Can it sound good for $270? Sound Artist SA-200IA Integrated amplifier review ! 

I just ordered mine. Looking forward to trying it out.

Please post updates detailing your experience. There are only 3 reviews on Amazon.

I plan on hooking mine up tomorrow to do some listening. Any comparisons as to where it fits as to other equipment? Jay state's it isn't as competent as Hegel/Naim, but is it close. The way I listen to music it doesn't have to be. At loud volumes, yeah, Hegel keeps it together while others give a flat wall of sound that loses space, definition, etc. But if it comes reasonably close for under $450....

Still using it now? Would be interesting to know your thoughts

I believe it comes with battery that you have to put inside the remote. Cheers and have fun

The remote has a coin-type battery; these are often shipped with a piece of paper on the underside so that the battery does not discharge. Take the battery out and see.

The bass output on a Hegel is designed to be tight and fast. Bass when it's there and none when it's not. Vintage equipment sperakers, amps, can sometimes keep a bassy note going when it should stop and is undefined, without definition and affects the mids, highs. Never liked that and will take new audiophile over vintage myself. But we like what we like so who's to say what is best?

KEEPING IT REAL! I ordered from them and it came quick as hell.

@@dougg1075 so how do you like it am thinking to order one

True. That's why we have our own go to guys for fixing equipment. The nice thing is that it seems simple and straight foreword so they can work with it. Complicated amps may not be fixable unless you send out for really expensive repair...and it still may not function properly. That's one reason try to stay away from complicated equipment. Dacs aside, after a few years they are throwaway units anyhow.

not sure if the Willsenton r8 will drive the 1.7i per my comment before in the comment section of that review. Let us know !

@@Jayiyagi I don't expect it can play very loud, I just want to try a tube amp and most of them are not very powerful. I also tried Bryston 4BST on 1.7i and MMG, with the same volume level the MMG doesn't sound as loud as 1.7i so I think pairing with bigger panel it will sound louder, I hope.

@@Jayiyagi Received the R8 today and listened for 3 hours. It has no problem driving 1.7i at 11 (it is loud), if the volume pass 12 it starts to distort. It sounds too soft with AresII, they are not a good match. I tried it with Schiit Modi 3 and Ultra Linear mode the voice sounds really good.

Enjoy...what the heck...😶😎

How do you find the amp, I'm debating to pick this up for a second system.. also looking for a iota too

@@2HatHudders I have had very few complaints with it. I really love the sound of this amp, and it pairs beautifully with my AKAIs. I have also tried it with my Tekton Lore Be's but preffered it with the AKAI at least for the room. It is plenty powerful, I have never turned it up past noon. Only complaint would be a little scratchiness in the volume pot. Probably easily fixed with some deoxit, just havent gotten around to it as it only effects sound when adjusting the volume.

@@josephchamberlain3681 ahhh interesting, glad your happy with the sonic performance. Seems a real bargain. Even now!

I choose the long land way but it looks like it will pass customs without damage 😁 All together 307 Euro

Perhaps. The distributor is unwilling to answer any questions regarding specs, power to distortion, etc. It is probably as Jay stated, 80 to 100 watts at 8 ohms. I will test it out as have one. Hopefully it's performance will be acceptable.

Again ??? 😂😂😂 every video eh thomas ?

@@Jayiyagi They should just send me everything you have reviewed!!

@@ThomasAndStereo Amen

​@@Jayiyagi Guess what, I bought R8 and AresII because of your review, and I bought Fryea+ because of Thomas. I should stop following you guys.

@@dannyng5427 Hahahaha

How about LRS vs 1.7i? Both 4ohm, 86db...

ShengYa A-80CSIII from China-hifi looks great, it will be awesome if they can lend you one for a review.

