Singxer SA-1 Class A headphone amp reviews and discussion

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by rhythmdevils, Oct 11, 2021.

  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Singxer SA-1 Mini Review

    [​IMG]


    (It’s almost exactly the same size as the Jottenheim 2)

    Discalaimer: I’m really not in a place mentally right now where comparing or evaluating gear is very easy for me but someone needs to write something up about this amp to get the loaner started so I’m doing my best.

    Gear
    Pi2AES -> AES -> Yggdrasil LIM -> XLR out -> Nobsound "One Little Bear" XLR Switcher -> Singxer SA-1, Liquid Gold X, Liquid Glass

    I don’t know how transparent this switcher is but it’s basically the only thing on the market except a Goldpoint that I’m not that interested in because I’d rather commission one at that price. But both the Singxer and the LauX were hooked up to the Nobsound Switcher.

    Build
    Rock solid, this thing feels really well made. It’s chassis is thick heavy metal, the front switches are metal and the volume knob is milled aluminum. The volume knob moves very nicely. It’s not a premium pot like is used in the Liquid Glass which feels like butter, but it’s much better than the feel of the Schiit pots for example which are made of plastic and feel scratchy to turn. There’s not much else to say, it’s a simple design with quality parts. My only nit picky complaint about the build is that the volume knob is a bit short and not super easy to grab and turn.

    Design
    I don’t know know much about the design of this amp except that is is Class A, and a couple people have told me it is a similar design to the THX 789 with lots of feedback to reduce distortion. I could be wrong. The website provides little information.

    Gain and Noise
    This amp has seems to have the same gain as the THX 789 when both are set to low gain. This seems to be a desktop iem user’s dream come true. A Class A amp made with quality parts with super low gain and absolutely no hiss with Campfire Audio iems even with the volume knob cranked. There is also zero channel imbalance in the pot from zero on up even with CA iems. Unlike the 789 which jumps around in the beginning.

    Singxer SA-1 vs THX 789 with Sigma 11 LPS with iems

    Setup
    Yggdrasil -> SE out -> 789 -> 4 pin XLR to 2.5mm adapter -> og Solaris balanced
    Yggdrasil -> Balanced out -> SA-1-> 4 pin XLR to 2.5mm adapter -> og Solaris balanced

    So that’s not completely fair because the 789 is getting SE in, but I don’t have enough balanced cables to plug both in balanced without doing more cable swapping than I can handle at the moment.

    Note: My 789 has a Sigma 11 LPS which cost more than the amp and can’t be compared to a stock 789, the LPS made a significant difference, though one I’m not sure was worth the money for iems.

    Sound
    They sound fairly similar on cursory comparison, but the 789 has slightly more bass and less treble presence with a slightly warmer tone. The SA-1 is brighter with a more incisive quality with sharper attacks while the 789 is more warm and rounded and natural. Treble is more exaggerated on the SA-1 and there is a bit of an etched quality to the sound.

    The two amps are pretty close technically I keep waffling back and forth but I prefer the sound of my 789 with uber LPS. It seems to have more depth with a more natural tone. The SA-1 is flatter, less dynamic and seems less resolving. I think the SA-1 is cheaper factoring in the LPS so take that into account. Iems are too weird to analyze the differences more than this, both amps are great technically. I would say synergy with your iems will be a big factor here. I can’t say much more at the moment.

    Low gain seems to be the same on both amps but the volume pot is much better on the SA-1, there is no channel imbalance even at zero so there winds up being much more usable range and it feels more comfortable to use, like the SA-1 was truly designed for iems.

    Like I said before, there isn’t a hint of noise even with the volume all the way up with CA iems.

    I think this could be the uber iem desktop amp some of you have been waiting for. It is a bit bright for me but it sounds good. And Schiit now makes the balanced Lokius so you can EQ your iems and maintain a completely balanced chain.

    Anyone who wants a good desktop iem amp should sign up for the loaner.


    Singxer SA-1 vs Liquid Gold X with LCD-X

    Sound with LCD-X (modded)
    Interestingly, this amp sounds very different with full sized headphones vs iems. The SA-1 has really good tone. It has no SS nasties like etched attacks, sharpness, glare, sterile tone, flat sound stage, etc. It also doest have any tube like coloration, it isn’t trying to be something it’s not, it is a solid state amp but tuned very well. In tone, it is pretty close to the Liquid Gold X. The LauX beats it in technicalities like dynamics and resolution and soundstage, but not by as much as I would like given my bias for the LauX.

