BRZHIFI Clone of Musical Fidelity A1 amp

[EDMONTUS]

A little update on my journey with the A1 clone. A few weeks ago I added the TENEALAY FV2 passive, and ran the A1 clone with both pots wide open. After a week or so I took the next logical step and bypassed the volume controls for both channels. That bypass took about 20 minutes and the A1 clone is now operating as a power amplifier with the FV2 serving as a volume control between the SA-1000 and the A1.

Some observations.
On my unit, there was still some attenuation of the signal with both pots wide open. I had to reduce the volume knob on the FV2 after the bypass. Other owners have noted an increase in power after the bypass so perhaps this is common. I don't need the extra power but it's there if needed. The unit appears to be running cooler than when the pots were being used for attenuation. It's my understanding that this is also common. I don't know if I noticed some of the "euphoria" that others have with the bypass. I can only say that I'm not in a hurry to undo the bypass modification.

I have just removed the two volumes from the amplifier and connected the amp to my Klimo Merlin preamplifier, and the improvement is obvious immediately.
It will remain like this for a long time certainly.

 

[macgolf]

I have just removed the two volumes from the amplifier and connected the amp to my Klimo Merlin preamplifier, and the improvement is obvious immediately.
It will remain like this for a long time certainly.
View attachment 3530441

The video was very informative for me also. The ability to use the separate volume controls as a balance control or easily remove them from the system, is what drew me to this class A vs the Hood 1969 clones. It's good that you were able to notice an improvement when removed. Perhaps the rest of my system isn't yet resolving enough to notice. I have been shopping off and on for a dedicated pre that may change my mind. Thanks for sharing your experience with the BRZHIFI Class A clone.

Very nice systems you have there. If you don't mind sharing, I'm sure others would love to know the particulars.

Mark

 

[EDMONTUS]

Hello Mark,
I indeed notice that going through a qualitative preamplifier, in my case hybrid with tube and transistor has allowed a significant improvement in the rendering.
I bought this small amplifier because I recently had a failure on one of my mono amplifier units.
It therefore works in broadband on my DIY speakers and passive filtering and no longer in multi-amplification.
I must admit that I am particularly impressed by this small Chinese amplifier.
Marc Edmond

 

[Notron Fan]

I'm a big fan of the original A1 so I had to try this. I think the thermal management on this makes more sense than the MF version (attach the transistors directly to heatsinks on the side w a vents on top and bottom rather than a box in the center with a heatsink with shallow fins on the top...) My MF A1 was a first gen w/o side vents. Then again, a friend has had his as his daily driver for almost 40 years…

I have mine hooked up to some ancient AR M1 'holographic imaging' loudspeakers. Kinda surprised the ferrofluid in those tweets still seems to be holding up.

Bezo's bazaar had them at $20 off this week, so I may get another to try bi-amping.

 

[rappaportamp]

I'll be interested in your impressions of the A1 clone after it arrives. The FX-AUDIO TUBE-01 has been replaced by a PJM SA-1000 that sits on my desk. It uses 6H3N tubes and has tone controls. I'm also able to feed a separate near field system without splitters. It has a decent headphone amp for the few hours a week they are needed.
View attachment 3485851

For a strictly passive, this little unit below is interesting.

 

[MartinV56]

Try this preamp, a great match for your amplifier.