The discussion explores whether budget Class D amplifiers, specifically those using the TPA3255 chip, can genuinely compete with or outperform high-end audio equipment, analyzing key "high-end" criteria against the capabilities and limitations of these affordable devices.
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Chinese palms-sized amplifiers for €9
confidently claim we sound no worse than
high-end. On my channel, Premium Hi-Fi,
we've repeatedly stated that budget
Chinese amplifiers based on TPA 3255
chips are simply destroying the high-end
industry with the quality of their
sound. Is that really the case or are we
mistaken? Today, we're visiting Gar
Smiths. Guntas professionally designs
class D amplifiers, assembles them, and
ships them all over the world from his
website tcrust.com.
In addition, Gas has a YouTube channel
where he shares his experience in
building class D amplifiers,
measurements, and other audio
engineering tips. So, the topic of
today's discussion is, can a budget
class D amplifier based on the TPA 3255
outperform high-end equipment? Countas,
the floor is yours.
>> Well, I think that marketing today knows
no boundaries and it can claim all sorts
of things. But still, let's probably
clarify what we mean by the term
high-end. For example, if I ask you,
what is high-end? From my point of view,
high-end is very high quality expensive
equipment that's housed in a very
beautiful case. But often it doesn't
always relate to high quality sound. At
least as I understand it.
Well, when we said let's make a
recording and talk about high-end and
talk about the TPA 3255. I also asked a
question, what is high-end on the
internet? I found how it's defined,
let's say, by a professional because
high-end still has some kind of
definition. And my suggestion is this.
You'll read out the main principles of
high-end and we'll take a look at this
particular amplifier. Does it confirm or
High-end audio equipment is a premium
class of devices designed to achieve the
highest possible sound quality with
special attention to engineering
solutions, materials, and
specifications. The main goal is to
reproduce sound as close to the original
recording as possible with minimal
distortion and coloration.
So that's it. Keywords,
no compromises, good components, good ones,
a good case, everything is kind of there
and then it gets deployed. And let's go
through the points. read out the point
and I'll make a brief comment. Let's go
through each point and see if it matches
So key features number one sound quality
very low level of total harmonic
distortion distortion often less than 0.01%.
0.01%.
So the first thing is very low
distortion. Today almost any amplifier
has low distortion and this parameter 0.01
0.01
is what the most advanced studios ask
for. They don't require more than that.
If we take the TPA 3255, the
specification states 0.006.
Well, that's no problem at all.
>> That's even better.
>> That's theoretically better from a
marketing perspective. And yes, it's
with the next ones. So the first point matches.
matches.
>> So for the first point, high-end is
good. The second point is a wide dynamic
range and a high signal to noise ratio.
>> Well, you know, I'll ask the question,
what power supply came with this
amplifier? The key factor is voltage.
Either 365 5A or 4855A.
And I can check right now. I have the
power supply right here. So let's take
2 amps no 5 amps 32 volts
uh well anyone who knows ohm's law can
calculate what power we can get. So our
power supply is 32 volts multiply by 5
amps. Well divide by two, right? We have
150 watts
>> per channel.
>> Per channel here. A high dynamic range
is claimed. What does that mean? High
power. We have standard power. High
power, I would say, is 300 watts or
more. If it's ideal for home audio, so
you can listen to any floor standing
speaker. We need about 500 watts per
channel. and then it breathes easily and
everything works. So, it doesn't pass
the second point.
>> So, it's not high-end anymore because of
the power supply. They skimped on the
power supply.
>> They cut costs. Sure, you saved €9 or
dollars, but now it's not high-end.
Third point, accurate tonal balance and
natural tambber.
Well, basically they use good output
filters almost everywhere these days,
but only for one specific speaker impedance.
impedance.
Yes, we have either 8 ohms or 4 ohms.
But let's say there are designs that use
so-called post filter feedback or place
the feedback after the filter, then that
This amplifier specifically doesn't have
post filter feedback technology, but
many modern amplifiers based on the DPA 3255
3255
already use post filter feedback and
that means post filter.
