[Ra97oR]

Specs
Pure class-A, with 20W power draw at idle
16-600 Ohms load (optimised for low impedance)
1700mW into 40Ohm load
W 184mm，L 300mm，H 56mm
2.2 KG

Sorry for blurry pictures, it is taken from my phone.

Better internal shot from the builder:

(the transformer is shielded in a metal case as seen in my photo)

 

[Ra97oR]

Exterior

The amp is cased in a thick chassis and finished with thick brushed silver front panel. The volume control is metal with texture on it to prevent slipping. Rear of the amp have standard IEC power socket and a pair of RCA inputs. The RCA sockets are gold plated and bolted to the chassis, not direct stressing the PCB. The overall finish is very nice and solid, but to point out the “Volume” is labelled as “Volumn”, after telling the producer about the typo he replied saying it’s a short hand as “Volume knob” so I don’t know anymore. The rubber feet on the amp is rather hard, I would much prefer a softer silicon feet on it and have more grip on my glass desktop. Other than that, it’s nicely done, and “volumn” isn’t too annoying unless you keep staring at the front.

Baseline impressions and test

Noise test
This test will use my AD1000PRM and TF10 to test out the noise level with input disconnected to prevent any noise coming from the source.

Using AD1000PRM (40Ohm, 102db/mW) there is no noise with a totally black background at all, all the way to the maximum, but slight hisses on the volume pot near the maximum when I am turning it. Noise is gone once you stop moving the knob.

Using the TF10 IEM, which is far more sensitive to noise, I can hear noise right from the minimum and it increases to maximum. It is safe to say that the amp is not suitable for amping sensitive IEMs, even though it does a rather good job if you ignore the noise.

Early impression
The improvement moving from the internal amp to this is quite massive, the first thing I notice is the vastly improved soundstage and much better dynamic range, the high extend very far and bass is punchier but didn’t notice a increase in the amount. It compares very favourably to the Luxman P200 driving it from memory.

 

[Ra97oR]

Listening Impression (after 50+ hours)

Innocent Wind, Echo – WAVE
Flute and violins sounds very airy and natural, good dynamic range and can display big changes when called for, the drum hits lacks authority (more of the phone’s fault). However the “cymbals” hits does lack the sizzle and definition.

Hotel California (Live) – The Eagles
One of my favourite songs. The guitar solo at the beginning is crystal clear, the soundstage is impressive, the drums hits deep and true. This song is paired very well with this song, all the details is easily heard and never struggled.

Sentimental – Kenny G
The sweet sound of the saxophone extends very well and nicely textured, the background is never drowned out, never felt sibilance; the sound is very airy and open. This is one of the song I have never heard it sounding so nice.

Soldier Of Fortune – Deep Purple
The drums and guitar are spectacular sounding, the bass is tight and clean, vocal is very natural and clear, nothing in the background is lost. But the cymbal hits can hit harder and defined better.

あんなに一緒だったのに - See-Saw
The vocal is very sweet and it seems that this amp does female vocals better than male. This is a pop song, and most of the song is very busy. The amp did not struggle at all at the complex sections, the bass is tight and fast, however cymbal hits once again could sound better. Not that the treble is bad, its extension is very good and sounds very airy, but the cymbals hits is one the weakness.


Overall
Soundstage
Certainly one of the strengths of this amp, the stage is very natural and open but not artificially large, positioning is very precise.

Detail
This amp shows very good detail, but due to the sound of the AD1000PRM which like amplifying the sound of micro details, it can be a bit tiring to listen with tonnes of different sound getting thrown in your face (ears I meant).

Highs
I would think this is the weak point of the amp. While the treble does extend quite well, the cymbal hits are not as sharp and clearly defined as I would like, certain much room for improvement.

Mids
Mids are abit smoothed out, which pair AT with forward mids quite well, however some might want to keep the forward mids and should not get this amp. Have said so, the mids are still overall forward, but just not as forward as before so the AT house sound is still here.

Bass
Bass is not boasted to add much addition warmth to the headphones, but the impact is plentiful, very tight and controlled too. It can go deep too but as the same time the sub-bass/low bass is still not boasted.

Speed
This amp is fast, and it helps to pair it with fast headphones. It never struggle in complex sections and every tone is clearly played without any blurring at all.


Strength
Natural and spacious soundstage, very good speed, good bass response, midrange (personal choice), price


Weakness
Treble can be better, midrange (personal choice)

Verdict
A very economical amp, with a balanced sound overall. Very detailed and good treble extension, bass is tight and deep but never boasted. The soundstage is natural and wide, but not overly large. The main improvement I wished would be its cymbals responses and a better volume control. For this price, you are getting far more performance than expected, recommended for someone looking for pure performance over good looks. The amp is very solidly built, with very thick metal parts and a brushed front plate, but the strength is clearly not on its looks but its performance. At $250USD shipped, I really do think this is a real bargain amp.


Flaws
The gain is quite high when using with my AD1000PRM, with my source at 100% the amp need to be turned right down. It doesn’t help at all with a sub-par volume pot, it just makes the matter worse as there is significant channel imbalance until it is over 8 o’clock range. This forces me to turn my source down to 25% to have some better control over the volume.

Equipment Used
Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-AD1000PRM, Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 (Null Audio Enyo Silver + Sony Hybrids)
Source: Asus Xonar Essence ST (3 X LME49720HA)
Interconnect: Chord Company Crimson Plus RCA interconnect

This amp is priced at 250USD shipped.

 

[MomijiTMO]

Looking forward to the rest of it

.

 

[Ra97oR]

Overall review added, hope this is a fair review and can help any of you choose this amp.

 

[vkvedam]

Thanks for the information. From the reviews the Matrix amp seems to be of better value and superior performance.

 

[Ra97oR]

The Martix amp seems to be just another opamp based one with DAC (unless you are referring to another amp) but FYI, I would take this over a LD MkV anyday for my AD1000PRM at least.

 

[dcpoor]

I think he's talking about the matrix m-stage, a review of that was posted yesterday.

 

[Ra97oR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcpoor /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think he's talking about the matrix m-stage, a review of that was posted yesterday.

Ah thanks.

From my memories this amp is better than a Luxman P200 (except treble but everything else), Darkvoice 336SE, LD MkV for driving AD1000PRM. Apart from the issues with the volume pot, its a rather good amp but I am a bit too critical reviewing it. I can't compare to amp that I haven't heard at all, or used with the same headphones so no comment on how both compares.

 

[greenstuffs]

where did you buy this amp?

 

[francisdemarte]

The volume pot looks like it belongs on a portable amp! Fortunaterly there looks to be enought romm in the case to swap in something better.

 

[Ra97oR]

Yea, I have notice it being one of its main weakness. Its still an ALPS pot, but just too small to be in a full size desktop.

 

[Ra97oR]

Full review added, still subjected to changes.

Hope this help anyone that is interested about this amp.

 

[Ra97oR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenstuffs /img/forum/go_quote.gif where did you buy this amp?

Directly from the builder.

Email him at: tplyyl@163.com

 

[quiettom]

thanks，Ra97oR

I will contact with builder.