ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Valortiva Octa A1 integrated amp is available on Amazon for $399.
- This integrated amp is so easy to set up that anyone can be dancing to their favorite tunes in minutes.
- The Octa A1 amp only produces 35W of power.
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Have you ever wanted to stream music (or a podcast) from your phone to a room filled with people, but found that most Bluetooth speakers just don’t get loud enough?
What if I told you that you could connect a pair of passive speakers and a subwoofer and hear music with room-shaking volume? The Valortiva Octa A1 Integrated amp not only makes this possible but also easy.
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For those who don’t know, an integrated amplifier is an audio device that combines both a preamplifier and a power amplifier into a single unit. With such an amp, you can get by with passive speakers.
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There are a handful of uses for this device. Besides connecting to passive speakers, you can also connect it to a gaming console (or PC), or to high-fidelity speakers for an even more immersive experience. Imagine sounds from your favorite game pumping through your favorite speakers? Pretty cool, eh? Here’s how it works.
My experience
First, you may ask, what exactly are passive speakers? These are audio speakers that don’t have built-in amplifiers, instead relying on external amp or A/V receiver. This gives you more control over your sound profile.
After I connected the device to my own passive speakers (do not connect this amp to a pair of active speakers — it can damage them) and a matching subwoofer to the amp, I powered it on and selected USB. I then was able to pair the device without any issues.
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I opened Spotify, tapped my favorite playlist, and cranked up the volume. I’ll preface this by saying I’m spoiled. I have a wonderful audio system in my office that produces incredible sound from either my turntable or PC. I knew off the bat the Octa A1 couldn’t compete with my Outlaw Audio amp.
That said, the Octa A1’s sound was solid. Although this amp can’t be considered a powerhouse (it maxes out at 35W output), it was able to fill the room with plenty of sound.
This amp is all about expanding your audio offerings in smaller spaces. If you like the idea of switching between devices (plugging in your PS5 and then disconnecting it to listen to TV or your phone) in your apartment, the Octa A1 is a very good option.
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As far as the audio quality, I’m going to say it lives right there in the midrange of amps. Since there are no adjustments for the subwoofer, if your sub has no physical controls or an app to use, you might find the bass a bit weak. Highs are solid, but do lack a bit of crispness and mids are nice and smooth.
The Octa A1 is all about simplicity.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Of course, all of this will depend on the equipment you attach to the Oct1, so your mileage may vary. And if you’re accustomed to a higher-end setup, you’ll want to judge the Oct1 in the realm it’s meant to live in. When you consider that, you’ll find the Oct1 to be quite a nice little amp.
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The best thing about the Octa A1 is how easy it is to set up and how little room it takes. About the size of a dinner plate, this baby squeezes into tight spaces, so you don’t have to worry about having a full audio rack.
Because it combines both a preamp and an amp, you only need this single device (rather than separate components), making it much easier to use. And the ability to connect via Bluetooth, USB (with an older USB port), or analog aux (via RCA plugs) really makes this amp stand out. I’ve had amps with Bluetooth available, and often they can be a real pain to use. The Octa A1 makes connecting almost foolproof.
ZDNET’s buying advice
If I were to compare the Valoritiva Octa A1 to other midrange amps I’ve owned or tested, I would say this one is easily my favorite. Sure, it’s not going to beat a $5k audio system, but that’s not what this amp is about. It’s about simplicity and good sound wrapped up in a device that can fit just about anywhere.
If I were in the market for a basic, midrange amp, I would look long and hard at the Octa A1 and seriously consider it as a PC/phone/game console amp. That would be a no-brainer.
The Octa A1 sells for $399 on Amazon (with a $20 off coupon), but you can also get it for $299 from the official Valortiva site.
Valortiva Octa A1 tech specs
- 35W per channel at 4Ω
- 25W per channel at 6Ω
- Best speaker match: Passive speakers rated 35W–70W at 4Ω or 25W–50W at 6Ω with a sensitivity 87dB or higher, and a frequency response – 20 Hz – 25 kHz
- Inputs – RCA (analog), AUX (3.5mm), USB (digital audio input), Bluetooth (wireless audio)
- Outputs – Speaker binding posts (accept banana plugs), Subwoofer output (dedicated), Headphone output, RCA, AUX, USB, Bluetooth
- Dimensions – 9.8 x 2.7 x 9.8 inches (W x H x D)
- Weight – 4.6 lbs
