Sabaj is a relatively new company hailing from China. They have a modest selection of amplifiers and DACs in small form factors, all at reasonable prices. Today I’ll be looking at the Sabaj A2 Bluetooth amplifier.
This unit was sent to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions and observations here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
- Great build quality for the price
- Very simple to use
- Multiple input options
- Is low-powered – only suitable for small speakers
Specifications
Output power(4ohm):55W+55W
Output power(8ohm):40W+40W
Colour: Black, silver
THD+N:<0.03%
Product size:105*105*31mm
Power consumption:40W
Power supply voltage:24V/4.5A
Standby power:1w
Input jack:3.5mm and Optical and BT4.0
Prodct weight:364g
Output jack:b anana plug.
Package weight:909g
Input level:2Vrms
Accessory:p ower supply 24v+remote control
SNR: 100dB
chips: TPA3116 LC89091 WM8524 CSR8645
Optical sampling rate:44.1khz-192khz
Packaging and accessories
The A2 Bluetooth Amplifier comes in a simple retail box in black and white. On the back are button, function and input/output diagrams and features.
Once the box is open we find the A2 amplifier, Bluetooth antenna, a power pack with cable and the remote control – everything you need to get up and running.
The remote control is a very lightweight plastic but it feels sturdy and is powered by a 3V lithium battery. The layout is very simple but it actually covers all the functions of the amp. The buttons are easy to distinguish and laid out in a sensible order. The buttons include (from top to bottom):
- Power
- Input select / Volume up / EQ
- Volume down
- Mute
Build & Functionality
The Sabaj A2 Bluetooth Amplifier is a gorgeous looking little unit. It has a machined aluminium body with rounded edges and feels nice and solid in the hand. On the front panel is a digital LED screen, next to which is a large volume knob that also acts as the input selection when pressed in.
Around the back are the three inputs and speaker outputs. The line in options are (from left to right):
- Optical
- 3.5 mm analogue
- Bluetooth
The three inputs on the back correspond with the LED selection making things very logical and easy to use. The speaker outputs feel slightly crowded (because the unit is very small) so I’d suggest you connect them before you screw on the Bluetooth antenna and connect the power.
The optical input uses the LC89091 and supports a sample rate up to 44.1KHZ-192KHZ. The DAC utilizes the WM8524 which is 24 bit 192khz.
Bluetooth and pairing
Pairing with the Sabaj A2 Bluetooth Amplifier is super easy. Just select Input 3 with the remote or using the button on the amp and then scan with your source, that’s it! I had no difficulty pairing my Samsung Galaxy Note 5, iPhone 4S and FiiO X1ii. Transmit distance is rated at 10 meters and that seems about right and at normal usage range, there were no interruptions or drops in signal.
Sound
(EQ 0) The sound is fairly linear but the presentation is energetic and enthusiastic. Treble is lively and open without becoming edgy and mid-bass is punchy but could do with a little more authority. In The Pineapple Thief’s The Final Thing on My Mind, the A2 delivers a lively display of Gavin Harrison’s excellent hi-hat and cymbal combinations. Dynamics are on point and tonality is well executed across the board.
(EQ 1) With the EQ set to 1 things aren’t as rosy. It basically adds a loudness effect bringing the bass and mids forward but the sound quickly becomes congested resulting in a loss of separation and refinement. I would strongly suggest leaving the EQ set to 0.
Conclusion
The Sabaj A2 Bluetooth Amplifier is a wonderfully crafted unit that packs a surprising amount of punch. Aesthetically it should complement any setup, looking very clean and refined and its rounded edges are the icing on the cake when it comes to appearance.
Build quality is excellent with smooth edges and seamless joins it really looks more expensive than it is. Currently priced at $79.99 this is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a simple, small and versatile stereo amplifier. With the added convenience of aptX Bluetooth and 3 input options, this is a great value amp and I would certainly recommend it.
You can buy the Sabaj A2 on Amazon HERE.