Affordable high performance IOTAVX SA40 & PA40 amplifier review
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- #audiophile #stereo #hifi #speaker review
Non affiliated link - iotavx.com/IOTAVX-SA40-PA40-S...
Gear used in this review
IOTAVX SA40 integrated amp
IOTAVX PA40 poweramp
IOTAVX SA3 integrated amp
IOTAVX PA3 power amp
Galion TS Voyager TL speaker
Gustard A26 DAC
Mcintosh MAC 6700 integrated amp
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Track: Left Alone - Airixis [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: • Left Alone - Airixis | Free Backgroun... Free Download / Stream: alplus.io/left-alone
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Amazing regardless of price!
Will these 2 amps bring Zero Fidelity out of hiding? We shall see... Seems IOTAVX just took what made the original stack great and improved on it in every regard. Great stuff.
Yes they did. Zero coming out of hiding...soon soon I hope.
Thomas! You’re the best. Keep on keeping on. We love you! Thanks for all you do for the Hi-Fi community… you’re awesome bro
I appreciate that!
Thank you Thomas I enjoy your reviews! Thank you
Outstanding as always Thomas. I currently own & love the SA3/PA3 stack and if/when I need to replace them, I know what to do now. Kudos to IOTAVX for continuing to improve upon their products. Thank you and keep up the great work.
@@damayor9559 yup, your combo is so good that you can enjoy it for years to come.
Great review Thomas! I owned and loved the original SA3 and PA3. This new combo looks fantastic.
Yes, enjoy what you have, it is a great combo.
Galion tsa75 all day long thomas I'm extremely happy with this amp ❤
If you heard great differences from changing sources. Thats a very good quality! I remember the original also had this character. It would adapt or scale or provide transparency from the source. To me this flexibility is value. It does not restrain me, and allows for me to adjust the flavor to my taste. Thanks for the video man!
Yup, the original one was great too and was neutral enough.
ALSO I NOTICED YOU GOT OUT OF THE BASEMENT 😁 AND YOUR BACKGROUND LOOKS GOOD 🤗💚💚💚
Not only am I out of my basement, this was film in another continent!
@@ThomasAndStereo 🤗😎😁💚💚💚
🙋♂️THANKS THOMAS, FOR THE STORIES AND STAYING OBJECTIVE 🤔😁 …IT DEFINITELY 👍 SOUNDS VERY GOOD AND SHOWS THAT THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BE A BUDGET AUDIOPHILE 🤗💚💚💚
Yup, golden time.
I’m interested, currently using the SA PA combo. Of course they finally get in the hands of a reviewer I know and trust is the last day of the preorder special. Very interested in the PA40 as monoblocks.
300w into 8 ohms...I guess Magnepan owners will be happy.
@@ThomasAndStereo Until your video the only two reviews were in German. Today is the last day of the preorder discount, emailed them on that bit earlier this week, did receive a reply within a day. Curious as to thePA40 as monoblocks w a tube pre-amp
@@ThomasAndStereo Are you planning a higher wattage AB Amp?
@@jackstraw1756 Not for a while. The upcoming two affordable solid-state amps are 18w class A and 70w class AB.
Great video and a nice honest declaration that you’re not going to compare your Galleon gear to review gear .
Any chance you’re going to the Toronto Audiofest this October?
Thanks, Toronto Audio fest, I might but not sure yet.
Loud and Clear in Hotlanta
At last a hi-fi amp that is at an AFFORDABLE price! Agree he needs a pop filter on the mic. Had to put pop filters on mic in broadcast studios. The pops can cause some AM transmitter modulator overloads.
Yup, in the future I will fix the mic problem.
An amp that’s just sweet and makes you want to dance… musical fidelity A1
People say that amp is musical, does it have the dynamics to make you want to get up and dance.
@@ThomasAndStereo I’m not an electrical tech. I don’t understand what contributes to great sound, but, whatever they put in this amp has made it engaging, dynamic, fun and for me, soulful. I have other amps that are great in detail and almost surgical placement of instruments. Not the A1, it connects you to the music.
@@s.daniel9224 That is the most important. If it connects you to the music, nothing else matters. Congrats on reaching audio nirvana.
They’re gonna get me with this one.
they got me
Your wallet is not safe watching Thomas and Stereo
@@ThomasAndStereo i ordered it long time ago, i think you should make part 2
@@lindsethnittisju797 Ah, the amp has left my home already
@@ThomasAndStereo so will you order one?
