Why Couldn't this be Better? \\ Emotiva A2mini BasX

[@ZReviews]

See these Reviews Early, Get in on Monthly Yard Sales, Hear Sound Demos? Click! ⚔️www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star 🥇www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon 👕www.Zboombox.com -- New MERCH

[@ZReviews]

P.S. I built an adapter cable to run Balanced headphones off the Back Speaker terminals and its EVEN BETTER... So look for that build video on the 👽2nd Channel : kzbin.info/door/OtI5JChjkQVYRWAbqRhNeQvideos

[@dawolyan13]

Hi Zeos. Just letting you know I received a notification to contact you for a prize. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thought you should know brother. I watched the Kef 300 review for the fifth time and saw Chewie! ❤️ I think it was Kef 300. Keep rockin brother!

[@iComment87]

@@dawolyan13 I got a notification saying I'd won a Zeos prize too - pretty sure it's a scam.

[@ZReviews]

@@iComment87 I dealt with it, thanks

[@jamescook6890]

@@ZReviews well done for dealing with them quickly looked like the same scammers who hit gizauduio's channel on Wednesday 😡

[@Frequincy100]

This is an example of dangerous UI mistakes. UI mistakes that could damage property, your ears, or both.

[@LucasfbLima]

For many years my A-100 has been rocking my Elacs UB5, which are notoriously hard to drive, as graciously as my HD600, my Fostex T50s and my Beyerdynamic Dt990 600 ohms. Such a versatile, clean sounding amp. I honestly don't see the need to upgrade.

[@petegibson1552]

I agree with you Lucas I have the same amp which I bought before I ever heard of z reviews I use to listen to him intently until he was bought by the products he "reviews" have you noticed that he does not give any negative reviews to any product he is gifted by these manufacturers I use to love the way he looked out for us budget audiophiles but now this guy gets 1000 dollar headphones and other expensive products free because he has such a large following.

[@CJNooberson]

The A2M is indeed class A/B (don't know if anyone else posted this but figured I would to get the info out).

[@jamescook6890]

Yes!!! Finally the review I have been waiting for your basx 1st review is legendary

[@carminedesanto6746]

This was both entertaining and frightening 🫣

[@zakblue]

Great review. Some serious critiques whilst also making me want to buy one at the same time.

[@ZReviews]

Life is a balance. Great sound quality and a scary time?

[@peterrichard3706]

I got the A 100. Works just fine! Speakers or headphones, just fine.

[@mattstone5067]

One solution to the volume knob issue is to set the switch on the back to fixed and use a Schiit Sys as a passive preamp. Then you get an analog volume knob with an indicator and you won't have to worry about accidently hitting the switch to fixed and blowing your ears off. You also get the extra set of RCA inputs back that's missing on this model or you can use the SYS in reverse and have 2 inputs into the amp. What do you think of this as a solution and are there any other passive preamp switches that you'd recommend?

[@Baxwar2092]

Great idea.

[@stevetech5150]

yep, perfect, just purchased a Sys for my A2.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

i think Emotiva call it "Class H," where it's basically class A/B on the output stage but it has a very high frequency switching power supply, like most of their equipment now

[@Stan_the_Belgian]

Same like qsc pro amps?

[@howmit6361]

Class H? Soundcraftsman.

[@robinkleinsteuber5217]

​​@@howmit6361 Yes! Soundcraftsman were first company with Class H decades ago, at the same time that Hitachi first released the competing Class G circuit. Same advantages claimed, different topologies. Reminiscing about audio from years ago! Thanks for awakening my memories! 👍

[@robinkleinsteuber5217]

​@@Stan_the_Belgian Yes! The pro audio industry favors Class G or Class H circuitry. Lower quiescent power dissipation, with a greater max. power headroom, than straight Class AB could offer.

[@Ghostrecon12]

Your Like The Rodney Dangerfield, Of Technology!!! Your Awesome Man... ☆☆☆☆☆

[@sudd3660]

a proper volume control is paramount, analog ones just works but need something visual to show the level, but suffer from either to much gain at either start or end of range. now that more gear goes digital volume, they really need to put effort into programming the thing right. i had a few now and my favourite so far is minidsp shd studio, its programmed so that you can flick it fast and you cant blow things up when it gets loud, but you can flick it down and it will get silent fast. it had a bit much range for my taste, i do not want 0.5 db increments. but afer i put some rubber O-rings on the knob i can spin it around with a finger, and did i mention it has steps feel to it as well.

