S.M.S.L AD18 Audio HiFi Stereo Amplifier with Bluetooth 4.2 Supports Apt-X,USB DSP Full Digital Power Amplifier 2.1 Small 80Wx2 Class D Amplifier with Subwoofer Output

Wow. Just awesome! I purchased this DAC/amp for a specific purpose, but even without that need, I would have bought this little gem because I've been waiting for a product like this for a long time. This little guy offers much more than your average DAC or DAC/Amp combo. Given the reasonable price and extensive list of features and capabilities, it's impressive to me that this little amp does everything that it does, and does everything at least adequately well. Most of what it does, it does very well, and a few things (including power output and sound quality) it does exceptionally well. There have been many nice DACs or DAC/Amps on the market for some time now, but there was always some limiting factor when you bought one (including high price). For example, I also own the Audioengine D1, which is a fine little DAC/Headphone Amp, but it is only usable with powered speakers or headphones. It gives you only 1 USB and 1 optical input, but no analog input, no COAX input, no speaker amp, and no Bluetooth. The S.M.S.L. AD-18 gives you 2 Optical inputs (44.1KHz-192KHz/24 bit), A COAX input (44.1KHz-192KHz/24 bit), a USB input (44.1KHz-96KHz/24 bit), an Aux analog input, Bluetooth (4.2), a Sub-woofer output (line level), L/R speaker terminals (5-way binding posts with 80 watts/channel @ 4 ohms), a built in headphone amp with 3.5mm output (front), bass/treble/volume controls, 7 preset EQ's, a remote control, and a nifty display screen! The D1 has a decent headphone amp (a little stronger the the AD-18's actually), but no speaker amp, and that's what I needed for my bookshelf into computer desk speakers project. Many of us out there have noted, with some sadness, at what passes muster for good sounding speakers these days. This is especially true for those products that slide the word "computer" in front of speakers. Basically, they suck for the most part, unless you are willing to spend way too much $$ for overpriced powered speakers that have (IMO) just average sound quality. For anyone out there like me, with a pair of really great sounding passive bookshelf speakers which they would love to use again, or use as computer speakers, then this is the amp for you! I have an old pair of Advent AR1122's that positively sing as oversized computer speakers now that the AD-18 is powering them! I used the line level sub output to add a powered Polk sub-woofer, and the sound with this combo is just amazingly full, rich and dynamic. The sound quality is sweet and detailed even at very low volume levels, and is impressively lively and powerful, with no harshness, when playing near the full-monty level. I had not expected that. I expected that the AD-18 would be an improvement over other DAC/amps in terms of connectivity and functionality, but not sound quality. It sounds significantly better than other DAC/Amps I've heard. I certainly didn't expect it to rival some full size stereo receivers in terms of power and clarity, but it definitely does. The AD-18 sounds very, very, good indeed, and for an audio product, that's easily the most important thing. So, what needs improvement? Well, if S.M.S.L. is reading these reviews, then the following is my suggestion box for your already great product: Headphone amp - For the vast majority of people out there, the Headphone Amp on the AD-18 will be more than adequate, especially considering what it's usually replacing (computer/phone HP jack). However, for those folks that have high impedance headphones, you may want to look at a dedicated high output headphone amp instead. The HP amp on the AD-18 works fine on my Grado's, so that's all I care about, but if S.M.S.L. wanted to add more power there, it would certainly widen the fan-base for the AD-18. Additional Outputs: It's not a must have, but it would be really nice if there was a line level analog output. Also, a digital output with pre/post or bit-stream output would be really nice, but that might raise the cost too much. Still it would be a nice and useful addition. In conclusion - this is a fantastically good product, that, if it lasts, will also be an exceptional value. I like it so much that I just bought a second one for another project! Note: Video was updated to prove to the doubters that 'Yes indeed, it can - power those in-efficient speakers!' In this case it was a pair of B&W DM 610's. Sounded beautiful, and LOUD! **UPDATE - July 17, 2019** After reading several negative comments about this product, claiming that it is a poorly designed piece of junk, I felt it necessary to update my original review. I have 3 of these units, and I can say that it is definitely a 5 star product. The one on my desktop, has been in daily service for more than a year, and is just as impressive today, as the day I unboxed it. I imagine that some of the negative reviews are genuine, but I believe that many of them are from competitors, trying to steer people away from this excellent, segment leading, product. If you're in the market for a desktop, workshop, or even main stereo amplifier, with excellent sound, power, and features at an affordable price, then shop no further because this is the one you want! Don't be dissuaded by the naysayers. This is a fantastic and RELIABLE product.