@@geevee1045 I guess I miswrote...I was looking at maybe buying an Audiolab 8300a, as it weighs under 20 lbs. My current amp is 40 lbs and with class AB...size does matter. However, I don't need all that power even with transients as I only listen using a few watts. Plus, I want to play with some dacs. So...I ordered the 200IA which should arrive today. I will test it out, compare it to my more expensive amp and go from there. I have heard the Audiolab is also very clean sounding, can output up to 15 amps per channel for bursts, and looks nicer than the SA but at double to triple the cost and offers less power. I think the SA is also a good alternative to the Iota vx dual amp combo too. The only thing I would change as to inputs is get rid of the dac and include a pair of balanced inputs...that would make it more useful as more under a grand dacs are including XLR connections. Stay tuned for an opinion. BTW, I did order one previously which had an issue with the tone control section possibly due to moisture exposure or something inside shorting. Loud pop, then popping through speakers whenever I hit the tone bypass button. I did listen briefly but returned the unit as defective. What I briefly heard I liked, good tone and instrument separation when compared to a class D I also have but only briefly. So, if all goes well and the unit operates well, I will listen long term. At least it has a CE rating but not UL so hopefully no fires. As to specs, who knows what they really are as the distributor doesn't provide anything useful. Perhaps Amir will get his hands on one to measure.

How is the tonality? Do voices and instruments have better detail and tone over the nad?

And the same passion as Bruce

Are u really that vulgar?

@@slumgullianpass 1) he does 2) i love his review !!

That's what I found. Also...where was the bass?

How did you find the amp? Was thinking of this over the iota for a second system

The other issue stated with buying overseas is you are on the hook for shipping it back, probably at a higher price using the same carriers. There's always a chance it is defective and needs to be exchanged or maybe you find it doesn't work well and want to return it. So it's higher priced on Amazon but may be simpler regarding issues for returns. So the low advertised price gets out attention but after the costs, still a fair value in comparison to the competition. Either way, we pay. Then there's the issue of resale value.

Amplifier arrived today (Houston, Texas) and pretty happy with it. It was well packed, even had a hand written note from the guy that checked and packed it (thanks Chen). Someone previously complained about the remote, and I can only imagine the battery had died or was very low, as it adjusts the volume with no problems. I'm running this with Wharfedale Lintons and an Audio Technica LP5 turntable, no DAC currently, so can't test Tidal. It sounds great but I know my turntable's phono stage/needle isn't the best, so hoping to upgrade that soon. For 390 bucks, and the option to return via prime, I can't complain.

@@jamiecaturani How are they now man? I am looking to buy one actually and a speakers from them.

Schiit vidar is worth a look. Hypex NC252 if you don't mind class d is another option.

Correction. After "burn in" , mean that all this magnetic fields and whatever happend in this new and never used maschine disappeared, its sound pretty well. I dont use the DAC and i plan to create an all in amp with it. Only "problem" is the speed of the volume by remote. It really takes a long time to move from zero to full power. I am not sure if someone ask me if he should buy this amp or fro the same price maybe a Yamaha AS 501 or N402 to be on the safe side. To a frind i would recommend the Yamaha. To an audiophile with some electronic backround i would recommend it as a base / toy for improvement. Enough space inside to put in a raspberry and phono stage ....

@@geevee1045 Cause i listen at night and because of thin walls i have to react very fast in case of volume differences. Don't want to mute and jump up to pull down the volume manual for every song. Thats what a remote is made for.

@@geevee1045 No via analog in. Just plugged in my Yamaha WXC50 as source before i gave it to a friend. I use a Quad Vena 2 play as head now.

Dont use it

The Next Best Thing Studio don’t use it? Or you didn’t use it?

I had the Edge. Lets say. Its ok. But even had better amps even for half the price. I orederd it and will inform.

@@marcbrummel8566 Surprised the Edge seemed unremarkable considering the reviews. I have a Hegel h160 and on the cheap side an Aiyima A04...impressive for a $50 desktop. I don't expect the SA-200 to perform better than the Hegel but if it's close enough and plays well with my speakers, maybe. I am no longer buying heavy amps. Let us know your impressions when you get the Soundartist.

