320 Watts for under $100? Lepai LP1601s Review - sound test - unboxing

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Lepai is changing their game, with this brand new amplifier. You used to think of them as the Lepai 2020 and small inexpensive amplifiers. They have upped their game...or have they? Check out the full review to see what this brand new Bluetooth powered amplifier has to offer. Seriously, this has never been seen before.
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[@wal]

Cool video! I got one of these as well and I'm going to show the internals and also test output power in an upcoming video. Did you notice noise when using BT? Mine has some strange distortion via BT, but actually sounds really good via RCA inputs.

[@Toid]

BigDWiz that's awesome! I can't wait to see your video. I didn't notice any noise on Bluetooth on my unit. However I must say I was sitting pretty far away from the speakers (10 feet). I never really tested the Bluetooth nearfield. I'll have to check it out near field and get back to you

[@wal]

So I tried again and it wasn't actually noise during BT playback, but when you pause the BT device, it gives a small amount of static and a very small pop. I'll see if I can catch it on video, will also try both Samsung Note and iPhone.

[@Toid]

I didn't notice that when I reviewed it. But you are right. Once it is paused for about 1-2 seconds, it has a small pop (mine was more of a high frequency pop than the normal low frequency). It looks like it did happen on both my MSI computer and my Galaxy S8.

[@marcosvictor4935]

Now that's wierd, the older version of this amp the one that's just 200W and doesn't have headphone amp bult in had excelent bluetooth implementation, I was really hoping for the same quality of bluetooth components on this one. I wonder if the noise becomes stronger if the volume is higher? Can any of you tell me that? I'm really considering buying one of these this month or maybe next month I'd really apreciate all info and I'll be watching out for the output power test since the older one, I heard it could not achieve it's rated 200W power with the included PSU requiring a more powerful power supply to achieve that.

[@wal]

Ok, just for clarification, the amp sounds very good via RCA inputs and BT. The noise I was noticing from BT was when you pause a track. BT range is VERY good, over 30ft in my tests. Amp sounds very powerful and dynamic. No tone controls, but overall very good!

[@VladVonGrigorian]

Common guys, for $100 this is a very nice desktop amp to be used with even large desktop speakers. Nowhere in the video 123Toid claims that it sounds as good as a VTL, Kharma or Audio Research amp. Sounds good for the price, looks even better. Thanks for uploading and please keep posting more.

[@BusyDadsWorkshop]

Good timing. I have been looking at this amp. Thanks for the review!

[@Toid]

BusyDadsWorkshop no problem. If you ever want to test it out for a while, let me know.

[@theelviscerator]

In 1980 I had a Pioneer with .008 THD at rated power.

[@Toid]

It is amazing how powerful and clean vintage amplifiers were. I can see why they are still in such high demand. :)

[@joeygonzo]

Anything below 1% is pointless.

[@dougburg3210]

first thing i noticed. 10%? that baby would have gone right back in the box. actually it wasn't even out of the box when he saw that. even more convienient.

[@fxgamer-11yt]

Jack Ridge not really just means you get better sound quality I had a Harmon karden amp that did ratted at 0.6 thd wich is 250 wx2 @8 350wx2@4 or 1000x1@ 8 1100 x1 @6 and did ever bit of it below 1% thd and sound good as hell

[@MarkTillotson]

What's the THD & IM figures, and does it meet the EMI regulations?

[@propxprt69]

Looks quite similar to an smsl sa98 but with a different face plate and the added antenna. I've been quite happy with the little amps I've bought. I have some dayton 8's powered by an smsl sa50 plus in my kitchen (12x24) and they get plenty loud with just that little amp powering them.

[@23x31]

I use a little POS amp like this as a bench unit to test vintage audio gear I'm working on following a rebuild or repair. They're good for that as it's small. But that's about it.

[@rjnerd]

One big issue with the power rating. The power brick they supply is at best 95 watts output. No way could they hit the claimed power output, even with only one channel driven. If the power brick was competently designed, it would go into short circuit protection shutdown when it hit the rated current. If it isn’t well designed, it will let the magic smoke out. If you hooked it up to a better power supply, say >30 volt at at least 12 amps, you might get the rated power out of it. (320 watts). I also suspect that it wouldn’t last long when you try. I would be curious to see the interior, I wonder what the fuse might be rated (if they even bothered). It might be a reasonable 40 watt per channel using the supplied brick, but the claim of 4 times that is just fraud.