[@aodhanmorrissey]

That stifled scream around the minute mark was a wonderful addition that I hope we see again! (:

[@jorge10928]

This amp is perfect for what I need. I was concerned that he was so concerned at the start about the changes but once he went through them they were literally a non-issue for me. I was able to snag this amp on eBay for less than $200.

[@xophere]

I think maybe the point with the switch is because they went to a lower quality volume setup. So makes more sense to use a preamp volume control and hence that switch.

[@adamjj85]

Great review! I have the A-100 as my daily driver and it has been great as a speaker amp. Only issue is I agree there is an audible noise floor when using sensitive headphones. I was curious about the new improvements in sound quality, but damn, I agree these feature changes are showstoppers. Some questionable design decisions there. Note that Emotiva's site doesn't mention class D, it is probably class H with the A/B output stage.

[@Eron55555]

It's a Flex amp.. It only has volume as a courtesy.. It's meant to use with a preamp. Like getting class a/b sound out of my Onkyo RZ-930.

[@Eron55555]

How does the A2M compare to the Cambridge AXA series?

[@skatar01887]

Like so many other stacks, could you add a DAC with pre-amp features to control volume levels? The power off issue is still a pain though. Looking forward to the M5A review!

[@Cplreggie]

I'm considering getting this amp for a 9.4 receiver to push 2 50watt ceiling speakers to make a 7.1.4 setup. the receiver will process 11 channels, but only powers 9. Would this not be a good amp for that? Also, I was under the impression if I set the amp to "fixed" I could control the volume with my receiver instead of having to control the volume separately for 2 speakers. Is that not the case? Thanks for a good an entertaining review.

[@Slime_Greaseman]

I think this would work fine. I'm considering doing this for a 2.1 that I'm going to control with a DAC.

[@stewiegriffin993]

Zeos, this is one of the best reviews you've done in a while, thanks a bunch! PS. any advice how to collectively bully Swan into sending you the M5A and the M3A MkII? (I figure the M300 MkIIs were better than the M500, maybe that's the case again :D )

[@ZReviews]

Confirmed M10 and M5a with them today. Yeehaw

[@stewiegriffin993]

@@ZReviews 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@davidstein9129]

Nice review. Thanks..I learned a lot.

[@olegyamleq7796]

22:58 Hahahahahaaha, this is how we test, hahahaha

[@bjmarchives]

How many fleshlights do you own? Wall or closet?

[@oldguyplaysbass6503]

I've wanted this amp since I watched your initial review of the old model .... but I fucked around as I tend to do and didn't get around to ordering one until last Wednesday (day before the July 4th holiday) .... Then, I found this video and was actually afraid to watch it ... I thought for sure I had royally fucked myself in the ass dry ... But, alas, all is not lost ... so happy to learn the new one sounds a LOT better. My use case will incorporate the DANGEROUS switch remaining in FIXED and the other switch in AUTO and will be adjusting the input via a REAL volume knob on my Schiit preamp/headphone amp ... (which is also where I will plug in headphones) ... So I think that plan will reduce the chances of any explosions on my desk. Cheers and thanks for the great video!

[@christophergaus3996]

I wonder if the sonic changes will move to the rest of their BasX line in a design update

[@islandboy8282]

I’m eyeing a pair of Klipsch RP - 600m ii but don’t currently have a receiver. Space might be an issue so I’ve been looking at some smaller amps. Would I still be able to get a great sound out of the Klipsch with this amp or would you recommend a larger traditional AVR? Thanks for your help!

[@Cinnamon_Shaey]

but if you only have one pair of headphones, like me and have it at a pretty constant volume, and just use the volumes on pc and barely touch the knob, does it not stay at the same level? like if i know it has not been touched it should stay at same volume level?

[@ZReviews]

I mean. Power loss is a thing. And It may reset I haven't tried a forced disconnect.