Thomas.When are you gonna review the Advance Paris Line? The A12 is the Beauty & The Beast.
If they reach out to me, sure.
I can hear it
Hi Thomas, what is the tube gear with a box on top to the left of IOTAVX stack on Mr. Vintage's rack?
Musical paradise MP701
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you
Did IOTAVX use the same capacitors on these new amps as they did for the SA3 and PA3? Because I've heard from multiple owners of the SA3 that the caps don't last very long and need to be replaced around the 3 year mark. I only had the SA3 for a short period before moving onto a better amp so I didn't experience any problem. But the product page for the SA40 specifically states they use "long life capacitors" so I hope that means they addressed this issue on the SA3/PA3.
Rubycon isn't bad caps
@@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 Not the Rubycons, but the Decon caps used in them start leaking. I don't know why but I've tried responding to your comment 3 times and they are not showing up for me, so if this response shows 3 times, sorry :-)
I've had my SA3 for 4-years now, and play it about 4 to 6 hours a day, so far no problems. As for people who have/ may have had problems with the caps, it could/ might be where they've placed it, such as a space with little ventilation, or the sun hitting it for long periods while on?!?
Great question, I am sure they will answer if you ask them.
@Mark198d I looked all inside the sa3/pa3 I thought they was all rubycon ' my $1500 Audiolab 9000cdt (cd-transport) has all decon caps shocked me when I popped the Hood!!
Because audiolab normally uses Elna ! But I bought all new 23 caps inside transport to replace with Nichicon fine gold and Nichicon KA for powersupply ' crazy audiolab cheaper out like that after using awesome cd mech and mains transformer
Hello Tomas from Northern California. No audio on this video during playback.
Try again, works for me
Yep... good to go 👍!@@ThomasAndStereo
Hello Thomas. I have the combo of sa3 and pa3 and am very satisfied so far. I now want to upgrade to the SA40, is it worth switching? you can hear the sound improvement. Thanks.
@fryderykplonka2506 I would only upgrade if I get the combo, else I don't think the delta is big enough for an upgrade. Having said that, upgrade only if you are not happy with what you have. If you are enjoying it, then just enjoy it. The original combo is fantastic already.
Just ordered it so it better be good Thomas or I'm holding you responsible! 😉
Lol!!
@@ThomasAndStereo I had the SA3+PA3 stack a couple of years ago and will agree that the sound changes when combined - for better and worse.
How does the new SA40 compare to the SA3+PA3 stack?
Ahahaha ahahaha 😂
@@JOXperience Hmm I did not compare them so I don't really remember because it has been a while I last listen to the SA3 and PA3 stack.
Thanks Thomas. Where to buy for best price? Thanks
They only sell it online, check my first link in the comment section. It is on special now for maybe a week more.
Wow. Why i see the book Tawau at your book rack? Is that Tawau? Just wondering😊
Tawau is a city in Malaysia. This video was filmed in Malaysia!
Hi Thomas. What is the basic sound signature of an Iota? Is it on the bright (forward), neutral, or warm (laid back) side? I care more about that than whether it's detailed (who doesn't want that?). Reviewers often fail to mention a brand's sound characteristic, although I know Steve G. goes for a bright and dynamic kind of sound. Slightly forward, I'd say. I prefer punchy and neutral on the side of warm (no grain/sibilance if possible). My listening room is small, so I prefer it that way.
It's very neutral.
@@daledrolet1332 Hmmm, ok. I see you owned one. Do they usually have tone controls?
Neutral and transparent. If you use the SA3+PA3, some of that neutrality is traded for a very slight V shape signature with punchier dynamics/improved bass. You can tailor the sound to your liking by using warmer/brighter sources. And yes, they have tone controls. Based on what your preference is, IOTAVX is probably exactly what you're looking for (either the original stack or the new one).
Good question. If you want to be specific, it is neutral dark. Meaning if you don't like sibilance, this amp is right for you. A bit like the Schitt Tyr and Vidar, not bright at all.
Hey Thomas:
Pass Labs Review - I don't recall you doing a review on any of this equipment. When are you going to do one?
Lastly, would you do a review on old equipment? How about a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 (110 wpc stereo amp) or the Power 3 (monoblocs, 220 wpc)? They are Canadian, and the original maker/designer, now Parts Connexion, is still alive and kicking.
In any case, keep up the good work!