    The SA-1 sounds much better than the 789 with full sized headphones. More full, natural tone, less flat sounding, no weird plastic-y "Saran Wrap for headphones" sound.

    Sound with HD650

    Note: I don’t know the HD650 well or like them very much, I’m just including this to make notes of a less sensitive headphone with the SA-1

    Sound
    I don’t know how to compare or comment on how good it sounds with the HD650 vs other amps, but it sounds pretty good to me. It seems to be giving it quite a bit of power. The volume knob is at about 11:30 on high gain but that’s probably fine.

    Final Thoughts
    I think this is a technical upgrade from the 789 stock and has the unique ability to drive full size headphones well in addition to the most sensitive iems whereas the 789 is only useful for BA iems and should never be used with anything else. I actually prefer the tone of the amp with full sized headphones vs iems, its a bit bright for me with iems but the technical ability is there. From memory, I think I think it is about on par with the Shanling M6 Pro DAP with iems, but it drives full sized headphones much better and is the same price.

    This isn’t meant to be a conclusive review, but just provide enough information to give you a sense of the amp so you know if you want to sign up for the loaner. Sorry I’m not able to evaluate it more critically at the moment. I’m hoping others can provide more insight into the sound of this pretty unique amp.

    Sign up for the loaner tour here
     
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  2. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Thanks very much for your great review (as always). I'm glad that you pick this up as I was also very curious but couldn't find any chance to hear.

    By the way speaking of the gain, could you confirm you changed its gain through the switches BENEATH the amp? (pretty weird design choice AFAIK). On the front panel there is only output impedance switch I guess.
     
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I thought my review was pretty shitty I couldn’t get in the mindset this time. But thank you!

    I didn’t know there was a gain switch on the bottom of the amp I honestly thought they just labeled the impedance switch incorrectly. Woops! Well that means this amp is even more versatile if it has a higher gain mode plus an impedance switch.

    this really is a great amp that can drive iems as well as the 789 (but with a much better volume pot) but also can drive full size headphones very well which the 789 cannot. A lot of people have talked about a lack of good SS amps in this price range and I hope this amp gets more attention.

    this could be a “do it all” amp for a lot of people I think.
     
  4. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    Intro

    @rhythmdevils convinced me to try this out and say a few words. To be honest, me spending time with it got lost in the maelstrom of things that were happening IRL and I completely forgot about it. Apologies to those who expected to see this as a loaner sooner.

    Anyhow, as always, I won't beat around the bush: the Singxer SA-1 did not make the heavens part nor the angels sing (maybe unfair to say since I don't really have budget amps around anymore in my house). That being said, I didn't feel it was particularly bad and it's one of those amps that manage to exist in no man's land that actually aren't a complete waste of money. I do feel that there is some value in it.

    Sonics

    The SA-1 reminds me of an Asgard 3. That's not necessarily a bad thing; my thoughts on the Asgard 3 is very positive and I really enjoyed listening to that amp. SA-1 has a similar tonal signature and timbre; more on the thick side and somewhat warm-sounding. I don't think it's overly warm, but those who have something like Bifrost 2 and HD650 might want to look elsewhere (which is the same thought I have with Asgard 3).

    However, I did feel the SA-1 improved in some categories compared to the Asgard 3 without having any real drawbacks in direct comparison. At times, the Asgard 3 could sound a bit congested. The SA-1 does not suffer from this. The SA-1 also manages to sound more "open and airy" in stage compared to Asgard 3, which could sound a bit thick and the stage a bit compressed. From memory (which honestly sucks because I rarely used the Asgard 3 with my Yggdrasil GS), the SA-1 is a fair bit more resolving in direct comparison to Asgard 3. No, it's not on the level of DNA Starlett or ECP DSHA-3F or any other well-regarded not-so-cheap amp, but it does put a bit of distance between the bevy of entry-level cheap amps.

