Aiyima A80 Integrated Amplifier

Small screen with VU Meters, a good DAC and a TPA3255 Class D with PFFB

The Aiyima A80 is the latest addition to the world of affordable yet powerful class D amplifiers from Aiyima, and it’s a feature packed device. I will get into the details later but in summary it features the TPA3255 chipset with PFFB which thankfully is now almost a standard on these class D amplifiers. The A80 also includes an excellent DAC, but the standout feature for me is the small but functional display with configurable VU meters.

For this review, I decided to test the Aiyima A80 paired with a harder than normal to drive KEF LS50 Meta speakers (to give it a good test especially of the PFFB circuitry and the heat dissipation) and with a WiiM Ultra streamer using the A80 with and without the Ultra’s room correction and bass management.

So how well does it work in practice and more importantly how good does it sound? Read on to find out.

Unboxing and Build Quality

The Aiyima A80 arrives in simple yet secure packaging.

The back of the Box has the basic specifications:

Opening the box you get:

Taking everything out of the box you get:

• The amplifier itself
• A power adapter
• A remote control
• An usb-c to usb-c cable (with adapter)
• An optical cable
• A bluetooth aerial

The GAN powersupply is a decent 48V 5A (the maximum for this TPA3255 chipset would be a 48V 10A but given the small casing I would recommend staying with the provided power supply otherwise you might have problems with heat):

The generic remote provided is decent enough with functional clear buttons, given you might want to switch to different VU Meters from your listening position, I think it is nice to have a remote:

The build quality is good but possible the one place where I think Aiyima could have spent given the A80 a more unique design. As the edges of the box and the general look of it are more like some older ‘square box’ designs. But the overall design is clean and functional.

There is some decent cooling vents on each side and on the underside:

On the back you can see the various DAC inputs as well as the speaker binding posts:

The standout feature is obviously the display, which houses the VU meters—a rarity in amplifiers at this price point. Here are a few videos showing the different VU meter displays:

The small screen is bright and clear, though given its size it may be hard to see from across a room. The volume control feels solid, with smooth operation, you click to control the menu and double click to return to the previous menu option.

Features

The Aiyima A80 is packed with features that make it highly versatile for a wide range of use cases:

Built-in ES9038Q2M DAC

The onboard DAC is one of the best in its class, ensuring high-quality digital-to-analog conversion. The ES9038Q2M is widely regarded for its clean and detailed output, rivaling standalone DACs in much higher price ranges. Coincidentally, this same DAC is the one selected by WiiM for the WiiM Ultra so a very well regarded DAC in this price range.

Input Options

The A80 offers a variety of input options, making it an ideal centerpiece for a modern audio setup: • Optical and Coaxial Inputs: Perfect for connecting streamers like the WiiM Mini or WiiM Pro. • USB Input: Supports high-resolution audio playback from PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. • Bluetooth: For wireless streaming from smartphones or tablets. • RCA and TRS Inputs: Flexible options for connecting turntables, preamps, or balanced audio sources.

Note: The TRS inputs are one slightly odd choice of input, I would rather have seen balanced XLR inputs rather than balanced TRS, but it is easy to find good TRS cables and even adapters for XLR to TRS.

Output Power and PFFB Circuitry

The A80 delivers clean, powerful output capable of driving demanding bookshelf speakers in its price range. I even tested this with my price inappropriate KEF LS50 Meta’s, and it had no problem driving them to louder than comfortable levels with a clean analytical reference sound.

The PFFB circuitry ensures this consistent reference sound signature across various speaker setups.

Display and VU Meters

The VU meter display is a highlight of the A80. It adds a touch of retro charm while providing real-time visual feedback of the audio signal.

The display offers several customizable options, making it both functional and fun to use.

Trigger Input

The trigger input allows the A80 to integrate seamlessly with other components, such as streamers and preamps.

This feature automatically puts the amplifier into standby mode when not in use, adding convenience and efficiency.

Usage and Experience

The Aiyima A80 is a joy to use especially using both the remote control but also with the triggered input.

