EMOTIVA BasX TA-100 Integrated Amplifier/Tuner In The House!

EMOTIVA is known for making some heavy duty audio gear and selling it at very low prices. Because of this, I have been really wanting to get some of their stuff in for review, and it has finally happened! This is the BasX TA-100 Integrated Amplifier (w/ tuner!) and it does a whole lot for $429…Review coming soon!

Analog Inputs

• 2 pairs; stereo analog line level inputs (CD, Aux).
• 1 pair; stereo phono inputs (switchable; moving magnet or moving coil).
• 1 tuner; FM (with external antenna input; 50 station presets).

Digital Inputs

• 1; digital coax (S/PDIF); 24/192k.
• 1; digital optical (Toslink); 24/192k.
• 1; digital USB (DAC input); 24/96k; no drivers required.
• 1; Bluetooth receiver (requires optional AptX Bluetooth dongle).

Outputs

• 1 pair; main line level output; stereo, unbalanced.
• 1 pair; speaker outputs; stereo, 5-way binding post.
• 2; summed full range outputs (for connecting one or two subwoofers), unbalanced.
• 1; stereo headphone output (front panel).

Analog Performance (line level)

• Maximum output level: 4 VRMS.
• Frequency response: 5 Hz to 50 kHz +/- 0.04 dB.
• THD+noise: < 0.0015% (A-weighted).
• IMD: < 0.004% (SMPTE).
• S/N ratio: > 115 dB.
• Crosstalk: < 90 dB.

Analog Performance (to speaker outputs; both channels driven)

• Output Power:
  50 watts RMS per channel (20 Hz – 20 kHz; THD < 0.02%; into 8 Ohms).
  90 watts RMS per channel (1 kHz; THD < 1%; into 4 Ohms).
• Power bandwidth:
  20 Hz to 20 kHz + 0 dB / – 0.25 dB (at rated power; into 8 Ohms).
• Broadband frequency response: 20 Hz to 80 kHz + 0 dB / – 3 dB.
• THD+noise: < 0.05% (A-weighted).
• S/N ratio:
  > 100 dB (A-weighted; ref full power).
  > 85 dB (A-weighted; ref 1 watt).

Analog Performance (phono)

• Frequency response (MM and MC):
  20 Hz to 20 kHz; ref standard RIAA curve.
• THD+noise:
  < 0.015% (MM; A-weighted).
  < 0.06% (MC; A-weighted).
• S/N ratio:
  > 90 dB (MM).
  > 68 dB (MC).

Analog Performance (headphone)

• Output Power:
  8 Ohms: 23 mW / channel.
  33 Ohms: 90 mW / channel.
  47 Ohms: 127 mW / channel.
  150 Ohms: 145 mW / channel.
  300 Ohms: 114 mW / channel.
  600 Ohms: 75 mW / channel.

Digital Performance

• Frequency response:
  5 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.15 dB (44k sample rate).
  5 Hz to 80 kHz +/- 0.25 dB (192k sample rate).
• THD+noise:
  < 0.003% (A-weighted; all sample rates).
• IMD:
  < 0.007% (SMPTE).
• S/N ratio:
  > 110 dB ref rated output.

Trigger

• 12 VDC trigger output.

Power Requirements

• 115 VAC or 230 VAC @ 50 / 60 Hz (automatically detected).

Controls And Indicators

• Power: rocker switch; rear panel.
• Standby: one front panel push button; halo ring changes color to indicate status.
• Two front panel pushbuttons: Input Select; menu operation.
• One front panel knob: Volume; Tuning; menu operation.
• Display: high visibility blue alphanumeric VFD display (dimmable).
• Remote Control: compact full-function infrared remote control.
• Menu and Control System; simplified, highly intuitive menu system
  (includes Setup options, Bass, Treble, and Balance controls).

Mechanical

• Dimensions:
  17” wide x 2-5/8” high x 12-1/2” deep (unboxed; without connectors).
  21” long x 7” high x 17-1/2” deep (boxed).
• Weight:
  15 lbs (unboxed).
  19.5 lbs (boxed).

P. Cash

I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.