Could this be my forever amp? [S.M.S.L RAW-HA1]

[@michaeldeloatch7461]

I am so playing this unboxing music on Christmas morning at our house as the grandpups tear into their packages. You rock, Mr. AM.

[@jamesbennett1634]

The only problem with an "endgame" amp - I don't want the game to end!

[@Cola.Cube.]

that unboxing tune is bangin.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Thank you. I’m pleased you said ‘bangin’ because from what I’ve heard ‘banging’ means rather lame.

[@marxman00]

@@AudioMasterclass Lame is the new word for BAAD !...Like the Prodigy, high on nice cups of tea and macaroons!

Since ever questioned why audio home gear does not presents info as audio car/auto gear: speakers and amps sheets always details the RMS wattage at 4 Ohms and 2 Ohms, each with the corresponding distortion percentage.

[@thomaswomack3888]

David I thoroughly enjoy your content and your no BS approach to its presentation as well as your flavor of humour (notice the british spelling there for your benefit😇) but I have to call you on your power definitions, and this is truly a quibble but because you strive for accuracy and authenticity I will call you on this one. Power, if we are talking about sine waves, which is normally whats used both for audio applications and in the power industry can be expressed a few different ways. RMS power is by definition .707 of Pmax, average power is by definition .636 of Pmax. So in actuality there is very little difference....less than 10% between those two numbers but there is a difference. RMS USED to be the standard way power is measured and over a specified frequency range and specified maximum THD. Why these standards no longer apply is a complete mystery to me and speaks to the overall lack of standards in every aspect of life exhibited today in this world we live in. What the heck happened?

[@BadgerJeff]

That unboxing song was bananas. 😂

[@ModernClassic]

KZbin's volume difference drives me crazy too. I watch a ton of KZbin but I also watch the other streaming services with my wife and I am constantly having to turn my receiver up and down as a result. I've quickly memorized the two volume settings on my new Onkyo; 45 for KZbin, 65 for everything else. Someday maybe we'll have playback devices that can assign volume on a per-app basis. I don't know how to deal with this for now without just manually adjusting the volume every time I go back and forth.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Progress has been made on trad TV, at least in the UK in my experience. KZbin is different because levels are up to the KZbinr, or whoever does their tech, up to -14 LUFS. But there are channels I find watchable that are really low in level. And some music channels where the LUFS is really low but the dynamic range is fab. Further progress is to be desired.

[@JeffPalmer42]

I had a Yamaha long ago that had a built-in preset for volume: Full, 1/2 and mute. It was awesome watching a movie where there were super loud explosions or the overly loud scenes made famous by Denis Villeneuve e.g. Dune and B.R. 2049. Sadly it did not support HDMI. Many will hate this, but what I would like an Amp mode, specifically for "Movies/TV/Streaming". It would have a "smart compressor" built-in to clip the louds and bump up the quiets. Yes, that is kind of a slap in the face for those sound engineers, but they need to understand that most people don't have a movie theatre in their homes, and that their homes are probably a wall away from their neighbours, whom they wish to remain in good standings with.

[@bobwood4304]

Like on my Marantz AVR - yes - it would be more welcome than filters I can't hear the difference on.

[@Oath3D]

Does anyone know what the differences are between raw ha1 & raw mda1?

[@GatorRican]

I believe their website lists the mda as a DAC and the ha1 as an amp.

[@kbjerke]

Back in the 1970s, I was an audio *NUT!* Had tube amps and pre-amps, equalizers, reel-to-reel tape machines, turntables, (*NOT CHANGERS!!*) speaker systems that occupied most of a large room, etc. Then everything changed and I found myself in another consuming (EXPENSIVE!) hobby and forgot all about Audio. Then in the 90s I got back into it again! And again, out, in the 2000s. Yep, another expensive hobby. Guess I'm just fickle, LOL! But those were good times, indeed.

[@samuellord8576]

Delightful! And not an errant word.

[@AudioMasterclass]

All of my errant words have gone errant. I'll try and coax them back for future videos.