@@nc3419 Hey N.C. Will let you know. I bought the edge with my Harbeth P3ESR and some Q Acoustics 3020i. All easy to drive speakers. They work very neutral, not powerfull, not punchy ...also with some KEF LS50 ...no punch. I had a polisch / china Amp that performed much better (about 300 Euro) then even my Unison RESARCH Nuovo (2000 Euro) The Unison has no stage, no sparkle ...like the edge. I ordered the Willsenton R8, this Amp (just because i can) and some other stuff, first time from China. I think this Soundartist is a great deal. Lets see. In one month i can tell you more about it.

@@marcbrummel8566 It's been about a month, anything to report? I ordered the SA 200 a few weeks ago from Amazon. The box appeared to be water damaged but the amp looked fine. First time turned on a loud pop. Turned it off, waited, held breath, turned it back on. Seemed ok until hitting tone bypass then a loud pop through speakers. Otherwise, I did listen briefly and liked what I heard but sent back because Amazon had no more in stock, couldn't replace. Fast forward, Amazon had back in stock with sale price of $409, hemmed and hawed until black was sold out and only 1 left in Silver, so I grabbed that one. Arriving Thurs.. If there's any problem with unit I'm done and moving on. If it works without issue, I'll take it through the tests to see if it's worth keeping. The one thing I don't like is the company, at least the distributor on Amazon is reluctant or incapable of answering any technical questions regarding specs. The specs published are meaningless. I'd like to know how the amp performs at low distortion. Is it truly a 150 watt, 120 or what before it hits 1% distortion which most sites state as maximum useful output.

@@nc3419 Hello NC. My Amp ist still on his way. Arrived in some store in the netherland, this way is wasent damaged by customs. Sorry to hear that your first pice were broke. I found out that the producer sells it under different brand names. Also 3 different typs. If you take a look at www.hifi-amplifiers.com unter "OEE", you find the willsenton R8 also. Tere are 3 Types selld. Value just cost 130 US. Our "SoundArtist" is the middle and some near 600 US Type with a level meter. Bad is that the deleted als specs or description. All technical data are phantasie i think. We will see. I hope to get my amp in about a week.

class A/B !

@@Jayiyagi Thank you! Si tomorrow i will try out this 10000000 Watts for the neighborhood 🙄😎😁

Jay, how did this integrated amp sound compared to the Schiit Vidar with the Magnepan LRS?

With the lores, it is slightly on the cooler side of neutral with really good midbass impact. Lots of detail and headroom. But you may require a sub for the lower bass or wish to use the tone control to bring up that mid bass a little more for the fuller sound...for this combination. And of course.... more than enough power for the lores...

@@Jayiyagi Thanks for the note back . Interesting , my Lores respond better to less power . I've tried them with a very good 200/side and drive them with a 70s vintage 60/side Luxman , prefer the lower power . Better low end.

You may prefer low wattage amps. First watt is def a better match with it than the sound artist. Sound artist is for those on a budget that wants to get more performance than they can currently pay for

@@Jayiyagi Darn it man...no unity gain or volume control bypass?? I've been searching for a while (a Chifi deal on a integrated with that feature).

​@@Jayiyagi Aren't the Lores on the cooler side of neutral to begin with?

play around with placement. They are a horn loaded design. If it is ALOT bright on the top end, that is because of wrong placement in most cases. But also remember that they are supposed to be a little exciting sound

Maybe a powerfull and good amp for a great price!? Who cares if its 80 or 150 W at 8 Ohm !? For a good 80W at 8 Ohm Amp you usually pay a 1000 Dollar more. Well yes its a bit of russian roulette and if you are really on a budget, dont buy it or wait untill people you trust report here.

