– Pierre Stemmelin, on-mag.fr
Translated from French
Very compact, the NuPrime Omnia A300 is a Hifi amplifier with amazing features. Offering versatile analog and digital connectivity, a relatively complete integrated network player and several equalization modes, it boasts a power of no less than 2 x 150 watts into 8 ohms.
As usual, NuPrime offers with its Omnia A300 a product that does not look like the others, whether they are from other brands or from NuPrime! It is indeed a somewhat annoying habit of the American-Taiwanese manufacturer: it adopts a new chassis design almost with each of its new series of electronics.
The NuPrime Omnia A300 is therefore very compact and discreet. It is enclosed in a shielded box, very solid and of high quality, made up of two U-shaped aluminum sections 3 to 7 mm thick, whose rounded corners contrast with the more angular shapes of the brand’s previous electronics.
At the front, the controls come down to a single rotary push button which is used for switching on and off, as well as source selection or volume adjustment. Most of the space is occupied by a display bordered on its right by 2 headphone sockets on 6.35 and 3.5 mm jacks.
USB and optical digital audio cables (Toslink) are supplied with the device, as well as a massive, old-fashioned, all-black metal remote control with 26 small, identical chrome buttons. This gives access to additional functions, including several preset equalization modes, Loudness and Mute.
At the rear, on the analog side, there is only a line input and a preamp output. On the other hand, for digital audio, it is more provided with 6 inputs (2 optical, coaxial, USB, HDMI I2S, Bluetooth) without forgetting the WiFi and Ethernet network connections.
Linkplay network player and boosted class D amplification
The network player built into the NuPrime Omnia A300 uses the Linkplay system and its most high-end management card A98M (sold for $100 each per 1000 pieces on Alibaba). This incorporates an Amlogic A113X type 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor. The Linkplay system, which we have already encountered with many other brands, provides access to UPnP/DLNA playback, web radios and several online music services including Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music or Qobuz. It has hidden compatibility with the AirPlay protocol. Its configuration is done here, from the NuPrime Omnia Receiver application derived from the standard Linkplay app.
Under the hood of the NuPrime Omnia A300, the circuits are very dense, a little messy, but show a high level of engineering. We note the presence of a Qualcomm Bluetooth AptX-HD reception chip. Half of the chassis is occupied by a power supply board (NuPrime Low Noise PSU for Audio). It is isolated from the rest of the electronics by a shield plate. The two heat dissipation radiators it contains are not dedicated to the power stages, but to the power supply regulation transistors. The power stages are more discreet, working in class D. Note the care given to their filter chokes enclosed in ferrite shielding capsules.
A very nervous sound reproduction, focused on the emphasis
The NuPrime Omnia A300 is advertised for 2 x 150 watts at 8 ohms and 2 x 200 watts at 4 ohms. He had no problem moving our large Kelinac Kel 714 MG columns . Listening to this Hifi amp, we find the sound signature of NuPrime. The sound is very lively and energetic, with punchy bass. Nevertheless, the restitution did not seem to us as calm, articulated, rich and detailed as that of the NuPrime IDA-8 which for us is a reference. The Omnia A300 is more in the expression of strength and frees itself from a certain neutrality. Its tonal balance in “Flat” mode is already slightly physiological, characterized by warm bass and incisive treble.
The sound signature of the NuPrime Omnia A300, in addition to its energy, is also distinguished by its breadth. We can say that this amp has emphasis. It brings an unusual shine to the midrange, as if pushing the reverb effects a bit. This results in a surprising sensation of spatialization. The stereophonic image is grandiose. It describes vast spaces and it has a lot of relief. The Omnia A300 gives a lot of breadth to the restitution. Even with speakers that are a little shy and reserved, it has no equal in bringing presence and filling the space.
In summary
The NuPrime Omnia A300 is an atypical connected Hifi amplifier open to all the most modern music sources. Beneath its very compact armored chassis, it hides a fiery temperament. Its 2 x 150 watts of power allow it to power large speakers, push the level of decibels very high, deploy an overflowing energy and a stereo image that takes on grandiose aspects.
Link to the review --> https://www.on-mag.fr/index.php/topaudio/tests-auditions/22607-test-nuprime-omnia-a300-un-mini-ampli-hifi-connecte-ultra-puissant-qui-energise-la-musique