    The unfortunate thing with being similar to the Asgard 3 is that I feel the SA-1 shares the same exact weaknesses. I thought the Utopia was flat-out boring with the SA-1 because the SA-1 just doesn't do enough to synergize with the Utopia in terms of complementing what the Utopia does well. It just doesn't have the drive or PRaT to do that. However, with JAR HD600, the microdynamics are lovely and the SA-1 actually does tighten up the bass a little in comparison to Asgard 3. ZMFs might as a whole be okay; I thought Verite was alright with the SA-1 but pads do have to be carefully considered. Use the more neutral pads.

    Note for planar users: I didn't spend a whole lot of time mucking around with the Code-6 and the SA-1, but I thought the SA-1 did a passable job with the Code-6. Then again, my opinion on driving my Code-6 is biased to all hell because the EC Ultralinear is quite possibly among the best amps for planars and has insanely good synergy with the Code-6, so maybe I'm not the best person to ask about this. That being said, the Code-6 was listenable with SA-1 and I didn't hear anything glaring.

    The real question would be how it compares to the SW51 with dynamic headphones, but unfortunately I've only heard this amp in meets and haven't actually spent time listening to it in a proper audition.

    Conclusion

    My opinion on SA-1 is that it's not a bad mid-fi option and is priced accordingly. In fact, it might be a good mid-tier option for HD800 users (I can't confirm this myself, but this is what my magic 8-ball tells me). Form factor also is pretty compact and fits nicely on a desk.

    The SBAF saying of "it's not shit" is very applicable here and that's my opinion on it.
     
  5. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Glad that the tour seems start..soon. I almost forgot I signed up for this tour.
     
  6. matts19

    matts19 New

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    You say that THX 789 is warmer and SA-1 is brighter and harsh. I thought it would be the other way around ?
     
  7. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    He said that for iems and it appears to be the opposite for full sized headphones:

     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    the 789 has unique synergy with BA iems that only applies to how it sounds with BA iems. Probably all the feedback I don't know what it is. But it sounds very natural with BA iems. The SA-1 was a little brighter, probably due to not having that speshul magic synergy. They are very very different amps. The SA-1 is class A discrete I believe.

    But I would never use the 789 with full size headphones and the SA-1 could do both which is very rare for an amp. BA's are so sensitive to noise.
     
  9. deafenears

    deafenears Almost "Made"

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    From one of the designers of the SA-1:

    SA-1's Class A model:
    Balanced 16 ohm load: below 500mw;
    Balanced 32 ohm load: below 1000mw;
    Balanced load of 68 ohms: below 3000mw;
    Balance the load above 68 ohms: almost all power is Class A;


    So operates in class A mode per the above. Anything over and it switches to class A/B.
     
  10. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Singxer SA-1 Impressions
    I've managed to obtain a loaner backlog so I need to be more brief than usual. I compared with the LauX, I didn't notice that RD had already done this but it is my main SS amp so it still makes the most sense.

    Primary comparisons done with the LCD-4 (RD modded). I did some quick listening for synergy with other headphones, listed below.

    Chain
    Roon (Redbook/Qobuz) -> Ambre -> Rockna Wavedream (AES from Ambre, SE outs)

    VS LauX
    I agree with RD's comments, the Singxer gets close to the LauX but doesn't reach the same level. They both have a smooth, laid back presentation that I enjoy. The Singxer also has the added preamp functionality so it's more versatile.

    The Singxer has a clean, open presentation with a spacious stage. The LauX has a fuller tone and is more resolving. Voices are richer and more forward. Acoustic guitar, has more bite.

    Other Headphones
    • HD 800 - Sounds good. It's hard to compare, I normally use these with the Stratus and they are classical beasts. With the Singxer they sound nice and inoffensive.
    • HD 6XX - The 6XX sound good with almost everything and the SA-1 is no exception, these have good synergy.
    • Focal Clear - Pretty good synergy. Like the HD 800, these can be hard to gauge because I listen to them almost exclusively with the Stratus. Definitely better synergy than the LauX, smooth and decently lively.
    • Atticus - Like the 6XX, these almost always sound good. They sound good here too.
    • Yamaha HP-1 Anisotropic (RD Modded) - Good synergy, smoother than with the LauX. Really need to crank the volume though.
    Based on what I tried, the SA-1 has more varied synergy than the LauX. This may be specific to my collection rather than a useful statement.