>> So theoretically we can achieve this. So
specifically for $99, no, but for a
higher price it's possible. For a higher
price we can get good tonal balancing.
Fourth is clear localization of sound
because it uses a single chip, a good
chip, one lithographic process, and good
supporting components. No problem.
Uh-huh. Well, the only thing is if you
showed this amplifier again, you need to
pay attention to its quality.
>> The volume controls, the volume controls
are usually inexpensive here. >> Inexpensive.
>> Inexpensive.
>> Well, you can use an expensive one, too. Yes.
Yes.
>> All right. Uh, regarding my experience
listening to amplifiers on TPA 3255, I
can say that amplifiers that cost around
$200 already create a pretty solid sound
stage. And three or four sources of
sound, apparent sources of sound. So
basically, that's already high-end, but
for $99,
well, it won't create much.
>> This point is met. This is component selection.
selection.
Let's move on to the second probably
paragraph section. Build quality. The
use of premium materials for example
oxygen-free copper high quality
capacitors. So what does marketing do?
Marketing says we have niticon
capacitors. Why? Because everyone knows
them. There are many other capacitors.
There are resistors. And if you look at
it properly, I think they use the lowest
grade components. Otherwise, you can't
make that kind of price.
And another question is whether they use
components from such good manufacturers
But overall, everything works. Overall,
everything works. All right. But there
are even amplifiers. Here's one of the
latest ones which we have a review of on
our channel. It's the Doc Audio Ampa D1.
Inside are Rubicon capacitors.
>> They're good.
>> They're good. Yeah.
>> But mostly what do the Chinese do? Uh
the Chinese know their market and they
know that if you mention a Rubicon
capacitor, everything will be fine. But
nobody talks about what kind of
resistors or capacitors are actually
used there. The whole hi-fi world knows
Rubicon. Yes, everything is correct
there. But basically, you need to be
careful with that.
The best way is when you buy all the
components for such a development from
authorized distributors who work with
the manufacturers because then you can
be sure that all of them have passed
this quality control. Each component has
a parameter called meanantime between
failure, the time until a failure
occurs. And by knowing how many
components you have, you can basically
calculate statistically when it will
break down approximately.
Of course, this doesn't rule out
Murphy's law, but overall you can
All right, the next point number three
is a rigid case for vibration
suppression. Well, the case is rigid,
but does it suppress vibrations, Gars?
Does it really?
>> Well, let's put it this way. In my
opinion, the case is very good. Very
good. Yes. I would say it's a high-end
case. It's solid, powerful, good,
beautiful, anodized, top level. The case
is very good. There's a TPA 3255 chip
inside, but at $99, they must have cut
cost somewhere. All right. Okay. The
final point about build quality is
excellent thermal management for
durability. There are holes on the sides
here. That's probably for thermal
management. Well, what do you think? At
full power, the full power of the TPA 3255,
3255,
if everything is set up correctly, can
actually deliver 250 W per channel clean.
clean.
>> Well, with this power supply, I think
we're not risking anything. No, but if
we're talking about high-end with this,
we're not taking any risks. But we don't
have enough dynamic range. There's no
power. So, we failed there. This case is
fine. But if we wanted to make high-end,
we need more power. So, in terms of
design, this kind of construction can't
produce high power in any way.
>> So, I'm already starting.
>> No options. So, I'm starting to conclude
that theoretically the TPA 3255 placed
in a quality case with good components
and powerful power supply is basically a
No, not in terms of heat. Then you need
to use a different architecture. Uh all
these little boxes that come from China,
absolutely all of them are too small to
be properly cooled. But we need to
calculate. So, the chip itself has 2 1/2
watts of pure losses.
Just the heat and the circuitry are
about the same, 5 watts of pure heat.
And so, you installed it and this heat
doesn't go anywhere. It only cools
passively through the case.
