hifimediy.com

[Dauntless]

Just come across this site offering a full digital amp ( not Class D ) named UPD80 USB + SPDIF Digital Amp. It would appear to be a 'power dac' offering 80w per channel into 8 ohms offered either as a DIY kit or a finished product. The finished amp is priced @ £85.79 and the power supply @ £54.31 built in China of course. Myself , I'm no DIY''er and I wonder if some of you experienced guys could run your eyes over this site and give some evaluation? Is it likely to go bang I ask myself and what would your expectations be regarding sound quality. Cheers guys

[walpurgis]

Is it digital input or analogue? If it's analogue and the amp operates digitally, it would need a CAD at the front end. Stands to reason there's a DAC in it to produce an analogue output to the speakers, presumably it needs an analogue power amp section too. Maybe it's just got a digital pre-amp stage. Could be interesting. Post a link.

[struth]

Ive had one of their dacs... still got it actually. Build quality is poor but its cheap. a sabre chip inside and sounded good. That amp looks pretty crappy for the money imo, and I would be inclined to avoid it tbh. Also doubt very much its 80 watt

[struth]

http://hifimediy.com/upd80-usb-spdif-digital-amplifier

Is it digital input or analogue? If it's analogue and the amp operates digitally, it would need a CAD at the front end. Stands to reason there's a DAC in it to produce an analogue output to the speakers, presumably it needs an analogue power amp section too. Maybe it's just got a digital pre-amp stage. Could be interesting. Post a link.

[Mark Grant]

Looks interesting doesn't it.

Who is going to be the first to buy one

Looking at the voltage requirements an old laptop PSU could probably be used to power it to save buying one for a start then try a better PSU later.

[danilo]

Chi Fi is Always a risky buy.
Has been for me. But the Lure of "cheap" gets a LOT of us.

[RichB]

I bought one of their sabre USB dacs and a separate psu a couple of years ago.

Sounds very natural and the build quality fine for the money. I've not heard their amps.

[5acan]

Does anyone tried it?

[5acan]

OK I did, I own one since few weeks.
As power supply is crucial, I use a regulated 24v one (specs are from 12 to 36), same price as amp ;-)

First of all I can't find the aggressive high I found in other fully digital amp. And those bass.....waow.
This amp makes T-Amp or D-Amp sounds muddy, sound is so clear without harshness.

The only limiting is the inputs, optical or USB...personally I used with my MacBook, so it's fine.
If you're oldschool AES/BEU or RCA 75.....not sure how to manage.

My bet a bi-amping with those using a optical splitter must be funny.

Tempted to order a second one ;-)