[@Cinnamon_Shaey]

@@ZReviews right, i did speak to a representative at emotiva earlier, they said that the next revision going out next year will have a recessed switch at the back so you don't accidentally flip it, and maybe have some kind of volume indicator, they said something about the led arc above the knob currently having 3 leds but in future could have like 10 to indicate volume

[@madf00bar15]

The changed to a switching power supply. HOORAY, much more efficient than the old linear supply, much lighter. All power amps need to do this.

[@kenabi]

pass. most switch mode supplies have definitive lifespans that are significantly shorter than traditional supplies just due to how SMPS are designed and implemented. it's literally unavoidable.

[@turbomustang84]

Put it on fixed then control it via a DAC / Preamp........ Problem Solved

[@dwahnaslowdown8887]

I'm listening now via headphones on an A-100 (with page 11 jumpers in). I'm pretty sure it was priced at $199. Buying it earned some sort of Emotiva bucks, which I applied toward a second A-100, bringing its price to roughly $170. I appreciate an improvement in sound quality, but nothing else that I hear about it justifies the 33% price hike.

[@testtest-ol3yi]

I bought one for $229 back in 2017. Very solid for a new bare bones product, headphone out was pretty shit though imo. Despite sounding great, mine did end up breaking and they did not honor my warranty, which isn't the first time I've run into support problems with them. But the final nail in the coffin for their lower end stuff was the PT-100 because not only was it like, just okay, it had too many glaring flaws and then ended up shitting the bed anyway after a couple of weeks or so. From then on I just want to steer clear of the lower end and older emotiva products. I'm sure their flagship stuff is great, but my experience makes me not want to find out.

[@scottnieradka6836]

We all own the emotiva bas x cause of the dt880s, its a crime you didnt a/b them in this review. You just left them on the table to tease us.

[@RandyDaMan]

A-100 is still my fave!

[@deeppc]

Pls review the new NEUMANN NDH 30 open back headphones :) Thanks :)

[@jfopps]

what's the song playing around the 8:55 mark???

[@TechnicalGamingChannel]

No industry gets control features wrong quite like the audio industry...

[@testtest-ol3yi]

It's funny when Emotiva comments on these videos sometimes for positive reviews but where are they now? Maybe they know this shit is inexcusable. If they kept the passthrough, changed the fixed output implementation(which is honestly a neat feature) and fixed the previous ones issues instead of carrying them over I think this would have been a fantastic addition to their lineup.

[@Gameaholic1337]

Someone please tell Z about the AudioPraise VanityPRO HDMI audio extractor. Would like to see how it fares vs the minidsp home theatre setup.

[@jasperfaren371]

I don't think I'm going to switch from my A100 to the A2m - the volume knob is a deal breaker for me. I painted my A100 to have a little indicator on it so I KNOW how loud it's going to be so I don't destroy my headphones or my hearing permanently. What happens if someone bumps the A2m by accident, or your kid decides to give it a spin? You have NO way of knowing if it's maxed out or not. Plain dangerous, imo.

[@zachpechin6056]

Can't you just set it to fixed and control the volume from a dac with a volume control

[@hellz1893]

Looking to find this out as well

[@ZReviews]

Yes it just becomes a power amp. BUT I do like how fine the volume controls are when it is used. Just impossible to see.

[@swiftshinobi8337]

Emotiva = Pagani of the audiophile world

[@RayceManyon00]

I never really liked the TR60P, I tried the them on the RebelAmp, THX888, and the XDuoo XD05 Plus. Honestly, the mod A100 is the only amp the TR60P sounds good on. EDIT: After the A100 Jumper mod EVERY headphone has the buzz except for the TR60P. If your headphone is even a little bit efficient (sensitive) you will hear the buzz, but then you shouldn't need a F'ing 50 watt amp to power them.

[@james_wheelz]

can you still connect a Schiit modius E into this? That way I sell my Schiit Magnuis.

[@bigdan2828ify]

What pads are those on the hemps?

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

any1 know what video camera Zeos is?using ? thanks linsol 😆

[@kennethschoen7796]

Another analogy of powering IEMs with this amp is watering your plants with a fire hose.

[@SG-dw1my]

Ignoring the headphone capability, can this even compete sonically with the Aiyima A07 for driving speakers? This is still Class A/B, not D. They changed to a switched mode power supply.