    Final Thoughts
    I think the Singxer is a solid performer, especially given the price and broad synergy. If you're more interested in a punchy or aggressive sound, I'd look elsewhere. This is a great option for laid back listening.
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2022
  11. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    • Chain: Roon > Yggdrasil A2/Holo Spring 3 KTE > Saga OG > SE input Singxer SA-1, set on high gain > Clear OG (Bal output) and Utopia (SE out).

      Listening Impressions:
      • When I first plugged it in and listened to it cold I was worried, but today after leaving it on all night it no longer has a that glassy texture of low end SS
      • @ChaChaRealSmooth is right to point out how this is similar to the Asgard 3 (which I still own) in how it is laid back and polite, leans toward warm, is unaggressive. Its top end is more open, so it does sound more spacious and airy than the Asgard 3.
      • Where I might disagree with ChaCha is the SA-1 is more resolving then the Asgard 3. I think it has more gross clarity, but not resolve, microdetail, and microdynamics. In fact in the mids with voices and midcentric instruments, I think the Asgard 3 is the more resolving (not by much) and has a more natural timbre. The Asgard is slower, thick, and at times congested, but behind that it is more detailed.
      • The Holo with it's clarity and tonal balance does more favors for this amp then the Yggdrasil, not that the SA-1 reveals the technicalities of these two upper end DAC's very easily.
      • The Clear OG is a better match by a significant margin than the Utopia, or at least it sounds more like itself. This amp really flattens and restrains the Utopia.

      Despite these comments, I agree with ChaCha that 'its not shit', and I would rather listen to it then the Jot 1 I still have. With the Utopia I would rather use the Asgard 3, though its a more fair fight with the Clear OG. As I was writing this I was casually listening to a few tracks from Peter Gabriel's "So", and the fact this amps overall laid back character had me relaxing into the music just reminded me how we audiophiles can be such picky nags ;)
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2022
  12. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Singxer SA-1 Loaner Impression

    [​IMG]

    Hi folks,

    I’d like to share some initial thoughts about this amp as I’ve been enjoying this whole weekend.

    I was initially interested with this amp because:
    • I’m a big fan of discrete output stages as opposed to opamp-based ones.
    • Singxer is (relatively) known as a non-shit chifi manufacturer (despite lack of prior experience in the headamp area).
    • The amp costs well below the upper bound I think prices for a headamp should not exceed.
    Yeah it was on my shortlist with serious considerations quite a while.

    Associated Gears
    • DAC: Soekris 2541
    • Headphones: Primary - HFM Susvara (bal), Secondary - Yamaha YH1 (unbal)
    • Reference amp: SMSL HO200

    As of now, I found the performance of this amp may vary depending on how it is set up and paired. More on this below but basically I evaluated this amp in its best situation.

    Strengths
    • Resolution and details are very good in this price range. Can rival Jotunheim 2 very handily.
    • Warm tonality, slightly organic tone with a hint of (good) bloom. Not fatiguing sound by any means. This is where many people (myself included) found similarity with Asgard 3.
    • Spatial presentation is better. Particularly, the headstage feels wider and a little more expensive than I expect from this amp category, if not better than OPT amps like SW51.

    Weaknesses
    • Initially I thought this amp was too unengaging and even dull. Transient is fairly rounded and it’s a little hard for me to enjoy biting expressions at first. The laid-back character made it sound more so. It takes a good amount of hours (to get accustomed with its sounding nature) until being convinced SA1 did not sound boring -- even then I don’t think it aggressive at all.
    • It sounds a little bassy (compared to other amps I’m having), but bass lacks aggression and thumps.
    • Volume pot isn’t quite effective for inefficient headphones (see Caveat 1)
    • Unbalanced connection (both ins and outs) seems a little gimped (see Caveat 2)