But if you put this box like this,
right, we get an airdraft and then it
starts to work and heat up properly. So
I would make this kind of amplifier with
a stand and set it up like this and then
it works. If you set it like this,
that's it. It doesn't work. So the
design is good. Everything is done
right. But you need to set it up
vertically. Guys, take note of this. All
right, let's move on to the next point. [music]
So the third paragraph is the philosophy
of design.
Uh discrete components are often used
instead of integrated circuits for
better control. I don't know what
discrete components are, but that's why
we have gas.
>> Well, that's it.
That's marketing. Yeah. Everyone who
works with electronics knows that if you
make integrated circuits, they're more
precise. The process is repeatable. All
the components inside are made with a
single lithographic process and with
proper quality control. Today integrated
circuits are better than discrete
components except in cases where we
can't cool them if you put too many
powerful transistors in one package.
It's impossible to cool them and then it
overheats in certain spots just like
with discrete components. But basically
this point
I don't agree with this point. Uh-huh.
Okay. But by the way, this point is
often used by those who say, "We'll put
a discrete operational amplifier here,
buy it for €30, and replace it." From an
engineer's point of view, this is
But on the other hand, you have the
opportunity to change the operational
amplifier and influence the character of
the sound and fall into the illusion
that the sound is changing. But
actually, no. Because everything that
changes can be seen on the oscilloscope.
Absolutely everything. There's no such
thing as you put something in and
nothing changed on the oscilloscope. If
you hear it differently, well, that's
unlikely. Our hearing is actually poor.
Your cat definitely thinks you're
completely hearing impaired.
And let's say when I was young, I
measured my hearing and I could hear up
to about 18, 18 and a half. I recently
measured it 14 kHz max.
>> I also have a maximum of 14.
>> Yes. And many of our listeners are also
Yes. So that's how it is with our
hearing. And 14 at our age is if we take
care of our hearing. And if we work with
a tremer at the dhaer or in the garden
and don't use headphones that protect
our hearing or if we work with a
chainsaw or work in a noisy factory, 8
to 10 kHz is our maximum.
>> And if you're a professional musician,
it's the same thing.
>> Yes, a loud stage of course doesn't
The next point is linear power supplies
or advanced switching circuits with
ultra low noise.
It's important I would say that nowadays
linear power supplies are outdated.
Mostly they're outdated. And why is
that? Because there's a large
transformer. It has a lot of windings.
Windings well of a modern good linear
transformer. For for the power
amplifier, first of all, it's big. It
has to handle power. It has a primary
winding. There's a lot there. And
there's this resistive resistance and
there's a secondary one. And when we
have such a big base, the resistance is
high. It sags like that. Yes, our base
gets dampened or you have to use a very
large transformer which is expensive and
heavy and use a lot of large capacitors.
And basically there was a necessity in
the past because of class AB it had high
losses. So you had to use something with
low losses. A large transformer has an
efficiency of 96 to 98% even if it's
bigger and so on.
But today, well, what do you think? How
much power can this unit actually deliver?
deliver?
>> I think it's similar to what we have
here. Two units each delivering about
100 to 150 W.
>> No, this one is good.
>> This one is good.
>> This one is good and can deliver 450 W.
450 watts for two channels, right?
>> Yes. And it has a phase corrector.
Yes. That's required for powerful power
supplies. So, it uses all the power from
the main 220 correctly.
And it's a resonant type, which means it
changes the frequency and controls the
voltage at the output. It always has a
sin wave since the resonant current
through the transformer is also
senosoidal. So, it has low noise. This
is the best architecture for it.
Chip power amplifiers, especially ones
like these. Well, a power amplifier, a
power supply unit, that's when it works
at full capacity.
>> So, if we take it Well, okay. And how
much does a high quality power supply of
this type for a TPA 3255 cost? What do
you think? How much could it cost?
>> What do you think? How much could it
cost in your opinion?
>> It looks quite high quality and
expensive. I think it will cost at least €150.
€150.
>> It costs €35 with delivery.
