Honestly I just absolutely don’t know where it starts to sound bad. I know my smartphone headphone out and my audio interface are 95dB SINAD, and both sound great. Apparently 98dB is basically theoretical bit-perfect output. And I know my old AVR sounds different. Not as clean. My guess is it’s because it has way lower than 95dB SINAD. So I’d stay in that 90dB+ range…
But apparently, staying in that 90dB+ range with passive speakers, costs, like, 5 times the price.
Yes, speaker amps are a bit different 
Found this. Someone measured chi-fi speaker amps.
FX-Audio D802 is in the list. 80dB SNR, 2x80w. 100$USD. D802C pro has rca/coaxial/optical/usb in and nfc/bluetooth+aptx. Nice. Just no headphone out.
Otherwise, there’s the FX502S Pro in the list, but it’s only an amp. 50$ for RCA in/speaker out.
Edit: Don’t.
The FX502SPro falls way short of its 70 watt spec and produces just 37 watts before clipping.
That’s about it for cheap-but-good amps for passive speakers.
Holy crap, a lot of replies and it has been days. I must say, the information that you guys have provided to me can be proven useful and will give me a wide range of ideas when it comes to DAC/AMPs combo. I overall appreciate the suggestions.
I’m glad you see this as useful and not a hijacked thread lol
well it was almost like one, but you got to appreciate the every varying knowledge that everyone has here.
Yeah sorry, I was curious about all the “budget” dac/amps for passive speakers for me and one of my friends, I didn’t knew if you were interested in passive speakers too and I just thought, well, this thread is going to be a good source of info for everyone starting in hi-fi audio. 
Imo those starting out in audio shouldn’t really worry about the measurements and just enjoy the music. Not saying they should settle for flaws, but measurements shouldn’t be a priority
Sorry, as I said, I don’t really know the threshold where it starts to suck.
I’d still avoid 57dB SNR speaker amps because, damn, 10-to-20 year old AVRs do 80dB SNR.
Use measurements to be sure you don’t buy crap, but don’t pay 100$ more for the 80dB SNR one because the other one is only 79dB SNR. 
Yeah, I think you can get a better value buying a used or refurbished receiver then one of the small entry level amps like the mx3. But some people like stuff like that for desks, and something like the ad18 makes more sense to them, and it’s fine as long as they don’t listen loud
You are not alone in terms of feeling new to Hi Fi audio in general, I myself can still be considered as a newbie when it comes to these things. Sure, I know some audio brands that can provide the sounds you are looking for, but overall there are things out there that are obscured and yet to be find as a diamond in the rough. I never knew the brands Tin, KZ, Fiio, Topping and Dragonfly even existed, and with this has provided me more open mindedness and as well new things to consider. So don’t get too intimidated when you’re overall new to this because back then I was too. Also I am still saving up for the DAC/AMP I want, Fiio and Topping are the options I have for now.
Yeah, there’s alot to take in and consider, with a ton of different options that most people can’t reasonably try, so it gets overwhelming lol
also trust your own ears, and let people’s opinions serve only as a gauge for you to be the item you want like, never get too influenced on other people’s different hearings about it.
Yup. If you like something, don’t let someone else convince you it’s not good. If it’s good to you it’s good
well I got 2 options so far, turns out I cannot damn buy the Topping NX3s using debit/credit card which grinds my gears. As of now the Fiio K1 and Topping NX1s are much more possible for me to buy. A suggestion from you can help me choose.
I just go to amazon to check the Fiio k5 pro after reading this thread and it’s all sold out. Btw @K4sh1ma don’t you have 3rd party buyers or mail forwarding services from US to Philippines ? If you did you could use the AV exchange or ebay and have the item sent to you, will get a bit pricey but atleast you’ll get quality stuff. Speaking from personal experience sitting in Bangladesh and ordering stuff from US amazon.
well I have an another one, I can save up more and then get the Topping NX3s from an another seller. But yeah I will try that one but the indeed problem I got from those are the shipping costs.
Do you have to pay tax or shipping when ordering from ali express ? if no then buy from there. Atleast you can buy them and have them shipped.
LOL the one from Lazada is much cheaper than the AliExpress, so I am buying that one from Lazada instead but a few dollars, I can finally get it.
