Post by vneal on Jun 11, 2017 5:33:48 GMT -5
Most online reviews seem like a watered down advertisement from the manufacturer. Sometimes they just rewrite the specs and features of the product. Hopefully this mini blog review will be honest and refreshing. I bought the Emotiva BasX TA 100 integrated amp to be used as a two channel only pre/power for a sitting area at the top of my stairs. Measuring the room would take effort which I am not going to use right now. In my signature I refer to it as my 10 x 10 loft. Truth be know, it is actually about 14 X 12 with only 3 walls. The fourth opens to the hallway and a stairs. Not a idea audio room. This is a budget product and will be reviewed as such. I have interconnect cables that cost more so components used with the unit will be the same.
PRICE-A++
It costs $399. Not $399 plus tax and shipping but $399. Preamp-tuner-DAC and power amp for $399. Bargain alert!
BOX A++
That's right box. I have purchased online items that looks like a 3rd grader packaged it with used packing materials. The unit is nicely double boxed with a fancy Oppo type Emo black cloth cover over the unit. What am I suppose to do with the cover? Its's a fancy boy nice touch that I would eliminate.
WHAT'S INCLUDED A++
So for $399 you get a damn good looking unit that seems pretty heavy. It's purdy! Even the finished metal top feels of quality, A power cord, trigger cord ,fuses, interconnect cables ( I have purchased many a product that did not include these) and although I am using Kimber PBJ cables, these $1.95 throw away cables are a nice touch. You get a funky smallish remote (more on this later), a piece of wire with a coaxial connection called a FM antenna.( this actually does the job in my area) and a power cord. All the things to hook this sucker up and make sound.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED B-
An owners manual. I know it is available on line but that again that requires effort. I printed one out. Personally I wish Emotiva lost the fancy black bag and print a manual. I have one nitpick on the manual. I had to call Emo and ask how the hell do you program the tuner. Let me just say push this-- click that-- it is complicated to program and change stations on the tuner, None the less I will probably never use the tuner because FM stations in my area are stinko. But adding a tuner is a nice touch and it actually sounds pretty good.
SOUND B
This thing sounds surprisingly good. It has 50 watts but I think it would measure more like 80-100 watts. I am using it in a small room with entry level products . I am using it with ELAC Debut F5 speakers (Absolute Sounds 2016 Product of the Year) These suckers only cost $269 each.The sound through the headphone jack sounds very good-crisp and clear. The sound through the speakers with the Emo unit get a solid B in my book. Comparing this to my main system is not really fair but as a budget system I give it high grades. Using the two together and comparing it to my main system I would say the highs are not as crisp--a little rolled off--but a nice sound-- the mid range is is excellent---lows sound very good--imaging very good and overall sound is good. CD player used was a Oppo 105D. I probably will buy the new $299 Emo CD player cause it is cheap and looks good with the Emo
BT A
I bought the $49 BT module and listened mostly to Spotify Premium. It worked fine and the sound was excellent. Very close to CD sound.
REMOTE C+
Small plastic minimalist design. I realize at this price point short cuts have to be done. To change the tuner station or trim presets it is tricky. On and off button and volume control work fine on the remote'
BUGS
None that I found. Tuner operation and changing bass & treble trims are not user friendly. I left the settings at flat or zero. All the inputs work as designed. I briefly hooked up my ProJect SE5.1 carbon turntable and the sound was surprisingly good. Most units at this price point do not include phono capability. And still fewer offer both MM and MC as this one does.
RATING OVERALL A-
Overall I would say if you have a smaller room, low on funds, or want a entry level amp/preamp for two channel listening you cannot beat the TA 100. This unit would have to get my personal bang for the buck award.
Where else are you going to find all this great stuff for $399?
V
PRICE-A++
It costs $399. Not $399 plus tax and shipping but $399. Preamp-tuner-DAC and power amp for $399. Bargain alert!
BOX A++
That's right box. I have purchased online items that looks like a 3rd grader packaged it with used packing materials. The unit is nicely double boxed with a fancy Oppo type Emo black cloth cover over the unit. What am I suppose to do with the cover? Its's a fancy boy nice touch that I would eliminate.
WHAT'S INCLUDED A++
So for $399 you get a damn good looking unit that seems pretty heavy. It's purdy! Even the finished metal top feels of quality, A power cord, trigger cord ,fuses, interconnect cables ( I have purchased many a product that did not include these) and although I am using Kimber PBJ cables, these $1.95 throw away cables are a nice touch. You get a funky smallish remote (more on this later), a piece of wire with a coaxial connection called a FM antenna.( this actually does the job in my area) and a power cord. All the things to hook this sucker up and make sound.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED B-
An owners manual. I know it is available on line but that again that requires effort. I printed one out. Personally I wish Emotiva lost the fancy black bag and print a manual. I have one nitpick on the manual. I had to call Emo and ask how the hell do you program the tuner. Let me just say push this-- click that-- it is complicated to program and change stations on the tuner, None the less I will probably never use the tuner because FM stations in my area are stinko. But adding a tuner is a nice touch and it actually sounds pretty good.
SOUND B
This thing sounds surprisingly good. It has 50 watts but I think it would measure more like 80-100 watts. I am using it in a small room with entry level products . I am using it with ELAC Debut F5 speakers (Absolute Sounds 2016 Product of the Year) These suckers only cost $269 each.The sound through the headphone jack sounds very good-crisp and clear. The sound through the speakers with the Emo unit get a solid B in my book. Comparing this to my main system is not really fair but as a budget system I give it high grades. Using the two together and comparing it to my main system I would say the highs are not as crisp--a little rolled off--but a nice sound-- the mid range is is excellent---lows sound very good--imaging very good and overall sound is good. CD player used was a Oppo 105D. I probably will buy the new $299 Emo CD player cause it is cheap and looks good with the Emo
BT A
I bought the $49 BT module and listened mostly to Spotify Premium. It worked fine and the sound was excellent. Very close to CD sound.
REMOTE C+
Small plastic minimalist design. I realize at this price point short cuts have to be done. To change the tuner station or trim presets it is tricky. On and off button and volume control work fine on the remote'
BUGS
None that I found. Tuner operation and changing bass & treble trims are not user friendly. I left the settings at flat or zero. All the inputs work as designed. I briefly hooked up my ProJect SE5.1 carbon turntable and the sound was surprisingly good. Most units at this price point do not include phono capability. And still fewer offer both MM and MC as this one does.
RATING OVERALL A-
Overall I would say if you have a smaller room, low on funds, or want a entry level amp/preamp for two channel listening you cannot beat the TA 100. This unit would have to get my personal bang for the buck award.
Where else are you going to find all this great stuff for $399?
V
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