>> €35 is a very cheap price.
>> Why is it cheap? Because it's made by a
manufacturer that produces them on a
huge scale.
>> Yes, it's not for an amplifier. It's
just for dedication, but it's built with
such an architecture that it can deliver
a peak for 3 or 4 seconds. Those 450
watts, 4 seconds is a very long time.
It works completely and doesn't overheat
This is another advantage of this
amplifier that there is such a unit and
it's produced in huge quantities.
>> If we replace this with that then we
fulfill one point regarding the power supply
supply
>> and the amplifier is also approaching
cooling. But will we put it sideways?
Well, I have to take a look at it there.
We need to experiment whether it will
cool down or not. Yes. Okay. Okay. I
think in principle it could and might
The next point is the minimum length of
the signal path for the sound frequency.
Basically, I agree, especially
considering that amplifiers are reaching
a point where well, making them any
better is going to be very difficult.
It's complete. So, this amplifier will
work as long as it functions and you
don't need anything else.
But when it comes to the pre-amplifier,
the streamer, and the digital to analog
converters, they're constantly changing
and improving. New chips are getting
better and as for Bluetooth, it's always
evolving. I would say that this is a
very proper architecture. So, we have a
very simple, powerful, highquality,
high-end amplifier. It just sits there
while we change and most importantly
invest in the pre-amplifier and the
streamer. Well, there are different
variations and we also have speakers.
>> The source and the speakers.
>> The source. The speakers, right?
>> [music]
>> Let's move on to the fourth paragraph.
Amplification high current for working
with demanding speaker systems. Well,
we'll take it apart again. High current
probably about that. So, those who have
looked at the chip itself, it can be
used in three modes, but I will only
talk about two.
You can take a single chip and connect
it in a bridge configuration to get two
stereo channels. In that case, this
amplifier will work well with four ohms,
but even better with eight. It also has
a different architecture. If you put two
chips here, which isn't expensive, and
connect them in a bridge configuration,
no, in a parallel bridge configuration,
then it can work with a 2 ohm load, and
then 4 ohms is easy for it. If you have
a bad crossover that's barely working,
let's say, and its resistance drops in a
certain range down to 2 and a half, it
will still play just fine. The next
point is stable operation with different
loads. It it's essentially the same as
what I just explained. Stable operation
with varying loads is the same as high current.
current.
>> Class A or quality AB circuits are
commonly used. Modern class D solutions
such as IC power, Hypex and Core are
also recognized in the high-end segment.
Well, we're now getting to the point
where, well, class A is like a steam
engine. And I don't even consider class
A as an amplifier at all. If enthusiasts
like it, sure. But when we talked about
having a high dynamic range, that's
about power. Just imagine what would
happen with class A. And if it's a 300
watt class A, it's like 60 kg per channel.
Maybe per channel. I don't know. Yeah,
it's very heavy, very big, almost like a
tube amp. So, class A is a separate
niche. I wouldn't say it fits high-end,
it fits marketing.
>> To marketing, if someone likes riding a
steam locomotive instead of an electric
train, well, go ahead. No one is
stopping them.
>> And there are a lot of legends that
nothing sounds like class A. No, Class A
has problems with base and it has
temperature issues.
There are problems with durability,
problems everywhere. There's a problem
with power consumption and so on and so
on. No, not class A. Modern classAB
amplifiers are good. Class AB is preferable.
preferable.
The biggest problem is that with power
above 150, the cost increases sharply,
sharply, objectively, the cost and
weight go up. And it turns out that we
once again fail to meet the dynamic
range requirement. And now the most
But they've reached the point where
they're better than what a person can
hear. They exceed all of these limits.
They work very well with pulses, power
supplies, weight, size, everything is
decreasing. And it turns out that in the
future, 90% of high-end amplifiers will
be class D.
Yes, they will have good power, good
components, good filters, good chips,
good manufacturers. They will all be
class D. If not today, then tomorrow or
within 5 to seven years. That's it. [music]
[music]
Let's move on to the fifth paragraph.
