Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifier Measurements' started by purr1n, Jun 30, 2022.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    For subjective impressions, read here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...a-headphone-amp-reviews-and-discussion.11513/

    NOTE: Measurements below use different parameters than other sites, so not directly comparable. I'll be posting these measurements throughout the day. We also use output levels (0dBu/0.775Vrms) which is lower than some other sites. These output levels are still extremely loud, but more reflective of peak volume levels to be expected with very loud listening.

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine 0dBu output (~100db SPL from Sennheiser HD650)
    300-ohm load from SE (phono jack) output, BAL in
    64kFFT
    upload_2022-6-30_11-59-20.png

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine -10dBu output (~90db SPL from Sennheiser HD650)
    300-ohm load from SE output, BAL in
    64kFFT
    upload_2022-6-30_12-4-27.png

    Let's try lower 33ohm ortho / low-impedance loads next.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2022
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine 0dBu output (moderate/lower efficiency planar ~100db SPL)
    33-ohm load from SE output
    64kFFT
    upload_2022-6-30_12-12-2.png

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine -10dBu output (average higher-end planar ~100db SPL)
    33-ohm load from SE output
    64kFFT
    upload_2022-6-30_12-12-32.png

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine -20dBu output (high-efficiency ~100db SPL)
    33-ohm load from SE output
    64kFFT
    upload_2022-6-30_12-15-24.png
     
  3. Roget

    Roget Acquaintance

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    Mr. Purrin. I see a trend. You get different results than Audio Science Review for Chinese gear.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Left impressions here:

    Well, this case, I've said I think one of the channels is broken. Here's an apples-apples:


    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine 2Vrms input
    300-ohm load from SE output
    128kFFT 20kHz bandwidth
    upload_2022-6-30_17-16-17.png

    This is closer to ASR results, not quite the AmirNAD chart toppings, but close enough.

    Finally, let's see what happens when we use BAL input with SE (phono) out. The moral of the story is that we should use SE inputs if we want to use the SE output.
    upload_2022-6-30_17-13-7.png
    upload_2022-6-30_17-13-41.png
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    And here is with a 33-ohm load. Again, I think one channel is broken.

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine 2Vrms input
    33-ohm load from SE output
    128kFFT 20kHz bandwidth
    upload_2022-6-30_17-17-53.png

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine 1Vrms input
    33-ohm load from SE output
    128kFFT 20kHz bandwidth
    upload_2022-6-30_17-18-47.png

    Going forward, will only take measurements on the good channel.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Anyway, I'm giving Sinxger the benefit of the doubt and excluding the defective channel measurements* Here's a GONAD panel, but only with the good channel. It actually looks pretty good. Definitely "objectivists" wet dream territory or what "subjectivists" would associate with dull or bland sound from too much negative feedback.

    upload_2022-6-30_17-36-39.png

    upload_2022-6-30_17-42-2.png


    *This is something ASR would never do to non-Chinese manufacturers that Amir is not friendly with, especially with Schiit considering how Amir has expressed his distain for Schiit's marketing practices (now since deleted from his forum).
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm going to stop here and send to @atomicbob for more comprehensive measurements. @atomicbob, let me know if you have the time, if you don't, will send back to @rhythmdevils
     
  8. roderickvd

    roderickvd New

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    Thanks for this. That Singxer engineer on ASR himself informed that this amp is primarily intended for balanced use, as well as that SE out should use SE in - like you found out.

    Would be interested to see measurements of the balanced out.
     
  9. deafenears

    deafenears Almost "Made"

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    This is also what one of the designers / engineer of the SA-1 said. As quoted elsewhere on ASR:
    Also, any chance you could do the DC jumper bypass mod and give both a listening impression and measurements to see if there's any changes (positive and/or negative)? I don't think anyone else has done this before with the SA-1. The required jumpers are those of 2.54mm pitch similar to the ones used for older HDDs (primary/master and secondary/slave), remember those?
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2022
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The balanced in/out steady state 1kHz signal reproductions are stunningly superb!

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine 0dBu output (~100db SPL from Sennheiser HD650)
    300-ohm load from BAL output, BAL in
    32kFFT
    upload_2022-7-1_9-43-22.png

    Singxer SA-1 Headphone Amp
    1kHz steady state sine -10dBu output
    300-ohm load from BAL output, BAL in
    32kFFT
    upload_2022-7-1_9-44-42.png


    Here's 2Vrms, enough to kill most headphones with extended use or if not cause permanent hearing damage with limited use. Not only will we not hear any distortion, we won't be hearing much at all!
    upload_2022-7-1_9-46-34.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2022
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Would love to do this, but just not enough hours in the day. Do you know if the amp has jumpers in it already?
     
  12. roderickvd

    roderickvd New

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    No jumpers in it unfortunately.

    Those balanced measurements really are something. Interestingly much less mains 60 Hz mains noise too or so it seems.
     
  13. Lunk_Wray

    Lunk_Wray Obsessed with Headstage

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    The DC jumper bypass mod is detailed, with a little preamble about the soft sound in its absence (Edit, I haven't heard the amp, that's Currawong's opinion, not mine), from about 7.50 in this Currawong review:

     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2022
  14. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    @purr1n : yes, go ahead and send. I should have some time this month to work it in.
     
  15. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    this is such a perfect one-line description
     

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