[@samuellord8576]

@@AudioMasterclass We won’t wait forever! 😃

[@DonaldOsborn-g2p]

6:30 I've owned 2 smsl products, didn't get 24 hrs out of either remote. Don't know why I even bothered with this video being that the company is dead to me.

[@GatorRican]

I'm thinking about getting this amp, but all this is so new and confusing to me. Would this power these speakers: Kanto YU5 which says "Must be paired with an amplifier capable of supplying 100 W per channel into 6 ohms"?

[@AudioMasterclass]

This is impossible to answer because it depends on the efficiency of your loudspeakers. I can tell you however that I'm long-term testing this amp with my B&W 801 speakers and it has been working just fine.

[@GatorRican]

@@AudioMasterclass Does this answer the efficiency? Sorry new to this - not an easy hobby so far. Power Handling: 100 Watts Per Speaker Impedance: 6 Ohms Frequency Response: 50 Hz - 20 kHz

[@trevorbartram5473]

I listened to the SMSL AO300 for two weeks before concluding it was inferior to my references (Panasonic DVDA player & NAD amp) & sent it back. I believe the RAW-HA1 is a rebadged AO300. AO300 performance & functionality were perfect but sound quality on audiophile CDs was disappointing, a real pity. Trouble is I don't know which of the devices (Cirrus DAC, NJW1194 volume/tone control, Infineon class-D power amp, power supply) in the signal chain is at fault. Perhaps it's better to go with separates, the search continues!

[@bgravato]

And what exactly is that "sound quality" you talk about? How do you definite it? How do you identify/differentiate one amp from the other? Can you unequivocally/consistently identify the two amps (NAD and SMSL), in a true blind test, at least 8 out of 10 times? If you haven't attempted that how can you be sure it's not just placebo effect?

[@trevorbartram5473]

The AO300 was purchased as a backup in case my 22 year old NAD fails. The tonality of the AO300 was fine however there was simply more 'there' with the Panasonic & NAD. The Panasonic replaced a NAD C-540 when it's laser weakened twelve years ago & the sound quality was verified as comparable. I've purchased a backup Panasonic. So it may be preference but I listen to music a lot & once you expose a flaw, it irritates. I did not try the AO300 analog inputs as my ultimate goal (long story) is an all digital system. HTH.

[@mrboat580]

The problem with these sub 100 Watt chip amps is that out of the other side of it's mouth, modern audio is pushing a lot of inefficient bookshelf speakers at the same time. More powerful amps are forgiving to a lot more different speakers and input sources. I have a pair of active JBL speakers at work that put out 45 watts. . .but if you hook up an average cell phone to them, it's often not enough power for many streamed recordings. I have to use a more powerful preamp to compensate. For this money, again I would recommend a used AVR if you want more performance because they will often have over 100WPC, EQ, bass management and pre/sub outs and video capabilities and will drive some of the most difficult speakers. Lightly used AVRs here in the states can go for as little as $50, that would have cost over $1k when new.

[@michaeldeloatch7461]

Vinyls, hell! I want proper EQ curves for my shellac while we're at it.

[@rastislavledaj3110]

You are right! With all this DSP power they are still not able to make RIAA digital filtering as one of Line In presets - such a shame.

[@peters7949]

@@rastislavledaj3110 You need the original Quad 2 mono valve preamp, it had a bunch of filter buttons & a handy chart showing the correct combination for different record Cos and dates of manufacture prior to RIAA standardisation.

[@LevelCyclery]

after all these years of listening,owning numerous amps,playing with musicians..finally im happy with my SMSL Da-9...such simplicity and the great job it did...why should i find another never ending route?..

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

A lot of the modern AV receivers let you store settings presets, including volume. Even some of the cheapest models from Denon have this option. Of course, then you would have to have a much larger amplifier in your set up.

[@AudioMasterclass]

I think anyone with a 5.1 or, heaven forbid, 7.1 system would need all the presets they can get.

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

@@AudioMasterclass I've actually rarely used them and I've had several surround systems over the years. Right now, I use them in bedroom to switch on night mode on my Denon AVR1300X while I'm falling asleep to TV shows.

