Dayton Audio HTA100 Integrated Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier 100 Watts

I was sad to have to replace a vintage solid-state Sherwood receiver, but have had my eye on this hybrid for a while and I am not disappointed. Everyone who sees it comments on how cool it looks and can’t believe how great it sounds. Definitely comparable to“high-end” and more expensive systems. Very well designed and easy to hook up. Awesome with my Pro-ject turntable along with bookshelf speakers and passive sub-woofer. A showpiece for the eyes and the ears.

My current system is fairly respectable: Technics 1200 GAE turntable; Audio Technica AT33sa MC cartridge; Lehman Black Cube phone stage w/upgraded toroidal transformer; Klipsch Heresy 1s. This amp does no injustice to this setup.I have been using a Vincent SV-500 hybrid amp for the last 4 years. This is an excellent hybrid in its own right (it's over $1000 more). I also currently have a Fisher 800c tube receiver. This receiver is easily better than most new amplifiers at many times its cost, tube or solid state.Compared with each amplifier, the HTA-100 more than holds its own. The SV-500 I would describe as clean but slightly warm amp overall with a good soundstage. It sounds more like a really good Pass Labs SS amp overall. The Fisher of course is a standout amplifier, extremely liquid with a compatible speaker (like the Klipsch H1s), excellent tonal balance, and everything one likes about a vintage tube amp. I would place the HTA-100 somewhere between the two. It has a bit more tube warmth than either in some areas, however really good SS slam for rocking out, with a huge soundstage in the lower midrange. On the other hand, at lower volumes it is every bit as full, with delicate detail, deep image and amazing musicality overall. I would say it is closer to the Fisher than the Vincent. The best way to describe it is somewhere between the Fisher (or any good vintage tube amp) and good mid-70s coupling capped solid state. I no longer use the SV-500 and will be selling it. I use an A/B switch now switching between the HTA-100 and the Fisher to my Klipsch.I have not used the built in phono, as I use the Black Cube to support my cartridge.The Bluetooth works extremely well (I could stream from my phone anywhere in the house on 3 floors) and sounds really good for a wireless digital source. Every major input is available. Coaxial/optical digital, line-level analog, MM phono. It is also excellent with my TV.Build quality is top notch. The 5 year warranty is as good as any out there.Don't consider the HTA-100 as a $230 amp that happens to be a good value. It is a genuinely good amplifier in its own right. I would give it 6 stars if it were possible.

Khruangbin Amp! (the Khruangbin songs May 9, and Aug 10). I also like Alika Lyman (Night Orchid) and Quincy Jones (Soul Bossa Nova) anything like that. Transformers do not make any any noise, in signal, nor "ambient noise" (hum) in this amp that I notice. Class AB power amp section does not sound dead like a "class D". Lively, sweet. Just enough sound presence to place the edge of the soundstage there. Slight tube sound hologram, altho not exact instrument locations, as-in $5000 stereo imaging. What do I expect from a $240 desk amp! Silk dome tweeters, and paper cone speakers (even inexpensive speakers) do well with this amp, especially efficient speakers. Powers my 1988 JBL L100T3 speakers fine, however I find the JBL's titanium tweeters are a bit brittle, or metallic sounding with the bright "tube-ish" midrange. Might just be me, I still play them. I like the amp so much I ordered the HTA200 also. Bass and Treble controls stay at null, because the mids and highs (with tones at 12 o'clock, null) are kinda nice. Tube midrange should be so nice you don’t want tone control, and this is the case here. BT audio quality is often a unreliable, or dirty compromise in audio quality (compared to several other BT amps, receivers, BT speakers I own) but this Dayton BT input sounds okay. I always use either toslink or the aux RCA jacks, an RCA to Apple lightning adapter cord direct in (because a BT input is always a compromise in audible quality). Sometimes I set my iPhones eq to “Latin”. Subwoofer worked great. Awesome for what it is. I recommend this amp.

After two weeks of daily use, here is my review:Sound: Going from a 30 year-old decent amp to this Dayton was literally transformative!The biggest improvement was in my speakers base response. It easily drives my 6 ohm tower speakers, slightly warming the midrange and taming the treble response. My 60-year-old ears, including my son’s 20 year-old ears could definitely hear the improvements.Build quality: Very well made with attention to details. It has a heft to it, which is surprising at this price.Negatives: Why in the world would they include such a crappy remote? 60% of the time it won’t even adjust the volume or select the input. I would gladly have spent $20 more dollars just to get a decent remote.Overall: This Dayton amp is definitely an incredible bang for the buck. Beautiful sounding with the gorgeous look of glowing tubes, you won’t regret your purchase.

I have had this Dayton Audio HTA100 about 2 years. I use it every day. It has surprisingly good power for the size and price. Easily powers my Klipsch RM51 bookshelf speakers, which I have on my patio, and fills the outdoor space with great sound. Plug and play, easy to operate. Bluetooth works good with consistent connections. I have tried several other less expensive unit in similar applications, much to my regret. I do recommend this product if your space and budget are limited, and you still want good quality sound.