The Clarity Amplifier is terrific
581700
The Clarity amplifier helps me as I am hard of hearing. It boosts whatever I am listening to a beautiful sound.
616888
Solves several annoyances of the RS 160 I already have - the off button on the cans remotely shuts off the transmitter and it has a nice bass boost too. It also allows a digital optical connection to the transmitter. These cans sound terrific and can give me all the volume I want without distortion and without sound leakage that disturbs my wife. I had to lower the sound settings initially - made my eyeballs rattle, but my wife in the next room heard nothing while I luxuriated in music.
2429622
What an amazing little amplifier!  I usually don't find that the amplifier makes a huge difference in the sound of an audio system, at least when compared to speakers.  I am also not the WhatHifi type of listener who can hear angels sing in a particular AC power plug.  Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised that the DDA120 improved the sound significantly on my system!  The clarity, imaging and dynamism of this little box are truly outstanding!  And at this price it is a total bargain.  My one complaint - the remote is pretty tiny and I have already lost it in the couch cushions a couple of times!
2666740
I have the luxury of space behind my desk, and don't need to use regular computer add on speakers. I have a pair of very old, but very good quality stereo speaker cabinets and I connected the PCA2 up to the headphone jack on my computer, and hooked it to these two speaker cabinets.
i wouldn't recommend the amp to someone who wants to play heavy metal at volume levels high enough to cause the furniture in the room to dance around. For my smooth jazz, and classical guitar background listening the sound is remarkably clean and distortion free, with a frequency response range which exceeds my ears. No hum or distortion whatsoever. I'd strongly recommend to anyone who wants a good quality sound reinforcement at a bargain price.
3404372
I have this unit installed with two floorstanding tower speakers, two small rear speakers, a 10-inch powered sub, and a small-to-medium bookshelf center speaker.

Connections: Simple, quick, and straightforward.  The four HDMI input section seems a bit minimal these days, but is adequate to my current setup--HTPC computer with Blu-Ray drive, DVD/CD player, and Satellite/Cable connection. I could always insert an accessory switch if necessary.

Setup: As usual for Denon and others, they have "geeked out" the remote, with a multitude of buttons and captions that are confusing and irrelevant for the most part, after setting the system up.
The Audessey microphone surround setup is simple to operate and just works. As others have mentioned, I found it was less than perfect for adjusting the subwoofer, but otherwise was spot-on. Movie sound is clear, dynamic, powerful, and all channels are noticeably discrete.
I could wish for a more extensive on-screen (TV) menu, with higher-resolution and detail, but the existing menu does the job, though the text is very large and rough in appearance.

I've seen several comments about the supposed "low power" of this amp, and regarding "six ohms vs. eight ohms" rating, and "only" 70 watts/channel at 8 ohms. This is generally irrelevant.
The fact is, even when the volume control is raised to the point of averaging merely 10 watts/channel output, any speakers with reasonable efficiency will be . . . VERY LOUD. The more real-world and reasonable measurements are related to clarity of high, mid-range, and bass frequencies; low distortion; ability to distinguish individual sounds/instruments/voices, etc..  This amplifier does admirably rendering those characteristics.

This amplifier is now nearly three years old, and has survived a fall from a shelf with no problems.

Highly recommended.
641393
I normally don't like write much reviews ,,, but after receiving this on Audio amplifier  i thought like to leave a feedback,,
first i bought this amplifier from Beach Camera on Amazon ,, and that was a plus ,, their customer service  is close to none,,

after listning to this amplifier for two days now , i hardly think anyone can go wrong with this purchase ,,clean ,, very clean sound at any volume, loud enough to fill almost any room with high fidelity audio, i have been in audio business and audio equipment  almost 40 years ,, it is hard to find better sounding amplifier in that price range,,, there are better equipments out  there but they cost a lot more money
for about a $$ 100.00 very difficult to beat it

buy it with confidence  you won't be dissapointed
86094
I have never worn regular hearing aids and don't feel that I need them yet. I couldn't afford regular hearing aids anyway. These amplify and clarify voices well enough to suit my needs. I use them primarily for watching TV. My other half complained that it was uncomfortable to watch TV with me because I needed the volume too loud in order for me to understand the dialog (conversation). Even then I would not understand everything. With these amplifiers, she can have the TV at a comfortable volume for her and I can listen comfortably and understand the dialog too.