    Caveat 1: Gain and Volume
    • The design choice of placing gain control on the BOTTOM (see pic below) is very ridiculous. Any new buyers or loaner participants should check with the FOUR gain switches before locating the amp and stacking something above this amp. FYR, my evaluation is all from high gain.
    • I also found that SA1's pot (specifically its taper) doesn’t change volume quickly enough before the 2pm position. My reference amp is +6db gain in the medium gain mode. And SA1’s high gain is +11db as per the manufacturer. I mostly hear Susvara at the 12:30pm position with the reference amp. In SA1, I had to rotate the pot up to the 1:45pm position. I confirmed SA1’s gain of 11db was correct when I cranked all the way up..
    • Some may find this more beneficial depending on the sensitivity of headphones to use with this amp (along with volume preference). But I’d emphasize SA1 users should acknowledge its pot attenuation curve.
    Link to the manual: http://7097607.s21i.faiusr.com/61/ABUIABA9GAAg3a3g-wUo4P3k9gY.pdf

    [​IMG]

    Caveat 2: Balanced vs Unbalanced
    • In general, I do believe balance/unbalance is a matter of personal preference (or designer choice) and there’s no supremacy between the two. However, every amp is inherently operated in either differential or single-ended mode. And we all know transforming inputs or outputs to the other way isn’t necessarily trivial.
    • That said, my listening tests strongly suggest SA1 is a balanced and differential amp. And unfortunately, this amp is audibly inconsistent between unbalance and balance.
      • To be specific, with unbalanced inputs, this amp sounds more blooming and laid-back. Grip and control became a bit more loose, too. I’d say it’s not a difference between Jot 2 bal and unbal, but between Asgard 3 and Jotunheim 2. Almost different products.
      • Unbalanced outputs (i.e., TRS out) had similar effects over xlr outs to a lesser extent. In addition, it made the sound a bit warmer.

    Summary
    Conditioned by the use of fully balanced ins/outs, SA1 is, simply speaking, the super Asgard 3. I was right to shortlist this for my next amp.. But there are several showstoppers -- the gain switch is a pain in the ass, and I want a little more consistency (if not at the nexus gain level) across configurations for a convenient gear reviewing process. Sound-wise, it has a really lovely tone and staging. I might have gotten one for myself if it could exhibit a little more forwarding and aggressive sounding.

    Anyway that’s pretty much it for now. Will listen more for the rest of the loaner period and report back anything interesting I find additionally.
     
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    Last edited: Apr 3, 2022
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Nice review! I liked this aspect of the amp because it makes it very iem friendly, which is rare for a discrete Class A amp. It can be used for so many different headphones. It's quiet and has volume pot range even with CA iems which is pretty incredible.
     
  14. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Ok…solid state, class A (or at least they say), balanced in, balanced out…but what does it sound like?

    TLDR; Very smooth and polite amp. Moderate amplification, not overly aggressive, and yet wide and smooth. Blunted attacks and overall lazy slightly warm sound. Good for a Sunday afternoon.

    And if you want my YT review:


    Sources: Theta DS Pro Basic II, Schiit Bifrost Multibit (modded)
    Headphones: HD600, HD650, PMx2, 7hz Timeless, Moondrop Starfield

    Design
    Yeah it has Hi-Z and Lo-Z switch. You know Hi-Z will only put it in a current limit mode? I did not find really any difference with this switch. It might have been doing something, but it was not super much to make me think there was something going on.

    Yeah, 4 high-low gain switches on the bottom. You know those really only control L+/- and R +/-, so really that could just be high-low gain switch. Did you also know that low gain is really low gain, and high gain is probably like mid-gain?

    I think clearly the gain switches are if you have super high-efficiency headphones (low gain), or lower efficiency full-sized headphones, (high gain). I did not feel that even with high efficiency headphones that high-gain was high enough to be super annoying. So I take it the gain is supposed to be a set and forget. I left it in high gain. (I guess you could to a “medium gain by only one switch per side, but do this at your own risk.

    For balanced/unbalanced in and out...sound is how you would think. Unbalanced in is lower output, balanced his higher input. Same for output - unbalanced is lower output, balanced is higher output. This just tells me that there is no phase inverter or anything on the unbalanced input, and that it is true balanced out and not connectors of convenience.

    Sound
    Basically this thing is polite. Like, this is the girl next door you take home to mom. Very nice, has manners, not-super exciting, and maybe a bit boring. Boring because it does not have very much in terms of macrodynamics and make recordings sound alive or have any leading edge. It still seems spactious and nothing really I can find much fault, except for some transients.

