[kartik]

So, I managed to get the otherwise exorbitant Sharp sm-sx1 integrated digital amplifier for about $200. I was planning to use its upsampling A/D/D/A converter to upsample my redbook to the 2.8Mhz/1-bit level and then, use the RCA output from the amp to my headphone amplifier. I am hoping that I will be able to improve the quality of the output from my lofi source. What do you guys think?
Can't stop grinning anyway because this amp currently retails for GBP 3299 at kelkoo.com and the lowest price on the net is $2685. I still think it's a killer deal to get it for $200 from the manufacturer with full warranty.

 

[peter braun]

Well, that is quite a deal.

 

[HappymaN]

How'd you manage such a amazing price?

 

[kartik]

No idea how I snagged the deal. Just lucky, i guess. there are still 2 amps for sale and the prices are rising. on 7/18 these were available for $153, today I paid 212.50. Get in on the bull market while the stocks last.

 

[Gallaine]

Quote:

Originally posted by kartik No idea how I snagged the deal. Just lucky, i guess. there are still 2 amps for sale and the prices are rising. on 7/18 these were available for $153, today I paid 212.50. Get in on the bull market while the stocks last.

Care to PM me and let me in on the secret of where exactly that "stock market" is?

BTW, Congratulations on a great deal!

 

[kartik]

link for anyone interested:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...rt&query=smsx1

 

[kartik]

Oh, and BTW, the MSRP listed by sharp as $999 is misleading. As it turns out the MSRP on all their home theater systems is listed as $999, which is clearly incorrect.

 

[eric343]

Nice price, though I wish I could read some reviews of the amp (buying it would be stretchingn my budget. A lot.)

 

[kartik]

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...em-2-2002.html
http://www.audiovideointeriors.com/a...atures01.shtml
http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/review_read.asp?ID=1081

Here are the links to 3 decent reviews

 

[kartik]

How about using this for K1000s. This upsamples to 2.8 MHz and is supposed to be completely transparent. The only point everyone is quibbling about(on the reviews) is its lack of power. The 50 W/ch output should be enough for a pair of K1000s.

 

[jb4555]

how do you think this would fair as a headphone amp? I would use just source to amp to and out to phones through the analog out. I have never had a headphone amp before and am in the market for one, so this deal really caught my eye.

 

[kartik]

Grab one before they spiral out of everyines reach (pricewise)! The last one I saw now went for 307.

 

[kartik]

Grab one before they spiral out of everyines reach (pricewise)! The last one I saw now went for 307.

 

[orl2222]

Don't see why it can't be used as a headphone amp. you could diy yourself a headphone jack to the front, or get this adaptor:http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=42%2D2548

or a higher quality one, or get a Diyer here on the forum to add a stepped volume ,might be the bargin for a solid state amp with up sampling....

 

[kartik]

I just got it. I have hooked it up in reverse. i.e. I am using it only as an upsampling DAC. I connected the source to the analogue in and the analogue output to the headphone amp. It sounds great. The sucky source sound has far more integrity through this DAC rather than falling apart like it used to. It is a good deal. I reiterate, grab one you won't regret it.