298Pro Stereo Audio Amplifier, Max 400W Home 2 Channel Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Power Amplifier, HiFi Sound Home Theater Audio System Home Stereo Receiver, MIC in w/Echo, Bass & Treble w/USB/RCA/FM

Needed to connect speakers to turntable, works great.

Excellent sound. Used to power outdoor 50 watt speaker. Only four star rating because the remote did not work. Replaced the battery but still didn't work.

Pre-amps were a common requirement in my younger years. In those days, turntables had no built-in amplifier, nor did other equipment including CD, cassette and 8track players (I really am that old).A pre-amp today adds a few capabilities (including connectors ) for newer types of equipment.The front features a USB and SD MMC input for MP3 files placed on the root directory. I can advance songs in order on the unit or using the remote but I have more control by choosing the music on the source deviceBluetooth connection is much like it is on other devices, connect from the device you wish to connect to the pre-amp.Conventional connections include two full size plug mic jacks in front, and a single line connection from the back. This won;t replace a full receiver if you have many devices. It also has a built-in radio receiver which does a fair job overall.And the price. I probably paid more in the 1970s for a pre-amp than this one costs 50 years later. For the money, a very good buy.

I got this to use with an Echo Dot and unpowered bookshelf speakers to play Spotify. I wanted to be able to turn it on with a smart plug and have it connect to the Echo Dot via bluetooth. Unfortunately, when you power on this amp, it always reverts to Line-In not the last input set. To overcome this, I used a wired aux connection from the dot to the amp. This works except once I got it setup, I noticed a small transformer hum coming from the amp that only goes away when power is removed. In addition, there is a slight buzz that can be heard from the speakers when there is nothing playing. The remote functions are limited, and it does not power down the amp, it puts it in stand-by mode. Unfortunately, even in stand-by mode, the transfer hum and buzz from the speakers persisted.On the positive side, the amp is compact but has plenty of power to drive the speakers cleanly at high volumes. And unless you're sitting within a couple feet of the amp or speakers, the transformer hum is not audible. Speaker buzz does not seem to be present when music is playing.Update: Amp is silent (no hum/buzz) when a DC power supply is used. I found one made for Peloton bikes that is 12v5a with correct connector for around $10.

This is a nice amp in the sense that it is a nice-looking unit and very inexpensive. If you have a pair of old bookshelf speakers, then that would be the most likely use for this amp. However, these days, the newer Bluetooth speakers are of higher quality, then I'm not sure what purpose this amp would have - that said, I'm no expert. If your older speakers are at the 'higher end,' then this amp might drive them for a very low cost.

This is an excellent example of the new trend toward “mini” amps that are compact, offer plenty of features, and have enough power to drive even the most inefficient speakers to a reasonable volume level.The construction is solid, with a fully enclosed metal cabinet. The controls are well laid out and easy to operate, and the potentiometers operate smoothly without slop or play.The FM radio option is a bit funky, requiring a sweep of the FM band to locate the strongest signal. There may be a way to “lock” in a particular station, but I didn’t find it. (I seldom listen to FM, so no big deal to me!)The rear panel is very well organized, with plenty of space for large fingers to plug in audio sources and connect speakers. All the inputs are there, including a phono, line (for CD player/tuner), a USB port for recorded content, and built-in Bluetooth, which accounts for the attached antenna.Another unusual feature is the inclusion of a front-mounted microphone jack. This makes a great option for Karaoke or a PA system. There’s a front panel control that adds reverb to the mic input, and also offers the possibility of driving a speaker system for entertainment in a small club or bar. It also makes a great option for playing background music in small venues - for example, a friend of mine is buying one to play background music for his restaurant.Now, let’s talk about the sound quality. The bass and treble controls provide both active boost and cut (a good thing!). Frequency response exceeds the normal hearing sensitivity based on frequency, so you’re not going to miss the strong bass or the crystal highs on your favorite song or recording.Another factor that affects sound quality is what used to be called “dynamic range.” In practical terms, this refers to the amount of reserve power that can be used for a particular loud passage or to accurately reproduce the harmonics and overtones of a particular instrument. Sometimes referred to as “headroom,” it means the difference between a soaring crescendo that’s reproduced accurately and one that is clipped and distorted because the amp was driven outside its power curve.That’s why it’s important to have plenty of power (output wattage), even if you listen at relatively low volume levels. I connected two bookshelf speakers and set the volume level at about half. I listened to program material that was both commercially produced and my own recordings of guitar and was impressed at the quality. I heard no distortion or clipping of the signal, and the bass was strong without masking the midrange and treble.Finally, a word about the power rating. The peak rating of 400 watts is simply to impress those who don’t know better. The only rating that counts is RMS. The specs say it’s 50 watts per channel. I think that’s being generous. But keep in mind that the output power of the amp is only half the issue. The other half of the equation (when it comes to output power) is matching the impedance of the amp to the speakers. A match means more volume and less heat generated by the power stage of the amp and in the voice-coil of the speaker. So keep in mind that matching the impedance of the amp’s output to the speaker is a big part of how a power rating translates into volume and the overall listening experience.With that said, I believe this amp is probably more realistically rated at 25-30 amps per channel. But don’t let that keep you from considering this unit. For example, a fifty-watt RMS output is a LOT OF POWER. Property adjusted, with matched speakers and the input at the appropriate signal level, the volume is more than enough for the average home.Overall, this is a great little amp. Its power transformer provides line isolation for safety and some degree of voltage stabilization (easier on the electronics). It’s easy to set up and use. The built-in Bluetooth (paired very quickly with no problems) means you can easily connect your phone, tablet, or other blue-enabled electronics for a much “bigger” sound. And at the price, it’s a lot of amplifier for the buck, making it an excellent buy.