[@mark902]

I love old sony integrated amplifiers. I'm using a ta-f35 at the moment. It's a simple integrated, but it's high quality. With a great sounding phono section. I also have thr f45 and f55, but I like the linear power supply of the f35. At least for now.

[@johnnewcomb5162]

What receiver would be the best for music only? I have 4 Henry Kloss tower 2 speakers and it came with a pioneer vsx-21txh receeiver with a ADcom amplifier. I have not hooked it up or listen to it yet, would better speakers be better or a better receiver for the items I have at the moment? Thanks any help is appreciated.

[@jimdavis5230]

I am confused about RMS power. I realise that if you multiply the RMS voltage across the load by the RMS current through the load you end up with what I call true power. If you plot the power waveform dissipated in the load using a sinusoidal signal, you end up with a strange waveform which is not sinusoidal and never goes negative because you can't have negative power. Many years ago when I was at college, my lecturer said that power is an imaginary quantity because you only really have current and voltage that are real.

[@Douglas_Blake]

The differences between 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch trs is about 1/8 of an inch. Aside from a bit of added strength in the bigger one, there's no advantage to one over the other.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

One of these chinese companies better start coming out with dual sub outs and an adjustable HPF. Then power would be less of a problem. Im still waiting but until then, Ill stick to my legendary and trusty 3 year old SMSL DA9 which has never been turned off and is still going strong like a champ.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Dual, as in stereo, sub outs is a good point. I don’t use a sub myself, but if I fancied one I’m sure I’d rather have two.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

@AudioMasterclass plenty of chinese amps with a sub out or 2, the thing they are lacking is an adjustable HPF. I mean it cant be that hard... Lol!

[@AudioMasterclass]

I may look into this for a future video but it may be harder than just the frequency. The slope will definitely be a thing. I can’t think of anything else at the moment but who knows what my research will find.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

@@AudioMasterclass Screw the slope, a brick wall would be just fine. 😂😂😂 Hope you could look into it and come up with a vid soon! It would be very interesting!

[@ishaaqmalik2878]

Couldn't agree more. I have the D100PRO rca into AO300 into Q150s and a cambridge audio X301 sub. The q150s really need to be high passed for this system and i'm stuck with their full range in my setup. SMSL take note...

[@mcaik77]

I had great success with SMSL raw DAC and AO 200mkii. This should be even better

[@seaman-vy7mz]

So, I received this amp for a few days now . Is it really encoding DSD to PCM before amplification ? I can not seem to get it to show DSD on the screen , when the source is DSD from a DAP .

[@michaelsparrow4798]

But isn't that SMSL power rating is at 1kHZ? If so, 20Hz would be SIGNIFICANTLY lower. Even 60Hz would be less.

[@AudioMasterclass]

The way things are we're lucky to have an average power measurement at the single frequency 1 kHz. We might wish to be luckier.

[@RosemarySoriano-n6v]

Thank you so much!😊

[@Mr.DarkKnightArmy]

Is better that wiim amp? or wiim amp pro?

[@cunawarit]

Since I’m using powered speakers, I don’t really need a “forever” amp! 😄 I do still have my old NAD 310, which I bought new many moons ago, but I wouldn’t consider it a permanent fixture. It’s old enough that it’ll likely need a capacitor replacement at some point, and I don’t feel strongly enough about it to avoid swapping it out for an Aiyima or Fosi Audio amp when the time comes.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Here's a read on the 310 - www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/review-nad-310-integrated-amplifier - with some interesting technical details.

[@davidmorgen4558]

Do You have any experience with any Classic vintage H.k amps. Im ( currently) using a rotel integrated mk11. A real nice sounding amp perhaps to polite at times..I miss the guty ness older harman kardon how about You? Since I live in an apt i always try to keep bass at A minimun or zero bass if I can help it..of course if you go thriifting for used (hifi) specially amps it best to make dam sure it not only works but the amp does not produce any extrenious unwanted noise. ..My tates range from Folk to prog an Mimalist as wellfrom Robert Wyatt to king Crimson ,Yes The Nice as well as Richard Thompson..Nick Drake well you get the idea.?..i am a tinkerer an am learning about amp mod s an cable mods as well Thanls..

