Description
***Discontinued***
Building on the success of our multi-channel Hypex NCORE® MA-01 amplifiers, we are introducing a stereo amplifier – the SA-01. The MA-01 was built with pure utility in mind, where form followed function. With the SA-01, we have allowed ourselves a little more freedom in the design of the case work to bring you something more at home in an audiophile HiFi system, where if will take pride of place on your equipment rack. As customers often employ phono connections and cables for audiophile systems we have introduced phono connectors alongside the XLR connectors with a high quality sealed switch to allow you to choose your preferred connection type.
This version of the SA-01 comes with an 8mm milled aluminium fronts in cool anthracite and is built around Hypex’s NCORE® NC252MP amplifier module, which features highly efficient switch mode power supply and a high-performance, low noise Class D amplifier on a single board.
The SA-01 includes all the advanced operation you have come to expect from KJF Audio and the MA-01. Value is still intrinsic to our brand and we have bought this to you at a great price again.
Specifications
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- Fully balanced and single ended operation via a high quality rear panel switch
- AES-48 compliant
- 12V trigger as standard
- 2 x 250W maximum power output at 4 Ohmns
- 2 x 180W maximum power output at 2 Ohmns
- 2 x 200W maximum power output at 8 Ohmns
- 47K Ohms Input Impedance, low output impedance
- S/N Ratio 118dB – this is based on measurement of individual modules
- THD 0.0015 (Typical)
- 26dB Voltage Gain
- Overall case size – Width 230 mm, Height 83 mm, Depth 370 mm including connectors
- Single button interface function control and warning
- Microprocessor controlled
- Muted start-up process
- DC detection and protection from self induced DC produced during catastrophic amp failure
- DC connected inputs for the purest signal path (make sure you have no DC on the inputs)
- Clip indication
- Over temperature indication
- Industry standard gold plated XLR Neutrik connectors balanced connection
- Audiophile quality Gold plated, solid copper CMC phono connectors, silver plated connections are an option
- Custom made Audiophile quality CMC speaker binding posts
- Gold PCB traces
- Gold plated internal connectors for ribbons
- 230V and 110V operation via the IEC connector as standard
Reviews
Here is a PDF of the review by Noel Keywood in the April ’21 issue of HiFi World
paul jackson –
I believe I am the proud owner of amp number 0001. After taking loads of advice and after some false starts, I now have a wonderful amplifier to drive an 18 driver line array, some near field monitors, and in time much else in a small home studio. And wow – they meet all my expectations and much more. Silent, cool, powerful, accurate, and it brings out sounds within the music I’ve not heard before. Could not be happier with the amp. But best of all is all the superb advice and support you get from Stefan – this is priceless.
admin –
Many thanks Paul, it is always nice to get a good review, especially when it massages my ego so nicely 🙂
John Wintle (verified owner) –
I have always had a love of music and tried over the years (mainly unsuccessfully) to put together systems for reproducing it within the funds available! Over the last few years I have succumbed to enjoying the reasonable sound quality and ease of implementation offered by Sonos equipment.
However on a recent visit to my brother-in-laws I was introduced to the sonic performance produced by the Hypex modules incorporated in his KJF Audio MA-01 multi-channel amplifier. Quite exceptional to my ears. While having no need for the multi-channel complexity I was intrigued by the SA-01 Stereo Amplifier offered by KJF Audio on their website.
After much deliberation I ordered my SA-01 with NC502MP module in the middle of March. Delivery was made 10 days later. Due to a faulty cable to speaker connection, which I stupidly had never realised and had nothing to do with the SA-01, initial listening was disappointing. Stefan at KJF provided an immense amount of support (including taking the amplifier back to test) helping me to get to the bottom of the problem. I now have the amplifier back and I have been enjoying it for the last week.