During my testing, I connected multiple sources to the amplifier, including: • WiiM Ultra via optical input for streaming with room correction and as the trigger input • MacBook Pro via USB for high-resolution playback. • Turntable (with built-in preamp) via RCA inputs.

The trigger input worked seamlessly with the WiiM Ultra, automatically putting the A80 into standby mode when not in use.

The VU meter display was a constant source of delight and switching it via the remote was great fun, adding a visual element to the listening experience.

Sound Quality

The A80 delivers exceptional sound quality for its price, with a clean and balanced sound signature as should now be expected from a TPA3255 Amplifiers with PFFB. I decided to pair the A80 with a few of my different speakers over the past few weeks, though for testing I mainly used it with my KEF LS50 Meta as they are probably more challenging than a typical bookshelf speaker that you might normally pair a $200 integrated Amplifier with.

Here’s a breakdown of its performance without off-loading the bass management to the WiiM Ultra bass:

Bass

The bass is tight and controlled, with excellent extension and punch. When paired with the KEF LS50 Meta, the A80 provided a solid foundation for both music and movies, handling complex bass lines with ease. Ideally I would like separate bass management capability but the A80 is able to get the best from the KEF LS50 Meta’s with needing to switch the sub-Bass over to the WiiM Ultra bass management and utilise my matching Kef Kube 10.

Track Recommendation: “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish showcases the A80’s ability to deliver impactful yet controlled bass.

Midrange

The midrange is smooth and natural, making vocals and instruments sound lifelike and engaging. Whether listening to acoustic music or vocal-heavy tracks, the A80 excels in this frequency range.

Track Recommendation: “Someone Like You” by Adele highlights the clarity and emotional depth of the midrange.

Treble

The treble is crisp and detailed without being harsh. The A80 handles high frequencies with finesse, ensuring a pleasant listening experience even during extended sessions.

Track Recommendation: “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet demonstrates the A80’s ability to reproduce detailed cymbals and high-frequency instruments.

Imaging and Soundstage

The A80 provides precise imaging, with instruments and vocals placed accurately in the soundstage. While the soundstage isn’t as expansive as with high-end amplifiers, it’s more than adequate for most listeners.

Track Recommendation: “Hotel California” (Live) by Eagles highlights the A80’s ability to create a realistic and immersive soundstage.

Specifications and Measurements

THD+D / SINAD measurements

The following are Aiyima on published AP measurements:

While the Aiyima A80’s performance shows good measurements it is not quiet as impressive as the A70 or some recent PFFB based amplifiers from competitors like Fosi Audio and WiiM, but this SINAD score of 82+ is well above the level where you should not worry about its value for any audible reasons, it is more an engineering rating when its above 80.

So, in summary:

• THD+N: Low distortion ensures clean and accurate sound reproduction.
• Output Power: Capable of driving demanding speakers like the KEF LS50 Meta with ease.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: High SNR ensures a quiet background, allowing the details in your music to shine.

Finally, the frequency response is flat (as it should be) with the PFFB circuitry providing a nice linear response irrespective on the connected speaker across the typical audio range:

Rating

I’ve been a fan of class D amplifiers for years, and the Aiyima A80 represents a nice step forward in the integrated amplifier category. With built-in PFFB (Post Filter Feedback) circuitry ensuring consistent sound quality across a wide range of speakers, a high-quality ES9038Q2M DAC, and a gorgeous VU meter display, the A80 checks all the boxes for both functionality and aesthetics.

Therefore, the Aiyima A80 earns a pragmatic score of 5 for its combination of features, sound quality, and value. The inclusion of VU meters, a high-quality DAC, and PFFB circuitry sets it apart from competitors in this price range.

Conclusion

The Aiyima A80 is a feature-packed amplifier that offers exceptional value for money. With its built-in ES9038Q2M DAC, versatile input options, and stylish VU meter display, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to build or upgrade their audio setup. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced audiophile, the A80 delivers a fun and engaging listening experience.

Thanks to its clean sound signature, flexible inputs, and thoughtful design, the A80 is one of the best amplifiers in its class. If you’re looking for a versatile, high-performance amplifier with a touch of retro charm, the Aiyima A80 is hard to beat.