Prior to purchasing these hearing amplifiers, I purchased a sound system for the TV which has a feature which is supposed to selectively amplify the  voice frequency range. I turned that feature all the way up. It didn't really make a difference for me. I still could not understand the dialog. That sound system turned out to be a waste of money for me. The Walker's micro elite amplifiers actually do clarify dialog when watching TV. I consider them a worthwhile investment in my comfort. I'm now able to enjoy quality snuggle time with my honey without one or the other of us having an uncomfortable TV volume level.

I find that I have to use the small round foam plugs to prevent feedback/squealing. I also find that I'm not able to have the volume up all the way without feedback. In order to get the foam plugs properly situated in my ear canal, I roll them between two fingers for about 15 seconds to compress them prior to insertion. I've also found that if I try to push them in too far that they are uncomfortable and don't work as well for me anyway. A little bit of experimenting was required for me to find the most comfortable and effective placement. I also found that I required time to adjust to the amplification of various background sounds which I'm not used to hearing so distinctly. If you are like me and not used to hearing aids or amplifiers in your ear, I would suggest that you give yourself a couple of weeks to adjust to the strangeness of it all and to learn to get them placed in your ears perfectly. You have 30 days to return them, so take advantage of that time. I've had these for a little over a month now and am very happy with them.

I suggest that you also read Bruce Perens excellent review.

I hope that you find these as beneficial as I have found them to be.
3567822
This amp replaced a ten-year-old Technics Pro-Logic amp that served me well but died suddenly.

The 6.1 channels of 100 watts each deliver a much smoother and clearer sound in my Olson and Technics speakers than the old amp did. Music and movies sound better than I have ever heard in my family room. Other than special releases, I have no reason now to set foot in a movie theatre.

The DSP features are plentiful enough for the average user; after all, who needs 11 different presets just to listen to 2-channel stereo recordings? The three different presets for music are more than enough, as are the three sets for movies. There are also plenty of matrix surround schemes to choose from: ProLogic, ProLogic II Movie, ProLogic II Music, DTS Neo:6 Cinema and Music.

The only drawback to this amp is that it does not have a phono input. I highly recommend the STR-DE597, especially for the price.
296318
I have a 35 year old pair of Cerwin-Vega AT-12 floor speakers that I have restored (new cones and surrounds on the woofer and mid-range).
This little amplifier powers those CV's so cleanly it is ridiculous!  The room is about 14x15 feet and half volume is producing 105 dB on the Mastech sound meter I have.  Granted it was not a test that followed the usual 'rules' for measuring sound pressure levels, but this amp performed!  The test was with Saint-Saens 3rd symphony, final movement, Auckland New Zealand.  The organ there has 64' pipes, and this amp (along with the re-built Cerwin-Vega's) did a marvelous job of recreating the sound and the feeling.  When your chest starts to vibrate on those low pipe organ notes, the volume is high enough, but kick it up a notch anyway.
I would give it 6 stars if it were available.
Bob - Florida,  Retired Systems Maintenance Engineer, Cape Canaveral, Florida
4172203
Like the previous models, crystal clear, clean sound from one end of the volume range to the other. *plenty* of amplification power in this little package, all my headphones are painfully loud at 50%. Simple plug-and-play operation with Windows and Ubuntu.

The change from the first generation uDAC's USB B connector to a micro B is a nice change too. The cable feels more secure, and the old B sockets were really prone to wearing out quickly.
4484137
I upgraded my home theater system, and one of my biggest complaints with my old system was how poor stereo music designed for a 2 speaker system sounded on a 5.1 system. This was especially true with my turntable and albums which just sounded ok but lacked clarity and definition. My new system still uses the same speakers and is still 5.1, but the ability to have a stereo setup and 2 speaker sound is much improved. As there was no preamp built into this receiver, I purchased the Cambrige Audio Azur 551P, and with it, I am really impressed with the sound from my B&O Turntable and Soundsmith cartridge. It sounds much better than I can remember it ever sounding. There is a crispness to the instruments and vocals that was just not there before and I am enjoying listening to music on this system once more. I always remember Cambridge having a reputation of building quality at reasonable prices, but I didn't know if this was still the case. Figuring I could return it if unhappy and having read favorable reports from others about the preamp, I took a chance and ordered it. I could not be more pleased with the sound. I am sure there are many high cost high quality preamps that could improve the sound even more, but the sound is really sweet and clear and the preamp has a very noticable positive effect on my system. I could not be more pleased with this purchase.
928264
This is an excellent, audible distortion free, ultra low noise, high resolution, powerful headphone amplifier that can effortlessly drive two pairs of headphones at once out of it's two phones jacks. Your SO, friend or fellow music/movie lover should appreciate that, provided you have two pair of headphones between you. To get sound this good from your speakers, be prepared to pay at least as much for a sound system as you would for a new car or SUV.

