Class-T HiFi Power Audio Amplifier – 100W Dual Channel Surround Sound Stereo Receiver Box w/USB, RCA, 12V Adapter – For Subwoofer Speaker, iPhone, Home Theater, PA System – Pyle PFA400U

Ok, so basically this amp has the LP-2020A+ chip inside.
Basically, if you want to unleash this amp’s full potential, buy a 4A, 12V adapter. It’ll allow you to reach peak watts of ~40-45W.

I initially bought it to see the difference between both amps. Turns out it’s the same overrated crap! Killawatt meter tells me it uses 2.2W on idle (without music). That is the power the device + adapter use.
And shuts off ~10-12W RMS with the stock adapter, or ~5W per channel.
However, after doing some tests with power adapters, I came to the conclusion, that a 4A adapter really is the sweet spot for this amp.
Any bigger, and the amp won’t be much louder, but uses more power; and you’re running in danger for surpassing the rated 100W peak (which you’ll never even come close to with the supplied 2A adapter).
The LP-2020A+ starts distorting at around 15W (this one around 10W) with the stock adapter. With the 4A adapter, I have mild distortion (hard to hear) @25W, and amp shut down @~35W

The difference between the 400 series and before, is a card reader and USB (which seems to consume 0.2W). Power output is the same 2020A+ chip.

The brights on this amp are less well chosen than the Lepai (lepai sounds crisper; this amp sounds more linear).

The unit comes with a remote control, to change volume, EQ (there are 4 settings, flat, jazz, rock, techno, and something else). The EQ can be further equalized with the bass and treble knobs.
The remote also has numbers to select which track you want to play (the unit displays tracks as numbers from 1 to 99 on the tiny 4 digit LCD).
There is no FF function on this unit, just next/previous track.

There’s an intro (first 10 seconds of the song), and repeat (one/all) function.

Other than that, it’s a good small unit, but because of the 100W on the title, it underperformed what I had expected of it.

Initially I had trouble playing back some tracks, but after a while I realized it was because of a slow micro SD card (buffer underruns). I changed to a faster microSD card, and I had no more unexplained shut downs.

My only real gripe aside from the ridiculous power spec claims, is that it doesn’t have a power button on the amp.
You can only turn it off with the remote; so make sure you don’t lose it!

Pretty soon I’ll compare this pyle to the much cheaper Lepai LP-269FS; which from the specs looks like a much better buy!

EDIT: I had to return the item, because it started making static noises (like sounding like a distant thunder over the speakers).
Both Lepai’s I have don’t have this!
If you don’t need a mic/phono input (which most people don’t), then get the Lepai version of this one! Way better, louder, and has more functions for the price.

When I received the stereo amplified I only ran a quick check by testing one of the stereo channels. To my dismay, however when I was finally ready to use the unit I then discovered that by chance the only of the stereo channels that worked was the one I had tested; the other did not work. I might add that when I plugged a speaker into the right speaker output and a second speaker into the left speaker output (as designated on the back of the unit, only the left speaker output worked. When I then switched speakers (to verify it wasn’t a speaker problem) still the speaker connected to the right speaker output did not work and the speaker connected to the left speaker output worked. Clearly a speaker output problem. I tried switching all of the knobs and pushing all of the buttons, but nothing changed. And without a definitive manual, pushing buttons on the remote was also a waste of time. So, it’s time for the trash. There is obviously nothing else I can do. While supposedly intended to be a stereo amplifier or at least an amplifier that would power two speakers, this one isn’t. Unfortunately I discovered that 9 days after the return date. It just goes to show is that the only thing you can count on these days is finding that you’ve purchased junkstuff.

This is pretty damned great for what I’m using it for and price.

I have 4 speakers in a room that is 50sm (about 500 square feet).
The JBL Control NOW speaker system (they make a donut if you have 4).

I’m not a audiophile, but I do have perfect hearing (even at my age 50+ I can hear sub 100hz, although feel is a better word than hear) and I peak out at about 17.6khz according to my ENT).

Yeah, sure, there is some subtle static, the same I hear on most devices under $100. I specifically like to listen to music that involves one person singing into a mic intended for hearphones: Paul Simon, Lindsey Buckingham, etc. and it comes though very well off this. Audio is a very subjective issue at many levels. If you don’t like this device because you have high standards, there are some great options out there that solve the small stuff with more and better circuits, and yes, you will pay more.

This device is primitive keep in mind. One example is it remembers were you were last. So if you turned it off while it was set to loud, then the next morning when you power it up it will blast you. I would love a switch to control which way you like it.

I plan to run tests on it, if you think of something you want tested tell me and I will update my review here with what I learn.
Because this has a USB I bought this other cool solution “Sunweb Infrared Remote Control Receiver + Emitter + USB Adaptor for IR Extender Repeater ” which is basically a sub $10 extender for the IR receiver. Works GREAT with this.

I have used the SD card feature so far, works great, although I need to learn if there is a way to presort the music (perhaps force naming) or if it does one folder after another. I will mine other reviews and see if anyone knows the rules it uses.