Micromega MyAmp Amplifier
The name says it all. In a Googled-up universe that tracks your every on-line movement as a way to sell you things you would like to purchase, the zeitgeist is caught by this new miniature Micromega carton perfectly. The MyAmp is your amp, because you are an individual. It is something that is made for you - yes, merely you, and everyone else like you!
Well alright, I'll excuse it the fairly obvious name, because that's the sole thing predictable about it. Looking inside the MyAmp, the cynic in me had expected to see several nondescript Class D modules or some such - basically the simplest & most cost-effective way of getting it to produce a squeak. But, surprisingly, the business has gone the Class AB power amplifier manner. This does not in itself ensure superlative sound, but it does tell us that the designers haven't been content to choose the alternative that is clear. Micromega runs on the Class AB circuit that maintains a solid 30W RMS per channel and twice that into half the load - this suggests the MyAmp's 260W LLC Resonant Mode power supply (asserted to be equal to a 250VA transformer with 15,000microF capacitors) is up to the occupation.
The MyAmp was created to be small and relatively powerful then, but its other essential criterion is benefit. After all, what would be the stage if it needed a raft of extra boxes to give it functionality that is purposeful? For this end, the unit has a built-in ESS Sabre Hyperstream DAC giving 24/96 via its USB input signal that is electrically isolated and 24/192 via optical and coaxial digital inputs. This means that you can plug your CD player, DAB radio, Blu-ray player or PlayStation in, together with your personal computer to play your files that are hi res. This is undeniably easy, but another feature that's extremely nice to have is aptX Bluetooth, and the MyAmp is consequently equipped. There is something really nice about pumping out your favourite melodies via the world's most suitable remote control, tablet computer or specifically your smartphone.
Then there's the analogue inputs; three of them to be precise. Three's a terrific number - just the one pair of RCA line ins (to connect the phono stage from my turntable) would likely do me. Notably, unlike a number of similar 'personal audio products', the MyAmp doesn't convert it to digital before going back to analogue - the analogue signal stays not alloyed as it progresses through. Other characteristics include a 3.5mm headphone outlet, a sub output and remote control sockets around the back. The binding posts are chunky and large, just about the greatest I have seen on a little amp.
In use, the Micromega operates well. The 256-step volume control using its very wonderful 0.5dB steps is a little fiddly via the fascia buttons, but simpler by the remote control; source choice is simple enough either manner. A credit card type remote control
Is furnished, which I suppose is it will be used by most people.
Sound quality
Using a detailed midrange and out of the blue strong bass because of its size and price, it doesn't sound like most small amplifiers. Most people, though, will use it with more priced ancillaries; my sample spends much of the review period driving Q Acoustics 2050i loudspeakers, fed from my laptop computer via USB.
Via any one of its three analogue input signals, the little MyAmp stays enjoyably smooth and never descending into coarseness, despite thin sounding and forward source material for example Gangsters. Indeed this track proves excellent enjoyment, with a bouncy and supple bass, a clear and comprehensive group as well as a sharp, lustrous treble. There is certainly no awareness of the dinky incorporated being a low-cost 'lifestyle' sound part; instead it seems exactly like the excellent streamlined amplifier that it is.
This track is beautifully recorded and has some delightful silky string sounds running through, which the MyAmp manages respectfully. Unlike lesser little budget amplifiers, it remains both smooth and composed, doing just enough to give a realistic timbre to all those sweeping strings that are magnificent. In precisely the same time, the amp rebounds along in the bass and serves up a satisfyingly ample recorded acoustic guitar. In total terms, you can tell that there's a rather slight softness to the cymbals, and it does not quite have the transparency of amplifiers that are more expensive, but it still makes a good stab at getting things right.
It's time to try some critically powerful percussive music and so K-Klass' Rhythm is a Mystery is duly cued up - a strong, pounding house track in the first nineties with massive tracts of thumping synth bass. It kicks out great huge slabs and even at high volumes it remains comparatively composed, showing few signs of being perturbed by what it will be requested to do. It gets a bit warmer admittedly, but doesn't appear to be sweating staying balanced across the frequency range with no evident signs of distress higher up. The Micromega doesn't make a fuss and stays listenable, although this track can sound a little bit forward, partly since it had been recorded on early nineties DAT machines. Really, it must be able to drive any typical or above average susceptibility set of loudspeakers; air in your listening room should truly move.
After confirming it is capable of very commendable sound through its analogue input, I move to hi-res digital via the USB input. Kate Bush's Fifty Words For Snow record at 24/96 is a delight to listen to. Such deep, rich, sonorous piano sounds are unexpected from a diminutive layout for example this. Nevertheless, the MyAmp proves unexpectedly civilised compared with some competitors at the price here; it's a delight to experience this kind of wide and sound that is cavernous.
Bluetooth is undoubtedly a great convenience attribute, though it should not actually be utilized for serious hi-fi listening in my view, even the desirable aptX variant fitted to the MyAmp. But one could not say this about the coaxial input, because when driven with a Cyrus CD Xt Signature transportation things sound excellent. Of course, it cannot match transparency, the clearness and scale of some GBP1,000 amplifiers but you wouldn't expect it to. But put on a well recorded classical music CD including DG and also you hear a broad, smooth and detailed sound that just gives a bit away in terms of fluidity and neutrality to larger and somewhat more pricey designs.
The biggest criticism is having less stereo depth, which is not just untypical for integrated amplifiers at this price.
Decision
Micromega has always been a purveyor of products that are unusual and unique - it's quite a distance from your somewhat bland, predictable and generic layouts you regularly see coming as an example. So that it absolutely was never any surprise that the MyAmp was planning to be an intriguing small box, and therefore it shows. Along with its intelligent industrial design, the unit appears to have been built well to perform the job for which it's purposed. The little, robust case is large enough to house an amplifier able to drive most real world loudspeakers to sound levels that are acceptable, and doesn't get too hot even at high volumes - and truly, they are tickled by it in a way that is genuinely gratifying and enchanting. The Gallic flair that the aesthetic and ergonomic design demonstrates additionally applies to the way in which music is made by it. I will think of few that are not worse than this if you're looking for a streamlined amplifier to make music in your study, bedroom or kitchen.
