[jmimac351]

I just bypassed the volume control which made a big difference. This amp is awesome.

I was going to ask if you did that.  I saw mention of that improving it.  So far I have been able to resist buying one.  And then I start rationalizing the nice case and how that is worth money by itself.   

I think these are the output transistors in it.  Bipolar. 

Does it sound like it is putting out 20w/ch into 8ohm?

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/onsemi/MJL21193/606091

[mkrawcz]

mkrawcz, you have a nice little collection of amps, (mostly class A?), I’d be interested in a little pros/cons comparison 😇😎. Also, what are you listening on?

I listen on NX-Oticas, NX-Studios, NX-Bravos, NX-Bravo Towers, Superminis, Brutes, upgraded Magnepan LRS+, Caladans, and modded Sony sscs5 mostly. I have a number of other speakers, but they sit unused most of the time(probably time to start cleaning house). I have somewhere around 30 amps with an equal split of tube, class A, AB, and D. My general preference is  Tube and Class A. They sound more convincingly real and natural. The closest class d amps I have that knock at the door are probably the Hypex Nilai and NCx500 amps, they soften the edges just a bit more than the Purifi amps making them a little less “etched”. The funny thing is that the Douk Audio A5 with upgraded opamps is really close to those amps at a fraction of the price. The Pass First Watt amps tend to be the closest Class A amps to really good tube amps but without the expense of constantly buying tubes which is why I prefer them overall. The thing I have found is there is no perfect amp for all types of music which is why I rotate around constantly. Tubes and Class A for jazz and classical, class D for rock.

[mkrawcz]

I was going to ask if you did that.  I saw mention of that improving it.  So far I have been able to resist buying one.  And then I start rationalizing the nice case and how that is worth money by itself.   

I think these are the output transistors in it.  Bipolar. 

Does it sound like it is putting out 20w/ch into 8ohm?

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/onsemi/MJL21193/606091

It actually sounds a lot more powerful than 20 watts. I see it’s now $250 on Amazon, totally worth it. I will have to dig into it and figure out some stuff to tweak, I almost don’t want to mess with it too much beyond replacing the wiring and binding posts.

[nlitworld]

Just got this little 20 watt class A amp that is allegedly a clone of the Musical Fidelity A1 without the preamp section. BRZHifi A1S, cost $225 on Amazon and I am shocked at how good it is.

I don't need a new amp... I don't need a new amp... If I say it enough times, I'll start believing it, right? I've seen this one before but never thought to jump on it. I haven't yet owned a pure class A ss amp, and an affordable (and tweakable) option such as this could be a fun little piece. After I finish my other amp projects (tubes4hifi ST35 and more Douk A5 mods & custom case) I may give this a go. 

[goggle1824]

I listen on NX-Oticas, NX-Studios, NX-Bravos, NX-Bravo Towers, Superminis, Brutes, upgraded Magnepan LRS+, Caladans, and modded Sony sscs5 mostly. I have a number of other speakers, but they sit unused most of the time(probably time to start cleaning house). I have somewhere around 30 amps with an equal split of tube, class A, AB, and D. My general preference is  Tube and Class A. They sound more convincingly real and natural. The closest class d amps I have that knock at the door are probably the Hypex Nilai and NCx500 amps, they soften the edges just a bit more than the Purifi amps making them a little less “etched”. The funny thing is that the Douk Audio A5 with upgraded opamps is really close to those amps at a fraction of the price. The Pass First Watt amps tend to be the closest Class A amps to really good tube amps but without the expense of constantly buying tubes which is why I prefer them overall. The thing I have found is there is no perfect amp for all types of music which is why I rotate around constantly. Tubes and Class A for jazz and classical, class D for rock.

Awesome, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences on all of this, this summary is exactly what I was hoping for! 🍻🙌🏼

Given your amps experience, I’m curious, have you heard a FW Aleph J or a good version of the DIY version?

[BrandonB]

I don't need a new amp... I don't need a new amp... If I say it enough times, I'll start believing it, right? I've seen this one before but never thought to jump on it. I haven't yet owned a pure class A ss amp, and an affordable (and tweakable) option such as this could be a fun little piece. After I finish my other amp projects (tubes4hifi ST35 and more Douk A5 mods & custom case) I may give this a go. 