[@Eron55555]

Aiyima is still a Class D implementation. A very good one, but still Class D. I am getting the A2M soon and I will answer this question for you as I also have a A07.

[@ramondelgado6778]

​@@Eron55555any status on your thoughts comparing these two amps? Thank you!

[@VauntedSeer]

Wait hold the phone. Does the digital volume knob mean the input is digitized???

[@edpelletier7496]

Do I need a dac from the tv “Samsung 4K “to my amp “emotiva “? Seems to be clipping, the signal in my headphones, I’m a guitar player

[@Moszczynski69]

This was a great review Zeos, insta-death switch is quite borked. Team slots ftw. I also have a question, are AKG 701 and 702 a good way to try out a open-back headphones on the cheap? They run under 100$ used where I live and they seem perfect to try out open-backs on the cheap without paying for chinesium.

[@jjpablo]

What about the Hifiman he400se? Are those around $100 where you live? Those would be a better pick.

[@Moszczynski69]

@@jjpablo HE400SEs are closer to 150 bucks sadly. I could get them but I'm not sure if I will even like open-back headphones and AKG K701 and 702 were an interesting used option.

[@ZReviews]

K712 was my bottom entry of AKG, but the K7xx if you can find them also good.

[@Moszczynski69]

@@ZReviews Cheers Zeos, I will keep all that in mind!

[@Jeipr]

@Z Reviews Hey Z. Love your channel. Im building off my first 2.1 setup with Triangle Bro 2's after watching your review of them. Im struggling decidin between this bas x mini or the 2 bas x. How you think this amps matchup with the Bro2 in termes of sonics . Ill be doing both music and moviee watching with the systems so im leaning towards the basx 2 for the 160watta@8ohms headroom. Thanks for your input

[@edithboozy1000]

Zeos in 2016 "Tordial" Zeos in 2022 "Torroidial"

[@ZReviews]

2028 "TearWhoreDanal"

[@dawolyan13]

So the volume doesn’t bottom out either??!

[@robertgruber982]

Are you gonna review the Denefrips?

[@ZReviews]

Patrons already got it.

[@dawolyan13]

Is an rca out always an “unpowered” signal?

[@ZReviews]

I would love to say yes BUT.. Some cheap home theater in a box system use to run speaker power out and the speakers had wires built in with RCA connectors.. Talk about super dangerous.

[@dawolyan13]

@@ZReviews Thank you!

[@ByakurenEnjoyer]

i'd like to know where you got that sticker at the end of the video from

[@ZReviews]

Right here.. or one of the other packs. amzn.to/3LtrtVE

[@ByakurenEnjoyer]

@@ZReviews aight thanks for the answer!

[@RayceManyon00]

@@ZReviews Oh my God! That's a lot of stickers! I mean... I could see getting like 5 or 6 but who needs that many?

[@jikenj]

I use my a100 exclusively for my t50rp from drop with the page 11 Mod but the weird thing is the channels are reversed!?

[@Donsploitation]

Team slots for safety!

[@flame.8308]

Great Review Z this is the z content people stay for

[@davidstein9129]

Can you have more 'nuther- nuther-nuther' attacks in future vids reviews when you are demoing volume controls? lol

[@cnhhnc]

OK! So what IS going on with that whimpy transformer in the new unit! How is THAT putting out the same amount of POWER as that rather large toroid? So is the lighter transformer lighter because it is a DIGITAL/switching power unit! Making this amp some kind of hybrid A/B.?

[@ZReviews]

Science. It is now a Switching Power Supply

[@masterxyr]

so at the very least disassemble the back and remove the switch, and get an external pot for it. Got it.

[@pongpaktech6699]

That thai tea is legit, I'm thai

[@papapun]

Emotiva: volume nob.....full send

[@CheapMessiah]

The whole control scheme in this amp is such a bad idea it makes you wonder if the amp is so good that unless they intentionally made it impractical it might canibalize their other more expensive products.

[@nustyruts1]

Get the V1 or save up for a Burson funk.

[@todd8155]

Emotiva BasX A2mini is class A/B...

[@slappomatthew]

#teamdots

[@Jon-nz3dm]

It's not Class D, so probably best to not call it that lol

[@benjamincraig7198]

“There are too many audio products without sufficient differentiation to justify their existence” - Me, an innovation engineer

[@jonsays3762]

A100 auto shut off after just a couple of minutes is mucho annoying. I'm using an SVS Soundbase for my desktop just because of that "feature".

