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:scratch:

[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 ;-)