[@Toid]

Jeff DelPapa I didn't do any power test on it. But I think would want something like a 32 volt 12 amp power supply to get the full rating.

[@Toid]

Jeff DelPapa also check out Big D Wiz channel. He is going to do a Power test rating with the supplied power supply.

[@Toid]

BigDWiz tested it's output. Very surprising output: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4CQfol3o6ZsnJY

[@timschutte8310]

Jeff DelPapa , most of these table top type amps are rated at a "peak" type of power rating, not RMS per channel.

[@310Sole]

cool video. thanks for the demo with different speakers.

[@Toid]

310Sole you're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@chrismurphy7324]

This is a class D amp and you would expect around 70 watt to 4 ohms or 50 into 8ohms @ 1% Distortion . change the power supply to beefier 35 at 10 amps and you will probably get 100w . I know its not what they state but for the price not too bad as it has Bluetooth included . Don;t forget class D does not require a large heat sink as the output is either in saturation or off. The class D chip is around 10 mm x 5 mm ,that's all

[@workaholic7600]

Just noticed this vid from Big D's power test on this unit. Great job!! Excellent vid man you have my subscription!

[@sihtosoveltaa6936]

Is this enough to run a 140w max 8 inch 8 ohm sub, 5 inch mid and diskant?

[@TD402dd]

10% THD means you hear nothing but distortion. Listenable THD is less than 1%, and of course the power rating drops rapidly.

[@Toid]

Great point. Big D Wiz actually bench tested this at 1% THD and the results were pretty outstanding for such a little amp. But at max wattage, probably not a good idea. Here is his test if you want to see it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4CQfol3o6ZsnJY

[@wt8826]

Bought this amp lp1601s, Running two dayton towers t652 and 12 powered sub . Sounds good but when turned all the way up it shuts off on big music notes . 3/4volume on the amp and my bluetooth all the way up sounds great for my needs.

[@FOXCRF450RIDER]

Mine does the same but at half volume. Think my 6x9s are a little too spicy for it... There 4ohm nominal. Wish there was a by to bypass the protection

[@lukataliaoa3825]

Hi trying to look for an amp that has more than just 2 speaker inputs any recommendations?? i have an old stereo system with 4 speakers and a sub currently trying to hook it up my desktop. any advice would be appreciated!.

[@Atuzor]

Hey, nice video. I have a question for you. I currently have a Yamaha RX-V377 paired with Overnight Sensations (kit from Parts Express) and a Polk PSW10. I'm looking to downsize my PC sound setup because having a receiver on my desk takes up a ton of space. I actually have a Lepai 2020A+ that I originally used until I got that receiver. I was looking at getting a Dayton Audio DTA-2.1BT, but after seeing this video I'm not sure. Between the DTA-2.1BT and LP1601 what would you go with (or something else all together)? I'm not SUPER knowledgeable as far as audio equipment goes so any help would be really appreciated. :)

[@Toid]

You can't go wrong with this lepai. However, I like the Dayton DTA-120BT better. I reviewed that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2acaqx5d8iAgJo Though, your setup would probably really benefit from an amp like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn6nhoyof9l-ptE This has a passive subwoofer out on it (3.5). Having said that, it does run your other speakers at full-range.

[@PhaQ2]

Considering you might get 20 watts clean non-distorted audio from this, with efficient drivers I'm sure it will get load enough.

[@Toid]

I honestly wasn't sure what type of output you could really get out of it. I jsut lack the right testing equipment for that. However, BigDWiz ended up testing it. I was actually pretty impressed with the 1% THD power he was able to get: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4CQfol3o6ZsnJY

[@Taylor88Productions]

If it had tone control (bass and treble) it would be perfect. Too bad.

[@airgliderz]

Idiot, that's what pre-amps or receivers have not on amps.

[@Taylor88Productions]

@@airgliderz The Lapai 2020ti has bass and treble controls... Moron.

[@Taylor88Productions]

@@airgliderz That is not true at all... Learn some facts before speaking and calling someone an idiot. I just gave you an example, and it's not a "pre-amp or receiver". The Lapai 2020TI is an "amplifier" with tone controls.