This is a long one. I had been looking for a replacement computer speaker set and getting wholly frustrated. I finally decided to try something else. This SMSL amp is much more than I imagined it would be. Being class D it barely gets warm under load. Not to mention the quality is surprisingly good. I am running Optical off my ASUS Tuff motherboard to the unit. The speakers of choice are old Samsung units off a surround unit purchased for $20 from ebay. The sub is a Polk home unit PSW110. Its WAY over kill for any computer set, and sounds AMAZING. I do wish it had Hi pass for the speakers so I could adjust them but the Samsungs seem to be doing ok. Much better than the Sony set I tested first. Now the "whaaaat???". The speakers are 3 ohms and I have noticed no issues whatsoever. No clipping, no power drop, no distortion. Oh and its RIDICULOUSLY loud if you aren't careful with the volume. Design wise its much smaller than expected and the screen is a little tough to read. It could use a selection button for headphone/Speaker. Instead you have to click the main dial twice then switch and then wait to turn up/down the volume. However this allows me to leave my 3.5mm splitter plugged in (I run Sennheiser Game 1 for PC and Xbox). Note: The Sennheiser Game 1 I still have to max out the volume, something that drives me nuts on the Xbox as well. However a pair of HD515 were near blasted out at full headphone volume. I believe the volume adjustment on the Game 1's is the culprit, not the amp. For such a quality amp, a 6.35mm plug would have been a better choice. OR a mic input in the rear and a gaming 3.5mm out in the front. One major complaint. The volume is placed way too close to the headphone out. The other minor complaint is the silly 3.5mm to Coax needed to run a subwoofer (you will need to buy one) and then you get to guess which side is the sub. I have no doubt this could power large bookshelf speakers based on preliminary testing. Considering getting a second one to power speakers in the garage (plan on using some Polk 6.5 components I have lying around from my last car). However I have no way to power a sub in this case so I am looking at other options as well. Bottom Line: EXCELLENT value for the money. Small, powerful, and great sounding. This is a tough little guy to beat. Will test NFC at a future date and update if there are any issues. Also did not test remote.

So far so good. I've had it about a week so far. It's driving a pair of Fluance SX6's and a 10" Polk audio powered sub. The Bluetooth works flawlessly and easily. I assume the Bluetooth has the newest tech considering how well it sounds. I've been playing 320kbps mp3s with the Bluetooth. Bluetooth seems to be mixed louder than the other inputs for some reason, but not enough to be a nuisance or anything. The "aux in" works great. The optical works great as well. I haven't used the USB out yet, buy I'll go ahead and assume that it works well too. My only complaint and the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is that during dry winter months, the static you build up walking on carpet can cause problems. Anytime you touch the unit without grounding yourself first, the unit will drop the audio output regardless of the input. You have to turn the unit off and then back on. Luckily it comes with a remote. I may try to ground the unit a little better myself later on, but until then I can deal with the static issue. It's probably not the best thing for the unit, but I'll consider my troubles a test. EDIT**** SIX WEEKS IN, THE ZAPPING ONLY PRODUCES AN AUDIBLE POP AT A LEVEL BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE AUDIO. IN MY EYES, THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT. I DIDNT DO ANYTHING TO IT. THERE FOR A WHILE, IF I TOUCHED ANYTHING CONNECTED TO THE AMP AND IT ZAPPED, THE AUDIO WOULD CUT. WHETHER THE TV, XBOX, OR RECORD PLAYER WAS TOUCHED. ILL BUMP MY RATING UP TO 5 IF IT LASTS LONGER THAN A YEAR. Well worth the money. Would recommend. EDIT**** IF YOU THINK ITS BROKEN, CHECK TO MAKE SURE OUTPUT IS SET TO SPEAKERS AND NOT HEADPHONES. THAT'LL SPARE YOU OF ANY EMBARRASSMENT, IF YOU KNOW WHAT IM SAYING.

