Rolls DA134 4-Channel Distribution Amplifier

I was looking for a solution to distribute output from Sonos Connect (new model is the "Port") to 4 audio amps (old school Kenwood and Pioneer amps). I had previously attempted this using CE Labs AV700 but that unit made a sharp sounding crackle/pop in all connected speakers and a powered subwoofer when power was switched on so that unit was returned.I then came across the this product, the Rolls DA134. I expected a plastic, average quality component but this is much nicer than that! It's got a metal cabinet, nice components and excellent build quality. For my application I have this unit switched on along with the bank of audio amps and am not able to detect any additional noise to the signal path when powered on or while operating. The sound out of the in-ceiling speakers has improved given the stronger signal entering the amps versus the passive patch cable splitter approach that I previously had in place (2 Sonos Connects, output split to go to 2 amps each)The included power supply works without issue, and as others have noted the tip (-) and sleeve (+) of the DC end of the power supply are opposite the usual convention.Strong recommended purchase for this type of application.

Solid construction. Nice volume pots. Made in USA. Placing this unit between the output of an ethernet audio streaming device with very good DACS (Sonos connect 1) and a power amp significantly improved sound quality. Bass was MUCH stronger. I attribute this to amp input signal level being increased enough to fully drive the amp. With volume at 10 on the distribution box there was noticeable hiss with the audio source not playing. Dialing back to 7 fixed it. No hiss, amazing bass. I'm really impressed with this unit. Will look for more products from Rolls.

I have speakers all over the house. I recently bought this unit to solve the problem of how to run the signal coming out of my receiver to all the other powered speakers and receivers--some at the end of 50-foot cable runs, so the line-level signal does gets diminished.I previously had tried to use an unpowered splitter box which did not produce satisfactory results.Here are the problems that the Rolls unit solved:1. Boosting the line-level signal so that it there is enough voltage at the input of the next amp;2. Increasing the signal strength to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, compensating for the long cable run;3. Isolating the output channels so that they didn't drag each other down; or put another way,4. Allowing the user to set individual output levels to compensate for different sensitivities of the downstream inputs.I also bought good-quality but reasonably-priced cables (Monoprice 102868, also from Amazon) with gold-tipped RCA plugs, which also reduced the hum in this layout. If your downstream device is looking for a 3.5 mm stereo plug, you'll need to buy a female RCA-to male 3.5mm converter cable. I had tried long runs of 3.5mm cable previously but wasn't happy with the sound quality. Better channel separation and signal-to-noise ratio IMHO, with the stereo RCA cables.BTW -- this unit is made in the U.S. -- when was the last time you bought an electronic device for which that was true? They also provide a product circuit diagram, which I geeked out on. I'll never get inside the thing, but it was fun to see the tech they use. Bunch of op amps, basically.Tip #1: I used to have a lot of hum which I traced to ground loops--each downstream amplifier was on a different electrical circuit in my home. I got a couple hundred feet of 18-gauge wire and ran a separate ground from each device chassis ground (including a case screw on the Rolls) back to the ground on my receiver: KILLED the hum! Really clean sound now.Tip #2: This is not rocket science but if you don't understand much of what I explained above, this is probably not the product for you. The manufacturer assumes (and says in their literature) that they can't help you problem-solve your setup, so you need to know what you're doing.Tip 2a: this is not a Power Amp, it is a Line Level Amp, so it won't power your speakers. It produces enough power to drive the input of your powered speakers or something with a built-in preamp, like a receiver.Finally, build quality appears to be fantastic. Heavy metal case, clean assembly, smooth gain controls.

These solved a simple problem for me. I had been using single-output line-level amplifiers and Y-cables to boost and split a couple of output buses from my mixer into separate connections, but that meant that both sides of the split signals had to be the same level. These DA's allow me to set the level for each connection individually. I didn't think that would be necessary at first, and I lived with the disadvantage for a while, but now I know I should have just bought these amps from the beginning.The DA134 is a solid unit (as is just about every Rolls product I've used). It's well-made, feels very durable, and is a bit hefty for its size. It gives the impression that this isn't just a few cheap components thrown into a box, this is the real deal.Functionally, I have absolutely no complaints. I was able to quickly and easily dial in the exact levels that I needed, and the audio seems entirely transparent to my ears. In fact, the noise floor in each of those signal paths has dropped a bit with the DA134's in place.You might be able to find cheaper distribution amps out there, but don't count on them being as high-quality as this is.

Perfect solution for me. I’m running 4 buttkicker amplifiers from a split rca connection, one going to the subwoofer and split again to the bk amps. The problem I had was reduced operation as a result of splitting the signal so many times. That induces impedance problems. The solution was to take the signal directly into the sub (remove the splitter) and run the sub rca out into this device and 4 individual rca connections from this device into each butt kicker amplifier. Works perfect and I can tell there is a significant increase in performance! Device is well built and small enough to hide.

One half volume out is equal to the original input signal. I keep it there to minimize the risk of overloading amplifiers on the receiving side. Very handy and seemingly unique piece of gear that let's you expand to multiple powered monitors and subwoofers without tossing out old gear, or expanding to other rooms.