Minimalist Desktop Audio Setup | SMSL AD18 Stereo HiFi Amplifier Review

In this video, I'm reviewing the SMSL AD18 Stereo Hi-Fi Speaker & Headphone Amplifier and how it can turn a mediocre audio desktop setup into the ultimate audiophile dream minimalist desk setup...all while sticking to a small budget!

For this review I paired the SMSL AD18 amplifier with a Gallo Acoustics Nucleus 2.1 speaker system to achieve the ultimate minimalist hi fidelity setup. Whether you're looking build an audio setup in your bedroom or living room for 2018, the AD18 has you covered!

SMSL AD18 Stereo Amplifier:

Gallo Acoustic Micro Loudspeaker:

Micca Speaker Cables:

Massdrop AKG K7XX Reference Headphones:

Micca OriGen G2 DAC/AMP:

Headphone Stand:

Please note, the above links are affiliated. Thanks for your support!

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[Myxo]

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[HardwareAddiction]

I want to get an affordable speaker amp like this from SMSL, but they only make ones that have a power brick. I hope they make a more robust unit with an internal PSU seen on some of their other products.

[altops]

i use it to drive a pair of old Infinity Reference Three's seldom elevate volume above 24, with new Upgraded carbon drivers. With the sub out option you have a perfect 2.1 solution!

[MrDarkknight]

i use the SMSL Q5 pro myself, it has a regular sub-out jack. For my NUC7PJYH I use FX AUDIO D802 connected by toslink. The D802 also supports micro usb and coax. Plus sub out

[BryanVehonsky]

Big fan of SMSL. I have a smaller unit that I used to drive some hi-fi style bookshelf speakers.

[nocturnus]

Love the desk you are using. Would like to know if you could please provide the name of it. Thanks

[veritas]

from a audio gear perspective, it has a lot of features and sound quality is acceptable. However, from a build quality perspective, it's quite poor. The speaker jack broke after 6 months of use. This quite unusual as I don't move the speaker connectors once it's plugged in and speaker terminals are pretty solid piece of metal. However on examining the broken speaker jack, I found that the metal used is pretty thin. So materials used in this amp is sub par.

[FaceIss]

Jelly of your setup there mate, bloody mint

[donaldchambers]

Nice, I am blown away with my Topping MX3, Polk PSW505, Fluance SXBP2, Big sound Little hardware.

[tonnyharrytony]

Hello. I am asking you to tell me if the amplifier goes into stand-by if it no longer has an audio signal, or if it receives an audio signal, the amplifier starts. Thank you.

[eagleeye]

Thanks for your review . To the point n it looked professional. You got a nice setup there .

[hadoukenocx]

How Big are your desk. ? looks rly big. on the Video.

[CyberBeep_kenshi]

Found your review;) now to find a nice speakerset.

Laters!

[tempurarocky]

Possibly a stupid question but can i use these with anthony gallo reference 3.1s?

[LeoRousseau]

Beautiful desk setup! Also, that chair is cool, very cool!

[wardope]

as i have the worlds most sexy Desktop speakers. (Edifire Lunar eclipse HD in white) I'm getting this amp for them. im using a SMSL Dac for my headphones and i has never let me down. so SMSL it is once again

[petarratkov]

Great review. Between Topping MX3 and SMSL AD18 to drive my Q Acoustic 3020i which is the best. Also I will like to connect my Android phone to the DAC is this possible?

[Okshutit]

Nice vid! I might have to copy this setup

[Medulopes]

Hello, great review and great gear! I had been thinking about this set to use over my office desk and you matched almost every gear I am looking for (just the cables I have plains to use a Nordost run I already have). I only would ask you about bass department.. I guess Gallo's Nucleus naturally does not produce so much bass, so do you think this SMSL solution drives them decently? My main propose is play mainstream music (rock, jazz, instrumental, etc) and I expect just a natural/flat reproduction, and definitively do not want bass overkilling my ears. Thanks in advance! Marcelo

[mzondi]

I'm very interested in the arm you're using on your monitor can you tell me who makes that? I have a 30 to win and I don't like it on the little feet it comes with