Es de un tamaño mas pequeño de lo que uno imaginaria, aunque el truco está en que tiene su eliminador de corriente casi del mismo tamaño que el aparato, para mi mejor, no estorba y se calienta menos asi. Múltiples entradas que le otorga gran flexibilidad a la hora de conectarlo, con salida amplificada directa a las bocinas y al subwofer. Lo conecté a unas bocinas Yamaha gama media que tenia y suena espectacular. Lo compré para una tableta buena pero con sonido horrible en verdad, tanto por sus bocinitas como por auriculares, la conecto por el puerto USB para "puentear" el dac de la misma y el cambio es abismal. Ahora pasó de ser solo para redes sociales a mi centro multimedia principal, escuchas todos los detalles de la música y las películas como home theatre, solo conectalo a unas buenas bocinas y sub y suena mejor que mis auriculares sennheiser hd599. El bluetooth se conecta también sin problemas y sin lag. Muy contento con la compra, lo recomiendo ampliamente.

This is my 2nd AD18 from SMSL. Been using it since 2019. Buying it for a family member. Its Afforable and I got significant time-limited discount offer from Amazon, if compared buy from Lazada! Seller was fast to ship and deliver the product. Thank you FINE MUSIC and Aamazon!

That's not very quality sound but i'm happy the same.Hope this amplifier will not die fast >.<

===EDIT=== Despite the product description claiming it's supported, there is a problem with this amplifier and the 96kHz USB sampling rate, where every so often the speakers will output a deafeningly loud cracking/hissing noise. This can be resolved by setting the sampling rate in windows back to the default 44.1kHz sampling rate. ========== I bought this wanting a compact, Bluetooth-enabled amplifier that would compliment my Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers without breaking the bank while also not being so incredibly cheap the quality is in question. I'm a student so the limited space of my student bedroom meant I was looking for something with a compact package. I managed to get a relative bargain by getting a customer return from the Amazon Warehouse, thankfully it was in perfect condition as I've found the warehouse to be a bit hit-or-miss. The unit has loads of connectivity, I opted to use the USB connection (configured at 96kHz) from my laptop as this would bypass my laptop's sound card and instead send the digital signal directly to the amplifier. I connected my speakers up with some speaker cable bought from Richer Sounds and some soldered banana plugs from Amazon. I'm very happy with the sound, my speakers are rated for 50W each and this amplifier can go up to 80W per channel. This amplifier is **loud**, and I've gone nowhere near the limits. The proprietary 'SDB' EQ mode makes for a good listening experience, I also did a +2dB bass offset because I don't have a subwoofer (although there is a port for connecting an active/powered subwoofer in the future). I'm no audiophile but I think it sounds pretty great! The Bluetooth interface supports APT-X, a low-latency audio codec. My phone and laptop both support this, I think it sounds fantastic too. This is great if I'm watching movies in bed from my laptop as I can avoid using my laptop speakers, I do notice a tiny bit of lag where the audio is behind the video. (With VLC video player you can set a delay on the video if this annoys you). The display is good for configuring the amplifier, it works well and is intuitive enough. The remote is nice for controlling the volume and settings from in bed, however, the remote leaves a little to be desired... Sometimes the amplifier doesn't respond to button presses on the remote, so you have to press 'A' to sync it back to the amplifier. The remote won't allow you to change to modes without direct sight of the display because there are no buttons like 'Bluetooth', 'Aux', instead there's a button for switching between inputs, but you can't tell which is selected without sight of the display. If I'm in bed and want to switch from 'USB' to 'Bluetooth' it's hard to read what the display is set to from that distance. Overall I'm really pleased with this amplifier. It's small, affordable, well built, sounds great and has great specs.

Utomordentligt ljud - blev faktiskt mycket förvånad över ljudkvaliteten. Liten och behändig. Snabb leverans. Det enda negativa är, att jag inte kunnat hitta inköpskälla för den kombinerade audiovideokabeln för coaxial input och subwoofer output ( som visas i manualen att ansluta i det kombinerade coaxial/subwoofer uttaget). Den behövs naturligtvis inte om man inte har behov av coaxial input! Praktisk fjärrkontroll medföljer. Mycket bra köp, slår troligen alla konkurrenter i prisklassen. I varje fall mycket bättre än den miniförstärkare av annat fabrikat jag hade tidigare. Rekommenderas!