Connections and functionality. Balanced
inputs, outputs, and XLR. But right
away, no, there is no XLR here. Yes,
it's a compromise since there's no room
in such a small box. Well, XLR is a
good, reliable, proven, high quality connector
and it's used in all studios and
everywhere as well as balanced inputs
too. You can make hybrid connections.
You can also use professional equipment
to some extent. Sometimes I think it's
about compatibility. This is also
important for high-end equipment. With
high-end equipment, I can connect any
device easily. But here, it's like this.
And these are too thick. They're packed
too tightly here. If I put them in,
they'll be too thick and won't fit. It's
a compromise. What can you do? Well, by
the way, okay, this option costs $99.
And there are, for example, IMA 80
amplifiers that cost around $200. They
already have XLR. I think the dog audio
papa D1 at $169
also has XLR.
>> Well, they're closer. Yes. The specific
data is that well their box is a bit bigger.
bigger.
>> Of course, it's bigger and definitely
thicker, too.
>> That means expenses for mail for logistics.
logistics.
>> Higher. Higher. But the price is twice
as high.
>> Well, not 99 at most 99. So, there must
be a compromise. And there is. >> [music]
>> Sometimes a modular upgrade design.
No way here.
>> At this price, we throw it away.
>> If something has changed in this world,
if something better has appeared, that's
it right away.
>> Yes, but let's be honest, there will be
a few more points here. So, if we sell
so we save on service.
If you bring it in for repairs, I won't
even send it in. If it burns out, then
everything goes straight to recycling.
It's pointless otherwise.
>> Even if you buy it, it'll burn out on
the first day. And you'll write it off
as an experiment. Yeah, you won't bother.
bother.
>> I won't bother emailing anyone like,
"Guys, my $99 amplifier burned out
because it's pointless and a waste of time."
time."
>> What can the manufacturer do in general?
It should work. I can save money on
quality control at the factory. I can
save on a lot of things. If it works,
great. If not, you'll toss it and I have
no risk. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
so I can't do that.
>> No, there must be a maintenance service center.
center.
>> Absolutely. And that's an important thing.
thing. $90
$90
for developed countries. Of course,
that's pocket change in terms of risk. I
can buy it, play around with it, and
throw it away. But if I buy something
for 1,500, I expect to have a warranty.
>> It'll work for 20 years.
>> It'll work for 20 years.
>> If something breaks, they'll replace it.
>> Yeah. The volume won't start creaking in
6 months, and so on and so on. That's
the difference between high-end and a
contender for high-end. a strong
high-end contender. Hey, that is well said.
All right, the sixth and final point is
price and exclusivity. Usually the high
cost is due to hand assembly and
When we're looking for the very best,
well, the very best will always be
relatively expensive.
And here we need to talk about well from
a business perspective if we take all
the people and the entire market let's
say high-end we'll look at those whose
annual income is about $100,000
and above.
Those whose annual income is a million
will be there. Guys, I need it.
>> Bring me two class A monolocks, please.
And I'll connect them and heat my house
with them.
>> No, he'll say bring it. I want to listen
to really good music, but that's all I
need. They'll show him and present
several options.
Well, then this one, yeah, it's a
completely different business there, but
the one who has a h 100,000 there, well,
a 100,000 is a good salary. That's an
educated, smart person in the West. Not
everyone. Yes,
that person will choose for himself. He
will watch at the very least. He has a
serious mind. He will also talk and he
also expects a relationship. He also
expects it what you said for him. It
will sound like you ask the right
questions. If I want to buy, everyone
will ask, "What kind of room do you have?"
have?"
This kind and that kind. How do you
watch? Well, I like to watch television
in the evening and sometimes listen at
the same time. Yes. One scenario. I
want, I don't know, to drink whiskey
once every two months, but I want it to
sound good for me. Yeah. >> Mindblowing.
>> Mindblowing.