[@airgliderz]

@@Taylor88Productions So what? Connect it to a pre amp. Your not the brightest lightbulb on the Christmass tree.

[@Taylor88Productions]

@@airgliderz I would hook it up to my pre-amp... But that's not the point.. They shouldn't let dumb little kids post comments on KZbin.

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

Probably puts out about 20watts per side if any of the other lepai power claims are anything to go by

[@HavingCoffieWithMrSatan]

Always loved Sansui Amplifiers

[@victorjohnson7512]

How good is the Headphone Amp section?

[@oconnaugh]

It's a $10 chip amp and bt card with a decent brick. About 30w rms. Ebay all day long.

[@dambuster6387]

IT IS NOT 320W THE POWER BRICK CAN NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH CURRENT YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ITS A CON.

[@timschutte8310]

Dambuster that's peak power, NOT "RMS" per channel, don't get ur panties in a wad

[@allencrider]

Has it broken yet? I hear they don't last.

[@TheTlevasseur1019]

how would you incorporate a subwoofer with this amplifier please help me out

[@Toid]

tina walsh the best thing to do would be easy powered subwoofer. I plan to have a video out to show how to do this very shortly. But the basic premise is either split the audio input or if your subwoofer amplifier has speaker wire in and out you would run that through your subwoofer and then to your speakers

[@TheTlevasseur1019]

123Toid thank you I've been planning on getting an audio setup with two bookshelf speakers abd a leppy amplifier and a sub and I'm such a noob I have no idea what I'm doing would love a how to video.

[@10WA]

I've noticed these mini class D amps have good low end, but isn't that normal of class D amps?

[@billysgeo]

32V 3A power supply... so, at best you can get about 94watts of power out of it, for both channels!

[@Toid]

BIll Geo great point. Definitely can't get the total max wattage with the supplied power supply. However it actually tested higher than you would think. There's a link in the description on how it tested. I don't have the equipment to test it myself

[@jordan390a]

32V @ 3A Max is 96VA. You might get 60% efficiency which means about 55W total. More likely somewhere around 20-25Wpc....Not even close to 320W....

[@Toid]

jordan390a kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4CQfol3o6ZsnJY

[@jordan390a]

Those are not R.M.S. watts, they are TMP watts which is an entirely BOGUS measurement.....

[@Toid]

BigDWiz uses a SMD AD-1 to test which does test RMS powere: www.wccaraudio.com/smd-amp-dyno-ad-1.html Typically you would be correct on the output (volts * amps). Although a lot of class D amps are between 80-95% efficient (a big reason why people like class D amps) . I am guessing there is a boost controller on this unit or the power supply is way underrated. There really isn't much more to explain it.

[@SpeakerBuilder]

The quality of an amp is dependent to a great extent on the quality of the power supply. Take a look at the power supply used in high end amps, even of moderate power (50 watts per channel), and you will immediately see the difference: very large (and heavy) toroidal transformer and very large coupling capacitors. There is a very good reason for such a large power supply. And the engineers tell me that a heft power supply makes a big difference in all other components as well. So you get what you pay for.

[@GoldenGlacier]

Speaker Builder what’s the logic behind it tho”?

[@SpeakerBuilder]

In part, the benefit of the large power supply is somewhat of a surprise to the engineers. See some of Paul McGowan's videos on this subject. He mentioned the surprise of how much better their phono pre-amp sounded when using a very large power supply, when it only draws a very small current from a supply. In part, the larger supply allows for greater dynamics, that is, when signal peaks are amplified, the power is then available to reproduce these peaks without any limitations. And perhaps the more expensive parts used in a larger power supply just by design have greater sonic quality.

[@MichelLinschoten]

Speaker Builder really depends on what class amp it is. A class D does not need a huge power supply class a/b and a do... As much as I love ps audio and its CEO Paul...they sell tons of blant horseshit in their videos. He also claims to hear a vast difference between speaker cables from audioquest and any other brand. Sure...until they get challenged do make that happen in a blind test they are nowhere to be found. So I take his opinion with a grain of salt.

