Fosi Audio DA2120A Bluetooth 5.0 DAC Hi-Fi Stereo Receiver Audio Amplifier Support aptX 2.1 CH Integrated Class D Digital Power Amp for Passive Speakers Active Subwoofer with Remote Control

Hooked up to a pair of Micca MB42's and a Polk PSW10 sub. Before this I was driving them with the Lepy 2020a (15W 2-channel) so the biggest difference was going from an analog input to DSP via SPDIF USB. Also, Asus/Reaktek drivers are TERRIBLE for managing a 2.1 system out of the 3.5mm jacks on the motherboard, which was the primary driver for my purchase of this Fosi DA2120a.The increase in clarity and dymanic range is the biggest improvement for me. I can still make out clear details at lower volumes, like identifying pickup types or wood density of string instruments in a 4-piece band, down at volumes that would get too muddy with the Lepy. The Fosi will also preserve great detail at higher volumes, so the crispness of a pick against bass strings can still be heard through blasting metal.It can drive these speakers (4ohm) to VERY VERY low volumes, and it's actually usable down as low volumes as I would have them - the Lepy simply could not drive these down at very low volumes (below the 40dBa region if I had to guess). Maximum volume for me is PLENTY for a desktop setup, especially with the speakers pointed 160 degrees from each other directly at my ears. I might ask for more if this were a TV setup, but only if I wanted to drive larger speakers than these. Overall I'm just really impressed with the Fosi and how much more there was in the MB42's than I'd heard from them through the Lepy.On the negative side with regards to sound quality is that it's pretty noisy when on but not pushing sound. Admittedly that could be my setup (proximity to a power supply, or that I run a speaker next to a few power chords), but the Lepy was certainly quieter when powered but not in use. It's not a deal breaker for me.As for usability, the remote is pretty cheap but I'm thankful it's not as cheap as it could have been. I love that the display can be turned off. I wish it would turn back off automatically after changing the volume or settings, but I intend to set it and forget it, using my PC to control volume. It has EQ modes but I don't care for them - I simply prefer flat in all use cases.The hardware is quality. The anodized shell will expose bare metal if scratched hard. Nothing inside rattles - it's very solid. The volume knob has a nice detent when rotating and pressing (as a button). It has maybe 5 degrees of play rotating a little less axially. Not perfect, but good for the price. I wish it came with a few more mounting or standing options. I relocated the rubber feet so it stands on its side. It's fine as-is, but would fall over easily if I used the knob often this way. The included USB cable is quality, if a bit gaudy in appearance. I'll be looking for a shorter cable anyways.Overall I'd jump to recommend it as a 2.1 amp. This plus the MB42's will blow away any off-the-shelf 2.1 setup under $600 for far less money. The Lepy was excellent value at <$30 but I wish I'd jumped to the DA-2120a from the start.

I bought this after having a terrible experience with the SMSL AD-18 desktop amp a few years ago. That amp would explode my ears intermittently with loud bursts of static and SMSL basically ghosted me when I attempted to get in touch with them about the issue. Reading other amazon reviews I found I wasn't the only one dealing with that issue.After eating that mistake, I carefully combed reviews and arrived on this unit which is size and price comparable to the pile of garbage SMSL I had before. And I am pleased to report: it's worked great for the last 3 years and doesn't jump scare me every other day with static bursts. I'm using it over TOSLINK as that's the cable I had handy at the time and it's been flawless. I've also used it over USB and that worked fine as well. I'm using it with Micca MB42X bookshelf speakers and while it doesn't get insanely loud, at 70% volume it's about as loud as any rational person would have it in a desktop use case. It would be nice if it got a tad louder for when you're playing content with relatively quiet audio.It also has a good variety of inputs which is helpful as I can swap between my PC, laptop and Xbox with the push of a button. HOWEVER, the means by which you swap inputs on the unit itself is a total afterthought and actually super annoying in daily use. The only physical button on the unit is the volume knob which also pushes in. Switching inputs is one short press. The reason this is an issue is when I blindly reach for it to adjust the volume, which I do very often, it's incredibly easy to accidentally press the knob in and switch to a dead input.Switching back to correct one involves clicking it 5 times to cycle back to the one I was just using. This could be easily solved with a firmware change. Lock input changes behind a double knob click and then turning it to switch inputs. Thankfully, if you mainly use the remote, the above complaint is not really an issue. My problem with the remote is it's much slower to make big adjustments than the knob. Were it not for awful control scheme, I would easily give the unit 5 stars.One final note, I bought this 4 years ago and for a chinesium desktop amplifier it does strike me as being a bit overpriced in 2024. There are probably better options available, but this one gets my soft recommendation for not being manufactured e-waste like the SMSL unit I mentioned at the beginning.