Singxer SA-1 / Balanced Amplifier Fully Discrete Class A - beyond THX 888 ?!

[Lolito]

My dac has a remote, my media player has a phone app to adjust volume... an amp with remote would require a motorized pot, or a digital ladder pot, in which case it would add cost, it would enter burson territory, that has remote, spl has some models with remote, I think, maybe... not a cheap feature what you are asking, unless digital pot...

 

[Chamade]

2 switches are for RCA the other 2 for XLR, I read that in a chinese forum, kind of smart if you let me say it. SA-1 design is smart (I have to test this myself tho)

This doesn't seem to be the case. Switch 1-2 affect one channel and switch 3-4 affect the other channel, for both RCA and XLR...I just tried it on my iFi and SMSL SU-9.
For example when I switch 1 to low it lowers the left channel gain, when I turn switch 2 to low it further lowers the left channel gain.

Isn't this effectively like having medium gain (having switches 2 and 4 set to low gain) ???

I am doing this with the amp on and music playing so the effect is quite clear.

 

[ra990]

This doesn't seem to be the case. Switch 1-2 affect one channel and switch 3-4 affect the other channel, for both RCA and XLR...I just tried it on my iFi and SMSL SU-9.
For example when I switch 1 to low it lowers the left channel gain, when I turn switch 2 to low it further lowers the left channel gain.

Isn't this effectively like having medium gain (having switches 2 and 4 set to low gain) ???

I am doing this with the amp on and music playing so the effect is quite clear.

I believe there's two amplification modules per channel, since it's a balanced amp. I don't think it's meant to have a medium gain by only toggling two of the four switches, but interesting discovery nonetheless!

 

[Fly2High]

I've seen a few others here comment that the gain switch affects the preamp out as well as HP amp.

RE: "when I want to crank it for a moment, takes a lot of rotation" ... This brings us to a real failing in the merchandizing of this amp IMO--no remote. I would have already purchased one if it had a remote. In my main system the nearest volume pot of the amp/preamp du jour is 4'-5' away, too far to comfortably control by hand.

It's child's play to install a remote circuit in an amp, and it's not in the signal path. Do that (even you have to add $25 or so to the list price) and I'll buy one.

I like everything I'm reading about the SA-1's sound, but no remote is a deal-breaker for me.

I have a SA-1. This IS primarily a headphone amp, is it not?

How long is the chord on your headphones or how short are your arms that you need a remote?

My experience is using it as a pre amp with my powered desk speakers and I enjoy the headphones in the desk chair. My headphones tend to have cables less than 6 ft long.

Doesn't take much to reach out to adjust the volume but YMMV.

 

[Pharmaboy]

I have a SA-1. This IS primarily a headphone amp, is it not?

How long is the chord on your headphones or how short are your arms that you need a remote?

My experience is using it as a pre amp with my powered desk speakers and I enjoy the headphones in the desk chair. My headphones tend to have cables less than 6 ft long.

Doesn't take much to reach out to adjust the volume but YMMV.

The electronics for my desktop system are ~5 ft from where I sit on this big L-shaped desk. I can't reach a volume control on any amp in the typical amp location in that stack of gear, so remote is pretty important.

FWIW, I have 35" sleeve...somewhat short of what's required.

As for SA-1 primarily being a headphone amp: it is if you primarily use it for headphones. But if you're me and use it primarily as a preamp (with occasional HP use), it would primarily be a preamp.

When I get interested in a headphone amp/preamp, typically I'm hoping the wonderful sound people describe for it on headphones would equally apply on preamp output (because I love my desktop speakers & use them constantly). The clear winner in my current setup at this dual/good-sound trick is the Violectric V281.

 

[nekky]

The electronics for my desktop system are ~5 ft from where I sit on this big L-shaped desk. I can't reach a volume control on any amp in the typical amp location in that stack of gear, so remote is pretty important.

FWIW, I have 35" sleeve...somewhat short of what's required.

As for SA-1 primarily being a headphone amp: it is if you primarily use it for headphones. But if you're me and use it primarily as a preamp (with occasional HP use), it would primarily be a preamp.