[@cekpi7]

Class D amps dont require as much power as A, B or AB. This amp is about 90% efficient (so for 300w output, it need 330w psu), old school integrated amplifiers (class ab) are about 50% efficient so for 300w they need about 600w psu. You kinda see why it need heavy transformers and big capacitors, when bass hits it will draw large amount of current so that caps can relieve stress from transformer/smps.

[@nickolaymiltenov]

Cekpi7 explained it perfectly instead of me.

[@timschutte8310]

, once again it's only putting out 92 watts, amps times volts. not even half of what it should be and can be putting out. only SMSL - 98 Puts out closer to what it says at 160 wpc/rms. you have to have the correct power supply for the amp to put out what it's rated at.

[@IrreverentSOB]

10 % THD is Horrendous, all the amps I currently own have less than .005 % !

[@transferpro1]

Sarah, Which fact did I state was incorrect?

[@joeygonzo]

320 watts at what amperage ?

[@kharakim]

Presumably the manufacturer thinks consumers pay much more attention to POWER rating than THD.

[@tronixfix]

It's fake the real manufacturer and designer of this amp was zhilai audio... lepai just copied it and sells it as their own

[@TheDudeAbides-247]

Good review. Go Pack!

[@Toid]

Thanks Dan! Go Pack Go!

[@i23intheplace2b]

your title reads LP160s... i searched for that only to find you've misspelled the model name in the title. do you not want people to find this review?

[@Toid]

Great catch. No one even mentioned it to me until now. I did link it in the description, and even then I missed it. I updated it. Thank you!

[@isoguy.]

Thats because vid is a scam

[@TheMarried123]

Wait a minute, that power at 10% THD that is vomit awful!

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

Agreed that is absolute junk on paper.

[@skorakora]

75W RMS ;)

[@sIpoolguy]

32v 3a is less than 100 watts though

[@Toid]

Chris Stephens great point. Assuming there is no voltage boost and the power supply is correctly labeled, it should get less than 100 watts total. However, BigDwiz tested this and dynoed much higher than expected. So there is more to this amp than meets the eye.

[@fxgamer-11yt]

123Toid yes good amp for 60 watts man

[@transferpro1]

Dude, That's a headphone "OUTput" not "INput"... And if the PS is 95 watts, where do you conjure-up the balance of the 320watts? It's probably about 40 watts a side at best. Lots to learn. ;-)

[@Toid]

Sylvain Dubois you are correct, it is a headphone output, I misspoke. I was referring to the fact that you can plug your headphones into it. Obviously there's an auxiliary input on the back. And with most board amps you'd be correct as far as wattage output. But keep in mind that amplifiers like these can have boost on them and or the power supplies can be underrated. Big D Wiz actually ended up testing this amplifier and it performed much better then what you would typically think. There should be a link in the description to that test, so you can see exactly what it actually does output. He only tested it at 1% THD. But it's much higher than 96 total Watts at 100% efficiency. Which means there's more going on to this amp than meets the eye.

[@GoalieNurse]

I've been watching this channel for a long time and he knows what he is talking about. Maybe you should check your facts before showing your ignorance.

[@gimble8638]

wow wait a second, not many amps have a headphone socket!, omg i must be living in a parralel universe where they all do lol

[@canttakeanymore]

Apparently you aren't paying attention. Headphone amplifiers all do--maybe that's what you're thinking of--otherwise you're wrong.

[@edwardcase]

review 1 on the p/e webpage states noise

[@ebarbie5016]

Class D has about 90% efficiency. The 32V, 3A power supply can deliver a maximum of 86 W, so how the hell could this amp deliver 2X160W? BTW 10% THD is way too high... This is more like a 2X40W amp, and not a very good one...

[@lalumieredumonde]

10% distortion is a fuzz like Hendrix! o at 01% wich is fine for reproduction you will have like 40w max per ch clean.

[@shawnsmith9512]

the power supply is only 100 watts. Something does not add up.

[@HowDareYouu]

your title is misleading ''320'' / correct is 160x2

[@Toid]

i raul sorry about that. I was talking about combined wattage. I can see why someone might consider that to be a mono amp. I didn't even think about that

[@rjnerd]

i raul. As mentioned above even the 160x2 is fraud on the makers part. As supplied, it can’t come anywhere close.

