There's a new kid in town that is receiving a lot of attention on the Web; the Fosi ZA3.
A direct answer from competitor Fosi to the Aiyima A07 MAX, the ZA3 is also stereo/mono switchable and uses the same TPA3255 Class D chipset. In addition, the ZA3 also has XLR inputs and is physically bigger than the A07 MAX; in fact it looks remarkably similar in spec and price to my Sabaj A10a 2022 amps, although they are based around a German-designed Infineon chip.
However, the initial 2000-unit production run of the ZA3 has sold out (probably to online reviewers) so if you want one (or two
) you will have to pre-order for the next batch shipping in March/April. Price is probably about 150 pounds per amp - for which you can get a pair of A07 MAX !
On the litttle Aiyima's in my downstairs rig - they are sounding incrementally a little better each day. There is a lovely rich and creamy midrange from these amps with the treble smoothing out nicely. Imaging and detail are incredible! Still a bit of artificial sheen overall and I'm missing deep bass extension. But they have only been in place for 3 days and it took the Sabaj amps a good 10 days to come on song. Chip-based hifi undergoes a process whereby the most-used pathways within the chips need time to, literally, burn-in and open up. This audibly improves the resulting sound quality - but it does take a while.
Initially I had them stacked but they felt rather warm, so I have put them one behind the other and they now feel cool even when running. Wiring is DH Labs Air Matrix interconnects (DAC => NVA P50 preamp => A07 amps) and Supra Classic 4.0 speaker cable. Running a €120 i/c into a €80 amp might seem like overkill but experience is showing me that this is a good way to get the best out of components.
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What in heaven's name (you might ask) has happened to hardcore NVA Fanboy Fret? Playing with strange toys after keeping the faith for 40 years - is he losing his religion and turning Japanese or something?
Well, yes and no. You will never hear anything but praise for NVA equipment from me - these amps are the basis from which I judge all other Hifi and the older and current models represent the absolute best that British audio has to offer. So there.
However - like Kipling's Elephant's Child - I am full of 'satiable curiosity and just like playing around with Hifi gear. Also a lack of infinite financial reserves means that I have to restrict my interests to the affordable (read: cheap) end of the spectrum so it is a process of sifting through the mud in search of the occasional gold nugget that might appear. Chinese Hi-fi, certainly at the moment, is a rich seam of bargains as companies strive against each other to produce great-sounding devices at low prices - from which we audio-nuts can benefit.
The bargain-hunter in me also gets extremely satisfied when such a 'hobby' purchase far exceeds expectations and gives high-end components a run for their money - see recent purchases like the SMSL M300se DAC. Okay, there are still clunkers and mistakes to be made - but Amazon has an excellent returns policy.
And the music - it's really all about the music innit? NVA amps are rather 'introvert' in that they create a space that invites you to step in and bathe in the music. Class D amplifiers are distinctly 'extrovert', pushing dynamics and detail right up close and personal. This enormous difference in presentation makes it actually quite impossible to compare the two experiences and it comes down to what you (or I) are wanting at the time of listening.
Maybe over a year I have had enough of instruments being shoved in my face and noticing that the third piccolo has just blown his nose in the middle of Mahler's 2nd symphony - maybe not. For the time being, I am thoroughly enjoying a fresh voyage into a new (and affordable) sonic universe, appreciating what new technology can bring and giving respect to the masters by whose qualities all others must be measured.
Rant over - as you were.