I did have some in the past, never got a chance to make a video on it. I did get the First Watt F7 recently and the soundstage is spectacular with that amp. Sonic Frontiers? I would love to review all those but they never reach out to me.
A shame you didn't listen to the PA40 with some appropriate, and better, sources. Do they run hot? I like the efficiency of class D but this possibly last gasp of AB high power on the cheap is appealing.
@@rapier5 I did connect it to a $3500 matrix DAC and the Gustard A26, different than the onboard dac. It does not run hot.
Think I need new speakers 😮
Try one more time, it should work
Im currently in conversation with someone who is saying all non load dependent amps sound the same, what do you think about this and is there any literature about it?
I asked the person who is claiming this to tell me what the cheapest non load dependent amp was and never got an answer, i also asked them if its the case that they all sound tge same why wouldn't everyone just own the cheapest one?
The response was "because people have preconceived bias and buy stuff because of looks or price etc"
Thoughts?
@crazyprayingmantis5596 I recently spoke to a designer and he said all amps sound the same. However, what makes one amplifier sound different from one another is the components used surrounding the amplifiers. For example, capacitors, resistors, and so forth. For me, if a person cannot hear the difference between amplifiers, there is no point wasting time debating because he will never change his mind regardless of what you show him. It's like someone saying all apples taste the same. The whole thing about all amps sounding the same, you will never hear that from someone who has real-life experience with a lot of amps. Possible with 2 amps but not with a lot of amps.
Dang. All I want to know is how the PA40 compares to the TA75. But, of course, i understand.
Well the TS A75 is more than double the price.
So if you have a freya does that mean you don't give on iota of schitt.
Good one
I envy you for having not one but two working AIWA CD players!!
@@cwwang10 interestingly, they sound slightly different.
Wondering how you make sure to order the right version...115vac i assume for u.s.
Yes 115v is for US.
It handles 115 and 230v and switches automatically.
They should have gone to pre + power amp combo. Bridging is generally a compromise. You have to design a product with a fixed function in mind to get the best results. I don't like stereo amps working in mono. I'd rather buy two monoblocks instead.
Maybe in the future?
. Then again on the other hand, instead of only offering a mono sub-out on the SA-40 but instead featured a variable pass stereo crossover, then bi-amping would be a breeze. Clearly Iota wants to sell lot's of amps don't they.
Any DAC experts who can tell me which dac is best of these?
One is integrated in the new IOTAVX SA40, the other one is integrated inside the WIIM Streamer/dac Pro plus
IOTA: CS4398 (24-Bit, 192 kHz)
Wiim pro plus: AKM 4493SEQ
The DAC doesn't matter as much as how it's used. By for price, features, use case rather than by DAC specs.
If I were to guess, the IOTA would be more natural sounding while the WIIM would be more exciting? I did get AB test it and I don't think anyone had the chance to test both yet. Sadly I don't have the amp anymore.
I am sorry but I am a newbie in modern hi-fi. I don’t understand the need to pair an integrated amp with a power amp like these 2 units. I would thing the integrated amp is enough. Can someone kindly explain this to me ?
You don't need to. IotaVX makes an integrated and power amp only version. If you already have a pre-amp you can just buy the power amp. But if you have the integrated amp, you can also buy the power amp version if you want to double the power to 600 ohms, essentially like a bridged version transforming it into quasi monoblock amplifiers.
@@Mark198dGreat. Thank you!
Just the integrated amp is good enough for most people. However, as I said in the video, if you want more depth in the soundstage, more control, adding this external amp is will give you this improvement.
Thomas practices chi gong?
My dad!
phono stage test?
@@lindsethnittisju797 I don't have a turntable anymore.
Well?????. IMO, if this new SA40 is approximately 20/ 25% better than the SA3, it'll be a bargain/ great performance-to-cost ratio.
Well, the combo is 20% better.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you, then I'm assuming that just the SA40, would provide an approximate 10% improvement over the previous SA3?
@@MikeK6046 Probably, it is a step up but it does sound different. If you like the original sound signature, you will not get it with the new SA40. Objectively, when you talk about instrument separation, dynamic contrast, and so forth, it is at least 10% better.
🎉 Well, I know only what you have to say about the okder gear and on faith believe you know what you're talking about. There are no dealers around here so. As for the New Integrated Amp "sounds" accordingly better and for the $ literally "sounds" like a Steal for the $. So, once again Thanks Thomas for 😂 naking ny Musical Life better more complexed and nusnced.