When I get interested in a headphone amp/preamp, typically I'm hoping the wonderful sound people describe for it on headphones would equally apply on preamp output (because I love my desktop speakers & use them constantly). The clear winner in my current setup at this dual/good-sound trick is the Violectric V281.

Sooo tempted to pull the trigger on the V280FE on drop but I feel like maybe I’m being redundant, already owning the SA-1??

 

[godmax]

Sooo tempted to pull the trigger on the V280FE on drop but I feel like maybe I’m being redundant, already owning the SA-1??

You never can have too many amps

 

[Chamade]

Sooo tempted to pull the trigger on the V280FE on drop but I feel like maybe I’m being redundant, already owning the SA-1??

You know you need it...also we need a comparison to the SA-1.

 

[Middy]

You never can have too many amps

Frankenstein agrees . ..

For those who have the SA1 .. is it better than your last Amp and do you enjoy it. That sense of enjoyment with your music again...
A bit of a poll....
I ask as its the only true statement i can really share when i get new equipment.....

Dave
DHL printed a despatch so i am one step closer..

 

[Chamade]

You never can have too many amps

You are not kidding there.

 

[Jay_vs]

Frankenstein agrees . ..

For those who have the SA1 .. is it better than your last Amp and do you enjoy it. That sense of enjoyment with your music again...
A bit of a poll....
I ask as its the only true statement i can really share when i get new equipment.....

Dave
DHL printed a despatch so i am one step closer..

It is better than my last amp and I love it. Can't see how you'd want more from a headphone amp.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Sooo tempted to pull the trigger on the V280FE on drop but I feel like maybe I’m being redundant, already owning the SA-1??

What's wrong with being redundant? Art collectors try to have multiple works from the same style/time period...so why should we restrain ourselves re amps?

As the V281 is my #1 favorite HP amps AND preamp--the absolutely ideal sound for my tastes. Yet I'm still interested in the SA-1 and would have bought one if not for lack of remote. I have 6 amps at present, each with a slightly different flavor of my preferred sound. I switch amps way more often than I switch HPs...

 

[Lolito]

The electronics for my desktop system are ~5 ft from where I sit on this big L-shaped desk. I can't reach a volume control on any amp in the typical amp location in that stack of gear, so remote is pretty important.

FWIW, I have 35" sleeve...somewhat short of what's required.

As for SA-1 primarily being a headphone amp: it is if you primarily use it for headphones. But if you're me and use it primarily as a preamp (with occasional HP use), it would primarily be a preamp.

When I get interested in a headphone amp/preamp, typically I'm hoping the wonderful sound people describe for it on headphones would equally apply on preamp output (because I love my desktop speakers & use them constantly). The clear winner in my current setup at this dual/good-sound trick is the Violectric V281.

why don't you adjust the volume remotely in the digital field instead of in the analog field? it is certainly cheaper, I know it lowers the resolution but, that is what I do. otherwise there is a physically adjusting knob thing via bluetooth and an app, no? it has a motor and a rubber band and it moves the knob remotely. any knob you want. do not have the link for that unfortunately.

 

[Pharmaboy]

why don't you adjust the volume remotely in the digital field instead of in the analog field? it is certainly cheaper, I know it lowers the resolution but, that is what I do. otherwise there is a physically adjusting knob thing via bluetooth and an app, no? it has a motor and a rubber band and it moves the knob remotely. any knob you want. do not have the link for that unfortunately.

Never heard of any bluetooth knob...is that for real?

I stopped adjusting volume via digital/onscreen controls years ago. The reduction in resolution was audible and unwelcome (I spend good $$ for resolution in gear, thus reluctant to give it away for convenience). Also, each program typically has its own digital controls w/rather different noise floors & setpoints. I got some real "volume surprises" bouncing between apps.

 

[Lolito]

Yes, it was a physical motorized potentiometer, with a rubber band, like a bicycle chain, like a turntable with external motor, that moves the actual knob in your preamp... very neat. A friend showed it to me years back, can't find it anymore.

You certainly need something with a remote, the Burson maybe is good for you? 400$ extra though.