SMSL Q5 Pro Digital Amplifier 2-50W USB/Coaxial/Optical with Remote Control - Black

The reason for buying this amp was to build a better sound system for music to be used with my iMac computer. My older Klipsch computer speaker setup stopped working, and my goal was to step away from speakers specifically designed for the computer and create a much bigger and better sound. I ordered the SMSL Q5 Pro from Amazon and a set of factory refurbished Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speakers straight from Polk. I held off on ordering a sub, but chose this amp in part because of the dedicated sub out.The amp is compact and appears to be very nicely built. Sturdy aluminum case. Very easy to use and work your way through the input options. Treble and bass settings are not on separate knobs, but are easily accessed with a click in of the volume. Bass and treble then appear on the lcd screen and are adjusted by turning the volume knob.Sound reproduction is very nice. The Polk speakers I am using are 8ohm. The amp delivers 45 watts per channel when using 8ohm speakers. The end result, thus far, is very very good. Plenty of power to really push the speakers if you like to listen at higher volumes. Amp delivers a good amount of low end....even without a sub. I have both the bass and treble set at +7 (+9 is max). Music is crisp with punchy lows.I didn't find a bunch of reviews of folks using this just for computer setups....so I wanted to give my opinion on using it for this purpose only. Have only had it hooked up for a short period of time, but so far....I very much would recommend it. Of course, your choice of quality speakers make a huge difference as well.I will update when/if something changes or when I add a powered sub into the mix.UPDATE: Added a super compact powered sub into the system. Came across the 300 watt Polk Audio PSW111 8" powered sub on Craigslist locally. Couldn't pass up the price on a mint condition piece. Using the dedicated sub out on the SMSL into the LFE input on the sub, I added it into the mix. Let me just say...straight away I was pleasantly surprised with the output from the amp. I was able to dial the bass down to 2 and let the Polk TSi100 bookshelf speakers handle primarily the mids and highs while the sub handles the low end. I'm still hooked up only to the iMac using the USB connection, and the sound is now what I would consider audiophile great. Plenty of power to drive the speakers and more than enough for the sub.I ran it hard for well over an hour to test and really explore the capabilities. One thing that I read in other reviews was how warm the amp got. I must say that mine got just a little warm to the touch, but not close to what I would call hot. Much cooler than I really expected. My big Denon network receiver used for surround sound gets down right hot when pushed hard for that long.So.....in summary, using the SMSL Q5 Pro with Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speakers and a Polk Audio PSW111 compact powered subwoofer connected to my iMac using the USB connection....could not be happier. Crisp and punchy with power to spare. I would highly recommend.

I got this to replace an old NAD integrated... and chose this based on reviews (here and elsewhere) and my need for sub out, DAC, optical in... pretty much everything I could want to turn any electrical audio source (excepting phono) into vibrations my ears can detect.And it does so with aplomb- I'm no "audiophile" ... but I know good and not as good. THis qualifies as GOOD. indeed GREAT for the price and size.except for the remote.God, what an insult of a remote. If I put a battery in it, it drains it within 48 hours. And getting it out again is a hassle. So I live without remote.I use this to deliver audio from my samsung smart video via the optical out for video/tv, streaming local or internet audio, or from my note 5 phone (either by aux OR usb- it really works and the DAC sounds just fine!). All in all... just dandy. I love living in the 21st century- once expensive, heavy electronics can be replaced by small, energy-efficient yet fully functional devices like this. (just like I'm moving to a Ryzen processor... more bang less bux)

I used this amplifier to replace my old A/V receiver. I saved a ton of room, 20+ lbs of weight and got rid of a dust trap in the process. I've never looked back. This gets 5 stars despite the god awful remote (see below).To answer questions everyone asks:Does this play loudly?Yes, with a quality set of 8 ohm speakers, you will have more than enough volume for a party, watching movies, playing music. They won't make your ears bleed, but why would anyone want to do that anyway?Does it have BlueTooth?No. But there is a 3.5 mm port if you wish to use an adapter.Can I play music from my smartphone on this amplifier?Yes. There is a USB input which should work with any smartphone built after 2013 or so. Any phone shipped with Android OS newer than 5.0 will have built in DAC support (successfully tested). Newer iOS devices should also work (have not tested). Windows smartphones, if they still exist, should work as well.Can I run a subwoofer on this amp?Yes. There is an RCA output for a powered subwoofer. It has a built-in 200 Hz, 24dB/octave low pass filter. DO NOT attempt to run a sub off the speaker outputs.What type of inputs are supported?3.5 mm (aux), coaxial, optical, and USB. I use my smart TV as a mixer and leverage the optical input. Works brilliantly.Is the remote as bad as people claim?Yes. It is absolutely horrible. The battery falls out at will. Except of course when you actually need to remove it. Then you will need to call the fire department to bring the jaws of life. There is a button with a circle and a downward pointing arrow on the remote. Do not press this button. If you do, it will render your remote useless until a) the battery falls out the next time the wind blows or b) you call the Fire Dept to bring the aforementioned battery extraction device. I have hidden the remote until such time that I purchase a programmable universal remote. Until then I have reverted to the Stone Age practice of walking up to the device to change source or volume.

First one arrived DOA, returned/refund. Decided to give it another shot and ordered a 2nd one. Setup was easy, controls/remote are easy. Hooked up speakers (Micca) and wow, nice sound, cheap digital amp hooked up via optical, watched the last 20mins of Rogue One and very happy. Day two, decided to boot up netflix again and watch a movie...powered up the amp and got nothing but a noisy loud buzzing sound from speakers. Decided to unplug the power from the amp and noticed that the amp was super hot (mind you the amp had not been powered on since the day before). I let the amp cool off (left unplugged), came back an hour later and the amp was room temp. Tested it out again, and same stuttering sound. Sending back, refund requested. I'm done with SMSL :/