>> Mindblowing. Right. The question of
whether you need to do a major
renovation in the room or not is
important because you can set everything
up and install it without a major
renovation. But we're choosing the right
equipment. Yes. All right.
So, no one here talks to you about
high-end. You find it yourself.
>> Something shaking over there.
>> No, it's not shaking. It's it's it's
those twist on connectors. Yeah.
Everything's fine there. Well, all
right. That's a good specimen, by the
way. A very good one in my opinion.
Yeah, it sounds pretty good. Quite good
for this price for $99. So, it's a good
little device. They're often released in
small batches or by boutique brands.
That's where the price comes from. What
is the price made of? It's made up.
Either you have a well polished design
that's produced in hundreds of thousands
and then you get a good price and a good
device or it's very beautiful.
Everything is carefully selected and so
on and so forth. If it's made in small
amounts, it will always be expensive.
All right, good. I found it very
interesting, guys. So, leave your
comments about what you think of the TPA
3255 and how the TPA 3255 is destroying
high-end. And now I want to ask Gar,
Gar, what kind of amps do you make and
what are they?
>> Well, I guess we need to look a little
into the past. When the first class D
amplifier designs appeared, we together
with two engineers also developed our
own class D amplifier at an early stage.
And it was good. But back then the
technology hadn't advanced that far yet.
Many components weren't available, but
Well, it gave us well, it gave us the
opportunity to gain basic knowledge to
evaluate the solutions that exist today.
Today, my business model is actually
making kits for those who want to build
something exceptionally good, but using
ready-made modules. I'm a system
integrator today because it's impossible
to beat companies like Ice Power or Purify,
Hypex. It's impossible. They had major
investments. If at the moment when we
started developing we had someone to
support us with uh investments we would
have been there too
but everything has its time. So at that
moment we didn't have it but now I make
different amplifiers for various
applications and I also work as a blogger.
Well what can I show you? Basically I
make let's say kits. Here is an
assembled kit like this. You buy a good
ice power unit, connect it to the
connector, and you have everything
except the case. The case is quite
decent and lightweight. You have an
almost high-end amplifier, but let's say
it doesn't match a high-end amplifier in
terms of, for example, an exclusive case.
case. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> But because of that, you save a lot of
money and so on.
>> So, the sound will be high-end, but the
case will be simple.
>> Yes. But there's a fairly large niche of
people who already have high-end.
[clears throat] It often happens that
they already have high-end, but they had
their first speakers, then they bought
others, now they have better ones, and
the old ones are just sitting somewhere,
so they buy. They want to have a good
amplifier for that. They basically have
two sets of electronics.
Then there are different engineers. No,
not just engineers. There are those who
are really interested but they're not specialists
specialists
because even such basic things as connectors
to make them you need a whole set of
specific tools
not just one I would say 15 there are a
lot of different types
there are options with a fan without but
that's another story what else in the
future I believe that the quality of
amplifiers today is so good that the
only real issue lies with the speaker system.
Well, there are two options there.
There's a passive filter. It's
necessary, but it's not good if there's
some way to get rid of it. Even existing
speakers can sound a little better. But
multi- channelannel amplifiers are from
It's very good in terms of quality, but
it lacks power. Well, that's always the
case. Power for one amplifier, it should
be close to 500 watt. Just so you
understand, if you feel that 100 watts
is a bit lacking, the relationship there
is logarithmic.
That means
if you want to double the sound pressure
or the volume as we say, you need four
If 100 wasn't enough, you need 400. If
you have 100 and 200, well, it will seem
about the same.
>> Yes, doubling the sound pressure is plus
6 dB.
>> Yes, but that's a lot. >> Yes.
>> Yes.
In this regard, 500 watts of power is
optimal in any room. Such a three-way
floor standing speaker will sound
absolutely perfect, even at low volume,
which is very important.
