S.M.S.L DA-9 Bluetooth 5.0 NJW1194 Hi-Res Audio Power Amplifier

Level entry da mas de lo que se espera

Based on the very high performance ratio compared to its low price, I am easily awarding this DA-9 the full 5 stars - please read on.Like many other Hi-Fi enthusiasts or Audiophiles, who periodically tend to look for great deals (read "inexpensive") in audio equipment, I was also seeking to experience a bit of audio nirvana without having to spend the extra bucks to achieve that status.Over the past few months (as of this writing) I've read (or watched) a dozen or so reviews on this SMSL DA-9 class D power amp and all were very positive on it - and even some very picky Audiophiles have sung its praises. Having read all of this, I pulled the trigger on one and ordered it here on Amazon. It took approximately 10–14 days for it to arrive from China.It arrived in a very, very nice product box - and not that usual generic box that most Chinese-made class D amps may arrive in. In opening the box, I was gratified to see a very well-made amplifier that had a small size, yet had quite a bit of heft to it. The power supply is built in, so you won't have to worry about having to attach a huge brick of a switching power supply.The menu system is quite simple, and I won't get into that because much has been written about this amp in a variety of print and video reviews.My connections and music listening were conducted using XLR balanced cables. Since all of my input audio components (DAC, Turntable, etc.) only had unbalanced outputs, I had to use a Radial Engineering DI (Direct Injection) box to convert regular unbalanced signals into balanced versions (everyone should have one of these DI boxes because they can perform miracles converting regular audio signals into balanced ones, but that's the subject of another review).As an aside, my review on that DI box here:https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RSHY5ILN83WUW/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00VKSUGXMReturning to the DA9 - so, how does the DA9 sound? After all, isn't that the end game in all of our audio purchases? As an Audiophile, I was looking for one specific thing and that is, "Can I close my eyes and feel like I'm listening to a live performance with this amp in the music chain - and does the music affect me emotionally (immersive)?" Well, the answer here with regard to the DA9 is, "to a large degree, YES"As many of you may (or may not) know, there are a wealth of Asian-made class D amps on the market, and it can be mind-boggling trying to determine which one to get. Although class D amplifiers are relatively inexpensive (with a few expensive versions out there are made in the US and Europe), the overall sound signature (even when warmed up) tends to be a bit 2-dimensional with a dry, sterile-like, cool tonality to them (for the most part). What is interesting here is that I discovered - having used several SMSL amplifiers (from their inexpensive, sub-$100 model A100 to the more expensive SA400, and the new DA9) - that their sound signatures are quite similar. Bass is always exemplary with the DA9 (and other SMSL models), and in some cases, I had to turn my subwoofer volume back quite a few clicks because the bass was overly pronounced, but that was in my particular desk-top environment. Mids and highs are quite smooth also.When you're listening to good audio components (regardless of price), a musical performance should showcase the accurate timbre of each instrument being used. The ambience (sound characteristics) of a particular venue would be effectively relayed to the listener. There should be a feeling of air around the instruments, with each performer being precisely located in a 3D plane. When these intangible variables occur, the listener is transported to the performance, and you forget that you're listening to electronic gear - and they call that "immersive."Typically, SMSL audio components tend to project an overall dry audio tonality when first auditioning a new amplifier. Yes, these amps are high definition and for the most part, you can hear every little instrument in the performance. However, that immersive feeling of "being there" and forgetting that you're listening to an amplifier, is just not there - but give it time, because as it warms-up/breaks-in, things can change dramatically. As the DA-9 is broken in (I keep mine on constantly), the amplifier begins to sound more like a good class AB model - now go figure. The music is dynamic with superb, tight bass reproduction, gorgeous mids and silky smooth highs (i.e. the strings of a symphony orchestra).As I always do, prior to some serious listening, I plug in an amplifier, turn it on, and leave it on for 48 - 72 hours. I am one of those firm believers that for most gear (most, but not necessarily all), burning in/warming up an audio piece of equipment can result in increased sonic dividends. And again, once broken in (or what I feel to be fully warmed-up), the dynamics, the sound-staging and instrumental depth, were all on the audiophile level.So yes, the DA9 - especially after several days of warming up - sounds very, very nice. If you're a bass-head, you'll love this amp. For example, I tend to use classical music of all types when I listen/evaluate gear, because introducing as many instruments as possible, allows the listener to truly gauge the quality and accuracy of a performance. In the DA9, I preferred the Direct mode (no EQ or bass or treble added), and even then the bass on some performances, is substantial - but as mentioned above, that was on my desk-top, near-field setup.This DA9 does punch far above its weight, with regard to other class D amps. It is a superbly crafted instrument, gives you lots of options, and will satisfy even the most demanding listeners. For the price, it is a solid bargain. In my personal opinion, what would really add towards making this DA9 a contender among audiophiles, is if SMSL had allowed for the use of removable (and upgrade able) Op-Amps. There are some fantastic discrete Op-Amps out there that make a world of difference. I own a few other inexpensive Class D Chinese-made amplifiers, and these particular models had the ability to upgrade and change Op-Amps. By inserting new, better Discrete Op-Amps -i.e. like some Burson or Sparkos Labs models - the musical performance levels can be substantially elevated. The DA9 would have been a great candidate for this capability, but hey - don't get me wrong here, as the amp sounds just fine (and again, even more so once fully broken-in).I realize that all reviews are subjective - and as they say, your mileage may vary.Gear used to formulate my comments:1. Speakers used: KEF Q150's, KEF Q350's, Wharfedale D320's - all bookshelf speakers.2. Cables used: (Speaker, RCA, XLR, USB) - Audioquest, World's Best Cables, and Mogami3. DAC's used: iFi Zen DAC Mk II, JDS Labs Atom DAC X with xDuoo MT-602 tube preamp/headamp, Schiit Modi 3+ with Schiit Heresy Preamp/Headamp, FX-Audio D01 Pro, and Topping D10S with FX-Audio Tube-02 Pro Preamp/Headamp.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------EDIT #1 - 2 May 2023:As the amp continues to be broken in, I'm seeing some very palpable sonic improvements. The first thing I'm noticing is the fact that the music is even more dynamic and really opens up, extending the sound-stage beyond the speaker borders.. It's as if the music has shifted from the speakers to a very palpable stage setting in front of the speakers and enveloping the listener. I find this so refreshing, and having experienced a variety of other class D amps, this is even more of a surprise.Yes, in a few instances, the DA9 might sound a bit cool (after all, it is still a class D amp) - but all of the intangible positives about good audiophile amps are taking form with the DA9. There is true air around the instrumentation - that was always a biggie for me, and amp seems to power my KEF speakers effortlessly.So even after all this time, I believe even more firmly that for price and it's performance levels, this amp deserves 5 stars. In my personal opinion, I feel that it can easily complete with amplifiers in the $500 - $1000 price range. And the amazing thing here also is the fact that the DA9 does not have any interchangeable Op Amps. Usually, with some many class D amps, having the ability to switch out Op Amps, can make a huge improvement. However, with the DA-9, it's obvious that the SMSL engineers did a great job with this design - without the ability to change out the Op Amps. Great job SMSL!

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Een fijn en mooi klinkende amp, maar er doet zich steeds vaker een probleem voor. Na elke luistersessie schakel ik de amp uit en wanneer ik hem weer aan zet blijft het apparaat regelmatig hangen op het opstartscherm. Dus ben ik genoodzaakt het product te uit het stroom te halen en weer te verbinden om de amp weer goed aan te zetten.

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