SMSL AD18 Hi-Fi Audio Stereo Amplifier with Bluetooth $149.60 Delivered @ Amazon AU

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Lartoxian on 25/11/2019 - 10:17 amazon.com.au (1022 clicks)
Last edited 25/11/2019 - 18:07 by 1 other user

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Hi all,

I bought this desktop amplifier a few months back for $187, and it has been excellent for my headphones (Sennheiser HD598SE) and speakers (Q Acoustics 2020i).

Got an alert from the camels this morning saying it has dropped to possibly it's lowest price ever?

Being sold from the "S.M.S.L official store" as well.

Z Reviews link here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEooiaet9eQ

Price History at CamelCamelCamel.

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• 

  psyren89 on 25/11/2019 - 10:32

  https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/r…

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  SteveAndBelle on 25/11/2019 - 10:54

  +7

  Great little 'all-rounder' Amp. May not look great on paper as per the above link/review but yeah, I've used mine for so many odd jobs both for myself and friends & family just connected to a pair of Volls (& sometimes the Voll Sub too!) and it always blows peoples minds… so much so that many of them buy one of their own soon after! I've probably helped sell a dozen or so over the last 12-18 months :) Definitely good value, especially at $150! Compact, powerful, flexible & affordable way of starting out in the 2-ch Hifi world too!

  • 

    eswes on 25/11/2019 - 11:37

    +1

    Thanks, always enjoy reading your thoughtfully considered posts on audio gear.

    • 

      SteveAndBelle on 25/11/2019 - 11:55

      +2

      You're welcome :) Hope it has helped steer you down a 'no BS' path into the audio world. Infinite variables makes it difficult at times.

      • 

        eswes on 25/11/2019 - 23:16

        Definitely trying to go down that path! Helps to have guidance when wading through the marketing BS.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 25/11/2019 - 11:45

    +1

    Got mine about 3 weeks ago. Hooked up to two mid sized desktop speakers and a sub-woofer.
    Loving it. Very small footprint, even have to turn down the sub volume as can and will overpower/outbalance overall effect of music.
    My biggest fear was that it wouldn't drive the sub. Turned out to be a complete non-issue.

    • 

      SteveAndBelle on 25/11/2019 - 12:07

      +5

      Your Sub should have its own Amp so it powers itself but I know what you mean… it's sometimes difficult knowing how all this gear connects together and how it will sound without having it in front of you. Nice work! The necessity to turn your Sub down is only a good thing as it means it shouldn't have to work as hard as it's designed to which then of course leads to an extended lifespan. Each to their own with this next bit but the best way to 'tune' a Sub into your system is to turn it down so it's barely detectable from most listening positions. When listening to music a Sub is there to complement the main speakers, not to take over so if you can actually hear what the Sub is producing then pull it's level down until your music sounds as though it's only coming from your main speakers.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 27/11/2019 - 19:31

        +1

        Couldn't agree more. If the bass is overpowering the music as a whole you're defeating the purpose and probably listening to the music from a point of hearing 'power' instead of overall quality. Though I must admit while adhering to my comment I most definitely desire that low end bass!!! To me 'treble' is easy, bass is another story. And then of course the is the mid-range and the rest. When it's all in balance listening to your favourite music is soooo sweet. Old songs become new again and newer songs can be better appreciated.

  • 

    Dave Id on 25/11/2019 - 13:16

    +3

    Purchased October 2018 to play FLACs in the kitchen using an xDuoo player and Q Acoustics 3020 speakers.

    Amazing sound @ $187 …. a steal @ $149.60.

    Seriously thinking of a second for the spare room at this price.

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  kogi on 25/11/2019 - 15:08

  My harmon kardon has developed a slight hum. Not sure if this is too much of a downgrade

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 28/11/2019 - 21:20

    +2

    Consider having it looked at? I lost the left channel on my Class A amp and really struggled and searched for which way to go on the matter.

    The amp was many years old and so many issues were considered, stick with the old and respected Class A or take a chance on the modern and 'tiny' little SMSL.
    I got the SMSL manly because I'd heard quite a lot of good reviews about it but it was very critical that I could hook up my sub woofer to it (which it can).
    Also, the SMSL has such a small footprint. It certainly has no shortage of power IMO. I feel that the sub' is significantly more responsive now as well which was a major bonus as I enjoy that low end bass… to me treble is… 'easy'… but good bass, quite another story. Admittedly my sub is active (pretty sure the SMSL can't power a non-active amp). But stands to reason really. In any case the SMSL also uses less power. Yes, some will argue the pros' and cons' but in my opinion, and clearly many others the little SMSL is powerful enough and provides excellent sound. I wish it was available years ago and that I'd had one from the start. Too many un-needed buttons on my old amp anyways with most never used and only served to confuse. Good opportunity even just to try out at this price if you ask me. If you don't like it, give it to someone for Xmas? I'd be willing to be you'd keep it after you tried it.
    Don't forget to order a cable for the sub if you don't have one!!! Let us know how you go. Good luck. You do have a sub don't you!!! :O]

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  dav3 on 25/11/2019 - 15:08

  +1

  Cheers, picked one up. Was looking at a Voll B50 setup in the not-so-distant future so this'll kick that off.

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  vakarian32 on 26/11/2019 - 13:28

  +2

  Got one of these last year to power my Dali Zensor 1's + sub, great little amp.