[@philippelabrecque6658]

Not a class D Zeos. Neither are the new XPA's. ONLY the power supplies have changed. They're Switching mode power supply's now because theyre faster and they figured out a way to make them much less noisy by sending the noise in the 200 000hz range, thats far away from the hearing range. The whole industry is slowly moving away from Toroidals as they produce 60hz noise that as to be filtered out thus more noisy. The class H is simply a class A/B with a silent SMPS. Its the interim period before they all make the move to Class D with Gan Fet amps and SMPS, which is the real future for amps. Ganfets and Sicfet are the future because they are faster and less noisy than Jfets and mosfets. In a few years Ganfets wil be less pricy and a lot more of us will make the move...

[@califmike2003]

Its not class d, its a class A/B. Volume knob, and you cant turn it off DEAL BREAKER FOR SURE DONT CARE HOW GOOD IT SOUNDS.

[@jamiescott1218]

I’m having this I think. I’m absolutely leaving it fixed and then having the volume control taken away from it completely. Because fuck that.

[@dustinh845]

You need a speaker switch.

[@avemardore]

OMG Dude I am laughing so hard. You're on fire today. Jim Bob's 58 lb go-kart...coke zero shooting out my nose.

[@aceofspades6667]

hook up one of these to a HE6 SEv2 from adorama at $399 and be done with headphones search.

[@Ghostrecon12]

BasX A2m Stereo Flex Amplifier, Wouldn't This Device Be Controlled By My DENON 8K X3700H AVR... If I Was Using A Trigger Cable??? SO Wouldn't That Amplifier Then Be Controled Using The Volume Knob On My DENON 8K X3700H AVR??? Because I'll Be Using It As A Pre Amp. For My Back Speakers To Give Me 11.1 But I Also Want To Be Able To Watch My 3D, & 4K, MOVIES At Night Without Waking Up My Nieghibors... And I Can I Still Use The Pre Amps. With A Jumper Add On It??? Where Do I Buy A Jumper For It??? 🤔 And Do I Even Need To Use Jumpers In The First Place 🤔 Just To Listen To MOVIES, Will The Jumpers Add Better DTX Or DOLBY ATMOS, 3D, Surround To The MOVIES??? 🎬 My Question Too You Is This Amplifier Putting Out Enough Juice To The Headphones,Without Having To Use Jumpers To Add More Power??? 🔋

[@iComment87]

Wow. A good sounding amp is one thing, but bad features make a good amp an instant, hard no.

[@PiThr0]

7:30 One thai tea too much

[@Baxwar2092]

The ending with the question mark and riddle me this made me laugh uncontrollably 😂😂😂 Honestly I'm planning on getting the t50rp's soon and just want an end game power amp for them so I'll definitely get the new model. My question is, I have a fiio m11 plus as source, can I connect the fiio to a passive pre amp with volume control, and output to the Emotiva running in it's full line out eleminating the flaws of the volume control and possible blowing up of speakers/headphones?

[@carminedesanto6746]

Hey, I think there’s a scammer out there . See comments .

[@ZReviews]

I spent an hour scamming him out of 3 PayPal emails

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@ZReviews my Man!

[@chickenpower5732]

who the waifu on the thumbnail

[@RayceManyon00]

If you look hard enough, you'll see her. amzn.to/3LtrtVE

[@alfredschwalbe232]

Unclear the longer I've listened to you I'm really wishy washy and I don't like it I'm not gonna wash you any

[@ZReviews]

I mean I wash myself but thanks for thinking.

[@kurt120032002]

T50 RP sound shit no matter what amp you plug it in to. DT 880 600 ohm are great with A-100, or WA-6SE, but T50 just needs to never be used.

[@ZReviews]

Gotta argon the T50, the T20 open backs with 1840 pads are nice bass juice.

[@dgdave2673]

Oh boy 😮, the FPV footage as shitty as it can be with all the crazy movements. Stop wearing a frickin GoPro on your head to shoot this.

[@johnnyirizarry6489]

dude, you can be annoying sometimes...but thanks for the video...