Amateur Review: Lepy LP-838 2.1 Bluetooth Amplifier

[pio]

Welcome everyone, to another one of Pio's thrift adventures!  Today, we'll be reviewing a Lepy 2.1 channel "BT" amplifier.  I'm not going to put a bunch of time or effort into it, but I wanted to go ahead and get the word out on this amplifier.  This review was sponsored, I guess, by Amazon Vine.  Not sure if I need to mention that or not......

So some of you guys are probably already familiar with these junk tiny amplifiers, and some of you may not be.  I bought this amplifier with the idea that it'd be similar, hopefully, to the old school Lepai TA2020 that was capable of 20w RMS @ 4ohm x2 channels (10% THD).  Let's get to it, and see what this Lepy amp is capable of for $33 on Amazon.

Specifications:

• 【 Multiple Input Modes 】This power amplifier has multiple signal input modes such as Bluetooth mode, RCA input mode, USB flash drive mode(format is FAT32). It can also switch songs and adjust the volume through the remote control.
• 【Treble and Bass Control 】The power amplifier comes with independent adjustment knobs for treble and bass volume, allowing you to adjust the high and low pitches according to your preferences.
• 【38W+38W+50W 】This amplifier provides a powerful stereo audio experience, with a left and right channel output power of 38W+38W (peak power) and a subwoofer output power of 50W (peak power), making it an ideal choice for music and movie enthusiasts.
• 【 Wide Application Range 】The working voltage of this power amplifier is 12V, and it can be connected to 4-8 ohm speakers. It can be widely used in most devices, such as mobile phones, computers, tablets, laptops, MP3s, etc

 

Unboxing:

 

 

Taking a look at the box, well.  I think this is self explanatory.  I wasn't expecting much of a box.  I was expecting a little more than this out of the box though.  So far, not looking good already.

 

 

Okay, when we crack open the box, the packaging seems a LITTLE bit nicer and better.  We now can see a brand logo on the actual amplifier's box inside the packaging.  Weird that they'd print on one box, but not the actual full product box.  Whatever, lets dig in more.

 

 

So now, digging EVERYTHING out of the box, this seems okay for a cheap amp.  Alright, fine.....we'll deal with not having a cool box.  Everything is there that you'd need to hook this thing up.

 

Testing:

 

 

So, I did NOT even bother digging out my multimeter or test tones for this amp.  This amp was absolute GARBAGE when listening to it.  Seriously, I wouldn't even wish this amplifier on an OCN member .  I hooked up several sets of various thrift store find speakers, and I had a 50w Sony passive subwoofer hooked up to the amp.

The subwoofer dial, if you nudged it at all you get INSTANT audible distortion.  No actual sound EVER came out of the subwoofer channel, it was pure distortion the whole time.  There's no crossover controls at all for the subwoofer either, and it appears to have a low pass frequency of around a shocking 250Hz, maybe higher.  That is absolutely INSANE for a sub to be crossed over at near midrange levels.  Also, the subwoofer's "volume" knob operates COMPLETELY independently of the main volume control.  So if you turn up your speakers, your sub won't turn up with them.  Not that it matters, since there's basically no subwoofer output at all anyway.  Distortion isn't bass, nor is it a sub channel. -_-

 

The speaker channels, I could crank the volume full blast (deal with the audible distortion), and I could still talk comfortably at normal conversation volume over the top of it.  Adjusting the bass or treble controls IMMEDIATELY put very audible distortion, they did nothing but add distortion at ANY volume level.  This amplifier was putting out LESS than probably 5w per channel at the most, and probably less than that to the subwoofer output.

I did record a little video of my experience.

 

 

Conclusion:

I picked up this amplifier because I scored a nice older Denon 7.1 channel home theater setup at the thrift store the other day for basically pennies.  Just being honest.  My new to me Denon receiver is capable of doing front height speakers (which I wanted to get setup for EVENTUAL Dolby Atmos, no the Denon isn't Atmos but can do front heights).  I was thinking one of those older Lepai TA2020's would probably be "enough" to power those front height channels because they're pre-outs on the receiver.  Picked this amp up because it was offered in the Amazon Vine reviews section.  Now, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it other than pay the $3 in taxes on it (gross, I have to pay MORE?), and probably toss it in the garbage.  