[@AudioMasterclass]

No experience I'm afraid. Can any comment readers help out?

[@miroslawkaras7710]

If KZbin will have fix maximum volume that will be grate. Unfortunately I am hiring almost all videos have different volume. in this digital domain KZbin did find out how to equalized all videos audio to particular maximum level.

[@AudioMasterclass]

From observation, it seems that KZbin limits levels to -14 LUFS but it doesn't boost quiet soundtracks. Overall, I think this is best, but some channels could work harder to make their levels more compatible with KZbin in general. I aim for -16 LUFS as a compromise.

[@SnapperX3]

I would appreciate updates! I have a Loxjie A40 which has some quirks which revealed themselves over time.

[@AudioMasterclass]

It looks so similar one has to wonder whether the insides are the same.

[@aesculetum]

I like this unboxing song.

[@peters7949]

Those must be the biggest NS10 speakers I have ever seen. And while -20 LUF might be mandatory in the UK, in practice switching from a BBC HD Freeview channel & many of the SD channels can result in an audio level change of nearly 20dBA, as measured on a noise level meter. Huge level jumps between program & adverts is also common, thus in my opinion the LUF regulations are not worth the paper they are printed on.

[@AnthonyToth-t5v]

I watch your channel all the time I just wondered I would like a small amp with hdmi and sub out would this be ok to use with my tv in a small room 😊

[@AudioMasterclass]

I see no reason why not. As I said, this amp is now under my TV driving my B&Ws. I'll see how it works over time.

[@jamestartaglia7686]

What speakers are in the back

[@AudioMasterclass]

Yamaha NS10M Studio

[@ryanschipp8513]

Their wattage spec doesn't tell us the full details.....is their power rating full bandwidth? 20hz to 20khz....

[@AudioMasterclass]

It’s been a long road to get a simple average power spec at 1 kHz. Getting the full band is still over the horizon.

[@tomehCanada]

Renting music instead of owning music, statements of real power output, broadcast loudness limits, remote controls, AB blind tests, magical cables, hifi fuses, and on and on. You must be my age with a similar background?? Carry on up the audio river my friend. Well done. From Tom eh in Canada.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Yes I’m an old git. Thank you for your comment. [Edit: On rereading that sounds a bit old git-ish. Sorry about that, I tripped over a magical cable earlier. ]

[@tomehCanada]

@@AudioMasterclass "The Old Git's Club"? I like it. ;-)

[@MrDavidBFoster]

A bigger plug lets you have a bigger wire. I guess that's better?

[@RobWhittlestone]

YAMAHA NS1000's behind you?! If so, nice!

[@patthewoodboy]

how long does a forever amp last ?

[@AudioMasterclass]

For an audiophile, it would be until the next forever amp comes along. Maybe next week, or tomorrow.

[@TheMartijn00]

5% distortion at 60 watts, at best? What's the use? I don't get it...

[@ShawnONeal-w5p]

@TheMartijn00, at 60 watts it was about 0.5% THD, after 60 watts the distortion logarithmicly went up to 5% at 80 watts. So as long as you keep the volume under 80% of its range the distortion levels are low.

[@jworthe]

Liked for the Jeremy Clarkson reference!

[@kbjerke]

I have a couple of milk crates of vinyl in the basement... Thanks for the video!

[@Spawndukes]

What kind of sony pray tell

[@AudioMasterclass]

TA-F300, as I said in the vid.

[@jazzboy]

Poang! Excellent and enjoy mine.

[@AudioMasterclass]

I fondly remember when one of the bolts sheared and it rolled me out onto the floor. I didn’t spill my beer though.

[@jazzboy]

@@AudioMasterclass Hahaha, my first one self destructed as well.🤣

[@DieTabbi]

Nice video. I wish we get a propper EQ like back in old days to use with these amps. Not this Dirac thingy How would the ampco pare to the hyped Fosi V3 ones?

[@paulfriedman4767]

Entertaining and informative as usual Sir. Just the right amount of irritating unboxing music. I am increasingly unable to escape the opinion that you remind me more and more of Kermit the Frog. Something to do with your enthusiastic hand gestures?