@@marcbrummel8566 I did order one. First thing as I turned it on a loud electrical pop inside amp. Turned it off immediately, then back on a few minutes later. While the music playback seemed unaffected, the tone control button circuit was messed up. Sent it back but did listen briefly. The sound was comparatively detailed to a really good little class D I have with better instrument separation and piano had a more woody sound. Sound was clear with some dimensionality/depth to it. Additionally, I also picked up a Soundavo CSA-150 which performed worse than my little class d, an Aiyima A04. Sent that back. Flat wall of sound, less detail, not to what I expected from online reviews. BTW, I didn't get a chance to compare the Soundartist to my Hegel. As to the brief session, I did like the sound coming from the Sound Artist, would have exchanged but Amazon was out at the time and didn't want to order direct from China. Still tempted. As to build quality, it was OK, speakers plugs fit looser than I would like and the input terminals not treated with gold will likely eventually oxidize as have seen others do. A little more attention to detail would make this a better amp. Didn't try dac section but they should loose it and put money elsewhere. If it were only 80 watts at realistic ratings it would still be fine. However, the company selling the amp is not forthcoming with any questions regarding specs, ratings, etc. Personally, I like truth in advertising so yes, I care about what the Company states as specs. Hence, given all of the above, my hesitation from ordering another. Then there is resale value. Probably lucky to get a hundred, IMO.

just wondering what you eventually paired ur 4.2 with?

@@green2gamma I'm going the other way. I currently own this amp and have it paired with some 1978 akai SW-157ii speakers. Sounds beautiful, just interested in the 4.2's and 4.3's.

Prob cuz designed in the uk. Made in china

Precisely because of that... Left vs Right Driving?

Yes you can. Just use the Pre-Outs RCA outputs.

Tekton Lore Reference. Look for his review on it very good bang for the buck.

The Aluminum tweeter the Vento line uses, as well as the 9.2 DC is supposed to be up there with ribbon and beryllium tweeters...according to those who have purchased. The videos I see comparing Canton to Focal floorstanders on youtube depict the Cantons as warmer with less definition while the Focals seem to have more bite and definition which I prefer. One of the problems with watching a video vs hearing speakers in person is what you hear may or may not give a fair representation.

Dont use it

thanx for the quick reply...I enjoy listening to your channel

@@Jayiyagi is that bad? Toslink is not usable with a Chromecast or Anything similar?

Hi ? Google said nothing about Royangers. Were do you found it please?

@@marcbrummel8566 its royanges. I saw it in aliexpress and amazon.au

The Royanges amp I saw has dual blocks with 4 output transistors using 20K pico farads of capacitance if I'm not mistaken, so the SA-200 seems to have more grunt based on equipment. Not saying one design is better than the other. Also, it didn't have a dac and weighs 17.6 lbs. vs 25 for the 200A...all for 299.99 plus free shipping. I like the knob selector better than the button selector, otherwise, both appear decent enough as to looks. If it were up to me, I'd have Sound Artist lose the dac, upgrade the RCA jacks to gold plated and throw in XLR connections. Any money left over they could improve the Pre section. Now that would be worth an d extra $100 too...don't forget a knob for source selector.

@@nc3419 Thank for the info. I just plan to pimp the look. Ok maybe change the DAC for some TV ...and maybe bring in a raspberry for streaming and other stuff. I am bad in electronics, what would you change to improve the pre selection ? Just change parts? Capacity ?

@@nc3419 Hey N.C: Like mentiond soewere else, www.Hifi-Amplifiers.com sell this under OEE Brand in 3 different types. Looks like "Royagers" is the branded name on the front.

😂😂😂 What gave it away

@@Jayiyagi Your production level has all of a sudden significantly increased = no sleep

@@Audiojunkabus hahahaha. I was surprised cuz this was shot till 5am in the morning lol

They are better IMO. I've heard the SA-200IA, aside from QC issues, too much upper mids.

Edge is boring. Had it.