The value of affordable gear is just amazing these days. The original one was already really good.
Interesting, if one believes in the benefits of separates, then using with the power amp means the two channels must sound different. If they don’t, is all the talk of separates being better just BS?
I don't think all separates are better, below a certain price point, I think Integrated are just as good.
@@ThomasAndStereo That makes sense if you compare one v the other on an either/or basis. But here one is essentially running both types in the same system, one in each channel. One channel has a dedicated amp, and one has an amp with all problems of limited space, proximity to other components, etc- all the things they say degrade the sound of an integrated. So I still have to conclude the channels have to sound differently in this particular set up, unless the whole notion is not true
@@edd2771 I don't know, maybe email and ask them.
@@ThomasAndStereoWell, of course, they will say it makes no difference. But here, on a channel like this, I’d be interested to hear what people think about running two separate amplifier topologies in each channel of the same rig (admittedly a low cost rig). If you, as one well versed in amplifier design, and who can articulate the most subtle differences when comparing two amps can’t hear a difference, I’m leaning toward separates don’t matter as much as the manufacturers would have us believe, perhaps even in the high end. You are in a unique position to test this by taking one of your TS 120 integrateds, bridging it to mono and running the other channel with a TS 120 that has been stripped of all preamp related circuitry. Would make a good video.
@@edd2771 I don't think anyone can answer this unless they spent a day doing ABX test. Even then, the test might be conclusive for Amp A, but it will not be conclusive for all amps in the universe. Perhaps that is why no one has tackled this.
Class AB is always the way to go. I've never heard a Class D sound better than AB.
I have. I went from 2 IOTAVX pa3's in bridged mode to 2 Purifi Eigentakt 1ET400a monoblocks. I never looked back. The Purifi's wipe the floor with the IOTAs top to bottom, and i loved those pa3's. I had them for 4 years until i handed them down to my son.
Try Jeff Rowland amps.
@@dicmccoy I've read the exact opposite of your opinion. You're probably hearing more of the input buffer lowering noise in the Purifi in comparison to the IOTA. But if we're talking power sections the IOTA should sound more musical and robust especially in low to sub frequencies.
@@peakAVwhat is more musical?
@@peakAV I'm just on the Hypex NC500 input buffer.
Too close to your mic, mate. Plosives kinda detract from your presentation. Otherwise a fine video. Thanks.
Turn your volume down, mate. Easier fix on your end.
Get over it, mate. Find a different nit to pick.
I didn’t think it was bad
Yup, first time using that mic, will fix for the future.
@@Harrisongrey19 sorry but your solution is bizarre
Report back on its ability to drive Magnepans, please!
Too late, the amps have left my home already. I am pretty sure it will have no problem.
If you get the combo it can drive any Maggies no problem.
They put the input selector switch on the REAR of the amp! I will not reward this company with my money! Input selection should always be on the front of the amp.
The input selector is in the front within the menu and on the remote too. The buttons at the back are for "one-time" setup. Most people would not change those.
Take a chill pill bro....
They will have a hill to climb - they went out of business - what happened to the warranties etc. of previous equipment - did they honour it? Not mine! Also, there seemed to be problems with the quality of components failing etc. Not sure - They would need to address the elephant in the room first for me to be interested again.
Well the company got bought out and it is a new owner now. Things can only get better. How much better? Only time will tell but it is a question I asked them as what you said is a known issue.
Dude, fix your voice amp will ya!
Will do next time, first time I use this MIC.
@ThomasAndStereo just giving you the business! Thanks Thomas for all your effort! Been following ya for years. Cheers bud!
@@firebladeclements Yup, I take it as positive constructive critisicm.
Le micro de Thomas distorsionne au point de rendre la narration désagréable.
désolé
No sound.
Try again, works for me
Think it was just posted so there was no sound. Ok now.
Where’s the United States and Canada website? You are driving demand that can’t be fulfilled.
If you want to know how to get it to display in English, on the top right, you can change the language to English. They ship worldwide.
It's great you only review things that are great. Makes me question you, so I'm out.
Why would anyone waste their time making a video on something that is bad?
I made this video explaining why I choose not to make any negative reviews. ua-cam.com/video/3fN6LaH8GRE/v-deo.html
Silly reasoning. If bad sounding gear doesn't warrant a review wouldn't that make you trust him more?