This amplifier does work.  It does output sound.  And for that, it'll get a 2 star review from me on Amazon.  I did make note of ALL of its problems though as well, and warned everyone not to buy one.  Same thing here, do NOT buy a Lepy amp.  The specs are flat out lies.  This is nowhere near a Lepai amp quality (and even those are low quality).  Buyer beware.

Note sure if I can put this in an Amatuer Review or not but:

 

Edited October 31, 2023 by pioneerisloud

[bonami2]

I had good luck with my Smsl amp.

Being looking at Emotiva amp for a while!

 

Great review those thing are often garbage sadly.

[pio]

1 hour ago, bonami2 said:

I had good luck with my Smsl amp.

Being looking at Emotiva amp for a while!

 

Great review those thing are often garbage sadly.

I love my SMSL AD18, my Fosi Audio sub amp too.  I've had great luck with Dayton, and even the Lepai TA2020 was okay, considering you knew it was a small desktop power amp not made to fill a whole room.

This thing, just wow.  This wasn't worth the materials it was made out of.

[pio]

Update:
My Amazon review was cancelled, and I no longer have to pay the taxes on this garbage amp. 

Basically, they gave me a refund without needing to send it back, for Amazon reviewers.  I don't have to pay the tax on it.  

[bonami2]

2 hours ago, pioneerisloud said:

Update:
My Amazon review was cancelled, and I no longer have to pay the taxes on this garbage amp. 

Basically, they gave me a refund without needing to send it back, for Amazon reviewers.  I don't have to pay the tax on it.  

Was your review still posted?

 

[pio]

1 hour ago, bonami2 said:

Was your review still posted?

 

No, they pulled the 1 star review when they cancelled my review / order.  

Goes to show you how accurate and truthful Amazon reviews are..........

[bonami2]

2 hours ago, pioneerisloud said:

No, they pulled the 1 star review when they cancelled my review / order.  

Goes to show you how accurate and truthful Amazon reviews are..........

Repost it

[Fluxmaven]

That's a shame it turned out to be junk. A little amp with a sub channel is a lot less common. I actually just swapped out my SMSL mini amp in my bedroom. That amp is fine but didn't have a sub output and I wanted to simplify my remote setup. Originally had a nice Logitech Harmony but I accidentally washed it with the sheets. I decided to swap to one of my Denon receivers which is overkill for just 2 channels and sub out. But the TV can control it over ARC so I can just use the TV remote for everything. 

[pio]

2 hours ago, Fluxmaven said:

That's a shame it turned out to be junk. A little amp with a sub channel is a lot less common. I actually just swapped out my SMSL mini amp in my bedroom. That amp is fine but didn't have a sub output and I wanted to simplify my remote setup. Originally had a nice Logitech Harmony but I accidentally washed it with the sheets. I decided to swap to one of my Denon receivers which is overkill for just 2 channels and sub out. But the TV can control it over ARC so I can just use the TV remote for everything. 

I know, I was really looking forward to using it for my front channel height speakers on mine. -_-  Like I was saying in the little review I wrote, I could've lived without the sub channel, but I NEEDED those L/R channels to work, and be at least decent enough with like 15w or so, it'd have been fine.  I'll probably bust out one of my other thrift store receivers for that temporarily or something, or skip the front heights for now.  Not sure yet.  Either way, I was out of pocket nothing to write this review up, and hey.........it was a good excuse to test it and let everyone know to stay away.  

Somebody saw my YT channel review that bought one though, they're returning it and getting their money back hopefully.  They just bought it a week ago, and said they thought their sub was blown..........NOPE, its just the crappy amp.  Send it back!  

Edited November 1, 2023 by pioneerisloud

[Sir Beregond]

I don't know a thing about audio. One of these days I'll hit you up when I want to up my audio game and learn some stuff. Thanks for steering us away from junk!