Are the SMSL Q5 PRO amps any good?

[Mirskyman]

Hi. I have a few questions about SMSL amplifiers.

Here's my situation:

I currently have a budget HDTV hooked up to two Polk bookshelf speakers and a cheap Lepai amplifier (it cost under $40). The info on the Lepai amplifier is here: https://www.amazon.com/Lepy-LP-2024...?ie=UTF8&qid=1467424200&sr=8-1&keywords=lepai

I bought the TV, the speakers and the amp a few months ago.

I have a little more money now to spend on the TV setup so I plan to order a Polk subwoofer and I'm thinking of getting a better amp.

The Lepai actually sounds pretty good for my needs (I live in a small apartment) except I sometimes hear distortion in dialogue, or sports commentary, when people say words starting with the letter S.

So I've been looking for a cheap upgrade from the Lepai. I don't want to spend more than $200.

I found this amp on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017W13BP...lid=1Z7RZDEA4T2XT&coliid=I3H95SYA6XEOYJ&psc=1

There's a similar model at Parts Express: http://www.parts-express.com/smsl-q...xial-dac-with-subwoofer-output-2x40w--230-210

The description of the one on the Parts Express website says it has a built in DAC. I'm not sure about the model on Amazon.

The reviews on Amazon are good but there aren't many reviews. There are also a few reviews on YouTube, also positive, but only a few total.

I'm not knowledgeable about audio equipment and I have no idea if the SMSL amps are a good deal or not. So I'd love to hear some opinions from people who are more knowledgeable. Is it worth buying one of the SMSL amplifiers? Are there better alternatives for under $200? Do you think buying a SMSL amp (or any other amp under $200) will fix the distortion problem I'm experiencing with the Lepai or would the problem probably continue with the SMSL amp (in which case I wouldn't buy it)?

Thanks!

 

[xero-D-hero]

That kinda sounds like the output signal from the TV is too much (too high) for the input of the amp as such it's causing some sibilance/distortion issues.
S sounds are great for spiking sound levels,hence why this is a common concern as it relates to the area of acoustics.

Anyhow adding a DAC or using another amp may or may not fix the issue,though if it does it was likely by accident.

Anything that either: A. Attenuates/lowers the signal level from the TV to the amp. -or- B. Allows the amp accept a higher signal level. Will likely resolve this problem.
Then you will likely need to turn the amp's volume knob up just a bit louder to get the desired sound level from the speakers.

If a DAC just passes along a signal that's to much for the amps input,it likely wont fix the issue.
If the new amp's input sensitivity is the same as (or more sensitive than) the old amp,it likely wont fix the issue.

If either device fixes the issue,it likely either attenuated the output from the TV somehow -or- it allowed the amp to somehow handle the greater input signal level.

What sorta connection are you using between the TV and the amp ? (RCA outs/optical -or- ???)
Is there an output level adjustment on the TV ?
Is there an input level adjustment on the amp ?

Anyhow,just some food for thought.

Bret P.

 

[Mirskyman]

Bret, thanks for the reply! I'm not sure I 100% understand what you are saying but I get most of it.

The TV doesn’t have RCA jacks, but the amp does. But the TV has a headphone jack. So I have a cable that connects to the headphone jack of the TV and the other end connects to the RCA jacks of the amp.

When you ask about an output adjustment do you mean something different than volume controls? The TV (obviously) has volume controls and the amp has a knob for volume as well. But there are no other output controls. Currently I have been keeping the amp's volume knob at about 45% of its maximum volume.

The TV does have an optical output and the SMSL amp that I'm interested in also has an optical input. Would optical connections possibly improve the distortion issue?

Also, you did answer my question about the distortion (which I appreciate) but I'd also really like your overall opinion on the SMSL amps. Do they look legit to you? Are there other amps to consider that are under $200?

Thanks again!

 

[xero-D-hero]

What do you have the volume for the TV set at ?

In that set-up the output level from the TV is indeed the TV's volume control,as that is what sets the signal level between the TV and the amp.
And the amp sounds like it has no input level control(s),just it's own volume control,so there's no real help there.

In that set-up,it's possible the TV's volume level (output) could be set too high,and that could be why you are getting the distortion you mention,as that signal level may be too much for your amp's inputs to handle.

In that situation then yes,using the optical out and another DAC (and/or) amp with optical inputs would likely fix the issue,but not for the reason you may think that it fixed it.
It fixes the problem because unlike the variable level coming outta the TV's headphone jack,the optical output sends out a fixed signal level (line level) that typical wont overdrive the inputs for the amp. (which is likely where that distortion is coming from)

But it also may be as simple as turning down the volume level for the TV (headphone jack) and turning the amp up a bit further to compensate.

As for SMSL,I would say they're a legit brand,and by many accounts they sell a quality product,but I have'nt personally had any of them myself,so all I have to go on is what others have said in forums like this. And of course there would be other amps to consider,too many really,so that could almost be a thread of it's own.

HTH

Bret P.

 

[Mirskyman]

Bret, thanks for clarifying and providing your additional thoughts! That helped a lot.

I'll try lowering the TV's volume and increasing the amp's volume and see if that makes a difference. But it sounds like getting an amp with optical inputs is the way to go.

Can you list even three or four amps to consider or point me to an article or store that has a few? I was looking at the SMSL because I was having trouble finding other amps with DAC in my price range (under $200 but ideally under $150).

Thanks again!

 

[Mirskyman]

Sorry I didn't reply to your question about the TV's volume. I have a TV with Roku built in and I use the Roku remote to change the volume. I normally keep the volume between about 70% to 83% (I try to keep it quieter at night). I find though that there isn't much difference between say 60% and 70%.