[@HowDareYouu]

123Toid cool, no problem keep it up

[@ccc369]

The power supply has an output of 96watts total, according to the sticker placed on it, which means the amp is unlikely to provide an output higher than this. Unless the manufacturer has found a way to create energy out of nothing. More likely is 32Watt RMS @ 8 Ohm (maybe).But if it sounds good who cares anyway.

[@HowDareYouu]

Jeff DelPapa yup

[@cobainson1180]

Are you from Wisconsin??? ¶:V

[@Toid]

Cobain Son11 no. Why?

[@cobainson1180]

123Toid Are you a Packers fanatic???? ¶:V

[@Toid]

Cobain Son11 I see where you're going with this. I absolutely love the Packers. I actually grew up in Illinois where I only really saw the Packers and Bears play. And since my family had no loyalties, I got to choose what team I liked. And the Packers were amazing. Especially Sterling Sharpe, so I became the only die-hard Packers Fan in my entire city 😁

[@cobainson1180]

123Toid Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre are losers???? ¶:V

[@Toid]

Cobain Son11 haha, of course not. They are beasts. I love every Packer who had played for them and what they did while playing.

[@arcforceworld]

so they cloned the smsl sa 98e? lol. At least they had the courtesy to add bluetooth to try and distinguish it. I like it. Might get one for the living room speakers.

[@propxprt69]

Lol I just noticed your comment after mentioning this amp looked similar to the sa98.

[@humboldtoregonian9400]

Class D? Nope! I run A-B only.

[@jberry7640]

It's probably about 40w if it's 96w from the wall

[@Toid]

Jerry's Shed yeah I'm not sure if there's a boost on there. Either way you're not getting full wattage with the supplied power supply. Of course that's the same with pretty much any mini amp that you buy.

[@wal]

This may be one case where the power supply is "underrated". Otherwise, somehow it's defying the laws of physics as it is producing more than 96 watts. I'll show you what I'm referring to in my upcoming video.

[@Toid]

If you don't mind, I'll link your video at the end (once it is up). I think many of my viewers would like to see that.

[@Toid]

Check out Big D's video. He tests it at 1% THD and I think you'd be surprised b the results. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4CQfol3o6ZsnJY

[@gregmaunder6902]

94% efficient bro!!!!

[@TSilva01]

32x3Amps no more than 100w Divided by 2, no more than 50W per chanel, and a noisy class d amp.

[@ujohn]

I thought I was gonna be suckered. Lepai as in pizza pie when I saw the box.

[@Toid]

John Edsall haha

[@05russs1]

it's expensive! there is no optical input and coaxial input

[@lazzer408]

10%? That's 320w of distortion.

[@mfgc2610]

10% distortion? Sheesh....

[@ottonormalverbrauch3794]

Massive supply? That is 13Volt - 3Amps hence 96 Watts max. That's needs a Jesus- like multiplication to get to the advertised 300 Watt amplifier output

[@Toid]

Otto Normalverbrauch there's a link in the description to see how it tested with the supplied power supply and a higher powered one of you're interested.

[@dtwistrewind7361]

Lies lies and more lies, can't believe you even bothered £15 worth Max and £10 of that is the aluminum case.

[@isoguy.]

Reviews must be factual othetwise you become known as giving misleading information. You say 320W, the web site pointed to shows 200W, power brick ratings will not be able to produce 320 or even 200W. Would be nice to see a correction vid from you after taking down this misleading vid.

[@Toid]

ISO Guy I never started it did, 320 Watts. I did state what the manufacturer said it would do. If you read the description you will see a link to a video in which it's power ratings were tested. Thanks for watching and feel free to check the description for that test.

[@andrewmccorkell652]

You did see the question mark in the title didn't you?

[@gimble8638]

vastly overated figures and the internals are cobbled by a company called maystar in china who used the exact same internals in cheap car amps 20yrs ago, good luck ;)

[@subhasbhattarai9438]

It is not cheap .. it should come in 35$

[@jaredalanmitchell]

I was all good until the packer hat. Shiiiiit

[@himanshudj]

Tear Down please..

[@Toid]

I can do one of those in a later video if you want.

[@tendervittlesdoobiestein2145]

Lejunk