Acoustic Solutions SP100 Review

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Acoustic Solutions SP100
3.9 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.9 out of 5

From 2 ratings and 10 reviews

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tonalplexus's Review of Acoustic Solutions SP100 Audio Amplifier

18th May 2006

Overall Rating

1 stars
  • Value for money
    1.5 stars
  • Sound Quality
    0.5 stars
  • Time Amplifier Owned
    Less than a Week
  • Features
    2 stars
Good Points

Ease of use.


Bad Points

Poor sound quality.
Bad value for money, even at £60!


General Comments

I bought the Acoustic Solutions SP101 amp along with a pair of Eltax speakers to put together a budget system for my dad. With this requirement in mind, I was not expecting it to perform like a more expensive system. However, I did expect it to be a competent entry level amplifier; delivering a basic, clear signal.

After setting up, I was disappointed with this amp and frustrated with my purchase. As sba99jpd mentioned in his review, the SP101 cannot deal with the line level input from a CD player. It distorts the input signal (most notably, and most annoyingly, on vocal tracks). It also produces a good deal of noise (hiss) when switched on. As a result of this, the overall sound is muddy, undynamic, with a poor stereo image.

I took the amp back to Richer Sounds and exchanged it for a Cambridge Audio A1 (only £20 more than the SP101). What a difference! No noticeable hiss, no distortion, and a good, solid sound. The A1 sounds and feels like an amp worth at least £100 more than the SP101 (which gives you an indication of how badly the SP101 actually performs in terms of value for money ).

To conclude: If you want a good value budget amp, do not buy the SP101. Spend just £20 more on the Cambridge A1 and get a real piece of hi-equipment.

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Members' Comments ontonalplexus's Review

  • mark lucas Rank: Staff Sergeant on 6th Feb 2008

    Personally I think the speakers you bought were incompatible with the amp for some reason- the hiss you mentioned sounds familiar. I notced there is a 'jump' when you switch this amp on but the same thing happens with my £400 Sony amp.