looking for a cheap Chi-Fi Class D Stereo amplifier for a 2.1 bookshelf setup

[Bunn999]

Require at least 150 watts at 8ohms chi-fi amp, which one of these brands offer good quality parts & value, topping, fosi audio, smsl, or others.
Speakers are Esoteric MG - 10 for a small office setup.
Cost under 25k.

 

[DB1989]

Require at least 150 watts at 8ohms chi-fi amp, which one of these brands offer good quality parts & value, topping, fosi audio, smsl, or others.
Speakers are Esoteric MG - 10 for a small office setup.
Cost under 25k.

You want to look at SMSL. It offers the best bang for buck and has the SQ to back it. Fosi is a bit crude and needs a good preamp. Aiyima T10 is also quite decent if you want something serviceable at half the price of an SMSL.

 

[Bunn999]

And where does topping stand in the lineup ?

 

[DB1989]

And where does topping stand in the lineup ?

never bothered with Topping bcuz most users were not satisfied with their units from what I weaned over time on this forum and from reviews.

 

[Bunn999]

compared to the rated power off 300W @4ohms the ASR bench test revels a mere 140w @4ohms max power.

 

[MaSh]

Get the fosi za3. Really good amp. You can tailor the sound to your tastes by swapping opamps. Can add the fosi P3 tube pre or the ZP3 balanced preamp

MaSh

 

[DB1989]

compared to the rated power off 300W @4ohms the ASR bench test revels a mere 140w @4ohms max power.

Never knew 140w equated to “mere”. But generally speaking, none of these amps truly achieve their fully rated power and the ones that do are at 10% THD. In any case, it would be nearly unreasonable, unless they hadn’t claimed so, to expect 300W x 2 from that tiny a form factor.

The Marantz M1 i use produces a solid continuous 100W x 2 @ 8 ohms <0.05% THD but it is nearly 4 times the size of the V3 despite being a compact Class D amp itself.

The Fosi ZA3 in monoblock config may be able to achieve 150w x 2 @ 8ohm but thats 26k and one too many wires.

Topping products should be able to achieve the rated power they advertise. Topping LA90 can do around 60w x 2 @ 8ohm but when switched to mono, its nearly 200. Same with Topping B200. Check them out but a word of caution - you’ll need two units of either to run stereo while achieving the desired power output.

 

[Bunn999]

I was supposed to get 300 watts, so that’s why I said “mere” in comparison.

 

[DB1989]

I was supposed to get 300 watts, so that’s why I said “mere” in comparison.

Those are the pitfalls with cheap Chi fi amps. I also run a Kinki Studio, which is also a Chi Fi amp and weighs the better part of 25 kilos, and it only produces around 280W @ 4ohm. Two units of Fosi ZA3 in monoblock config is still your best bet but chasing power is meaningless so i recommend you look at the SMSL or the Aiyima T10, power figures be damned.