Yima Top via Amazon has
AIYIMA A20 2.1 Channel Stereo Power Amplifier on sale for
$133.27.
Shipping is free.
Thanks to Community Member
twistiv for sharing this deal.
Details:
- Performance: 116 dB SNR and 0.002% THD+N for pristine, uncolored sound with black background and exceptional clarity
- 2.1 System Hub: Adjustable High-Pass Filter (60-200 Hz) protects main speakers, improves mid-range clarity, and integrates seamlessly with subwoofer output
- Features: BYPASS mode for external preamp; +3 dB gain switch; XLR/RCA input toggle; swappable LME49720 op-amps; 12V trigger for automated systems
- Build Quality: 4-layer gold-sunk PCB; premium German WIMA and Japanese Rubycon capacitors for superior signal integrity and reliability
- Pairing: Designed to pair with AIYIMA T20 Tube Preamp via 12V trigger for balanced tube + solid-state system
- Cooling: Internal air convection design for stable, long-lasting high-power operation
Leave a Comment
Top Comments
14 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Zorba1446
Edit. Damnit no usb/dac. That's the only feature missing (for me) but maybe I can just rely on my external usb audio. Prefer to have as many options as possible though.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
A high-pass filter (HPF) is one of those deceptively simple tools that produces outsized gains because it addresses several fundamental inefficiencies in audio systems—both electrical and acoustical.
Let's break down why it's such a "game changer" in practical terms:
1) It removes non-productive energy
Most speakers—especially mains, bookshelves, and even many towers—cannot reproduce deep bass cleanly. Yet without an HPF, they still try.
That low-frequency content:
- Consumes amplifier power
- Excites large cone excursions
- Produces distortion rather than usable sound
An HPF cuts that unusable region. The result is:- Lower distortion (especially IMD)
- Cleaner midrange
- More headroom
2) It dramatically reduces cone excursionDriver excursion increases exponentially as frequency drops. Below a speaker's tuning/F3, excursion skyrockets.
By filtering those frequencies:
- The woofer stays in its linear range
- Mechanical stress drops
- Compression is reduced
This is often the single biggest audible improvement—midbass tightens, vocals become clearer, and the speaker sounds less "strained."3) It improves dynamic headroom
Without an HPF, low bass eats up amplifier power quickly.
With an HPF:
- The amp no longer wastes power on frequencies the speaker can't reproduce
- More power is available for audible content (midbass, mids, highs)
- System plays louder cleanly
This is especially noticeable in home theater setups.4) It enables proper bass management
In a system with subwoofers, the HPF is what allows specialization:
- Mains handle mids and upper bass
- Subwoofers handle deep bass
This division:- Reduces overlap and muddiness
- Allows optimal placement (subs vs mains)
- Smooths room modes when done correctly
This is the backbone of modern AVRs and DSP-based systems.5) It reduces intermodulation distortion (IMD)
Low frequencies modulate higher frequencies when they share the same driver.
Example:
- A woofer trying to reproduce 40 Hz and 500 Hz simultaneously
- The large excursion from 40 Hz distorts the 500 Hz signal
HPF removes that low-frequency burden → cleaner mids.6) It protects speakers (mechanically and thermally)
Subsonic or ultra-low content (e.g., movie LFE, warped vinyl, port unloading) can:
- Bottom out drivers
- Overheat voice coils
An HPF acts as a safeguard—especially critical for:- Ported speakers below tuning
- Small drivers
7) It tightens system integration (especially with DSP)With DSP, you can precisely define the crossover:
- Set frequency (e.g., 80 Hz, 100 Hz)
- Choose slope (12, 24 dB/octave, etc.)
- Align phase with subwoofer
This transforms a system from "overlapping chaos" into a controlled acoustic handoff.Why it feels like a "game changer"
Because it simultaneously improves:
- Clarity
- Dynamics
- Distortion
- System efficiency
…and it does so without upgrading hardware.When it matters most
You'll notice the biggest gains if:
- You're using bookshelf or small tower speakers
- You have a subwoofer but no proper crossover
- You listen at higher volumes
- You're in a room with problematic bass modes
One caveatAn HPF must be:
- Set at a sensible frequency (not too high)
- Properly integrated with a subwoofer (or you'll lose bass)
Typical starting point:- ~80 Hz, 12–24 dB/octave
If you want, I can analyze your specific setup (speakers, room, subs, DSP/AVR) and suggest an optimal HPF frequency and slope—this is where the real gains are dialed in.Edit. Damnit no usb/dac. That's the only feature missing (for me) but maybe I can just rely on my external usb audio. Prefer to have as many options as possible though.
Leave a Comment