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SMSL SA-98E Stereo Amplifier
01 / 08
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_downtftdguru
68
Nov 5, 2017
I reject your assertion that it is the norm for Chinese class D amps. See the specs for The SMSL A2 I posted earlier in this thread.
Ruudh
32
Dec 21, 2017
tftdguruThis discussion is pretty old. From what I've read once, many moons ago Denon started using only low THD figures in their marketing. Apparently there where others also providing 10% thd figures. And it made Denon look bad for a while. In the end the market got smarter and other companys followed. But not in China. Where specs are always measured downhill. It's exactly what John-Booty says. SMSL might have figured that out the hard way and has conformed to these "unreal" standards just to not lose sales.
I completely agree with you that these specs shouldn't be on this site. But if it's all SMSL provides, Massdrop doesn't have much of an option that doesn't involve them going out of their way to get some descent ratings.
A community member
Nov 3, 2017
So why is this amp pictured with a pair of self-powered JBL LSR30X speakers that do not need, nor can be connected to, an amplifier?? :)
K.T.N
1264
Nov 4, 2017
No worries. You’ll see the amp is not connected to the speakers by any wires, so no harm done.
In fact, the amp probably doesn’t even know the speakers. They were probably just innocently walking by when the picture was taken.
Pictures can lie in that way. Just because two things are seen together in a picture doesn’t mean they know each other, let alone share the same politics or world view.
In fact, the amp probably doesn’t even know the speakers. They were probably just innocently walking by when the picture was taken.
Pictures can lie in that way. Just because two things are seen together in a picture doesn’t mean they know each other, let alone share the same politics or world view.
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.
posies23
12
Nov 3, 2017
Massdrop's ad copy for this amp says 'At its recommended uses with minimum distortion, the SA-98E can drive 120W per channel'
I wonder what Massdrop considers to be minimum distortion ?
I wish Massdrop would source amplifiers for the Audiophile community that provided power ratings at 0.1 percent and 1.0 percent THD from 20Hz to 20kHz
Instead one is often left digging through technical PDF's on amplifier chips to guesstimate such power ratings
I wonder what Massdrop considers to be minimum distortion ?
I wish Massdrop would source amplifiers for the Audiophile community that provided power ratings at 0.1 percent and 1.0 percent THD from 20Hz to 20kHz
Instead one is often left digging through technical PDF's on amplifier chips to guesstimate such power ratings
None572958
48
Nov 4, 2017
posies23Parts Express is listing 10% THD at 60W per channel. This is probably a 20W amp.
posies23
12
Nov 7, 2017
None572958http://www.st.com/content/ccc/resource/technical/document/datasheet/ad/92/18/e8/c0/bf/42/b6/DM00044235.pdf/files/DM00044235.pdf/jcr:content/translations/en.DM00044235.pdf
the above PDF has technical details on the amplifier chip - figure 4 on page 11 shows stereo power output at 4 ohms at various distortion levels - from 30 to 20 to 10 to 1 percent THD - the ad copy says the power brick supplies 32V - at that voltage this chip supposedly can deliver around 100 watts at 1 percent THD - per the PDF - Figure 6 displays THD over Frequency Response but does not specify voltage or wattage - my speculation is THD rises fairly quickly from 0.1 percent THD to 1 percent THD for this chip and this amp may produce 60 to 80 watts into 4 ohms from 20Hz to 20kHz at 0.1 percent THD
the above PDF has technical details on the amplifier chip - figure 4 on page 11 shows stereo power output at 4 ohms at various distortion levels - from 30 to 20 to 10 to 1 percent THD - the ad copy says the power brick supplies 32V - at that voltage this chip supposedly can deliver around 100 watts at 1 percent THD - per the PDF - Figure 6 displays THD over Frequency Response but does not specify voltage or wattage - my speculation is THD rises fairly quickly from 0.1 percent THD to 1 percent THD for this chip and this amp may produce 60 to 80 watts into 4 ohms from 20Hz to 20kHz at 0.1 percent THD
RareAirs
156
Jan 17, 2018
Hey I am new to listening through speakers and am wondering how I can hook this up to my computer or tv to play tidal or Spotify since I do not have a music library I only steam music. I do not see a usb or optical port. Is this only made to habe a cd/dvd or blu ray player hooked up to it via RCAs or can I get this to work with the optical on my tv or usb through my computer?
SpaceCadet24
636
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
636
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.
wcbrewster
3
Nov 17, 2019
I'm not an audiophile so excuse this question but why no remote? Can one be adapted?
ItsMeDrav
5
Nov 17, 2019
wcbrewsterIts just a straight “high power” amp designed to be used at a desktop within reach or with a Dac that supports remote control. No remote can be used directly with it, but you can use a dac with remote and control volume on the dac. I use mine with topping d50sfor example and it works great with it. For convenience, go with ad18 but if you need more power get this and a dac with a remote.
pslayer1
274
Nov 17, 2019
wcbrewsterI believe this is meant to be a budget product for a desk (near field) setup (though it doesn't have to be). Typically for desk setups this type of device would be arms reach away
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.
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