J English
Super Member
Photos: 3 amps side by side (MAX, Fosi V3, original A07), close up of front of the A07 MAX, rear panel of the MAX)
This is a mini-review of the new Aiyima A07 MAX class D amplifier from my "average Joe" perspective. Aiyima was gracious enough to send me a unit for review and evaluation.
I found the amplifier to be a lot like the Fosi V3 - apart from the noted Stereo/Mono feature, which I have not made use of.
While I think the Mono capability is an interesting addition, to me it's kind of a halfway step to "true" small monoblock Class D amps without integrated volume pots. The mono capability would seem to me to be most useful to people with a medium-sized listening space with medium to high efficiency speakers who want to use the 48v power supply option to get medium to loud volume levels. (You could do this in a smaller room or desktop setup, but why? Even with the 36v power supply I can get to very loud levels in my workroom with my 87db efficient KEFs.)
During the past week, I have switched back and forth between the older Aiyima A04 and A07 amps, the Fosi V3, and the new A07 MAX amp, and varied between use of the Fosi 32v 5a power supply and the Aiyima 36v 6a power supply. All gave good sound and satisfactory volume levels. There were no noticeable power on or power off pops. Using a variety of sources, I did not detect any truly notable differences between the amps. I like that the V3 and MAX amps are vented, and I believe this should help add to the product longevity. This is even more important for users who are making use of the 48v supply to get to higher volume levels. With the 32v and 36v power bricks, none of these amps get very warm to the touch at all. All of these amps can get higher volume than my SMSL AO100 amp, which I like for the dining room (remote and integrated bluetooth) where I don't need high volume levels at all.
I am using the V3 and MAX amps with the supplied 5332 op-amps. I had changed out both of the older Aiyima amps to 4562s.
I like the very clean and simple appearance of the A07 MAX. Aiyima has made a nice case and clearly designed the product to compete with the V3. The lack of top case holes might be a plus for some users as a) it makes it less prone to liquids or other dust entering the case and b) it makes it stackable. But since Aiyima has no matching components, that's not a huge consideration. I especially like that the Stereo/Mono switch is well recessed from the case so it cannot be bumped accidentally. Good design work there.
It's a little thing, but given how close all these amps are, little things matter...IMO the knob is not as nice to use as the Fosi V3. It's just a little bit smaller, and in my sample, it mutes to about the 3rd volume marking. Because the Fosi knob is larger, it's easier to grip and quickly change a volume level over my shoulder, which is how my setup is arranged. If you are looking right at the amp on one's desk or shelf, that's less important - but I still think that Fosi wins the ergonomics award for the knob. It's got a little better control to set a low volume level easily.
Another feature of the A07 MAX is the offset speaker jacks. Yes, they are of higher quality and thickness than the Fosi. They stick out more in the back, and the best way to connect safely is still by using banana plugs. The provided jacks don't make connecting with bare wire easier or advisable IMO. So it's kind of a difference that makes no difference, save perhaps for the users with very wide or angle-type plugs - (probably same users who are using the amps as mono units?).
All of these amps do the basic job of amplification for small to medium setups and in a nice way. I think for me personally, the Fosi V3 still is the nicest to use and has the most attractive appearance.
I think the next logical step is for one of the Chinese manufacturers to a) solve the noted load dependency issue for frequencies above 10k; b) create an attractive and good-component built true monoblock option (with the power supply in-case with the amplifier) that would compete with the Hypex amps but at a lower cost; c) create a matching solid state preamp for the monoblocks with a high-quality volume control, 2-3 inputs, and a remote.
It's great to have so many good choices right now in these compact amps. I am very glad that Aiyima is continuing to develop some solid state, clean, "no frills" units along with their tube and more "steampunk" looking options. The A07 was the first small amp I'd bought since my decade-old SMSL SA-50s, and it was an improvement, which the A07 MAX takes further still. Since the MAX came out, I understand that Aiyima has already beefed up the main power caps rating from 50v to 60v to provide a bit more protection for people using 48v power bricks. This is in line with their improved attention in this model to using good quality caps, inductors etc. similar to Fosi in the V3.
If you are looking for a very good, basic amp for nearfield/desktop/small room system use, the A07 MAX is a solid choice.
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