• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

New chifi?

I needed a little integrated to power the setup my wife and I use on our deck in the summer. I decided I wanted something with Bluetooth to make it easy to stream from the phone.
And it needed to be cheap.
I settled on this:
38F39034-3072-46C4-8E8C-5C6E97A7B8EF.jpeg
It’s a little TPA3116 based deal from Nobsound.

I thought it sounded pretty good hooked up the speakers I use on the deck so decided to try it out with my B&W Matrix 803 IIs.
I was really impressed. Streaming Quboz via Bluetooth sounded quite nice. Not as nice as my Conrad Johnson/McIntosh but not all that far off either.
I’m looking forward to trying it with a better source just to see what it can do.
I’ve had a few TPA3116 based units and they’ve all impressed me quite a bit.
 
Wes_in_VA said:
I needed a little integrated to power the setup my wife and I use on our deck in the summer. I decided I wanted something with Bluetooth to make it easy to stream from the phone.
And it needed to be cheap.
I settled on this:
View attachment 1528888
It’s a little TPA3116 based deal from Nobsound.

I thought it sounded pretty good hooked up the speakers I use on the deck so decided to try it out with my B&W Matrix 803 IIs.
I was really impressed. Streaming Quboz via Bluetooth sounded quite nice. Not as nice as my Conrad Johnson/McIntosh but not all that far off either.
I’m looking forward to trying it with a better source just to see what it can do.
I’ve had a few TPA3116 based units and they’ve all impressed me quite a bit.
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of these BT 2.1 amps to give away as house warming gifts, garage systems. One I paired with some small Canton 5.25 speakers and a 8 inch passive KLH sub. The other I used some Garrard 4 inch MTM GSS 100’s and a passive Nakamichi sub. Both of these sounded quite good the Canton set up was exceptionally good. Just plug the power supply into the amp first then the wall or you will get some sparks. Can’t beat a BT 50w x 2, 100w x 1 amp for $50.
This Bluetooth receiver is very good, I have yet to find any flaws. I ordered 4 of these to include in systems I’ve sold. I was able to make an offer for them on eBay so they are a very good product for even three times the price. One customer was able to stream from his back yard, the receiver was on the third story of a house that is built off the ground so actually the forth story. I use one in my set up, Mac 2205 amp, 6100 as a pre, Diatone DS-505’s speakers. You can hear Norh Jones finger nails hitting the keys and the action of the keys and hammers before they hit the strings so there is no loss of detail from what I can tell. Bass is tight and authoritative. I would say it is the best ChiFi product I have bought so far.
https://www.amazon.com/BluDento-Blu...ocphy=1026339&hvtargid=pla-582844403182&psc=1
 
Last edited:
NO .. it's called HI-fi ..

I consider myself blessed to be in an era where really exceptional sounding gear is available for a totally reasonable price ..
Just sorta trashes the idea that the more expensive item is always better ..

T'wasn't always thus .......
 
Last edited:
Justgotohm said:
Yes the ChiFi bug can get you, it’s worse given the gear is cheap. My fascination peeked with some Tang Band D4-1 speakers and a knock off 1969 Hood class A amp. This set up sounds really really good together, the little Tang Band fours go lowwww 40Hz in the dense horn cabs.
View attachment 1528415 View attachment 1528416
Click to expand...

Nice lookin' gear (esp. the speakers) and from your description it also has very good SQ, yes? I should really get off my a** and look into putting together a little system like this.
 
Thanks everyone for chiming in and/or sharing your little systems. I think many of you would be totally shocked and surprised with the sound quality these little TPA3116 class D amps can put out. Many are available in silver color aluminum!!! Maybe paired with a cheap tube pre, maybe not. :dunno: Given their small size, small price, small following, small everything, I'm sure these would put a small smile on your face when hearing one for the first time. Kinda like this: :)

Relax and enjoy the music!
 
I really wish someone in China would start producing cloned Radford STA (and similar) tube power amps.
 
Hawkeye83 said:
In my office, I am running this:

FX Audio tube preamp
https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-TUB...+audio+preamp&qid=1559822854&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Allo Volt+ D amplifier
https://www.allo.com/sparky/volt-plus-d-amp.html

Powering RCA LC-1A speakers.
http://www.scottymoore.net/RCASpkr.html

I had a Quad VA-One (modern EL84 tube integrated amp with lots of features) in my office but needed to raise some funds so sold it and running the "ChiFi."

It does sound quite good for the price.
Click to expand...
How does the '+D compare to the McCormack DNA for SQ and musical immersion/involvement?
The other cheapie TPA3116 amps?
 
Pio1980 said:
How does the '+D compare to the McCormack DNA for SQ and musical immersion/involvement?
The other cheapie TPA3116 amps?
Click to expand...

"not as good" as the McCormack LOL. It's like the chip amp sounds a bit "drier." Granted, the McCormack sounds the most tube-like of any SS amp I've yet owned...sort of a liquid sound to it. Even the Accuphase that I'm replacing the McCormack with sounds drier. In fact, the chip amp sounds more similar to the Accuphase than the McCormack.

Remind me again why I'm selling the McCormack...oh right, I'm trying to go to all integrated amps...

I've not yet heard any other chip amps to compare the Allo to...it's my first one! It's definitely very decent, for the money. Sound-quality wise, I'd take the McCormack or my Leben any day. I guess I just like that "liquid" sort of sound that I have personally only heard from Class A solid state or tube amps.
 
Hawkeye83 said:
"not as good" as the McCormack LOL. It's like the chip amp sounds a bit "drier." Granted, the McCormack sounds the most tube-like of any SS amp I've yet owned...sort of a liquid sound to it. Even the Accuphase that I'm replacing the McCormack with sounds drier. In fact, the chip amp sounds more similar to the Accuphase than the McCormack.

Remind me again why I'm selling the McCormack...oh right, I'm trying to go to all integrated amps...

I've not yet heard any other chip amps to compare the Allo to...it's my first one! It's definitely very decent, for the money. Sound-quality wise, I'd take the McCormack or my Leben any day. I guess I just like that "liquid" sort of sound that I have personally only heard from Class A solid state or tube amps.
Click to expand...
My Muse One Hundred is like that, I've been curious about the McCormack amps but still have a diy Pass Aleph J to audition. Logistics and hearing problems have prevented any listening this year.
 
The way technology is going in China, I won't be surprised when "Best" replaces "OK" as the main descriptive. They'll have the resources, and finance-to-factory-to-store support infrastructure Japan had in the '70–80s. But the adjective "cheap" will disappear.
 
A goodly amount of my system was made in China. But mine is also a multicultural setup. Tubes from Russia, PCBs from China, trannys from USA/China, caps from Germany... I think all the drivers are from China.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Semi-Scientific Test: Aiyima A07 Class D amp vs. Sony STR-DH550 AVR
Replies
0
Views
254
Overhead
O
2martinis
Small Class D amp question
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
kappclark
kappclark
Raphaz
Class D amp and integrated recommendations
3 4 5
Replies
85
Views
4K
C Hart
C Hart
R
Class AB Versus Class D Amps - Your thoughts?
Replies
15
Views
2K
budgetaudio6
budgetaudio6
P
New world of HiFi with Chinese Class D Amps.
4 5 6
Replies
113
Views
4K
tubelectron
tubelectron
Back
Top Bottom