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Suggestions about my first audio setup (2.1 most likely)

I've been wanting to build my home theater, at first i wanted a soundbar, but i realized the potential that came with speakers and an amplifier.

At the moment this is what i've got in mind:

 

For the speakers i am between 2 models that go around the same price point:

  • Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2.
  • Klipsch R-41M

Both of them fit my pricepoint with Elac being just a tiny but more expensive. And for the sub the one i've been looking for is the Klipsch r-12sw – Subwoofer.

 

My biggest problem at the moment is that, the only audio amplifier that i've found that is:

  • Not too much expensive
  • Has a 2.1 interface
  • Has a optical input for the tv

Is the S.M.S.L AD18, i would like to upgrade that later.

I would like to read other alternatives, options or routes that i could go with. I live in mexico so prices and availability are kind of difficult specially in markets not as massive as others.

 

 

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14 minutes ago, Carlosp17 said:

I've been wanting to build my home theater, at first i wanted a soundbar, but i realized the potential that came with speakers and an amplifier.

At the moment this is what i've got in mind:

 

For the speakers i am between 2 models that go around the same price point:

  • Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2.
  • Klipsch R-41M

Both of them fit my pricepoint with Elac being just a tiny but more expensive. And for the sub the one i've been looking for is the Klipsch r-12sw – Subwoofer.

 

My biggest problem at the moment is that, the only audio amplifier that i've found that is:

  • Not too much expensive
  • Has a 2.1 interface
  • Has a optical input for the tv

Is the S.M.S.L AD18, i would like to upgrade that later.

I would like to read other alternatives, options or routes that i could go with. I live in mexico so prices and availability are kind of difficult specially in markets not as massive as others.

 

 

I believe the Klipsch would be better for you since those has a 50w rating and the Elac has a 120w rating. The amplifier you are trying to get is 80w

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I just set up the Loxjie A30 (~$160 Amazon) and I'm very happy with it. it is also 80Wx2 and has a subwoofer output.

I don't think you're going to find better, featured packed VERY AFFORDABLE amplifiers than these 2 devices since these form factors have only been possible in the last few years.

 

My KEF R100 has an 86db sensitivity rating just like the ELAC Debut and it still gets plenty loud enough for me. I'm not gonna confidently say it gets loud enough to fill out a huge living room or house party, but it's good enough enjoyable loud movie-watching.

 

The Klipsch R-41M has 90db sensitivity rating, so it would good get louder. But it's up to you.

I've owned the previous version of the ELAC Debut (~8 years ago) and it sounded awesome to me. I imagine these would be even better.

 

edit:

You can also consider the SMSL SA300. It uses the same amplifier chip as the Loxjie A30.

One Reddit post summarized it as:

Quote

TL;DW The AD18 has a few features missing in the SA300 such as the two optical inputs, NFC BT pairing, screen dimming, and headphone output. In exchange, the SA300 has a new amplifier chip that claims lower distortion (I believe it,) actual RCA inputs and sub output instead of 3.5mm on the AD18, Bluetooth 5.0 vs. 4.2, and a higher bitrate DAC when connected to a computer via USB.

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18 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

You can also consider the SMSL SA300. It uses the same amplifier chip as the Loxjie A30.

One Reddit post summarized it as:

I actually saw that amplifier before but i saw it didn't have any optical input, as far as i know optical should be the way to go in terms of connecting my tv to the amplifier so i don't know how good it would be using usb (I saw on the web page there is a way to use RCA to Optical but then you would need a converter).

 

Otherwise, as you said, it looks like a better match for my setup.

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3 hours ago, Carlosp17 said:

I actually saw that amplifier before but i saw it didn't have any optical input, as far as i know optical should be the way to go in terms of connecting my tv to the amplifier so i don't know how good it would be using usb (I saw on the web page there is a way to use RCA to Optical but then you would need a converter).

 

Otherwise, as you said, it looks like a better match for my setup.

Ah totally forgot about your optical requirement.

Well, from checking several more Topping and SMSL options, I don't think you have any options besides the AD18 and Loxjie A30.

Perhaps you could be lucky and find a home theater receiver (AVR) for cheap, but obviously choosing this option would result in a very large device and technically worse performance compared to the very modern amplifier chips in the Chinese amps.

 

edit:

Interesting, the Arylic B50 looks like a contender. But it might be worse than our choices - 50W x2 output, at least in terms of strictly volume.

One Reddit guy did not like his AD18

Quote

 

I auditioned the 3030i’s on the SMSL AD18 & it sounded absolutely terrible. Bright, dry, glassy & disconnected.

The AD18 is antiquated advice, it’s all digi implementation didn’t age well.

Opt for the newer SMSL offerings instead. If eARC is a must— search for Arylic B50 either use as a pre or the main amp instead.

 

Quote

The current best-liked product in the same class as the AD18 (sub-$200 combination of DAC, speaker amp, and headphone amp) is the Loxjie A30. It costs about $185. Compared to the AD18 it has a better DAC section and a much better speaker amp section. The headphone amp is quite bad, but the same was true of the AD18 so no loss there.

 

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This SMSL AD18 looks compelling. SMSL makes a great product

Open-Back - Sennheiser 6xx - Focal Elex - Phillips Fidelio X3 - Harmonicdyne Zeus -  Beyerdynamic DT1990 - *HiFi-man HE400i (2017) - *Phillips shp9500 - *SoundMAGIC HP200

Semi-Open - Beyerdynamic DT880-600 - Fostex T50RP - *AKG K240 studio

Closed-Back - Rode NTH-100 - Meze 99 Neo - AKG K361-BT - Blue Microphones Lola - *Beyerdynamic DT770-80 - *Meze 99 Noir - *Blon BL-B60 *Hifiman R7dx

On-Ear - Koss KPH30iCL Grado - Koss KPH30iCL Yaxi - Koss KPH40 Yaxi

IEM - Tin HiFi T2 - MoonDrop Quarks - Tangzu Wan'er S.G - Moondrop Chu - QKZ x HBB - 7HZ Salnotes Zero

Headset Turtle Beach Stealth 700 V2 + xbox adapter - *Sennheiser Game One - *Razer Kraken Pro V2

DAC S.M.S.L SU-9

Class-D dac/amp Topping DX7 - Schiit Fulla E - Fosi Q4 - *Sybasonic SD-DAC63116

Class-D amp Topping A70

Class-A amp Emotiva A-100 - Xduoo MT-602 (hybrid tube)

Pure Tube amp Darkvoice 336SE - Little dot MKII - Nobsound Little Bear P7

Audio Interface Rode AI-1

Portable Amp Xduoo XP2-pro - *Truthear SHIO - *Fiio BTR3K BTR3Kpro 

Mic Rode NT1 - *Antlion Mod Mic - *Neego Boom Mic - *Vmoda Boom Mic

Pads ZMF - Dekoni - Brainwavz - Shure - Yaxi - Grado - Wicked Cushions

Cables Hart Audio Cables - Periapt Audio Cables

Speakers Kef Q950 - Micca RB42 - Jamo S803 - Crown XLi1500 (power amp class A)

 

*given as gift or out of commission

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