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My buddy Rex sent me this info. A great review on Stereophile. DIT kit- $314 Assembled-$468Description: Class-AB stereo power amplifier with LM3886 power-amplifier integrated circuit...
How does it compare to his DAC amp? I had a LM3886 based amp a while back and I thought it was very good, especially for the $$. But as good as it was, it's not even close to the Maraschino’s.
…With a tube preamp, vocals are naturally even better. Shirley Horn’s priceless You won’t forget me (CD, Verve) was so utterly compelling that I just had to listen from start to finish (which never occurred before). Not only were the fine modulations of Horn’s voice as well rendered as I have ever heard, the piano (herself) and the solos of the guests (a starry cast, including Miles) had startling definition and realism, as did the ambience and audience noise (little). On Richard Galliano’s Bach album (CD, DG), I too could not help just sampling, and had to listen to the entire Violin Concerto. For either album, I was not at all sure I’d exchange the amp for even the best tube amps.
Sonic Assessments Overall, there is little question that the AkitikA is an overachieving amp. The most gratifying thing is, no matter what I played, I was gripped and could not stop listening. I am likely to keep it and the LS3/5A for a quick listening system, such is the synergy between them. The LS3/5A works well with UK classics integrated amps like the Naim Nait, but here it is taken to a wholly new level. Rhythm and Pace The AkitikA even trumps the UK amps in PRaT that the flat-earthers so covet.Solid State? Although the AkititkA is just a little warm sounding but, lest you misunderstood from the listening notes above, it is not tube-like. Although vocals and instrumental timbers are alluring, the treble, though not lean, is not quite as harmonically fleshed out as a tube amp. Tube die-hards may demure, but the AkitikA compensates by its enticing performance in other areas...
Rated power (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W] 8 Ω, 2x 56Rated power (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W] 4 Ω, 2x 86Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 1x 0.24Signal / noise ratio (A-weighted filter, with reference to 1W) [dB] 79Dynamics [dB] 96Damping factor (relative to 4 Ω) 75
Hmm looks like a similar design to the LM3886-based "MyRef RevC" I built with the help of the diyaudio forum several years ago.
That's the chip in the SMSL SA300, right? I bought one of these several weeks ago and remain mighty impressed with it. I should A/B it with the FXPRO TPA3255. It does have about the best BT function I've ever encountered; unfortunately I don't use BT very often. Except in the car of course.
The LM3886 is a class AB amp IC, not class D.