>> Yes. And the lower the volume, the more
headroom you get. It will drive it
easily and sound great. Well, here I
completely agree. When I experimented
with small bookshelf speakers and weak
10 watt amplifiers, we used that
It seems like everything is fine. It
seems like it plays and you can hear it,
but you always want to turn the volume
knob to the second or third level
because you can't hear the bass. You
can't hear the highs. Our ears aren't
flawless. As Gar said, we hear low
frequencies very poorly at low volume
and high frequencies very poorly at low
volume. And we only start to hear
normally when the sound pressure reaches
90 dB. That's quite loud. Right now, as
I'm talking with Gars, the noise level
here is about 70 dB. 60 60 70. Well,
there are peaks up to 70. Let's put it
that way. Yes. Yes. Something like that.
So, just imagine how much power an
amplifier needs to handle all that
volume up to 90 dB with good quality.
Well, that's why this volume knob should
be logarithmic.
Otherwise, when we turn it, the volume
increases linearly. If you use a linear
one, at first there's nothing, then
suddenly it's a lot. We hear logarithmically.
>> Logarithmically.
>> Logarithmically. Yes. And pressure is
the same way. People often tell me, I
have a 100 W speaker here. I'll put a
400 W amplifier on it. Everything will
burn out. The difference is that this
parameter, which is called 100 W, is
root mean square. It's a thermal
parameter and the difference between a
sine wave and a normal audio signal has
a crest factor of eight. Uh that's in
terms of temperature. So my 100 watt can
steadily handle 800 W. Yes, it will
distort but it won't burn out under any circumstances.
circumstances.
400 watts is the absolute minimum. And
with these 400 watts, that's why I'll
say that the TPA 3255 doesn't cut it for high-end.
high-end.
>> And what if we connect two in parallel
bridge mode?
There are speakers that have two coils.
because we send each channel to a coil
from each channel. That's when it'll
really play. Yeah. But those are
specific cases. If we're talking about
development level, then yes,
he's good. He's good. I have a whole
range. The Chinese are trying. They have
what's called agile. They're doing
something and sometimes it works out. Uh
I picked out all these blocks, the ones
that more or less work, but each of them
has a little flaw. Why? Well, there
could be two strategies. Like I said, we
invest a lot in development and that
costs money, but then you get a polished
great product or we save a bit on
development. And so, for example, they
made it so you can adjust not the
volume, but the sensitivity, but again,
it's not quite finished, just a little
bit unfinished. If you set it to maximum
sensitivity, everything is fine. If you
lower it, that means there's a problem
with voltage stabilization and
adjustment here. They miscalculated a
little bit. Yeah, something slips
through a bit. You can use it, but it
needs some work. They made an excellent
unit here. Everything was done very
well. The bipolar power supply sounds
good here, but in terms of temperature,
this is where I made improvements. You
see, they put these little washes kind
of by feel, but then it doesn't hold firmly.
firmly.
I had a block like that. It exploded
because if it's not placed tightly
against the chip, it doesn't get cooled.
And then it burned out with an
explosion. Wow. I couldn't even fix it
Those boards are too expensive. They
cost €30. So, I'd need to work on them
for a week to fix it. And I thought
about what I could do with these blocks.
Different kinds of things.
Well, it's impossible to compete with
the Chinese just for one reason.
Logistics. They have government
subsidized logistics. Any inexpensive
segment like that is immediately killed
off by everyone.
And I came up with the idea that I would
sell them as warehouse sellout for those
that are basically drafts. I'll sell a
box with a good tested block if anyone
wants it. Usually they use things like
this. Someone with expensive equipment
gets approached and they say, "This
sounds almost like yours." If you put in
a good power supply and it gives out 2*
250, that's 2 * 250. Honestly,
Honestly,
and this power, it plays some kind of
mystical role. If you compare it to a
100 watt amplifier, it loses. Power
matters a lot. It loses. This amplifier
looks beautiful inside.
so that it holds firmly with two screws.
Pay attention. What a beauty. This is a
good one. This is one of the best
Chinese amplifiers currently available
today. It's relatively inexpensive, has
good power, easy to assemble, and it
>> Interesting.
