OG Refreshing His OG with New Tech, Stumbling Some...

[motleypixel]

I said stumble, not "fallen and I can't get up". Also, OG for the subject: Old Goat/Old Gear. Here's the deal, it's two-fold really. 1. I have loads of time. 2. Even though #1 sounds good, I'm on a fixed income so budget takes priority.

First, it seems search is not working on the site, correct? Is there an ETA on restoration? I seem to recall there's a format in google to search sites, just forgot so sorry if this is something that's been answered before.

So, let me start with my needs, think of it as a use case: Need to drive two 8ohm passive bookshelf speakers and an active subwoofer with only coax input. Need an integrated amplifier that has "at min" two channel (at least 30W/ch), sub coax out, tone controls for passive speakers, nice-to-have (sub volume/freq), and at least one RCA input (if separate DAC is used, which is likely). I need the ability to stream HD audio to/from (receive/transmit) via quality codec such as APTX-HD or LDAC. I need the ability to input SPDIF optical/toslink from my CD player. I need the ability to listen to either my CD player, TT (Pioneer PL-7) or Streaming music with my bookshelf speakers/sub or my BT headphones that support APTX-HD (Bower & Wilkins PX7). Seems easy right? Well, not too many all-in-one options out there unless I'm completely looking in the wrong direction.

My system before: BIC Venturi DV62Si bookshelf speakers, early 90's Sony Integrated Receiver/Amp, early 90's Sony CD player (analog out only), and Pioneer PL-7. This system has served me well over the years. I've thrown many different speakers at it in the past.

My system now, first stab at new cheap audio gear and it's almost what I need. However currently this comes at an unfortunate condition where this new class D amp creates popping through the speakers when I turn on/off main power to the system. It's odd becauses even with the front power switch off on the amp and I turn on power or turn off power the pop occurs. I've even using a filtered/conditioned powerstrip.

Class D Amp: Fosi Audio BT30D with BT antena removed so as not to broadcast BT too far as I'm using a separate DAC for BT. No way to disable BT. https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Au...07K7NJ4QN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Fiio BTA30Pro DAC. I really like this DAC for the money: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09J48ZPD4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

U-Turn Audio Pluto 2 Phono Pre-Amp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C6XZMLR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Analog to Digital converter (I'll explain below): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGHNCMW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I'm using all Amazon Basics cables RCA etc. as I feel they are decent for what they are.

So with this setup I can accomplish 100% of my use-case needs. I'll explain the way this is all setup which will explain the Analog to Digital converter need:

Coming out of my CD newer Sony player I have SPDIF optical going to optical in of the DAC. Coming out of my Pioneer PL-7 TT grounded RCA going into the Pluto Phono Pre-Amp, then RCA out going into the RCA in of the analog to digital converter, coming out of that via digital coax it comes into the digital coax in of the DAC. The RCA out of the DAC goes into the RCA in of the Class D amp.

With this setup a can switch via the DAC font controls to play the CD player, TT or Streaming BT to the DAC from my phone to my speakers OR if I choose I can flip the BT switch to transmit to my BT headphones OR I just just flip the switch to DAC to output via RCA to my amp to play over my speakers.

The problem I'm having really comes down to the amp causing this popping. To keep things simple moving forward I'd like to replace that amp with a similar small-sized low cost option to hopefully just remove the popping from occurring. OR, somehow, find another option all-together to fit my use case.

In the end, if I could wish for one thing in the say $300 max budget range I'd want an integrated amp that has digital optical, coax and RCA in, at least 2 channel (30W), digital coax sub out (can be 3.5mm pre-out if there's a cable to convert to coax?), and BT receive AND transmit (HD audio codecs). Maybe there's an option out there? Heck maybe there's an all-in-one option out there? I sure as heck haven't found one yet.

Whew, well, the journey to perfection is awesome because it will never end Thanks for any and all help in advance.

 

[unionista]

From memory, the closest amp that comes to mind is the NAD D 3020, although its closer to $500. BT receive AND transmit? I don't recall seeing that on any component. The NAD has a phono preamp, digital inputs, a SW output and BT built in, plus an additional aux. input. It offers 40 wpc.