    Some in this thread already pointed out that yes, it has no SS nasties or echiness. Almost to a fault. Meaning that also the transients are also kind of blunted or rounded. It still sounds “open and airy”, which I think attributes to the amps width and also the ample amount of amplification. It has some warmth on the low end and some power down there, meaning I can tell it has good current drive, but still the extreme top end seems slightly rolled off and rounded. It is not as rounded off as Asgard 2, as I think it is more neutral in that respect.

    I think this is kind of the exact opposite of Jot 2. It not not suffer from any congestion, as others also said, but I also think that it does have someone better staging that is wider and slightly more organic. The SA-1 also is incredibly clean with no real harsh qualities. It may not be quite as powerful, but it is powerful enough.

    It seems that the SA-1 is always in a low gear, just seeming like something is holding back. I see that the gain is +6 in low and +11 in high, but it still does not seem like enough or bring in some dangerous excitement either. It does not try to do too much or go out of the way to impress.

    For IEM’s things did improve, and only at the highest volume on high gain was there noise. it was a bit more noise than what I was expecting, but only at the very end of the volume pot. Low gain did fine with both the Moondrop Starfield and 7Hz Timeless. There was a bit more dynamics and liveliness to the sound with IEM’s, although still not what I would be a super impressive sound. It does have still a wide and smooth sound, but you can hear how the layering is just kind of missing.

    And if measurement is your thing, ASR did measure this amp and the results were very good. Super quiet, super low distortion, if those things matter to you. They likely measured it in low gain, but it is not surprising it measured low. I will say for how low it measured, you would think it would sound worse, but it was not terrible.

    So not a complete showstopper and not a really horrible unit that needs to go in the garbage right away. Very versatile inputs, versatile outputs, super non-offensive sound that is somewhat between the Schiit house sound and the Cavalli laid back sound. I give it a B-, only because there are better amps that you can get that might not be as versatile that I would suggest over this amp. This is still not a bad small footprint start. Just beware that it might not have enough for your high impedance headphones.

    Here is the power, and clearly it is better with lower impedance headphones. It did do better with my PMx2's giving it some lift in the high end and more energetic and less sleepy sound.

    32Ω: 6480mW
    120: 2000mW
    600Ω:380mW
     
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  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Does this amp need to warm up? Listening to it cold (<20 minutes) and solid-state glare giving me a headache. This is coming from MMB with OPA2156 dropped in because with the Modi 3E, it was even worse. I'm super sensitive to this kind of glare though. It could be that I'm re-adjusting from 8200ft to 15ft elevation right now.
     
  16. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Try the unbalanced out or higher impedance headphones. Lower impedance heaphones tend to bring out more glare, espcially with planars.

    And to answer your question, I did not experience any warm up change.
     
  17. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    Maybe recover a bit first ;) but I wouldn't be surprised if this SA-1 is not particularly to your liking. I found it pretty bland.
     
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm not getting anywhere near the same results as ASR. Could be my fault... Running them again, and with other gear.
     
  19. crenca

    crenca Friend

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    My experience was that an overnight warm-up helped (but did not completely eliminate) this glare (I called it "glassy texture")...
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yikes. I would that the glassy texture caught up to me.

    Based on its tone, I immediately grabbed the Grado and Focal because I felt these two headphones would provide best synergy. I had high hopes for the SA-1 and was hoping for a better version of amps like the Lake People G111 (reviewed here) or the Asgard 1.

    DSCF0226 Medium..JPG

    In most respects, I was liking what the Sinxger SA-1 was doing. For the price, the engagement and microdetail factors are acceptable. Again, I was looking for that slightly colored sound that would do well with certain kinds of headphones yet maintain a level of technical competence. I'd say that the SA-1 checked all the boxes, almost. I largely agree with others' impressions before mine, which I think are consistent, and may only differ because of expectations. However, it's five hours later with the unit being left on, and I still can't get my head around this glare in the highs, this "glassy texture" which I think is the best description. It's something that seems to grow and annoy me with extended listening and only goes away after I walk away from it from an hour.

    Anyway, I will leave it at that. There does seem to be an issue with the measurements, especially into lower impedance loads: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ingxer-sa-1-headphone-amp-measurements.12427/

    I think something is wrong with this particular unit. I am going to withhold further subjective impressions at this time.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022

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