Emotiva Audio BasX A-150 Stereo Power Amplifier

For the price of just $229, this a fantastic stereo amplifier with a variable volume control. Keep in mind that if you have more than one audio source, you will still need a preamplifier or source switch. The unit is very well built with a steel chassis and solid aluminum face plate. While the unit is low-height profile and just 8.5 inches wide, it is 15 inches deep, which means you will have to find adequate space as if you had a full size stereo component. With a massive power supply and built-in fan, I thought the unit might run hot and be noisy. Instead, I have found the unit to be dead quiet and run cool. The volume control is a tactile delight, turning smoothly without predetermined volume steps. I thought I might not like the blue LED light behind the volume control, but now I find the color and brightness level to be tasteful and unassuming. With up to 80 watts per channel with 4 ohm speakers, the amplifier has enough power to sweetly and crisply articulate mids and high notes, while expressing bass notes deeply, fully, and with authority. I'm using the amplifier for a desktop system, using Jean Marie Reynaud Twin MkIII speakers and the Marantz HD-DAC1. Listening to Jesse Cook through Tidal's streaming service, the entire combination delivers a rich, detailed, yet rounded analog-like experience--no "digititis". The sound stage is wide and airy. Even at low volume, the music is warm and enveloping. In contrast, while being a decent unit that I purchased at Amazon, the Audioengine N22 Desktop Amplifier sounds thinner and more digital like. The N22's sound stage is relatively flatter, more two-dimensional than the Emotiva's. The N22 does have a much smaller footprint, which might be perfect for most desktop setups, but it simply cannot compete with the Emotiva amp's musicality. One advantage that the N22 has over the Emotiva is sub-woofer outputs. Though I enjoy using a sub-woofer, I find that I do not need the sub-woofer any longer with the Emotiva, as the bass the amp produces is so much deeper and fuller than the N22's. What's more, the Emotiva has a far superior volume control and chassis than the N22's, as the latter is made from wood with a grittier-feeling volume control. So for just $30 more than the N22, the Emotiva BasX A-100 stereo amplifier delivers an outstanding value with an altogether different league of true audiophile performance.

AWESOME! Sounds better than my Sony AVR receiver. Bass is fuller and better separation between instruments in the music. Music has dynamics. Unless you spend a lot money, most AVR receivers have op-amps. The only put a certain amount of watts. Music has dynamics. For a amp or receiver to play those dynamics right, it has to have "headroom". Headroom is important to ANYTHING you are listening too. Capacitors store energy. As dynamics go up, the capacitors release that energy. It happens in milliseconds. If you don't have that headroom, the frequency is cut off. The louder you listen to your music, the more watts from your amp you need as well. Your amp has to play the peaks in the frequencies. If it can't then the amp or receiver "clips" them off. When this happens, you don't all the frequencies going to your ears. Receivers that are built like this amp cost more. A LOT more. Receivers built as good as this amp start out at 1000 dollars. Also, for me 2.1 is the optimum amount of speakers. You only have two ears any way. Anything else is overkill.Update after three months. Great in every way. I also want to point out that it is ALL METAL. The whole front, case and even the volume is metal. My Sony was plastic. No problems what so ever. I replaced my Infinity P163s with a set of Klipsch R-14Ms. These have better bass and really make the the A-100 "shine" and sound better than the P163. Awesome amp in every way. Get you a SB-1000 and connect the your DAC to the inputs on the sub. Then, connect the A-100 to the outputs and crossover at the frequency you like best. Done, 2.1. Awesome desktop system. Emotiva built this amp like tank. It is quality and well worth the asking price. I'm 55 and don't have a lot of money to spend like some of you too. You cannot find a better amp for the money. I had 500 dollar Sony receiver and when I heard and saw this amp at a friend's place, I gave my Sony away and bought this immediately. I ahd my receiver for 4 years. If you are in the market for quality amp built with METAL instead of plastic, not to mention the quality components inside, you would be foolish not to look at this one.

There is a distinct noise in my headphones (HIFIMAN HE-400I) when I plug them to Emotiva Audio BasX A-100 stereo flex whereas there must be full silence when the music is not playing. When I then plug mу HIFIMAN HE-400I directly to TEAC DAC there is no noise at all and everything is fine. The interconnect cable between my DAC and Emotiva is very cheap and might be the reason but I doubt it. In general the amp is worth its price.

The amp does not sound nearly as musical as my Demon AVR 3500 receiver and lackluster bass response! I thought that the Emotiva amp would be an upgrade and a bit more power, however, it is a downgrade. That being said, I am still looking. I guess you get what you pay for....

Bought this unit for their huge power throughput to the headphone jack, was disappointed to find that white noise or static was present when the unit is powered on independent of volume. The noise only affected the right channel and was easy to ignore if music was playing, but between songs or during quiet parts it was distracting.Otherwise, this unit is exactly what I need. Precise control over a huge decibel range, and strictly the best bang for your buck when considering headphone power to dollars.

The media could not be loaded. Emotiva shipped me a unit with a defective left channel. Even on Zero volume there is HISS and statis/noise on the left channel, even when headphones are used. Used different outlets and connected to power conditioners, replaced power cable, different speakers, replaced speaker cables, all to no avail. Emotiva customer service is pretty much non-existent! Emailed them and emailed back with a vague message with no direction.