 

[motleypixel]

From memory, the closest amp that comes to mind is the NAD D 3020, although its closer to $500. BT receive AND transmit? I don't recall seeing that on any component. The NAD has a phono preamp, digital inputs, a SW output and BT built in, plus an additional aux. input. It offers 40 wpc.

Yeah, not many out there that both receive and transmit BT and that's fine at the end of the day. There are way around it with this use of additional hardware.

I guess to distill down what I'm after, since I like the Fiio DAC that allows 3 inputs (optical, coax, USB, and BT in) that device can stay in my line-up. I'd like to replace this class D China amp (Fosi Audio BT30D) with something that allows at least the exact same features but w/o the speaker pop noise when power is turned off and on. Again, 2 chl at least 30Wpc, coax sub out, tone controls both speaker and sub (vol/freq) BT is not needed. Ball park $150? Hit me with some options please.

Thanks,
Roy

 

[Danathepill]

Yeah, not many out there that both receive and transmit BT and that's fine at the end of the day. There are way around it with this use of additional hardware.

I guess to distill down what I'm after, since I like the Fiio DAC that allows 3 inputs (optical, coax, USB, and BT in) that device can stay in my line-up. I'd like to replace this class D China amp (Fosi Audio BT30D) with something that allows at least the exact same features but w/o the speaker pop noise when power is turned off and on. Again, 2 chl at least 30Wpc, coax sub out, tone controls both speaker and sub (vol/freq) BT is not needed. Ball park $150? Hit me with some options please.

Thanks,
Roy

Without the need for BT wouldn’t there be all kinds of options? I may be wrong but without that needed pretty much any integrated amp will have want you are looking for.

 

[motleypixel]

Without the need for BT wouldn’t there be all kinds of options? I may be wrong but without that needed pretty much any integrated amp will have want you are looking for.

Pretty much...LOL, all that to get to hey jump on amazon and have fun! So I guess to ask in another way, just wanting a quality small amp that would exceed the performance of a low tier Sony amp from the early 90's. Something really basic so long as it drives at least 2 channel with coax out for sub and sub/tone controls, oh and no popping through the speakers. I'm looking. Thanks.

 

[Old Guy8]

Your budget is $150? That's pretty tight, if new. Is that new or used?
If used, maybe search local estate sales. Local record shops. Some sell used gear, with a short warranty.

 

[motleypixel]

Your budget is $150? That's pretty tight, if new. Is that new or used?
If used, maybe search local estate sales. Local record shops. Some sell used gear, with a short warranty.

Thanks Old Guy8, yeah it's more of sifting through a fairly large field of Chinese Class D amps that gets to be a bit overwhelming. I really do like this Fosi Audio Class D amp. I think it's superior performing/sounding compared to my normal component-sized early 90's Sony Integrated amp/receiver. It actually has decent reviews, even on some of the audiophile YT channels. Key notes for this one are dual TI op-amps which sounds good to me.

I did additional testing and what I have found is if I keep the Fosi Amp powered on a different circuit from the power-conditioner strip that powers all the other components and I flip the switch to off first then turn the wall switch off which deenergizes the power strip to the other devices then the popping sound doesn't happen. Then on power up, I first turn the wall switch on, this powers up all components first and then, since it still has active power, I flip the front panel switch to on for the amp and again no popping sound. Seems the popping sound only occurs when power is applied OR removed from the amp, regardless of what the front panel switch is in.

So I'll probably manage this setup in this method after I receiver a low profile power plug splitter. The amps separate power supply will always be on and supply power to the amp. I will just turn it off/on from the front as noted above.

Thank you,
Roy

 

[BettyGregory]

I said stumble, not "fallen and I can't get up". Also, OG for the subject: Old Goat/Old Gear. Here's the deal, it's two-fold really. 1. I have loads of time. 2. Even though #1 sounds good, I'm on a fixed income so budget takes priority.

First, it seems search is not working on the site, correct? Is there an ETA on restoration? I seem to recall there's a format in google to search sites, just forgot so sorry if this is something that's been answered before.