Sounds like you need a new amp!

[BrandonB]

Not touching source components, yet. I am very happy with my source gear and happy with the money I have in it. 

I recall you had a full lineup of Ayre.  What is your current setup including your source gear?

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Just got this little 20 watt class A amp that is allegedly a clone of the Musical Fidelity A1 without the preamp section. BRZHifi A1S, cost $225 on Amazon and I am shocked at how good it is. This beats all the cheap class D amps you will find on Amazon by a mile. I see some opportunity to tweak also. Playing it through the NX-Bravo Towers and it’s very much a high end sounding Class A amp. Still can’t believe this cost so little. Just the chassis alone is something that would cost about $200 for DIY.

I'm curiouos how much better does this amp sound compared to a $80 Douk Audio A5 for sale on Amazon?

One would hope it sounds better, since it over 2 1/2 times the cost of the A5. Question is how much better though?  By far it looks more impressive, literally in all categories IMHO. It would be interesting to compare both heads up. I've invested $59.00 in upgrades on my A5, upgraded the op amps , added a Acopian 48 volt / 8 1/2 amp linear supply, $130.00 total, including the A5 purchase. Even so, it's still less than $225.00 with upgrades, making this mini amp pretty impressive sounding for the price too. Playing the A5 through the NX-Studio's, or my Mordaunt Short speakers is damn impressive, for what I've invested.

I can't imagine the A1S is that much better? If it is, without doubt it's a best kept secret. For obvious reasons, you can't compare in terms of power, hands down my A5 is more substancial, with a 26lb acopian regulated linear power supply providing over 300 watts cllean watts. Compairing the circuit designs, laughable, the A1S is more impressive. I wish someone owned both to do a real heads up comparison.

Even my other Acopian LPS below does a hell of a job too.

[mkrawcz]

I'm curiouos how much better does this amp sound compared to a $80 Douk Audio A5 for sale on Amazon?

One would hope it sounds better, since it over 2 1/2 times the cost of the A5. Question is how much better though?  By far it looks more impressive, literally in all categories IMHO. It would be interesting to compare both heads up. I've invested $59.00 in upgrades on my A5, upgraded the op amps , added a Acopian 48 volt / 8 1/2 amp linear supply, $130.00 total, including the A5 purchase. Even so, it's still less than $225.00 with upgrades, making this mini amp pretty impressive sounding for the price too. Playing the A5 through the NX-Studio's, or my Mordaunt Short speakers is damn impressive, for what I've invested.

I can't imagine the A1S is that much better? If it is, without doubt it's a best kept secret. For obvious reasons, you can't compare in terms of power, hands down my A5 is more substancial, with a 26lb acopian regulated linear power supply providing over 300 watts cllean watts. Compairing the circuit designs, laughable, the A1S is more impressive. I wish someone owned both to do a real heads up comparison.

Even my other Acopian LPS below does a hell of a job too.

I have the Douk A5. One isn’t necessarily better than the other. The Douk A5 is more neutral with precision pinpoint imaging and instrument placement. The A1S is more about the vivid midrange that comes from 2nd harmonic distortion. Once you hear it, it’s hard to not continue wanting it. It’s why people like tube amps so much. That distortion profile makes vocals and orchestral instruments sound more real like they’re actually in the room and not a recording.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Refreshing to know one has both amps, providing us an evaluation. Thanks for you input, distinguishing the differences between the two amp's characteristics. The feedback you've contributed, will certainly help others in the marketplace shopping around.

I will say this regarding the A5, one is truly missing out not using the A5 connected up with a tube preamp. It helps it deliver what you described,
"makes vocals and orchestral instruments sound more real like they’re actually in the room and not a recording."

Note:
If your not planning on using a preamplifier with an A5, At least upgrade the attenuator, with a higher quality one. The stock one does degrade the signal somewhat. Using a nice tube preamp connected however, one should position the setting on the A5 to full volume. Now your preamp's attenuator now will adust the volume, bypassing the A5's attenuator, eleviates signal degradation.