[Doublej]

$250 gets you a 60 wpc Totem amplifier. I wonder if it will be any good.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/totem/arc-digital-amplifier

[Poultrygeist]

Wonder which chip it uses?

[Folsom]

Not interesting to me. It's not hard to stuff some class D and DAC stuff from China in a box.

[RDavidson]

It's not a bad idea, but I think they're making a mistake by not including at least one analog input for the sake of versatility.

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
like RDavidson wrote,
they should have included one (RCA) analogue input.
As far as I can see, right now,
the unit only comes with a USB input.
Also, they mentionned the casing is plastic. 

Guy 13

[srb]

Let's pick this thing apart!

Not a big fan of spring-loaded speaker terminals, but at least these are metal instead of the really super cheap plastic lever type.  It looks like they might have removable plug inserts that could accommodate banana plugs (?), but I would imagine spade terminations are a no-go.

But they lost me at plastic case and no analog input so it could be put into service as an ordinary power amplifier if desired.

Steve

[RDavidson]

Yes, your only input choices are USB or Bluetooth. It'd make for a very tidy setup with an Apple TV or computer as intended.....but, that's all. I REALLY dislike things designed with planned obsolescence.

[Bemopti123]

While I do understand the necessity of large known companies to change with the times, this box is unremarkable.  Class D is cheap as dirt and Aptx is also very common.  They are wadding into a very crowded pool without something remarkable that separates them from the rest of ClassD amp developers.  Devialet seems to be cutting the mustard in regards to originality but perhaps they do pump $$$$ into advertisement but this kickstarter to me is just another drop in the bucket.  Sad but I remember Totem as the maker of classic speakers such as the venerable Model 1 and the Manis.  I am afraid that soon that they will begin a kickstarter for headphones. 

[srb]

Class D is cheap as dirt and Aptx is also very common.

And there are more phones and tablets without aptX than with it.  It usually only appears on the higher end phones and tablets, except for Apple products which do not use it.

Steve

[Markvdv]

Wonder which chip it uses?

it uses tpa3118, so powerratings are a bit chinese:)
(htssop 32pin heatsinkpad down)
maybe Sure's AA-KA32471 is close

[Doublej]

Let's pick this thing apart!

Not a big fan of spring-loaded speaker terminals, but at least these are metal instead of the really super cheap plastic lever type.  It looks like they might have removable plug inserts that could accommodate banana plugs (?), but I would imagine spade terminations are a no-go.

But they lost me at plastic case and no analog input so it could be put into service as an ordinary power amplifier if desired.

Steve

Looks like standard speaker bindings posts (see ~1:10 of the second video) What did I miss? I agree the no analog is a mistake for the old folks. But I think the youngins don't care about analog inputs.

[audioengr]

I don't get it.  Sounds like the thing is already designed, tooled and prototyped and they have their manufacturing stream defined.  I wonder who did the electrical engineering on it.  No mention of any EE in their lineup.  All they need is capital to get it mass produced and to market.  I guess companies these days don't want to risk their own money to make this happen, they want to risk other peoples money??

What makes this better than a Sonos system?  Seems to me that Bluetooth has serious bandwidth limitations compared to WiFi, so their claim of 24/192 hires is likely only with USB.  Most companies have 24/192 with USB and have had for several years.