So, let me start with my needs, think of it as a use case: Need to drive two 8ohm passive bookshelf speakers and an active subwoofer with only coax input. Need an integrated amplifier that has "at min" two channel (at least 30W/ch), sub coax out, tone controls for passive speakers, nice-to-have (sub volume/freq), and at least one RCA input (if separate DAC is used, which is likely). I need the ability to stream HD audio to/from (receive/transmit) via quality codec such as APTX-HD or LDAC. I need the ability to input SPDIF optical/toslink from my CD player. I need the ability to listen to either my CD player, TT (Pioneer PL-7) or Streaming music with my bookshelf speakers/sub or my BT headphones that support APTX-HD (Bower & Wilkins PX7). Seems easy right? Well, not too many all-in-one options out there unless I'm completely looking in the wrong direction.

My system before: BIC Venturi DV62Si bookshelf speakers, early 90's Sony Integrated Receiver/Amp, early 90's Sony CD player (analog out only), and Pioneer PL-7. This system has served me well over the years. I've thrown many different speakers at it in the past.

My system now, first stab at new cheap audio gear and it's almost what I need. However currently this comes at an unfortunate condition where this new class D amp creates popping through the speakers when I turn on/off main power to the system. It's odd becauses even with the front power switch off on the amp and I turn on power or turn off power the pop occurs. I've even using a filtered/conditioned powerstrip.

Class D Amp: Fosi Audio BT30D with BT antena removed so as not to broadcast BT too far as I'm using a separate DAC for BT. No way to disable BT. https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Au...07K7NJ4QN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Fiio BTA30Pro DAC. I really like this DAC for the money: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09J48ZPD4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

U-Turn Audio Pluto 2 Phono Pre-Amp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C6XZMLR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Analog to Digital converter (I'll explain below): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGHNCMW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I'm using all Amazon Basics cables RCA etc. as I feel they are decent for what they are.

So with this setup I can accomplish 100% of my use-case needs. I'll explain the way this is all setup which will explain the Analog to Digital converter need:

Coming out of my CD newer Sony player I have SPDIF optical going to optical in of the DAC. Coming out of my Pioneer PL-7 TT grounded RCA going into the Pluto Phono Pre-Amp, then RCA out going into the RCA in of the analog to digital converter, coming out of that via digital coax it comes into the digital coax in of the DAC. The RCA out of the DAC goes into the RCA in of the Class D amp.

With this setup a can switch via the DAC font controls to play the CD player, TT or Streaming BT to the DAC from my phone to my speakers OR if I choose I can flip the BT switch to transmit to my BT headphones OR I just just flip the switch to DAC to output via RCA to my amp to play over my speakers.

The problem I'm having really comes down to the amp causing this popping. To keep things simple moving forward I'd like to replace that amp with a similar small-sized low cost option to hopefully just remove the popping from occurring. OR, somehow, find another option all-together to fit my use case.

In the end, if I could wish for one thing in the say $300 max budget range I'd want an integrated amp that has digital optical, coax and RCA in, at least 2 channel (30W), digital coax sub out (can be 3.5mm pre-out if there's a cable to convert to coax?), and BT receive AND transmit (HD audio codecs). Maybe there's an option out there? Heck maybe there's an all-in-one option out there? I sure as heck haven't found one yet.

Whew, well, the journey to perfection is awesome because it will never end Thanks for any and all help in advance.
I am using U-Turn Audio Pluto 2 Phono Pre-Amp and I really like it. If you high school student seeking for computer essay .and don't have enough time,e to do I have an amazing platform for you you may visit https://writinguniverse.com/free-essay-examples/computer/ this website. This website offers a vast number of free essay samples about the computer topic. These samples were quite helpful in completing your essay writing assignments.

I am using U-Turn Audio Pluto 2 Phono Pre-Amp and I really like it.

 

[unionista]

I am using U-Turn Audio Pluto 2 Phono Pre-Amp and I really like it.

The U-Turn Audio Pluto 2 Phono Pre-Amp gets good reviews everywhere. The SQ is good, the product looks good and it's inexpensive. The only downside is no MC capability but, again, look at that price!