Another Great Entry_level Pick: ShengYa A_88 Integrated hybrid stereo amplifier_Evaluation_News_news

Another Great Entry-level Pick: ShengYa A-88 Integrated hybrid stereo amplifier

Time：2021-04-29

ShengYa A-88 Integrated hybrid stereo amplifier

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ShengYa stands out as a leader among Chinese audio brands and a pioneer bringing Chinese hi-fi to the world, with proven strength to back it up. Chinese audio products have long been known for offering great value for money, and ShengYa is no exception. You can easily find entry-level Hi-Fi models priced at several thousand yuan in its lineup, such as the A-80CSⅡ, A-17CSⅡ, and the A-88 featured in this article. They share one key feature: an integrated hybrid stereo amplification circuit, one of the circuit topologies that ShengYa excels at developing.

The A-80CSⅡ and A-88 share similar functions and specifications. Both support Bluetooth reception and digital inputs. The differences lie in that the A-88 delivers higher output power, features a slightly revised appearance, and carries a marginally higher price tag. Even though they are ShengYa’s entry-level integrated amplifiers, their feature set and specifications are far from basic. Equivalent configurations would cost considerably more on imported amplifiers, which is one of their major strengths. What functions and specs does the ShengYa A-88 offer? How does it sound? Let’s take a closer look.

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ShengYa A-88 Specifications

■ Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.5dB

■ Rated Output Power: 100W + 100W (8Ω)

■ THD: ≤0.1% (1kHz, 1W)

■ Input Sensitivity: 350mV

■ Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 90dB

■ Input Impedance: 47kΩ

■ Dimensions: 430 × 152 × 443 (mm)

■ Weight: 13kg

A-88 with Bluetooth Reception and Digital Inputs

The A-88 is equipped with 3 sets of RCA analog input terminals for connecting audio sources with analog outputs such as CD players. Its digital inputs include Optical and Coaxial connections (supporting 24bit/192kHz high-resolution audio), compatible with digital sources including CD transports, digital transports, set-top boxes and even smart TVs. One minor drawback is that the A-88 has no USB input, so it cannot be used to build a PC-HiFi system with a computer.

Bluetooth reception offers a convenient wireless playback option for mobile devices. Phones, tablets, PCs, smart TVs and TV boxes with Bluetooth capability can stream music wirelessly. Theoretically, Bluetooth audio quality cannot match that of sources like CD players, yet it serves well as an auxiliary way to enjoy music and is ideal for casual music sharing at home.

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A-88 Features Tone Control

The A-88 incorporates features that many modern Hi-Fi amplifiers have omitted. First is the tone control function. The two knobs on the left side of the front panel serve this purpose, allowing adjustment of treble and bass. To some audiophiles, this function introduces colouration. For this reason, the manufacturer provides a “TONE” bypass button to disengage the tone circuit.

Second, the “LOUD” loudness switch at the lower right of the panel is another feature rarely seen on contemporary Hi-Fi amplifiers. When loudness is activated, the circuit boosts high and low frequencies, with the effect most pronounced at low volume and gradually diminishing as the volume increases. This compensates for the human ear’s reduced sensitivity to treble and bass relative to the midrange at low listening levels.

Both tone control and loudness compensation work well to balance recordings with uneven frequency response and satisfy listeners with particular tonal preferences, justifying their inclusion.

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The A-88 Adopts Integrated Hybrid Stereo Amplification Topology

This is ShengYa’s signature circuit used in its mid-range and entry-level amplifiers since the brand’s founding. Refined over more than two decades, the design has reached an exceptionally mature state. It uses a 12AX7 vacuum tube for pre-amplification. The voltage amplification stage is handled entirely by the SPRR circuit built around 12AU7 tubes, while the output stage uses high-power transistors solely for current amplification — known as a 0dB amplifier. The design aims to combine the enchanting tonal character of vacuum tubes with the driving capability of transistors.

Speakers Used for Audition

The speaker paired with the ShengYa A-88 is the Swans D8.1 bookshelf loudspeaker. The D8.1 adopts a three-way design, which is a premium configuration for a Hi-Fi speaker with a retail price below 6,000 yuan. What’s more, it is equipped with a large 8-inch woofer, a 50mm dome midrange driver and a ribbon tweeter — a notably generously specced build. Swans is also a leading domestic audio brand. I was therefore quite eager to hear this pairing of Hi-Fi products from two Chinese manufacturers.

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Listening Impressions

Although the ShengYa A-88 features a built-in DAC and Bluetooth reception, I preferred using a CD player as the source to evaluate this entry-level system. For the most authentic, unaltered sound, I kept the tone controls and loudness function disabled, running the A-88 in bypass mode. Of course, I also turned these features on occasionally during playback to tailor the sound to certain recordings.

First up was Chuchu · 15th Anniversary Theme Song by audiophile vocalist Chen Jieli. This pairing effortlessly reproduced her sweet, clear voice, with abundant midrange detail. Overall, the sound was open, natural and expressive. The drum strikes had good bounce, with well-judged bass quantity. I could also engage the A-88’s tone control to boost the bass for fuller, deeper drum impact if desired. Pop music thrives on this dramatic contrast. Call it flavouring, call it colouration — it is acceptable so long as the listener enjoys it.

Next, I played Beethoven Violin and Piano Sonata No.5 in F Major performed by Gao Can and Tan Xiaotang. The instrumentation is simple: only violin and piano. The emotional impact proved even stronger here. The violin sounded bright and delicate with excellent linearity, while the piano tone was crystalline. The two instruments complement each other beautifully, stirring the listener’s mind and drawing one into the music. For this piece, the pairing of the ShengYa A-88 and Swans D8.1 delivers highly pleasing midrange reproduction.

Then I played Spring River, Moonlit Night by Zhao Cong. Reimagined with fresh musical elements, this piece features exquisite pipa performance alongside ultra-low frequencies that serve as an excellent test for a system’s low-end reproduction. Benefiting from the Swans D8.1’s 38Hz low-frequency response, you can easily perceive those sub-bass notes reminiscent of a heartbeat, without straining to listen. Combined with the crystalline timbre of the pipa, it unfolds a complete musical scene.

Lastly, an orchestral piece: Dance of the Tumbler from Tutti. To be honest, on systems with poor balance or weak resolving power, this recording can sound dull and flat. Fortunately, this pairing avoids that pitfall. Its bright tonal character and rich midrange are well-suited for this orchestral work. While the bass output is not overwhelming, it is snappy, and the musical soundstage is well rendered. You can tell that the bass of the ShengYa A-88 is restrained. It does not resort to exaggerated low-end output to impress the listener, prioritising instead listening comfort and naturalness.

Some Thoughts

When it comes to ShengYa, some audiophiles comment that its amplifiers tend to deliver a warm, thick tonal character and are unsuitable for pairing with speakers of a similarly warm sound signature. However, this is not always the case. Its high-end models do present a steady, mature sound, yet mid-range and entry-level units sound brighter, thanks to different amplifier circuit designs. Take the A-88 for example. Its tube-pre, solid-state-output topology lends an airy quality to the treble. The overall presentation leans bright and lively, with an attractive, pleasing tonal balance that is easy to enjoy.

Summary

This is an integrated amplifier that combines power amplification, digital decoding and Bluetooth audio reception, compatible with most popular audio sources available today. It also features tone control and loudness functions for tonal adjustment. For home users, this all-in-one amplifier offers good value. There is no need to purchase an external DAC or Bluetooth receiver separately, which also eliminates messy cabling.

The A-88 delivers bright, natural and smooth sound with highly pleasing midrange performance. It is an excellent choice for new audiophiles as well as casual music lovers.