a grain of salt, but I think there's pretty concrete evidence that you won't find any amp near as good at this price range, at least with SMSL level or better build quality. I've already canceled my SA-36A Pro amp order which I found on sale for roughly 40 bucks, because for 25 bucks more this seems like a way better deal, especially since my monitor audio radius 45 speakers only need 25-50 watts @ 8 ohms per channel.
(Edited)
wcg66
139
Keyboard Club Member
Dec 29, 2019
lemon07rAnother limiting factor with these amps is the power supply, some other commenters are saying it ships with 36V 5A supply, some say 34V. At 36V 5A split between two channels would limit maximum possible power to 90W per channel which seems enough, anything lower (34V 4A) would be limiting possible power output.
These type of amps perform well when operating below max power but have a sharp knee curve in THD near the max which looks bad on paper. As you said, this amp most likely sounds good when used well below max power.
lemon07r
55
Nov 18, 2019
Follow up: I found the data sheet for the Tripath chip the tp-22 uses, it has 10% thd at 117 watts, so it basically marginally better than the TDA7492 chips being used in the SA36/50 amps if we just go by specs/THD, but that would still put this SA-98E way above it. I don't think you could go wrong with the tp-22 if you don't need a lot of power, it will still sound very good but if it's priced similar to this I'd get this SA-98E instead.
SpaceCadet24
626
Nov 17, 2019
Can anyone who's purchased this from Drop verify what power supply is included? I've read on other boards that it actually came with a 36v and others have received 32v. Also, what is the amperage spec? Has anyone tried this amp with Magnepans?
SpaceCadet24
626
Nov 17, 2019
SpaceCadet24I'll add that Parts Express say they ship it with the 36V 4A power supply though it appears people have received the 36V 5A supply. It would seem silly to receive a 32V supply and not get the full rated power. Which is it, Drop?
Derrick_B
42
Dec 20, 2019
SpaceCadet24Can confirm the Parts Express batch ships/shipped with the 36V 5A adapter. Received mine November 2018.
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