Sabaj Audio A2 Class D Digital Amplifier with Built-In AptX Bluetooth

I needed a small amplifier for my bookshelf speakers so when I saw this and found it had Bluetooth it seemed just what I wanted.Packaging and accessories:The A2 comes in a simple retail box in black and white. On the back are button, function and input/output diagrams and features.Once the box is open we find the A2 amplifier, Bluetooth antenna, a power pack with cable and the remote control - everything you need to get up and running.The remote control is a very lightweight plastic but it feels sturdy and is powered by a 3V lithium battery. The layout is very simple but it actually covers all the functions of the amp. The buttons are easy to distinguish and laid out in a sensible order. The buttons include (from top to bottom):PowerInput select / Volume up / EQVolume downMuteBuild:The Sabaj A2 is a gorgeous looking little unit. It has a machined aluminium body with rounded edges and feels nice and solid in the hand. On the front panel is a digital LED screen, next to which is a large volume knob that also acts as the input selection when pressed in.Around the back are the three inputs and speaker outputs. Line in options are (from left to right):Optical3.5 mm analogBluetoothThe three inputs on the back correspond with the LED selection making things very logical and easy to use. The speaker outputs feel slightly crowded (because the unit is very small) so I'd suggest you connect them before you screw on the Bluetooth antenna and connect the power.The optical input uses the LC89091 and supports a sample rate up to 44.1KHZ-192KHZ. The DAC utilizes the WM8524 which is 24 bit 192khz.Bluetooth and pairing:Pairing with the Sabaj A2 is super easy. Just select Input 3 with the remote or using the button on the amp and then scan with your source, that's it! I had no difficulty pairing my Samsung Galaxy Note 5, iPhone 4S and FiiO X1ii. Transmit distance is rated at 10 meters and that seems about right and at normal usage range there were no interruptions or drops in signal.Sound:(EQ 0) Sound is fairly linear but the presentation is energetic and enthusiastic. Treble is lively and open without becoming edgy and mid-bass is punchy but could do with a little more authority. In The Pineapple Thief's The Final Thing on My Mind the A2 delivers a lively display of Gavin Harrison's excellent hi-hat and cymbal combinations. Dynamics are on point and tonality is well executed across the board.(EQ 1) With the EQ set to 1 things aren't as rosy. It basically adds a loudness effect bringing the bass and mids forward but the sound quickly becomes congested resulting in a loss of separation and refinement. I would strongly suggest leaving the EQ set to 0.Conclusion:The Sabaj A2 is a wonderfully crafted mini stereo amplifier that packs a surprising amount of punch. Aesthetically it should complement any setup, looking very clean and refined and its rounded edges are the icing on the cake when it comes to appearance. Build quality is excellent with smooth edges and seamless joins it really looks like more expensive than it is. Currently priced at $79.99 this is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a simple, small and versatile stereo amplifier. With the added convenience of aptX Bluetooth and 3 input options this is a great value amp and I would certainly recommend it.

For what it is, a little amp for £59 it is special. It looks great, it is super small and packs a little punch. It is not going to go raving loud but for a little sound, in a little room they will do perfectly!I read that some people have had difficulties connecting to the Bluetooth which I ignored and bought it anyway. Sure enough I plugged it in and battled to get Bluetooth connected, my Samsung Galaxy S7 could not even find it. My wife has the same phone and so tried that, strangely it found it and instantly, paired but could not connect. I left the amp on for a while whilst I ate dinner and then tried again with my phone successfully finding it, pairing and connecting instantly. I think that the unit may have to be on for a little while before the Bluetooth springs to life. I then tried my wife's phone again and that too connected instantly. So be a little patient. I did some further testing by unpairing, re-pairing, switching the amp off and all connected back up perfectly after.The sound is pretty good, I tested them on a pair of Monitor Audio Radius 90s. There is a little more hiss than I would like with no input (silence) which I assume is from the power supply but strangely upon input and turning the volume up a fraction I could noticeably hear it vanish like some filter kicked in and cut it out. Would I buy it again? Yes. Am I? Yes, one for my wife's computer in a couple months. Is there anything missing? A smooth volume pot, a heavier aluminium volume knob and a headphone jack in the front. These would have made this amp perfect, but then again not much is in this world and this comes close!

It looks good, sounds good, is surprisingly well featured, but I really struggle to get it reconnect to Bluetooth. I havent figured out a reliable way to get the Bluetooth to reconnect. Affects an iPhone, Nexus 5x and a Pixel. After something has been connected, and then disconnected, nothing all connect again. Sometimes turning it off at the wall, then connecting something else, and then disconnecting, will allow the original device to connect again? But sometimes it doesn't. Extremely frustrating because otherwise this is a great little amp. Have it corrected to some old Sony speakers and the sound is surprisingly decent and loud when you want it to be. Easily comparable to a Griffin Twenty I got from America and a fraction of the price. Except the connection :(

Simply a cracking little amp, especially considering the price. I use mine to power a pair of Q Acoustics 3020 bookshelf speakers (rated at 75W RMS), using the optical input from my TV and Bluetooth connection from my Pixel 2 phone. It's small, sleek, and beautifully made - I get the impression it'll last a good while, having an overall quality feel to the construction. I've had no issues since I purchased mine 3 months ago.I note other reviewers have had problems with the Bluetooth connection - I've had no such issues and can happily report this works flawlessly for me, although I can't comment on the range as I only use this function in a small room.I'd strongly recommend replacing the terrible stock battery in the remote control with a new higher quality one. It's actually a decent-ranged remote, not that you'd think so before doing this. This will do the trick: Panasonic CR2025 Lithium 3 Volt Battery card of 6In summary, like other people weighing up this product, I was initially hesitant as this is an unashamedly unknown brand without the prestige of 'Made in the UK / Germany' or a 30-year reputation. Also, the unit is considerably smaller than most hi-fi amps, so naturally this got me wondering if there was some tradeoff. Finally, there's the price - you get a lot of functionality for not much money. Well, all I can say is that I'm delighted with the choice I made.