[@AudioMasterclass]

Don’t worry. It’s just the white balance on my camera.

[@rabit818]

I predict you’ll be using your old(er) hifi forever. Familiar and time tested vs these relatively new chi-fi. Still using my 15 year old Linn & Rega tt.

[@AudioMasterclass]

I've used my Quad 306 daily since the 1980s, never serviced, still works fine.

[@garymalone547]

This kind of product is killing established brands like Denon, Marantz, hell even Pioneer. I'll stick with my aging class AB Myryad MXI80.

[@MrNeverlift]

Once you un boxed it you had to un bag it.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Better a bag than a double bag.

[@seaman-vy7mz]

I have one of these ordered , on the way . Would like to know your opinion on the audio quality of this Infineon chip compared to the TPA ones .

[@AudioMasterclass]

You would probably need a more subjective reviewer than me, with younger ears. At this point I don't hear any practical difference. I use Fosi amps with the TPA for my music production (V3) and for my videos (V3 Mono x 2) and I believe there is no upgrade possible that would improve the quality of my work. As for the HA1, I'm using it with my home cinema but since I'm on Day 1 I don't really have a comment as yet. I may come back to this in a future video or short.

[@seaman-vy7mz]

@@AudioMasterclass Thank you for your answer . I have a few TPA amps and one SMSL A300 with previous Infineon chip . I could not sense much difference among them unless the DSP is slightly altered . However I am disappointed by Aiyima A07Max .

[@nikos95]

THD rating is a joke, it hits rating at 10w and is around 10% at rated power... Junk.

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

A 1/4 inch jack is bigger. Bigger is always better. Just ask my wife. 😎

[@TheDukeDothDance]

There is some sensible information to be extrated from all the waffle

[@AudioMasterclass]

OK, I'll try for 100% waffle next time.

[@Tyco072]

I want to watch those cats videos

[@gregsadler410]

Quite like you though❤

[@steven2809]

😮

[@MrDavidBFoster]

At least it doesn't have those cheap Chinese plugs on the back.

[@markw7303]

lolll as if it will last long enough to be a forever amp

[@mathumphreys]

Well, you ARE the king of irritating unboxing music - but Oxygene?? Really.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Since we're using the same synths, you'll hear the same presets. If you can give me a track/timestamp of where you really think I've pinched something from Oxygene I'd be interested to give it a listen.

[@mathumphreys]

2:28 to 2:42 Oxygene Pt 2.

[@AudioMasterclass]

OK but I'm struggling with that. The 'Snare Stop' preset on the Fairlight CMI that I used in my track is similar, but not the same. Can you give me a time reference in my track where you hear something, maybe with a description. A timestamp from my video will be fine.

[@mathumphreys]

@@AudioMasterclass yes, the timestamp is 2:28 to 2:42.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Ah, I thought you meant 2:28 in Oxygene 2. Yes, the melody is similar. Hopefully M. Jarre will sue me for a writer's credit and I'll get massive publicity which will carry over to the rest of the album.

[@peanutbutterjellyjam2179]

Until you can tell the colour of a fart when listening to your system, you're not a true audiophile.

[@AudioMasterclass]

Those fortunate/unfortunate enough to have Synesthesia probably can.

[@steven2809]

Crude and uncalled for.....😂

[@thomasalexand]

Audiophile and hot air is very apt.

[@paulburton9904]

pls pls pls put the script away.

[@AudioMasterclass]

No problem. I’m working on my script for my next video right now.

[@paulburton9904]

@AudioMasterclass pls try and go scriptless you look daft

[@AudioMasterclass]

Haha, you seem to be under the illusion that I care what an idiot thinks more than I care about my many very thoughtful commenters, and of course the highly detailed statistics KZbin gives me. Go watch some funny cats.

[@chelovekrazumni9960]

You sound like a smsl commercial mate.🤣😅😂

[@AudioMasterclass]

Do I? I’m not paid for any of my reviews other than the gift of the item and sometimes affiliate commission. As for this item, it has been driving my B&W 801s since the date of publication of my vid and I am very happy. What say you now, mate?