But as you ask, what does a 500 watt a
proper 500 W amplifier look like? What
do the Chinese write? They say this one
is 2 * 300.
>> 2 by 300? Well, that's a running joke in
China. So, there's that.
>> No, in theory, it can only put out at 4
ohms and 2x 250. But this one can put
It should look like this. Just look at
the size of its components, the size of
the filters, the size of everything. But
this one is honest. It's an industrial
unit, the kind that's made for
professionals. And there's a difference.
Well, there's really nothing to compare
here. So, let's not be so easily fooled
Well, you always want to save some
money. So, high-end is good. High-end
doesn't do that. If it has certain
specs, it definitely meets them.
>> High-end has a problem, too. Gars, you
listed all the specs, but with high-end
specs are never shared. Just claims like
uncompromising solution, super sound.
How are you supposed to understand that?
Great job. Six sections with specs, and
it's clear what to focus on.
>> Uh, well, those specs exist somewhere. I
think the seller definitely has them.
Um, the one who makes high-end gives you
this big box. Uh, he must have the
specs. It can't be otherwise.
>> Well, okay. I'm sure they exist. and
those who manufacture really do have
them, but for those who buy, it's not
quite clear. So, is there something to
look at like a list, six paragraphs? I
don't think so. And there's no standard.
There's no standard. Well, I would say
really anyone who wants good sound needs
to find it themselves.
A specialist.
How do you tell a specialist from a non-speist?
A specialist doesn't need to prove
anything to anyone. He gets into your
problem and thinks. He doesn't throw
around parameters or measurements. He
doesn't immediately say that your
apartment needs to be remodeled or that
nothing will sound right. That's not
true. If everything is set up correctly
and arranged properly, you can get very
good sound even in a standard fivestory
building. If you find such a specialist,
you can immediately tell because he
He gets into your problems and thinks.
He thinks about how to solve them in the
best possible way. He usually doesn't
suggest the priciest option.
He offers a certain optimal compromise,
>> an optimal solution. He doesn't badmouth
others who have produced something or I
don't know say that some company is all
some bad word. He never says things like
that because first of all it's not true.
And today I can say that musical
equipment sound equipment is good for everyone.
If you look closely uh I have one
channel where I watch Aaron Sondo who
especially talks about different
acoustic systems. He has purchased a
very expensive system for measurements.
>> Yes, he has a very expensive system for
measurements. But if you do such an
average measurement,
honestly, every reputable brand and
manufacturer has different categories
and columns.
You could say they sound the same. Yes,
maybe a little bit here, a little bit
there. Yeah, there are classes. There
are classes like a three-way floor
speaker or a two-way. There's a little
difference here and there. There's this
kind of tweeter, that kind of tweeter,
something different. But overall, there
really aren't any bad solutions.
>> I agree with that. Most modern hi-fi
equipment, amplifiers, DAXs, optical
systems, headphones sounds good. The
question is, which of these sounds will
suit your taste more?
Someone once asked me, what equipment
should I choose? Do I need high-end gear
or which speaker should I pick? I would
say you should choose a speaker that
touches some primitive essence inside you.
you.
And if you listen to music and there's a
nice round base, it's powerful enough,
clean, and so on.
When you feel energy pouring into you,
everything is right. And don't listen to
those who say they're too close to the
wall or a little farther from the wall.
If in that place this inner essence
touches you, you have the right
acoustics. If someone says it's the
wrong music, forget it.
>> The most important thing is that you
like it.
>> That's the most important thing. Yes,
that it touches you. Not just that you
like it, but that it touches you. That
it hooks you. Hooks you. Yes, that it
hooks you. Well, so guys, a huge thanks
to Gas for such an interesting talk
about amplifiers, about the parameters
you need to pay attention to when
choosing an amplifier. Thank you. I'll
put a link to these parameters in the
description for you. So, that's all for
now. Come visit us in Ria and may the
force of the right sound for you be with
you. Thank you, Gars.
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