BUT, have you heard the one about a chain being only as strong as it's weakest link? The same principle applies to sound systems. If your budget won't stretch further than a hundred dollar pair of Grado SR-80i headphones (a great bargain, but many people want more comfortable ear pads) and a hundred dollar DVD/CD player, try a hundred dollar Fiio E-9 headphone amplifier. If you're planning on getting better headphones than hundred dollar Grados, the folks at Head-Fi (dot org) think a lot of the two hundred fifty dollar Matrix M Stage amp.

I've got a 20 year old six hundred dollar Rotel CD player for well recorded CDs, a four hundred dollar Onkyo player for SACDs and a five hundred dollar Oppo for DVD-Audio discs & the DTS Master Audio tracks on Blu-ray movies. I've also got three pairs of headphones in about the three hundred dollar price range: Beyerdynamics DT-880 (super high resolution, excellent for understanding the dialog in movies even with loud music & sound effects), AKG K-702 (really brings out the joy of music and all the subtle little sounds that you couldn't hear before, plus has an extra wide speaker-like soundstage) and Denen D-2000 (unlike the other two, very deep bass and flat frequency response, but I like the other two more).

Why not just plug good headphones into the phones jack of your receiver? Because it will sound horrible compared to even a Fiio E-9 headphone amp plugged into the tape output of that same receiver. I've heard that some older receivers are an exception to this rule. I've also heard that the flying saucer people built the Egyptian Pyramids.

MP3 IS HIGHLY "COMPRESSED". (Google it if you don't know.) If your only source of music is an iPod, put uncompressed tunes on it before even thinking about an amp like this one. You'll need an adapter to get a separate line output jack for your iPod, instead of just the phones jack.

This RudiStor NX-03 amp has so little noise and distortion that it can be used with extremely sensitive IEMs (inner ear monitors). Those are the only headphones that partly go inside your ear canal. BUT REMEMBER TO TURN THE VOLUME DOWN BEFORE YOU PLUG YOUR IEMs IN. They usually can't take much power. You want music coming out of them, not smoke. Not to mention the damage to your hearing if you're wearing the IEMs at the time.

My Beyerdynamics A-1 amp sounds the same as this amp with 250 ohm Beyerdynamics DT-880 phones, but not as good with the 62 ohm AKG K-702 phones and terrible with a pair of 25 ohm Denon D-2000 phones. I think that's mostly due to the high output impedance A-1 amp only matching high impedance headphones. My Headroom Micro amp (three hundred bucks at the time) can sound fairly good, but only with a pair of Grado SR-80 phones, probably due to higher resolution phones making the faults in the Micro amp more audible.

This amp is about 9 1/2 wide by 2 inches tall. The body is about 9 inches deep plus however much your audio interconnect plugs take in the rear.

Whatever gear you have, I hope that you enjoy your music and movies.
1933456
This is a really good thing!  It amplifies the sound and is clear. I think I will buy another for upstairs, but then it is a small little sucker (about half a coffee cup) so very portable. I got a gold color and it is rather pretty.
1808136
Amazing clarity and sound! Very very pleased. I've had this dude pumping audio with my Polk T-50's and it is as crystal clear as anything i've ever heard. When the volume is way up or down and nothing is playing it's completely silent.
3113009
Amplifier worked very well. can make weak call clear and loud enough. Helps out even when background noise is there. Very satisfied.
1610770
Excellent amplifier that allowed me to receive numerous new channels and improve picture quality.
1296634
I purchased this amp to connect to an old PC running XP and to old speakers in my shop/garage.  The sound is wonderful using Amazon Cloud, Pandora and music on a USB drive.

The other reviews state the technical aspects but for my use, this amp exceeded my expectations.  Well worth the money.

My wife hearing the music in my shop thinks the sound is better than that delivered from our more extensive system in the house.  In my view, that observation is questionable but then I don't want to upgrade our home system.  Also, I like being in my shop.

Gene