The BEST audio amplifier boards and kits tested so far

After testing several low cost amplifier kits and boards, I make my picks for the ones I think are the best. Amplifiers can be found from the usual sources (ebay, Banggood, Aliexpress, ect.). I posted the links to the winning video reviews at the bottom of this description (don't read before watching or you'll spoil the video).

Electronics/gifts can be sent to: JohnAudioTech, PO box 362, Vandalia, OH 45377

Video review links to the winning amplifiers:

[nihility]

Great videos John. I appreciate the time you take and the wisdom you share in doing these reviews. Your honest and casual take on the in-depth explanations you provide make it fun and easy to learn and understand, even for a novice. You are the inspiration for my new hobby and I can't thank you enough. Please keep the videos coming!

[hosenansari]

Hello friend IAM using the PAM Amplifier since last 6 months and I had no problems and no noise at all they are so nice after all, IAM getting very good clarity..

[teodorroscan]

You must keep it up!!! We are supporting you! I love your videos.I'm 16 years old and I am learning new things with every video you upload!

[emo.]

I'd be interested in an amp troubleshooting series, perhaps how to use a scope to troubleshoot ground loops, reduce noise, determining if distortion is audible. How to determine what component to mod/upgrade for better amp performance. Maybe even go into power supply design, linear vs PWM. Keep up the great work!

[kaoti]

I just found your channel, very appealing. Also, if you need content, maybe could you try and show some common mods you found to common problems on amplifiers, keep going, your way of explaining is great, now, go more indepth, I will watch probably all your videos, they look good, I keep in mind this is a 5yo video so let's see if you continued and everything went great, as always does, in the final

[davidhorton]

I really appreciate this video, John. After buying a real ho-hum board online, I was scared off buying pre-builts. Your insights and thorough testing have changed that. Thank you.

[ConfusedSoul]

2.1 Bluetooth Boards is what everyone is looking for - that could help with your views.
Also consider doing a shootout. So always test two boards at a time and then declare the winner. You could also reuse the winner and make shootout with the next challenger.
You could also start a pointing system awarding points for low noise, linearity, power, features, heat dissipation, handling lower impedance loads, efficiency and so on.
Just a few thoughts - maybe it helps.

[eggshellskullrule]

I bought a stereo board from Taobao where it says the board was from a acassette player. Said to be 80wpc, dual 18 to 22vac source, most significantly, 4 pcs of Hitachi 2SD1185 transistors. My best buy so far incl tda 7498, lm3886, Stk4050 V etc. I use it to driver my quad jbl 4320 16 ohm rig. Really impressive, leaving my high end amps behind, e. g. NAKamichi p7, and tube amps McIntosh mc 240 and my trusted Ampex 6973 monoblocs. John's channel is superb and most credible one in terms of his analyses and comments. But even he says he's a bit weird huh?

[fiveangle]

Found your channel while looking for small individual amps to replace an OEM factory amp. The big problem is the need for over 12v to get adequate performance. You might consider expanding into videos about solving usage problems like that: testing cheap DC-DC converters with amps, testing line level crossovers for driving bi and tri ampped separates, etc.

Once someone has chosen the small amp they need, there isn't a big need to watch more other than morbid curiosity 😄

[ericvillano]

One amplifier I think that deserves serious attention, and I dont know whether you have tested one, or are familiar with, is one I purchased recently, the Wuzhi Audio ZK-1002L. I was exceptionally impressed with it's sound and performance. It boasts 100W RMS x 2, and utilizes dual 3116 chips. I don't know whether it's advertised power is exaggerated and sensationalized, as I believe most of these amplifiers coming out of China are, but I would very be curious to see actual dyno results for it's actual power results, because it does perform quite well considering it's modest price of about $8.00 USD.

I mounted it with hot glue on a .5 cubic foot box I built out of 3/4" MDF, with a pair of older Jensen coaxial 6.5" 4 ohm car speakers I had laying around in the garage, and powering it with a 4.74A 19V DC power supply adapter, which I also hot glued onto the top of the enclosure. (It is designed to be used with a power supply between 12V and 24V.)

I built this portable bluetooth speaker in all of about two hours for my wife, who complained about the poor sound quality, and low volume levels that could be achieved with the several bluetooth speakers we had purchased, that were not working well for her. Of course, she has been spoiled by listening to music on my expertly restored, vintage Marantz 2253b receiver, and Advent heritage speakers with a JBL powered subwoofer. And she is very satisfied with the exceptional sound quality of this home built project, and takes it everywhere she goes with her. Many people have remarked about the rich sound, and I could not possibly fill the many orders from friends asking me to build them one similar. I just simply provide the link for the amplifier on Aliexpress, outline a basic construction plan, and refer them to buy any decent 6-1/2" car speakers. Otherwise this would be my full time occupation, filling orders for bluetooth speakers. LOL!

I built this for my wife, who wanted something portable that she could carry around with her, and plug into an AC 110V receptacle anywhere, (which I mounted a leather carrying strap made from an old belt) that would provide decent bass, and good quality, true stereo sound, and would conveniently connect to her cellphone for playing music.

If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend this versatile bluetooth amplifier board, that comes presoldered, with only one pot for a simple volume control, a plug for the adapter, simple screw down speaker wire connectors, and a top lid that you assemble with screws provided. I think you would be quite impressed with it's quality and value.

[jyotirmaycbf]

And what about 7294 board?? And how is lm 3886 audio compared to Tpa 3255? Which sound best??

[DheerajKumar-dk]

Great...Gr8...Job! All contenders in one place! And the winner is 1.LM1875, 2.TDA7293 3.PAM8403 (for low vol. 5v)! Can you tell me where to buy from best online service? I want to see your next videos on, "How to assemble Amp. (mentioned above) to the Bluetooth MP3 player/Receiver!

[damascenoalisson]

Your channel is amazing, I always come here first before buying an amplifier from eBay
(And I also love the LM1875, I just don't have enough speakers to use so many of them haha)

[mr.amp]

Super intrested on your amp build, .... Can't wait...

[c]

16:16 "and here you go, the 5 winners"

[itwasnoteasy]

Just to let you and others know I tried few of your winners. Two different versions of TPA3116D2 mono which you had until the end. TDA7492 (Stereo), TDA2050, TDA 7498 (Stereo). To my ears and overall experience TDA7492 was clear winner. TPA3116D2 ranked second in terms of audio quality and noise, which you had in your winner list. I tested all of these with 8Ohms Onkyo speakers different center channel front, left and surrounds all combinations. Skm-200 and Skc-200. Aah also kinter ma-180 which produced decent clean sound but may be lacked a notch liitle power.

[Justsquareenough]

great video as always John. I went from knowing nothing about chip amps to knowing enough to build my own from you. enjoying the discrete amp build as well.

[jayendra]

I appreciate your service @John thanks for what you are doing for us.

[nosafetyswitch]

TPA8610, i just pput that inside a desktop pc speaker along with battery, a boost converter and a bluetooth module. WOrks like A CHARM, not a shred of noise even at full load. It is driving a 4ohm speaker at 12v but I hope to replace it with an 8 ohm soon. It is VERY loud, especially for its size.

[jamescorvett]

I built the little TDA7297 15w x2 stereo amp kit and i was kind of impressed for the price, under $5 USD. .And even though its only 8 ohm, most smaller speakers are only 8 ohm.