Listening is so subjective but I now feel I am experiencing the finest music reproduction compared to my experiences over the last 50 years. The SA-01 fills my living room with smooth and revealing sound, with never a hint of distortion. Vocals are almost tangible in their quality e.g. Christine Collister’s “Love” album is just breathtaking!
If you are in the market for a new stereo power amplifier you should have no doubt that the SA-01 is a very fine example indeed and remarkable value. Added to that Stefan at KJF Audio will provide you with the very finest level of service and support. Treat yourself (and your ears)!
admin –
Many thanks for this review John, I am very pleased you were happy with my customer support. I try to go above and beyond when possible
Graham Rennie –
I’ve been listening to my new KJF SA-01 NC252MP amp for a few weeks now.
It’s a cliché to say that I’ve been listening to lots of old favourite albums – but that is the case. First impressions are that the music plays against a very “black” background and it’s very easy to find myself playing music much louder than usual (thankfully neighbours haven’t complained, yet!). It’s very easy to follow individual instruments and voices which all sound very natural. – a joy to listen to.
I like the additional functionality and connectivity over most if not all immediate competitors.
Also, the amp looks great, runs cool and is a genuine bargain. This is the last amp I’ll buy!
First class service and help from Stefan, upgrading was easy.
admin –
Many thanks Graham, great little review 🙂
Chris M (verified owner) –
An awesome sounding amp, with a couple of niggles.
Oodles of power to handle transients with energetic music and bass, this little amp will power basically any set of speakers.
The gain is a little lower than normal, but it still has no issues handling high volumes with my pre-amp in low gain mode on a set of 86dB sensitivity speakers. I feel unstoppable with my little setup that I hope will last for years to come. It really shows off the best aspects of your speakers and never sounds harsh or fatiguing.
Communication from Stefan, the builder, has also been pretty great, helping me to pick one of the awesome wood front panels that really add a unique and stylish look.
Now to the couple of issues I have with it and my experience buying from a small hi-fi shop rather than a big brand. Firstly, I find it slightly odd that there are visible, prominent screws on the front. It detracts from the beautiful wood and makes it look a little cheaper than it should. None of my other items of hi-fi equipment has front screws. If you plan to revise the design, devise a way to have it assemble without those.
Secondly, there’s a lead time of about a week as it needs to be built. No big deal, but I would’ve liked some indication of that when purchasing. And finally, it didn’t come with an AC power cable. I don’t think I’ve ever bought any appliance that came without a cable. For the money, a half decent one should’ve been thrown in. I brought this up in an email and was told I could be sent one, except it didn’t arrive.
If I’m being really picky, it would be cool if it had an auto-wake and auto-standby feature so it doesn’t need manually switching on, but that’s just wishlisting!
Nathan (verified owner) –
Stefan offers a stellar service, and the build quality on this device is simply flawless, it’s on a totally different level to anything I’ve picked up from typical retailers.
I can’t rate it highly enough. Everything has been thought through to the smallest detail, exactly the right component parts, and every feature of the fabulous hypex implemented perfectly. I’ve been listening 12-16 hours a day since I received it, it hasn’t broken a sweat, stayed nice and cool. Product flawless, wouldn’t change a thing, service excellent, I have the opposite of regrets here, nil, this is one of those rare products you buy and it brings you joy for decades.
Adam C Rogers (verified owner) –
I was sceptical that a class D amp would suit my system and musical preferences so to cut to the chase – SA-01 amp installed and running with some speakers that had sat unused for at least 12 yrs !! Unsurprisingly it took a good couple of hours for the the speakers to ‘ wake up ‘ and the new amp and cables to get their mojo going ,
This is without doubt the quietest amp I have experienced -absolutely ink black nothingness and absolutely neutral in character , this made low level listening a real pleasure and captured a lot of musical nuances I had missed ! The speakers still need a bit more of a workout and final positioning etc – the SA-01 so far has been a total delight , great value for money and strongly recommended .
I cannot fault Stefan and his level of service ,
Thanks Stefan